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How to transform even the coldest gloomiest of rooms.

Nothing quite finishes off the look of a sofa than cushions. Most sofas look stylish as they are, because manufacturers take care to make something that people will be happy to pay hundreds of pounds for, but many people use cushions to stamp their own creativity into their interior design. A soft squashy oatmeal-coloured sofa can look stunning with some contrasting cushions in, say, electric blue or hot pink, or the look can also be kept simple but sophisticated, with cushions in earthy natural tones. Either way, a sofa needs cushions to give it a bit of individuality as well as to make it inviting to someone looking for a relaxing sit down.

There are many different styles and sizes of cushions available today, and the buyer has quite a difficult choice. Big over-sized cushions will look great on a large four-seater, while smaller scatter cushions will be more suitable for a two or three-seater. You can mix sizes, styles, fabrics and patterns on one sofa, if you take care to pick a common theme or colour that links them all.

Cushion inners are just as varied, and no less important, than the outer cases. There are several types to choose from, some synthetic, others natural, like duck down.

Synthetic cushion fillers are, of course, cheaper than their organic counterparts, but it is important to buy the best quality you can afford, for comfort and wear. There are several different types, the cheapest being foam chips. These are economical but do not fill a cushion in a uniform fashion, and tend to clump after a while, making the cushion look and feel out of shape.

There are two types of polyester cushion fillers; given the choice, the recommended variety is the one that looks like cotton wool. When pressed, it bounces back into shape better than the cheaper version, which is looser and needs a lot of bolstering to keep its shape.

Bean bag filling is also available these days; it has a lot of give, and the weight helps the cushion to keep its shape but, when filling, it needs to be packed very loosely to allow the beans room to move. This can result in a cushion that feels gappy after a while.

Feathers have been used as cushion and pillow fillers for hundreds of years. The cheapest form of feather filling is China duck feathers, which are great for cushions that get a lot of wear because the feathers are very full.

The very best cushion filler available is feather and down, the goose feather filler being the superior choice. It is a lot more expensive than the others but will last for many years, will keep its shape with barely any bolstering and shaking, has warmth-retaining qualities and, these days, is usually sterile and hypo-allergenic. If money is no object, this is the one to buy.

The right furniture and accessories will transform even the coldest gloomiest room into a haven of comfort and style. Taking care to choose the best quality that funds allow and this will ensure that they will last for many years.