Your Guide to Throw Pillows

If you are looking to majorly enhance your space, throw pillows are your new best friend. Nothing is sadder than a bare sofa or bed, and pillows are that special touch that transforms these lack luster pieces into beautifully designed elements. Pillows are an important touch to any well-styled space and create an overall cohesive look and feel.

Looking to add some pizzazz to your space? I hope this guide helps you in understanding the world of throw pillows!

How Many Pillows do I Need?

That depends on the space or piece you are designing! Each piece of furniture requires a different number of pillows to decorate with. Here is a basic reference for each type of furniture and the number of pillows it needs.

Chair/Chaise = 1 pillow
Sofa = 3 – 5 pillows
Sectional = 6 – 7 pillows
Beds = 1 – 2 accent pillows (aside from bedding pillows)

What do I look for when Shopping for Pillows?

There is a lot to consider when searching for the perfect throw pillow to add to your space. Understanding the design elements and principles can be a great reference point. Not sure what that means? I’ve broken it down into the top three key features to look for when sourcing throw pillows.

Color

For a cohesive look, use colors that are already present in the room and design. Good sources for pulling color are area rugs, duvet covers, or featured wall art. When selecting colors for your pillows, have at least one of those colors be neutral. This will provide a good base when layering your pillows.

pattern & print

Similar to color choosing, pick patterns and prints that are already in the space. You can play around with size and scale of the prints to bring additional visual interest. Try not to go too crazy with patterns if you are new to styling. Having one or two fun prints is a great place to start off.

texture & material

Knowing the look and feel of a design is key in selecting the right texture. A hint is that the more textural a fabric, the more casual the look. For example, cozy cable knits are more casual, while a silk or velvet is more luxurious and elegant. Choose a couple different pillow case materials for added depth and dimension to your design.

Don’t Forget about Pillow Sizes and Shapes

There are multiple pillows sizes to choose from. If you do need more than one pillow, choose different sizes for layering purposes. Here are standard pillow sizes.

18” x 18”
20” x 20”
24” x 24”
Lumbar – these are rectangles that range in various sizes from 13”x16”, to 12”x20”.

Now Comes the Fun Part!

After all the pillows have been chosen and purchased, it is time for layering. To create depth and cohesiveness in the room, mix and match the pillows. Scatter the same color or texture throughout the room. Avoid placing the same type of pillow next to each other. It is essential to layer different pillows to add interest rather than redundancy. Layer smaller sized pillows on top of larger ones. Trying multiple combinations and play around to find the perfect look.

I hope this post answered your questions! Next time, you’re pillow shopping, pin this guide for a quick reference. If you have additional questions, leave a comment. I will be happy to answer them for you. Happy Shopping!