• Use techniques to coordinate cushions with the color, style and design of your room.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Cushions can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to room décor. But that doesn't mean that they have to take a back seat when it comes to design techniques. The cushions used to sit upon or lean a back against can also be a design opportunity. Use techniques to make cushions stand out, just as curtains, table accents, and other elements contribute to the overall beauty and décor of your rooms.
  
  

Fabric

• Cushion fabrics play an important role in design. The fabric alone can change the whole mood and ambiance of a room. For example, velvet fabric cushions embellished with tassels can transform an ugly duckling garage sale chair find into a chair fit for a prince. Polished cotton cushions on kitchen chairs and patio chairs in floral designs convey a cozy feeling. By adding an appliqué based on a flower in the fabric, the cushion becomes customized to your home. Leather cushions for furnishings in a den, media or family room provide durability.
  
  

Trim

• Cushions can be decorated with a variety of trims. Woven trims in contrasting colors can add definition to the cushion base. Cording and piping can be used to add structure and balance to the form of the cushions. Leather edging trim can give a contemporary look to cushion seats for furniture in a family room or media room. Sew a fabric handle to patio cushions so it can be transported to the garden, used for cushioning or benches or taken to a pool or hot tub.
  
  

Embroidery

• Embroidery stitches can be used to give a customized look to the cushions. For example, you can embroider cushions for dining room chair backs with your personal or family monogram. This technique will complement a formal dining room setting, adding a personalized touch of elegance and class. Fabrics can also be embroidered with decorative stitches to give the cushions a custom look. Add an embroidered pattern to the center of the seat to define the edge of the cushion in a color that contrasts with the chair fabric, such as maroon embroidered designs and stitches on a gold-colored cushion.
  
  

Edging

• You can use different textures and fabrics to edge the cushions and to create "piping" between the front and back, top, bottom and sides. For example, cushions for indoor bistro-style chairs for a small kitchen table can be sewn in polished cottons, canvas and multi-colored calico prints. Create piping to connect the top and bottom for a flat cushion, or to connect the top and bottom to the middle panel for a foam insert cushion to allow for height and depth. Use a contrasting color for the edging or piping that picks up colors from a floral design, or ties in with the dominant color scheme of the kitchen. The same technique can be used for an outdoor bistro table for two, using polished and canvas fabrics, edging and trimming that are suitable for the outdoors. Piping can also be made to stand out by cutting the fabric on the diagonal for a striped cushion, or to make the texture distinctive by making a diagonal piping edge for a velvet cushion.