Facts About Cushions

A cushion is a soft and small pillow constructed from an ornamental-type material. It is filled with wool, hair, feathers, poly-fiber, non-woven stuffing, or even straw or shredded paper.

The term cushion is derived from Old French (coisson, coussin) and from Latin (culcita). Some English dialects use the word in reference to throw pillows.

A cushion pillow is designed to be used for sitting, kneeling, or to lessen the hardness or straight lines of a chair or sofa. Cushions and rugs can also find use outdoors to soften the ground. Outdoors, a cushion pillow can also be put on sun loungers and used as protection from biting insects.

The cushion is an ancient type of furniture. According to historical documents, palaces and grand residences of the Middle Ages regularly used them. Cushions of that time were typically of large size, covered in leather, and firm enough to function as a seat. However, the trend of all furniture in general has been to become smaller over time.

Cushions were, in fact, used for seating at virtually all events in France and Spain at a later time. In the Spanish court, they were considered as an especially honorable substitute for a chair. In France, the right to kneel on a cushion in church behind the king was protected and controlled. This cushion used in church was referred to as a carreau or squaer. When seats were uneven and hard and uncomfortable, cushions were likely a necessity yet were also regarded as a luxury since not everyone had them.

The term cushion in architecture refers to the sides of the Ionic capital. The term can refer as well to a form of the Roman-like capitals of Germany and England. They often consist of cubical blocks, squared on the top and rounded on the corners. This allows reduction of the lower diameter of a circle to be the same dimensions as the shaft.

For detailed owner reviews on many different types of pillows, go to Pillow Reviews.