What's the secret to making your couch's throw pillows look amazing? It really comes down to pillow sizes, colors and a few other considerations. In this Throw Pillows 101, I'll show you everything you need to know to beautifully style your sofa pillows.
Throw pillows are more than an afterthought for your furniture. They use patterns, colors and textures to add style, comfort and cohesiveness to your home decor.
In fact, sofa pillows are the perfect accessory: they do a big job but are easy to swap out when you want a change. I'm a huge fan of buying a neutral sofa and then adding pops of color and pattern with pillows!
I'm kind of obsessed with them and have way too many. Ha! And it doesn't hurt that they tend to be pretty affordable too!
There are several elements to consider when choosing sofa pillows: size, color, texture, pattern and shape. Once you've chosen those, you can style your pillows on your couch to get that perfect look.
Let's get started!
Your Guide to Picking The Perfect Sofa Pillow
Your throw pillows should enhance and complement your furniture, not overwhelm it. To get there, pay attention to the following factors:
Size
Square throw pillows come in even-numbered sizes, ranging from 16"x16" to 24"x24". Rectangular (lumbar) sofa pillows can vary a bit between retailers, but they typically come in 12"x18", 12"x20" or 12"x24".
Pillow sizes matter, but mostly in relation to the size of your furniture. Your throw pillows should always be sized in proportion to the furniture they dress up.
When buying pillow inserts, get an insert 2" larger than the pillow cover. For example, buy a 24" insert for a 22" pillow cover. That will keep your pillow from looking floppy!
In this example from Houzz, the throw pillows are nicely sized for the sofa: not too big, not too small.
Color
The color of your throw pillows may be the first thing you think about, but it will definitely be the first thing people notice when they see your couch.
Choose colors that complement your furniture, and don't forget to choose colors from your Whole Home Color Palette. They can match closely or contrast to create more interest. In this image from One Kings Lane, you can see how color is used to contrast the sofa while pulling in colors from the rest of the room's decor.
Texture
The texture of your fabric adds depth and interest to any room, and it's just as important when styling sofa pillows. To get there, combine a variety of textures!
I love adding a faux fur pillow in winter or a fun whipstitched edging for spring and summer. Other textures you might like are fringe, tufted, cable knit, poms and more! They're all so fun and versatile.
Texture matters a bit less when you're working with contrasting colors, since color can create a sense of depth, but it's essential when you're going for a more monochromatic style.
In this example from Amber Tiller, throw pillows of different sizes and textures add dimension and interest to a simple fabric sofa.
Pattern
Oh, I love adding patterns with my throw pillows! I'm a sucker for a pretty floral fabric!
Patterns can be so much fun, but you have to coordinate them well by mixing large-scale and small-scale prints for a balanced look.
Here's a winning formula for coordinating pillow patterns:
- Select one floral-type pattern with more than one color in it.
- Then select a pillow with a large-scale pattern, stripe or solid in one of those colors (or a coordinating color).
- Then select a third pillow with a smaller pattern in another color from the first pillow.
Throw pillows are a terrific way to bring in a pattern you love or play around with patterns. Don't be afraid to go bold and have fun with them. Just make sure to balance bold patterns with soft patterns or solid colors.
In this example from my living room, you can see how contrasting patterns elevate one another and bring them together as a cohesive unit. I started with the patterned pillow in the middle, then chose a solid pillow that coordinated and a pillow with a small-scale pattern.
Here's another example from my old living room that works well together, too:
Braemore Gorgeous Pearl Pillow Cover – the others are sold out
Shape
Many throw pillows are square, but you can also use rectangle, bolster and round shapes.
The shape of your pillows also partly determines how formal or comfortable your decor feels. Square and rectangle pillows tend to be more comfortable, while bolster and round pillows tend to feel a bit more formal.
Feel free to play around with shapes to make your throw pillows pop in your decor!
I personally prefer square throws in the back and finish off my styling with a different shape in the front, usually a rectangle. The corner of my sectional shows exactly what I mean by adding that middle rectangle pillow as the finishing touch.
How to Style Sofa Pillows
Now we get to the good stuff! That's what you really came for, right? Here are my tips for creating a beautifully styled sofa using throw pillows.
Remember the rule of odd numbers when it comes to styling? That rule applies to flowers, bookshelves, pictures hung on a wall, and it definitely applies to throw pillows on your couch.
Opt for groups of three, five or even seven pillows if you have a large sectional.
Here are some examples of sofa arrangements using different throw pillow sizes for some inspiration.
Sofa Pillow Combination Ideas
Put your two largest pillows (either 22" or 24" square pillows) in the back corners. Then layer two slightly smaller square pillows (either 20" or 22") in front of those corner pillows. Finish your styling by adding a rectangle pillow in the center, like this example from Ballard Designs.
Sectional Sofa Pillows: Sizes and Arrangement Idea
For sectional sofas, put two of your largest pillows (22" or 24" square pillows) at the sides. Layer a slightly smaller square (or rectangle) pillow in front of those side pillows.
For the corner, put your largest pillow (22" or 24") in the back, with a slightly smaller one (20" or 22") in front of it and a rectangle pillow in the very front.
Offset these three pillows slightly so they look casual and comfortable, like in this example from my living room.
Picture Gallery Frames | Large Wooden Mirror | White Lamp | Sectional Sofa | Blue Area Rug | Faux Plant | Antelope Print Pillow Cover | Valari Print Pillow Cover | Midnight Blue Linen Pillow Cover | "Home" Pillow Cover (Similar)
Here's another example from Studio McGee.
With a little thought (and these tips), your throw pillows can go from ho-hum to amazing in no time. Then, when you're ready for a change, you can do it all over again to create a whole new feel!
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