How to Choose the Perfect Cushion Size for Your Sofa

Styling a sofa well is a matter of proportion. At The Pillow Company, we’ve seen time and again how the wrong cushion sizes can flatten a room, while the right ones create structure, depth, and poise.

We believe in intentional layering. Our sizing philosophy is simple, elegant, and highly versatile—with just three shapes that fit nearly every seating arrangement:

• 22" x 22" (Large Square – for structure and height)

• 18" x 18" (Medium Square – for balance and texture)

• 14" x 24" (Oblong Lumbar – for rhythm and contrast)

Let’s explore how to use these to your advantage.

For 3-Seater Sofas: Symmetry Meets Depth

The classic three-seater sofa offers ample styling opportunity—but clarity is key. Avoid the trap of overcrowding.

Our Formula:

• 2 x 22” Cushions (placed on either end)

• 2 x 18” Cushions layered in front

• 1 x 14x24” Lumbar in the centre

This structure gives you three visible layers: foundation, contrast, and detail. Stick to tonal variations and textures within the same palette for understated luxury.

Tip: Use velvet or textured cottons for the 22” anchors, and embroidery or soft neutrals for the accents.

For 2-Seaters or Compact Sofas: Keep It Light

When space is limited, every piece must earn its place. Overstuffing a small sofa with large cushions often backfires. Instead, create a refined rhythm with fewer, well-proportioned pieces.

TPC Formula:

• 2 x 18” Cushions

• 1 x 14x24” Lumbar in the center

This composition feels deliberate and visually airy. Perfect for small apartments or elegant corner nooks.

For Sectionals or L-Shaped Seating: Create Zones

Styling a sectional is about controlling flow. Rather than treating it as one long surface, divide it visually into segments and use cushions to guide the eye.

TPC Approach:

• End 1: 1 x 22” + 1 x 18”

• Corner: 1 x 22” + 1 x 14x24”

• End 2: 1 x 22” or a solo 18” for asymmetry

Don’t mirror both ends unless your space is formal—let the arrangement reflect how the space is actually used.

For Chaise Lounges and Benches: Sculptural Simplicity

These seating types offer minimal surface area—which means the fewer cushions you use, the more considered they must be.

TPC Suggestion:

• 1 x 22” Cushion

• 1 x 14x24” Lumbar, slightly angled

Stick to complementary tones and let the silhouette of the cushion shapes lead the visual rhythm.

The Pillow Company Philosophy: Less, But Better

We keep our cushion offering intentionally tight—because we believe the right proportion is more powerful than an abundance of choice.

• The 22” cushion provides presence and height.

• The 18” cushion adds layering and softness.

• The 14x24” lumbar introduces contrast, shape, and relief.

By working within this clean framework, you gain freedom to play with color, fabric, and embroidery—without losing harmony.

Our final suggestion:

Choosing the right cushion size isn’t just a styling choice. It’s a design principle. With proportion in place, everything else—texture, tone, fabric—begins to sing.