Throw Pillows
17 Great Tips to Arrange Pillows Like a Designer
Updated July 12, 2024
Throw pillows or, accent pillows are a quick and easy way to spice up your rooms with your personality and charm. Fluff them, pile them, or toss them, pillows have the power to transform the look and feel for any room. No matter your décor throw pillows lets you bring out your personality.
We receive a lot of questions about how to choose the right pillows for a room. For example
- How do I choose throw pillows for a sofa?
- How do I coordinate throw pillows?
- What is the right throw pillow combination?
- How do I arrange pillows on a couch?
- How do I choose throw pillows for sofa?
- Do couches need throw pillows?
- How many throw pillows do I put on a couch?
- How do I arrange pillows on a sectional?
- Do couches need throw pillows?
So take a look at some of these ideas below to get started. I hope this will answer some of your questions, and helps you find just the right pillows for you.
17 Great Tips to Arrange Pillows Like a Designer
Pillows are like jewels for your furniture. Think about how you would accessorize any outfit. If you like to wear bold colors then an accent scarf of black or grey works. If neutral colors are your style then colorful jewelry or bold accent colors might be the right touch. So, do the same for your sofa. Try black and white pillows to accent your colors or try bold colors in a neutral room.
Address the Entire Room
Your sofa and adjacent love seat or armchairs are a visual gathering and not lone strangers. Think of your room’s pillows as a family. The pillow on a chair doesn’t have to match the group on the sofa, but should relate in some way—color or style. This will make your décor feel unified and polished.
Image by Jacalyn Beales-Unsplash
It’s All About You
Your home ought to represent who you are. Thus, look for pillows that are distinctive and fit your style. Use a hamburger pillow as your star performer without fear. Additionally, consider highlighting your décor with handmade pillows. Or if you like matchy-matchy is OK too.
Size Matters
Standard squares (about 20 inches) nest neatly on sofas with typical dimensions. Oversize pillows (22 – 24 inches) create a more casual, lounge feel. If you have a modern sofa with a very low back, consider 18 inches.
Select a matching pillow pair either 22 or 20 inches square to position on the far right and far left. As you make your way to the center of the sofa or love seat, the pillows should get smaller. To make it visually pleasing and comfortable, place your largest pillows in the far corners, and your smaller pillow on the inside.
Choose Your Colors
Select one consistent color palette and stick with it. You will get the most impact if all of your pillows are either in the same color or complimentary colors or shades. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect color scheme.
Love the Pattern
Find a pattern you adore. This can be the starting point for other fabrics you choose. Chances are your love pattern says something about your personality and the colors will make you feel great.
Image by Adamophoto – FreeRange
Bold Solids
If your room already has a lot of patterns, like a patterned sofa, dramatic curtains, or a vibrant rug, take your pillow fabrics down a notch. Or if you like color but don’t want to use a vibrant hue on large pieces (such as your sofa or club chairs) just use solid pillows in very vibrant hues.
Image by Hannah Busing-Unsplash
Touch and Feel
If a one-color palette speaks to you more than vibrant colors and busy patterns, then look to an assortment of pillow textures. Think of mixing cotton, fleece, faux fur, leather, velvet, linen, chenille, and other materials.
Mix and Match
Begin your pillow collection by picking colors to match your sofa or complement it. For example; if your sofa is mostly blue. Look for pillow patterns which offers a hint of similar blue. Or, to complement it find your color on a color wheel and look opposite the color or next to the color.
Pillow Recipe
Need an easy formula for mixing pillows? Gaze at your room’s color scheme and choose the color you like most for an accent. Then combine patterns in this color using these ingredients – 1 botanical and 1 bold and 1 graphical = a fool proof pillow mixture
Image by Matt Odell – Unsplash
Color Families
Look at your room’s main accessories for pillow color motivation. Choose a color from a rug or drapes and bring it to the sofa with pillows. The color inspires you need not be dominant, just a strand of color between accessories can offer a sophisticated look.
Image by Joshua Ness StockSnap
Formal or Casual
Ponder if you like a formal or casual look for your room. A mix of shapes and sizes creates a relaxed look – but a series of pillows all the same size, shape or pattern creates a nice tempo.
Image by Neon Brand Unsplash
Center Focus
Give your throw pillow combination a zing by including a different shape. Include smaller rectangular pillows made from a different fabric but coordinates with your color scheme.
Pillow Arrangements
It’s in the numbers
Discovering how many pillows to use can be tricky. Here are some ideas to consider. But, easy does it, make sure to leave enough room for lounging.
Image by Adamophoto – Freerange
One throw pillow
One throw pillow on a chair is great; but, can feel lonely on a sofa.
Two throw pillows
Two throw pillows, one a little larger – in the same corner. A large square with a smaller rectangle or square is a great choice.
Three throw pillows
Three throw pillows – Place pillows across the sofa or two squares in one corner. Then tuck the third in the opposite corner.
Four throw pillows
Four throw pillows – Put a pillow in each corner matching in shape, then pair each side with a smaller square, round or rectangular pillow. Switching shapes and scale keeps the look interesting and moving.
Five throw pillows
Five throw pillows – Use two pairs of squares and a smaller rectangular pillow. Try placing the smaller rectangular pillow on one side
Don’t forget your 17 Great Tips to Arrange Your Pillows like a Designer Free PDF
In Conclusion
Choosing throw pillows or accent pillows for your couch is quick, easy, and fun
There are lots of choices so finding the right throw pillow combination for your personal style is exciting. With any luck these ideas and strategies will help you reach the look you desire for your home. Have any questions about throw pillows? Ask in the comments below or send us a picture, we would be happy to help.
Go make your home beautiful. Get started now
P.S. Think about coordinating pillows and table runners for a coordinated look for your home decor.
