Perfect for adding personality and pattern, throw pillows are a quick and easy way to elevate your space. Whether you’re swapping out covers for the season or you’ve been bitten by the room makeover bug, Spoonflower’s artisanally sewn pillows featuring designs from the Marketplace are the cure to any couch conundrum. We’ve asked Spoonflower’s Director of Home Textiles, Allie Tate, to share her go-to throw pillow styling tips to get you started.
Allie: An easy way to make a space feel instantly refreshed is to swap out or add to your existing throw pillows. I love using different sizes and patterns to add visual interest and our new larger throw pillows are perfect for shaking things up! When I start to style a sofa or bed I have a few go-to combinations that I start with and tweak from there. Ready to get started?
How to Style Throw Pillows on a Couch
Classic & Symmetrical
Using five pillows, give your sofa a classic update that still feels balanced. Start by adding a large, 20” square throw pillow to each side of your sofa. Next, layer a slightly smaller 18” square pillow on top. The final touch is a 14” x 24” lumbar placed right in the center.
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Layered & Lush
If you want to add a bit more dimension to your couch while upping the cozy factor, try this 6-pillow combination. Again, start with your two large 20” square pillows on each side followed by a smaller 18” square pillow. Then, add an additional two lumbar pillows but this time each one should be layered on top of your other two centered pillows leaving you with two sets of three pillows on each side of your sofa.
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Clean & Minimal
A third option is to create a paired down, cleaner look. This is a great option if you have a smaller space or want to go for a more minimalist style.
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How to Style Throw Pillows on a Bed
For these bedding combinations, I’m going to assume you already have a set of shams at home. For me, this means two euro shams and two standard bed pillows for a queen-size bed. For a king, I’ll opt for three euro shams, three standard pillows or three euros shams with two king-size pillows.
Refined Yet Cozy
When opting for this combination I create a simple cluster of three throw pillows stacked centered in front of my shams. I start with the largest, 20” square pillow, followed by the 18” square pillow and finish it off with a 14″ x 24″ lumbar.
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Bold & Straightforward
This look is simple and straightforward, but with the right design, packs a punch. Simply add one extra-long 14” x 36” lumbar pillow to your bed in front of your standard set of shams for a surprise pop of pattern that draws the eye and leaves your bed looking pulled together and finished.
There you have it, five combinations of pillows for an easy update to your living room or bedroom! I love swapping things out quarterly to usher in a new season with a fresh look. I’m curious to hear how you prefer to style your pillows. Let us know by tagging your pillow layouts with #spoonflowerhome on social media!
Awesome tips!!! Whenever I make a new pillow, I plan on using your tips.
Wonderful, Brigitte! We’re so glad to hear you like them too! 🙂
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
It would be great to send in a picture of a couch and have your designers pic the patterns for it. I have had a hard time trying to decide what patterns to accent with.
Hi Nancy!
While that isn’t an option we currently have, we do recommend ordering swatches of designs and fabrics you think you might like as that can help you ensure that the design, scale and fabric choices are all just what you’d like!
I can also say from experience that creating a collection of designs that you’d like to possibly use can help narrow down what options might work for your space, and creating a Pinterest mood board can help you see how your design choices will look with the rest of your room.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
I am definitely and lush and layered person for my pillows. My husband teases me about all of the pillows, but I am short and they help me fit on the couch more comfortably. ????♀️ Can you have too many pillows?
The more pillows the more comfortable you are! Never too many. I usually have 6 pillows on my Queen bed, which not only looks pretty, but it’s the perfect amount of back support while watching a movie or reading! So, I get you. 🙂
Nice tips, thanks for sharing.