Velvet cushions bring softness, depth and a gentle sheen to a room. We love pairing them with our linen and cotton cushions: the relaxed texture of linen and cotton sits beautifully beside the smooth finish of velvet.
Our new velvet cushions come in five plain colours chosen to complement our Hamptons palette: Sky Blue, Seafoam, Navy, Champagne and Pewter. Each is available as a 55cm × 55cm square and a 40cm × 60cm lumbar, so you can layer them on a sofa, armchair or bed.
Why we love plain velvet cushions
Stripes, abstracts and florals give a cushion arrangement its personality. A plain velvet cushion gives the eye somewhere to rest. It breaks up the patterns while picking up a colour within them, helping the whole arrangement feel connected.
The solid colour also lets velvet’s texture shine. Light plays across the fabric, giving even a simple cushion a sense of depth. Beside a patterned linen or cotton cushion, it adds richness without introducing another print.
Try choosing one colour from a floral or abstract design and repeating it in velvet. A Sky Blue cushion can draw out a soft blue detail; Navy can give a pale print more definition. If you are mixing several patterns, a plain velvet square or lumbar helps create a calm space between them.
Which velvet colour should you choose?
Sky Blue feels fresh and airy. Pair it with white or oatmeal linen and a blue stripe for a classic coastal look. It can also pick up the softer blue details in a floral cushion.
Seafoam brings a gentle blue-green note to the room. We love it with duck egg blue, ivory linen and botanical or floral prints. Its plain colour helps balance more detailed designs.
Navy adds contrast and anchors lighter cushions. Try it with a blue-and-white stripe, a pale abstract or natural linen. On a white or oatmeal lounge, a Navy velvet square can bring the arrangement together.
Champagne is a soft, warm neutral. Layer it with oatmeal linen, cream cotton and delicate florals for a light look with plenty of texture. It is an easy choice when you want to add velvet without adding a strong colour.
Pewter gives an arrangement a deeper, more grounded finish. Pair it with ivory and natural linen, then add a stripe or abstract cushion for pattern. It works particularly well for a more tailored look.
Where should you use a 55cm square cushion?
The 55cm × 55cm square works beautifully at the back of an arrangement. Place one at each end of a sofa to frame smaller patterned cushions, or use a single square on a roomy armchair.
On a bed, velvet squares add height and colour in front of your pillows. Their plain finish is especially effective alongside patterned cushions or the natural texture of linen and cotton bedding.
Where should you use a 40cm × 60cm lumbar cushion?
The 40cm × 60cm lumbar has a lower, rectangular shape that suits the front of an arrangement. Layer it in front of a linen or cotton square to vary the shapes and give the pattern behind it some breathing room.
A lumbar also looks lovely on its own across an armchair or at the front of a bed. For a simple sofa arrangement, try a patterned square at each end and a plain velvet lumbar in the centre.
How do you bring the arrangement together?
Start with a colour you love, then mix pattern and texture around it. You might pair a floral with a stripe and use a plain velvet cushion to repeat a colour they share. Or place a Navy velvet square behind a lighter abstract cushion to give the arrangement contrast.
Keep the larger squares towards the back and the lumbar towards the front, leaving enough room to sit comfortably. You only need a few pieces to make a difference. The combination of patterned linen and cotton with plain velvet adds interest while keeping the relaxed, welcoming feel we love in a Hamptons home.
