Odd numbers, generous sizes and one quiet rule that makes an arrangement look considered rather than crowded.
Start with the sofa, not the cushions
A two-seat sofa rarely needs more than three cushions; a large three-seater carries five comfortably. The aim is an arrangement you can sit within, not one you have to move before sitting down.
Work in odd numbers where you can. An uneven count reads as relaxed, while pairs can feel formal.
Vary scale before you vary colour
Two 50cm squares and one 50 x 30cm rectangle will look more considered than three identical squares in three different colours. Scale creates the layered effect; colour simply carries the mood.
Let one piece be quiet
In every combination we design, one cushion does very little. A plain taupe or herringbone gives the eye somewhere to rest, which is what makes the patterned pieces work.