Different shapes, different personalities

• Square — structured, formal, weighty. Modern, industrial and minimalist interiors. Lettering, logos and slogans read most clearly in a square.
• Round — soft, relaxed, friendly. Scandinavian, wabi-sabi, Japandi and cream-toned interiors. Beautiful in bedrooms and window seats.

A square cushion reads as a piece; a round cushion reads as homeware. For a gift that carries meaning, square feels more deliberate.

Size is not comparable across shapes

A 45 cm round cushion reads as larger than a 45 cm square. If you are matching shapes, step the round size up by about 5 cm. Common round diameters are 45, 50 and 60 cm; round cushions above 60 cm tend to disappear into a deep sofa.

How to mix them

• One shape throughout — safest, and the most common look.
• Square base, round accent — a large square behind, a medium round in front. This is the combination that photographs best.
• Square plus round plus a plain cushion — three layers, but keep the colour count at three or fewer.

Print layout changes with shape

• Lettering and logos — square, always. A circle distorts letterforms.
• Full-bleed patterns and florals — round, because the curved edge crops the design naturally instead of cutting it off.
• Portraits — square, so faces are not cropped.
• Fine border designs — round works only if we bleed the artwork past the edge.

Cost and production

Square is the simpler and cheaper shape — four corners, straightforward seaming. Round requires curved cutting and edge binding, typically adding 10–20%. Irregular shapes (hearts, letters, silhouettes) are possible but cost the most and require the artwork to be re-laid out for the shape.

Where each shape belongs

Round cushions suit soft spaces: the foot of a bed, a window seat, a rattan chair. Square cushions suit structured ones: sofa corners, bookshelf grids, entryway benches.