Other Articles you may like
Table Runners - A Quick & Easy Way to Add Color and Style to Any Room12 Great Ways to Choose Your Perfect Color Scheme
10 Easy Ways to Freshen Your Kitchen Decor
Hi! I need help choosing throw pillows for my couch. It is a medium gray leather couch. I prefer light colors, maybe one of them white? I like simplicity and balance. I was considering light gray and white striped. I have 2 cobalt blue oversized chairs. You’re thoughts would be appreciated! I wish I could send you a picture of my livingroom
Hi;
It seems like you are headed in the right direction. Your color selection sounds lovely. Think about adding the cobalt blue color of the oversized chairs to your pillow mix. You might also consider adding texture. For example, a furry white or a metallic gray. I would love to see a picture. Please feel free to send a picture to [email protected].
Regards
Deb
Very nice content. Thank you for sharing this amazing tips. It’s very informative and helpful.
thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
Thank you so much for your comments.
Hello
Thanks for the info on the pillows! Very informative. I have a friend who insists that placing square pillows on the couch in a caddy corner fashion (standing on the tip or corner of pillow) is OK. It drives me crazy. Is there ever an instance where this is acceptable or works?
Hi Alice;
Thank you so much for reaching out.
In this instance, this is a matter of how a person wants their pillows to look.
As far as an instance where this might work. Certainly, the pillow in the middle. Or, if pillows are clustered, the pillow in the front of the cluster would work.
I hope this helps.
Let me know how things work out.
Deb
some really interesting points you have written.
Thank you or the wonderful feedback. Please visit our other posts.
can I put 25X25 european pillows on the couch?
It depends on the inside back height of the couch. The inside back height is the distance from the top of the seat to the top of the back. Generally, try to have your pillow lower or equal to the inside back height of your couch.
If I have two matching sofa’s, do the accent pillows need to match for each sofa? Can I use different corner pillows on each sofas, and pull them together by using the same middle pillow? FYI, my two overstuffed sofa’s are not placed facing each other due to small size of my living room. Instead they are placed one under the window with the other on perpendicular wall with accent table in between the two. Large coffee table placed in center. Thanks
Hi Terrie;
You have a great idea. As long as the pillows are coordinated either in color, texture or style from sofa to sofa you should be Okay. It looks like you are on your way.
Deb
Thanks for the suggestion to have a mixture of throw pillow shapes and sizes to create a more relaxed, casual look. My husband and I are redecorating our front room, and I decided to start experimenting with throw pillows. We want the room to look nice, but we definitely want it to be more cozy and casual for when we have company over. Hopefully we can find some great patterns and print to create the vibe we’re going for!
Hi Shayla;
I am glad the information was useful. Please sign-up for our newsletter for more tips and ideas. It also shares new patterns and designs. I have just finished a cheat sheet. I would be happy to send it to you if you would like. Just let me know.
Deb
If there are 4 pillows, where should guests put them when 2 people want to sit on the couch?
Hi Sarah;
Pillows add to the coziness and comfort of the couch as well as the design. Think about letting your guests use the pillows while sitting on the couch. If pillows need to be moved for comfort maybe there are too many. If so, consider moving one or two of them to other seating in the room.
Your thoughts?
Deb
I bought a couch, loveseat & printed accent chair. The pillows come with the couch & loveseat. Would you match fabric to accent chair or choose a complimentary print? The couch & loveseat are solid color. Thanks for your opinion.
Hi Ann;
Both are a good options. For more matching look, using the print fabric of the chair and placing those pillows on the sofa and/or love seat will work well. If you goal is a coordinated look then finding complimentary prints and solids will do the trick. I hope this helps.
Please send a picture, it would be great to see the finished results.
Deb
I bought a couch, loveseat & printed accent chair. The pillows come with the couch & loveseat. Would you match fabric to accent chair or choose a complimentary print? The couch & loveseat are solid color. Thanks for your opinion.
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Sorry, if this is a redundant or silly question. We’re redoing our living room and have 2 navy tufted arm chairs by the fireplace and a sofa and loveseat in a taupe-ish color (eventually to be replaced). Right now I have two solid navy pillows that have some texture on them created with some fringe. I adore buffalo check, it’s my favorite pattern of all time. If I use a buffalo check print as my next smaller pillow should i do a blue and white or a beige and white since the couch is a taupe/beige color.
Hi Jillinda;
Your question is a great one actually.
Since buffalo check is your favorite, I would use both the blue and white and the beige and white buffalo prints. As long as the white on both prints match.
Consider finding a coordinating print that is blue, beige and white, maybe a botanical print. The botanical print would help blend the colors of both buffalo prints. If you are more adventurous place both the buffalo prints on the sofa with the botanical print. If you are less adventurous, place one buffalo print on the sofa and the other buffalo print on the love seat. Make sure to place the botanical print on both the love seat and the sofa.
You could also place one buffalo print on the sofa and love seat with the coordinating botanical print. The other buffalo print could be placed on the navy chairs.
I hope this helps. Please let me know how it works out. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out.
Deb
I have two sofas at a right angle to each other. I would like to use different pillows on each sofa. I was thinking of the matching “lumbar pillow “on the opposite sofa and a different but coordinating lumbar on all together on the other sofa. Is that okay?
Hi Marcia;
The lumbar pillow on each sofa is a great idea.
If the pillows match that would be OK.
If the pillows do not match that would be fine. However, the pillows should coordinate in some way. Either in texture or print.
If you choose to use different prints, then the background color of each print should match. The colors in the prints should also match.
I just published a blog about adding prints to your home decor. I hope this will help. Here is the link. https://supremeaccents.com/pattern-your-style/
Please keep in touch and let me know how it works out. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out.
Deb
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