How to style throw pillows like a designer
Decorating throw pillow is one of the easiest and budget-friendly ways to elevate your style and personalized your space. They are not the essential items to make your home function well. However, much like the exquisite presentation of a dish in the Michelin restaurants, throw pillows are the perfect finishing touches to any room in a home. There are plenty of colors, patterns, texture, sizes and designs to choose from. It's fun for a designer but might be an overwhelming selection for you. If you are unsure exactly how to style throw pillows, take a cue from us.
How to mix and match throw pillows? The first thing to remember is that your throw pillows don't have to match. In fact, you can achieve a more professional look by mixing and matching them. Especially for a couch, sometimes it comes with matching pillows. Don't place the matching pillows on the same couch, but do use them elsewhere (e.g on the accent chair), this will allow you to create an incredible uniform look. Cohesive design doesn't mean go matchy-matchy. The following tips will help you to coordinate throw pillow without looking like a matching set.
Layer different sizes
Choosing the right pillows starts by choosing the right size. The common mistake is placing a bunch of small scale pillows all over the cough. Bigger usually looks better! For a standard couch, 20" pillow is a good start. For a loveseat or if your couch has a low back, 18" pillow should do the trick. In like manner, try 22" pillow if your couch is extra-deep or extra-wide, even scale up to 24" pillow for an oversized sofa. You could place all same-sized pillows, but my trick is putting the larger size behind and arrange progressively smaller size in front. Also consider placing a lumbar pillow to tie them all together. If you have a sectional sofa, place the largest pillow in the corner.
Here are formulas of pillow combination ideas:
standard size sofa: 22" pillow + 20" pillow + lumbar(optional)
loveseat / low back sofa: 20" pillow + 18" pillow + lumbar(optional)
oversize/ high back sofa: 24" pillow + 22" pillow + lumbar(optional)
sectional: 24"/22" in the corner + 22"/20"/18" in the front + lumbar(optional)
Varying pillow sizes is important, but there is one more little secret: number of pillows! The balance of even number of pillows (2, 4, 6) creates a more traditional look. The asymmetry of odd number of pillows (1, 3, 5) works better for a more modern look.
Play with colors
Based on the world-famous designer Kelly Wearstler's philosophy:"I dress much the way I design interiors. What you look good in, you are going to feel good in." Why don't you coordinate your favourite color in your home. Your color is your statement. Pick an anchor color and then create your own color palette. The easiest way is to pull from other sources in the room, such as the paint color, the rug, the window coverings, etc.
Throw pillows are the great way to add a pop of color to any space. Solid colors provide a good base for any patterns. A classic idea is to pair solid pillows with accent ones in the contrast. Imaging solid pillows like canvas ready for you to paint. Generally, we recommend pair no more than three colors, whether you decide to go with monochromic, analogous or complementary color scheme. Whether you prefer bold or neutral colors, keep them within the color scheme for a cohesive look. Even if you have variety of pillows in different patterns, the look will still be cohesive if they share the colors.
Mix Patterns and textures
Consider your pillows as a grouping in the entire room. For example, accent chairs are another great place to add and cooperate pillow decorations. If your sofa has more solid or neutral color pillows, then pick a pop one for the accent chair pillow. Conversely, if your sofa has a statement pillow already, then pick a more muted one for the accent chair pillow.
Have fun experimenting with different patterns. Stripes, plaids, polka dots, floral, motif, geometric, abstract, the selection of patterns can be endless. Choose your primary pattern first, which usually is the largest pattern or the main color in your color scheme. This will set the theme and style for the space. The select secondary pattern, which generally is the smaller scale of patterns, you want your pillows to coordinate not compete.
Different patterns will look great together, but textures should not be overlooked. Cotton, linen, boucle, leather, velvet, silk, wool, not only bring touch and feel, but also add visual interest. Especially if you have a subtle theme that you wan to keep clean, choose different textures in the same color scheme will blend perfectly. Mixing textures is a great way to work together harmoniously, add depth to the space but don't take over.
Fill insert matters
When people shopping for throw pillows, they often neglect the fill inserts. However, what's on the inside is just as important as the outside. Throw pillows like the cushions of your sofa, it's important to have good quality inserts. In fact, the quality of the insert will also affect the appearance.
Another tip for the designer look, always size up the insert to plump your pillow. To achieve the full look, we recommend to use 1"-2" insert larger than the cover. The right size insert not only functionally provides comfort, but also brings aesthetic pleasing.
Throw pillows sometimes can be expensive, especially comes to custom order or designer piece. According to award-wining designer Ali Budd's budget-friendly trick: "Go to a big box store to buy the cover, then go somewhere else to buy the insert." Investing a good quality insert won't break the bank, but allows you to achieve the luxurious look you want. Meanwhile, switch the covers whenever you need to fit the season, mood, theme and style.
