No sofa is complete without pillows! They add that final layer of style and comfort necessary for creating a truly cozy space. We love playing with pillows, so we thought, why not show you just how much fun it can be? Let’s start by breaking down the rules of how to choose and arrange couch pillows.
Pillow Combinations
When choosing pillows, there are three key factors to keep in mind:
- Color
- Texture
- Size
These three elements, when brought together correctly, create a beautiful combination and give you yet another chance to show off your design skills and great taste.
How to Pick Colorful Throw Pillows
If you keep things colorful with your home decor, you can absolutely do the same when choosing throw pillows for your sofa. Don’t add new shades because you like them in the store—consider the color palette you already use in your home design. If your sofa is a fun jewel-toned velvet, pair it with complementary jewel-toned pillows for a lively pop of color. For a more sophisticated look, style your colorful sofa with more neutral tones, like creamy whites or camel-colored leathers. Does your living room have a more neutral palette? Keep your color story consistent with earth-toned pillows to add dimension. Lean toward more relaxed patterns, nothing too loud or bold.
How to Add Textured Pillows to Your Sofa
A simple, patterned polyester pillow is a great addition to your sofa’s pillow collection, but if bold patterns aren’t for you, try playing with texture. Our favorite go-to for more low-key textural statements is knit pillows. For something chic with a bit of a masculine touch, include a leather pillow or two in your pillow collection. A rust-colored leather will warm up your space instantly, while fur or faux-fur pillows add a modern and playful touch, perfect for a mid-century-modern sofa or chair.
How to Pick Throw Pillow Sizes
Once you have your colors and textures nailed down, it’s time to think about sizing. The only tried-and-true tip we solidly fall back on is this: Pair pillows of different sizes. Ones that are the same size tend to blend together and don’t do much to draw attention, which is a missed opportunity for your guests to take note of each special detail of your carefully selected accessories. Even two same-size pillows with completely different colors, patterns and textures can end up competing against each other in the overall design, creating another lost opportunity for you and your guests to appreciate the uniqueness and charm of each pillow.
Arrange pillows on your sofa by size.
Whichever colors, sizes and textures you choose, you’ll want to be sure you arrange them in such a way that draws the eye and encourages movement. Layer from large to small, with largest pillows in the back. For example, layering a 22-inch pillow with a 20-inch pillow or an 18-inch pillow with a lumbar pillow works really well. Oh, and the smallest pillow always goes in front.
Scout & Nimble is a retail site and blog that aims to make expert design accessible to all. Follow at blog.scoutandnimble.com.