DESIGN Punctuate with Pillows

by Helen Houston

We’re always touting how easy it is to breathe new life into your room simply by switching out throw pillows. It’s true—choosing throw pillows in fresh fabrics and colors can give your space a totally different feel, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find four or five that will work well for your space.

There are a few principles you should always keep in mind when choosing throw pillows:

Choose one cohesive color palette, and do not veer from it. You’re going to get the most impact if all of your pillows are either in the same shade or in a pair of complementary shades.

Shoot for a symmetrical arrangement Whether it’s on your couch, bed, or window seat, when you’re layering several different fabrics on top of each other, things can get really busy, really fast. A symmetrical arrangement keeps things feeling orderly and polished. One simple print, one busy print, and one solid: this is a basic formula that’ll help you narrow down your options. Another way to think about it is one small print, one big print, and one solid. Your busy/large print should be on your largest pillows or the pillow that is front and center, as this print will usually set the tone for not just your pillow arrangement, but the rest of your room. Plaids and stripes work well as small/ simple prints. As you move towards the inside of the sofa, the pillows should get smaller. Visually, your largest pillows should be in the far corners, and your smaller pillow should be on the inside. But also for comfort, it makes the most sense to add the large 22 or 24-inch pillows on the sides, where you won’t need to move them out of the way. A small 12 by 20-inch pillow right in the center won’t make you feel like you’re perched on the edge of the couch because the pillows are taking up all of the room! Although decorative, pillows are really meant to add comfort to your upholstered furniture pieces, so don’t go overboard! We’ve all sat down on that couch that is so packed to the gills with throw pillows that you feel like you’re being shoved into a bag of marshmallows. This is not the situation you want to create, so if you have to ask if you have too many, take one or two away!

Once you have these basic principles down, you’re ready to pick out fabrics! This is the fun part of choosing throw pillows, but also the time when we become the most confused. There are just so many options! To narrow it down, consider the style that you’d like to create in your home.

Choosing Throw Pillows with Bold Solids If your room already has a lot of patterns, like a patterned sofa, dramatic curtains, or a vibrant rug, take your pillow fabrics down a notch. Or if you really like color but don’t want to use a vibrant hue on large pieces (like your sofa or accent chairs), just use solid pillows in very vibrant hues. If you’re starting from scratch, find a fabric, an art print, or an accessory as a jumping-off point.

Choosing Throw Pillows in One Color, Three Patterns If you are choosing throw pillows in a group of just one color, opt for three different fabrics that work together.

Choosing Throw Pillows with Solids as an Exclamation Point A well-placed solid pillow in a vibrant color can act like an exclamation point on your couch. A solid pillow may seem like a boring choice when there are so many lovely patterns out there, but in the right space, one solid pillow in a bold color can really establish a color palette that may have been hiding.

If you want to breathe new life into your space with very little effort, use a couple of solid pillows in a bold color in your space. Pull this color from other patterns on your upholstered pieces or in your accessories, and then use that color in punches throughout your space.

Choosing Throw Pillows in Warm, Neutral Colors Even if you want to keep your color palette neutral, you’ll still need a few throw pillows to bring texture and pattern to your space.

Chooe Throw Pillows in Simple, but Fresh Analogous Colors If you like color but want a group of pillows that aren’t too loud, try choosing throw pillows in colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, or analogous colors. These are colors that have a lot in common but are different, which makes for a color palette that is quieter and more polished.

Choosing Throw Pillows in Streamlined Stripes If you’re looking for an approach that isn’t fussy, simply pair one bold color in a lush fabric with a classic stripe. Stripes are a great pattern to use for pillows because they’re the perfect balance of bold and simple.

Let’s Talk Inserts Okay, after all of this talk of colors and patterns, it’s time to get down to the less exciting details… like inserts. Just like the filling inside your sofa, what’s on the inside is just as important as the outside, even with throw pillows. Pillows are meant to bring extra comfort and cushion to your couch, so it’s important to use good-quality throw pillows. All-foam throw pillows aren’t going to be your first choice for support when you’re trying to curl up for a nap on your couch.

You don’t necessarily need the most expensive inserts, but do choose inserts that include both feather and down. We’re obviously partial to our own down-blended inserts, which are 95% feathers and 5% down.

Here’s another little secret when you’re choosing inserts for your pillows. If you want a fuller pillow, size up your insert. For example, if you have a 20-inch cover, and you want a really full pillow, use a 22inch insert.

Even as a total throw pillow enthusiast, I’ve noticed that cushions only get so interesting. Right now though, the most exciting thing happening in textiles is the ball pillow, which is exactly what it sounds like: a round pillow shaped like a ball. There’s something nice about this shape. For one, it introduces something more sculptural to a clean-lined, boxy sofa, chair, or bed.

Now, are you ready to choose pillows for your space? Do you feel empowered to mix patterns and colors like a pro? You should!V

Helen Houston is the owner of Staging Spaces and Redesign. Contact Helen at (702) 346-0246 or Helen@stagingspaces.biz.