Yes, patio cushions are just patio cushions. However, many people decorate their own patio with colorful color-coordinated patio cushions. When you view your patio as a whole, your eye is first drawn to the seating area, then the foliage around the area, and then your eyes are naturally drawn to the patio cushions on your furniture.
By decorating your patio using a set choice of colors from the huge palette of colors offered today, you'll soon realize that patio cushions are much more than just patio cushions. In actuality they form the entire leading act of a very colorful play on your patio.
Using color is probably the most important element you can use when decorating your patio, as you probably know from decorating the inside of your home. You want the colors chosen to "work with" the color of the sky, the water, the trees, grass and other foliage. However, you do not want to choose colors that make the area appear to be drab and unexciting. Instead, establish a "look" that is not only exciting but incredibly eye pleasing by choosing the right colors of patio cushions.
In choosing patio cushion colors you will always be safe to steer toward analogous colors. Analogous colors are any three colors which are side by side on a 12 part color wheel, such as yellow-green, yellow, and yellow-orange. Usually one of the three colors predominates. On the other hand, complementary colors can really bring your patio to life. Complementary colors are any two colors which are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green and red-purple and yellow-green. In nature, there are many examples of complementary colors. For example, the of yellow-green in leaves along side multiple variations of red-purple in an orchid. These opposition colors create maximum contrast and maximum stability.
That means that the patio cushions you choose can be anything you like! The coloring may be in variegated patterns of analogous colors or modern and exciting mixes of complementary colors. It's your choice. Just keep in mind the palate that nature has provided and you can not go wrong. Once you have decorated your patio with colors you love, you'll have a beautiful place to relax and entertain!