Throw pillows are one of our favorite ways to add layers to a space. The right combination can bring your room to life in ways that little else can! Pillows are one of our most highly requested content categories, so today on the blog, we’re sharing our design team’s tips on how to pair throw pillows! Lucky for you, we’re also sharing four curated combinations to shop for yourself. Ready to dive in? We thought so!
Tips On Pairing Decorative Pillows
01 / Mix it up.
The trick to creating quality pillow combinations is finding the right balance of texture, pattern play, and contrast. Try combining linen pillows with a bouclé, or mudcloth with a textured cotton. When it comes to patterns, consider scale as you’re choosing pillows for your space. Opting for pillows that have patterns at different scales is key for making a combination feel intentional, not messy. Lastly, don’t forget about contrast! One of the most common combination mistakes we see is using pillows that are all the same color. A darker pillow cover will make the light hues pop, and vice versa.
02 / Consider sizing.
Next, It’s important to size pillows appropriately for the piece of furniture it goes on. For example, one wouldn’t want to put a small 18×18” on a large sectional! On a sofa, we typically start with a 22-24″ square pillow depending on the size of the furniture. From there, you can mix in 20″ squares and lumbars to find a size combination that feels right. For a bed, check out our blog post on how to properly make a king-sized bed for the size combinations we recommend based on your shams.
03 / Take your time.
We know how tempting it can be to purchase all of your throw pillows for your sofa or bed all at once. However, you might be better served by taking your time and adding slowly but surely to your collection. Start with one or two base pillows, and build from there.
Warm Neutral Pillow Combination
Texture-Heavy Neutral Pillow Combination
Cool-Toned Pillow Combination
Rich and Cool Blended Pillow Combination
There you have it – Our tips on how to pair throw pillows! Which of these four curated pillow combinations is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! For more of our team’s tips and pillow picks, check out our Etsy pillow roundup where we shared 30 (!) of our go-to affordable finds. Thanks so much for following along, and we hope to see you back here soon!