Click here to learn more about pillow filling and pillow size.
SHOP PILLOW INSERT
SHOP PILLOW COVER
How to mix and match throw pillows? The first thing to remember is that your throw pillows don't have to match. In fact, you can achieve a more professional look by mixing and matching them. Especially for a couch, sometimes it comes with matching pillows. Don't place the matching pillows on the same couch, but do use them elsewhere (e.g on the accent chair), this will allow you to create an incredible uniform look. Cohesive design doesn't mean go matchy-matchy. The following tips will help you to coordinate throw pillow without looking like a matching set.
Layer different sizes
Choosing the right pillows starts by choosing the right size. The common mistake is placing a bunch of small scale pillows all over the cough. Bigger usually looks better! For a standard couch, 20" pillow is a good start. For a loveseat or if your couch has a low back, 18" pillow should do the trick. In like manner, try 22" pillow if your couch is extra-deep or extra-wide, even scale up to 24" pillow for an oversized sofa. You could place all same-sized pillows, but my trick is putting the larger size behind and arrange progressively smaller size in front. Also consider placing a lumbar pillow to tie them all together. If you have a sectional sofa, place the largest pillow in the corner.
Here are formulas of pillow combination ideas:
standard size sofa: 22" pillow + 20" pillow + lumbar(optional)
loveseat / low back sofa: 20" pillow + 18" pillow + lumbar(optional)
oversize/ high back sofa: 24" pillow + 22" pillow + lumbar(optional)
sectional: 24"/22" in the corner + 22"/20"/18" in the front + lumbar(optional)
Varying pillow sizes is important, but there is one more little secret: number of pillows! The balance of even number of pillows (2, 4, 6) creates a more traditional look. The asymmetry of odd number of pillows (1, 3, 5) works better for a more modern look.
Play with colors
Based on the world-famous designer Kelly Wearstler's philosophy:"I dress much the way I design interiors. What you look good in, you are going to feel good in." Why don't you coordinate your favourite color in your home. Your color is your statement. Pick an anchor color and then create your own color palette. The easiest way is to pull from other sources in the room, such as the paint color, the rug, the window coverings, etc.
Throw pillows are the great way to add a pop of color to any space. Solid colors provide a good base for any patterns. A classic idea is to pair solid pillows with accent ones in the contrast. Imaging solid pillows like canvas ready for you to paint. Generally, we recommend pair no more than three colors, whether you decide to go with monochromic, analogous or complementary color scheme. Whether you prefer bold or neutral colors, keep them within the color scheme for a cohesive look. Even if you have variety of pillows in different patterns, the look will still be cohesive if they share the colors.
Mix Patterns and textures
Consider your pillows as a grouping in the entire room. For example, accent chairs are another great place to add and cooperate pillow decorations. If your sofa has more solid or neutral color pillows, then pick a pop one for the accent chair pillow. Conversely, if your sofa has a statement pillow already, then pick a more muted one for the accent chair pillow.
Have fun experimenting with different patterns. Stripes, plaids, polka dots, floral, motif, geometric, abstract, the selection of patterns can be endless. Choose your primary pattern first, which usually is the largest pattern or the main color in your color scheme. This will set the theme and style for the space. The select secondary pattern, which generally is the smaller scale of patterns, you want your pillows to coordinate not compete.
Different patterns will look great together, but textures should not be overlooked. Cotton, linen, boucle, leather, velvet, silk, wool, not only bring touch and feel, but also add visual interest. Especially if you have a subtle theme that you wan to keep clean, choose different textures in the same color scheme will blend perfectly. Mixing textures is a great way to work together harmoniously, add depth to the space but don't take over.
Fill insert matters
When people shopping for throw pillows, they often neglect the fill inserts. However, what's on the inside is just as important as the outside. Throw pillows like the cushions of your sofa, it's important to have good quality inserts. In fact, the quality of the insert will also affect the appearance.
Another tip for the designer look, always size up the insert to plump your pillow. To achieve the full look, we recommend to use 1"-2" insert larger than the cover. The right size insert not only functionally provides comfort, but also brings aesthetic pleasing.
Throw pillows sometimes can be expensive, especially comes to custom order or designer piece. According to award-wining designer Ali Budd's budget-friendly trick: "Go to a big box store to buy the cover, then go somewhere else to buy the insert." Investing a good quality insert won't break the bank, but allows you to achieve the luxurious look you want. Meanwhile, switch the covers whenever you need to fit the season, mood, theme and style.
Click here to learn more about pillow filling and pillow size.
SHOP PILLOW INSERT
SHOP PILLOW COVER
