Cushions: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, definitely. I find that they give extra back support, especially on my living room sofa which is a bit too firm. I usually prop one or two behind me whenever I'm reading or watching television in the evening.

Quite a few, actually. We have a set of four velvet ones on the main couch and a couple of smaller throw pillows on the armchair. My flatmate loves interior decorating, so she bought several to add a splash of colour to the room.

I tend to go for plush, oversized ones made from breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. I'm not really keen on decorative cushions that feel rough or scratchy because I think comfort should always come before appearance.

I suppose I did, but mostly for playing rather than sitting. My brother and I used to build pillow forts out of the sofa cushions in our living room on rainy afternoons. We used to scatter them all over the floor to make cosy dens.

Probably not, to be honest, unless I knew their taste really well. People are quite particular about their home decor, and it's easy to pick a pattern that clashes with their existing furniture. I'd rather buy something less risky, like a scented candle.