How to Choose the Right Cushion Inserts

It hardly seems like the glamorous, fun part of interior decorating, but choosing the best cushion insert will have more impact on the look and feel of your room than you may realise. Whether scattered on a sofa for extra comfort, dressing up a bed, or adding an accent to an armchair, these soft, cushiony forms are a staple accessory in almost every room – even hallways and bathrooms occasionally house a cushioned seat. They are, however, more than simply a dressing tool; cushions add comfort and support, too. So while our first inclination may be to focus on aesthetics, it’s actually worth turning your attention to the filling inside your printed, patterned, or textural cover.

OKA cushion covers are supplied without pads, which means you can choose the softness of your filling and thus manipulate the finish somewhat to suit your tastes. But how do you know what type to plump for? We talk you through the various cushion insert sizes and shapes and the best filling for your needs. Once you have that sussed, you can get down to the fun part: placing your cushions.

“Always choose a cushion insert that’s the same size, one size bigger, than your cover; this will ensure you experience extra plumpness and comfort. Never opt for a cushion insert that is smaller than your cover – you’ll end up with flat, empty corners where there’s no filling. Overstuffed covers have a more generous appeal. At OKA, we overfill our cushion pads and label them so that they match the cover size they are designed for, resulting in a full look.”

What size cushion insert should I buy?

Of course, the size of the cushion filler you need depends on the dimensions of your cushion cover. But it also helps to consider where and how you plan to use them and whether they will be singular or layered.

A classic square cushion design ( 51cm x 51cm and 58cm x 58cm) is both practical and decorative. A single square cushion makes a great accent on an armchair. Beyond bringing a dash of colour and pattern, it also offers a little bit of extra comfort and support. 

For a rectangular cushion, you’ll need to think about scale; small rectangular designs (60x35cm) are ideal placed in front of a large, square one, while bolster cushions (89cmx36cm) are good for laying across benches and beds for extra depth and height (as well as comfort when sitting reading).

How to measure your cushion cover

To measure a cushion cover, remove the internal pad (if there is one) and lay the cover flat. Then, in the case of a square or rectangular design, use a measuring tape to measure along the length and width of the cover. 

For round cushion covers, measure across from one side to the other to find the diameter.

What cushion inserts are the best?

When it comes to cushion cover inserts, duck or goose feathers are the outright winners. Synthetic materials don’t come close to providing the ultimate in luxurious comfort and standing the test of time.

The beauty of these feathers is they maintain a cushion shape, no matter how often they’re laid upon, maintaining the shape of cushions better than alternatives. Perfect for constant use on sofas or beds, your cushions will benefit from the investment in a quality duck feather insert.

How to arrange your cushions

Sofas are a great blank canvas for experimenting with various cushion sizes and arrangements, but you first need to consider the size of your seating.

The beauty of these feathers is they maintain a cushion shape, no matter how often they’re laid upon, maintaining the shape of cushions better than alternatives. Perfect for constant use on sofas or beds, your cushions will benefit from the investment in a quality duck feather insert.

If you need a little inspiration, our guide to dressing a sofa with cushions is a helpful place to start.

Ready to choose your cushions?

We now have more than 200 cushion cover designs, and we introduce new cushions every season, ready and waiting to accessorise your home. Shop the full collection.