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Some people consider a cushion only to be one of the finishing touches in a room scheme. However, they are actually a remarkably adaptable tool to have up your interior design “sleeve”.

You can instantly update the look of your room by adding cushions in carefully chosen colours or patterns – rather than having to go to the expense of a complete room design. They are also terrific for linking in a piece of furniture which might otherwise not have a reference point within a room or indeed for highlighting a piece that you want to bring to the fore in your room.

In monochrome schemes, they are wonderful ways of injecting the all-important differing textures that will make your scheme really sing. Not to mention the rather obvious use of making the space especially comfortable for the user.

At their most innovative, a cushion can also be a wonderful way of creating an artistic feature instead of hanging a picture on the wall or, indeed, of allowing you to indulge your love of a particularly expensive fabric in your design – without the cost of making a pair of curtains.

The very fact that these items tend to be small and portable means that you can also move them throughout your home easily, changing and refreshing schemes; whenever you see fit.

The importance of the cushion to modern interior design is reflected in the fact that a number of specialist companies have been created over the last few years with an emphasis on providing the perfect personal pillow.

Kirstin Hodgson set up her Easingwold based company, Angel Linens, in the late 90s as a natural “cure” for her lifelong obsession with collecting vintage fabrics. Her cushion designs are all handmade in Yorkshire using vintage linens (apparently much of which is over 100 years old) which she combines with antique mother of pearl buttons.

Kirstin takes inspiration from the wonderfully tactile fabrics that she uses. Her cushion designs are fabulously British with the brightly coloured stripes conjuring up images of deckchairs and circus tents, whilst the faded florals of antique chintz and toiles evoke memories of afternoon teas, bone china cups and bowls full of old-fashioned roses. She also includes the odd stags head for good measure.

Angel Linens is definitely flying the flag as Kirstin proudly uses luxury feather pads sourced from a British supplier and even has her gift boxes custom made for her by a local family business. Her Easingwold store is well worth a visit, but if you are more of an armchair consumer you can visit her online boutique at www.angel-lifestyle.com (cushions from around £32).

Keeping local trade alive was also an important consideration for Creative Director, Jo Westwood, when she set up Coal & Wright in 2010 with a vision to bring to the market “beautifully crafted products made wholly in Britain”.

Jo trained in fashion, tailoring and textiles and discovered her passion for interior textiles and homewares during a stint at the exclusive London Design studio Vanderhurd. Her company now concentrates on creating a stunning range of printed home textiles, using British craftspeople, traditional techniques and quality base linens.

Jo starts her creative process with original photography and hand drawings, which are then digitally manipulated to create textile patterns. These designs are transferred to silk screen and hand printed on British linens. The fabric is then hand crafted into cushions at Coal & Wright’s Melton Mowbray based studio.

Their debut collection “Empire” is inspired by travels across the continent, European fabrics and ceramics. It is definitely a wonderful eclectic mix of bold and delicate, traditional and modern. The company also offers a bespoke design service to cater to your very personal needs. You can see the entire Coal and Wright collection at www.coalandwright.co.uk – prices start at around £48.10.

Passion is certainly the name of the game for the cushion designer as Vanessa Streeton, founder of Harrogate based CocoonU confirms. She set up her company four years ago as a result of her love of cashmere combined with a special interest in ensuring ethical manufacture.

CocoonU is firmly focused on the luxury market producing exquisite, individual pieces using the softest cashmere sourced from Outer Mongolia, which Vanessa confirms “nomadic herders hand comb from the underbelly of the goat”. This production method, combined with temperatures as low as minus 50C produces exceptional quality yarns – exquisitely soft, yet strong enough to last a lifetime.

Vanessa has designed a classic range of 100 per cent cashmere cushion covers in Chocolate and Beige which are available in cable or plain knit. A gentle caress confirms that these cushions should be something that you will treasure for a lifetime.

The range is available from CocoonU who share a Harrogate showroom with George Smith or at their website www.cocoonu.com (cashmere cushions are £125).

So perhaps it is time for you to take a fresh look at this simple home accessory and realise that it can truly be a force for good in the battle of home design development while potentially helping to preserve the best in British manufacturing and design.

* Jamie Hempsall, BIID, is an award winning interior designer. Visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com or contact him on 0800 032 1180.