Throw pillows can be a great way to add style to your living room or bedroom. There are many beautiful, affordable pillows to choose from. It would be a shame if you limited yourself to just two or three of the same-colored pillows, or worse if they came with your sofa.
First, you should know that pillows do not have to match. Not matching your pillows can actually achieve a professional and stylish look. If you are not confident in your ability to select pillows, these tips will allow you to mix and match new patterns or colors to refresh your room.
It indeed takes a trained eye to know how to mix and match pillows. Even if no two pillows are the same in terms of color, pattern, or style, a room can still look polished and modern.
The Rule of Three can help you make the right choices and reduce the amount of time spent shopping.
Why Add Throw Pillows to Your Home Decor?
Throw pillows, as well as interchangeable throw pillow covers, can instantly add style and design to any room by combining color, pattern, and texture. Throw pillows also make furniture more comfy. Add pillows to the corners of chairs and couches or tops of beds for a cozy feeling that provides comfort and support.
Select Three Colors
Choose a color story to guide your selection of pillows. Use three colors that are different from the other elements in the room. This could be the rug, bedding, or wall color. Even if you select pillows with various patterns and colors, the overall look will be cohesive as long as they share the same color.
Here are some examples of color combinations that always look good together.
Select Three Patterns
It is also possible to mix three patterns as long as they all incorporate at least one color in your three-color story. It is often easier to select your “lead pattern” first. This pattern will be the largest and contain all three colors of your story. You can choose secondary patterns that contain only one or two colors.
You don’t want to have your patterns compete. The largest pattern in the group should be your lead, followed by the medium-sized pattern, such as a small houndstooth or stripe. The third pattern should be subtlest, like a solid in an interesting textural or a dotted Swiss.
Choose from Three Sizes
To create interest in your design, choose three different pillow sizes. To start planning, it is important to understand standard pillow sizes. Standard square pillows are available in sizes of 16 x 16, 20 x 20, and 22 x 22 inches. Round pillows are available in similar sizes to squares. The size of lumbar pillows is not the same as square pillows. However, you can find them in sizes ranging from 10 to 16 by 18 to 22. A common size for a lumbar pillow is 12 x 20. Use smaller pillow sizes on loveseats and large pillows or oversized pillows on sofas and sectionals.
You can choose pillow combinations in 2-inch increments. For example, you could layer a 22-inch square pillow and a 20-inch square pillow at each corner. You can use three different sizes of pillows and experiment with three different shapes, such as square, round, and rectangular, to create a Rule of Three grouping.
Select Three Textures
Patterns and color mixing are important, but texture is also important. Choose three textures with a contrast element that complements each other. Play around with the juxtaposition between smooth and rough textures or soft and fuzzy. Consider faux fur, linen, knitted wools, velvet, and faux fur. You can be creative by experimenting with the touch and feel of your chosen color or pattern.
If You Want, Break the Rules
All rules can be broken, especially in design. It’s fine if you mix and match your stunning throw pillows using the formula provided here, only to discover that four colors are the best choice for you or that two large patterns work better than one. It’s important to like what you see. Use this Rule of Three as a guideline, but don’t let it dictate your final decision. If you stick to the formula, you’ll get stylish results, but don’t be afraid of experimenting until you find a combination that works for you.
Additional Tips
You should also take into consideration these other principles that are used by designers when designing rooms:
Odd-number throw pillows look more modern. When arranging your throw pillows, Think about three or five. Odd numbers are more artistic in most design aesthetics. Also, a small number of large pillows will look better than a bunch of smaller ones.
Even-numbered pillows look classic: Two or four similar pillows look clean and ordered, particularly on your couch or bed, to create a balanced and symmetrical look.
Fill is important: When buying throw pillows, consider the filling and how that will affect their appearance. Feather-and-down, for instance, is softer and has a greater “give.” Foams and other synthetic fills tend to be stiffer and are generally more affordable. These pillows are more durable but not as luxurious.
What colors should you match your throw pillows with?
To create a cohesive color scheme, you can use accent colors in your room, such as the wall color, rug, curtains, or artwork. A second option is to match the accent colors of your sofa. Accent pillows can be used to either complement or contrast the color of your sofa. Choose colors that stand out against the couch for drama, or choose hues within the same color family but not exactly matching to create a monochromatic look.
What is the general rule for throwing pillows?
If you are arranging pillows for a couch, start with the largest pillows at the back, and then add smaller pillows to the front. A lumbar cushion can be placed in the middle of the couch or even in front of the pillows in a corner. Place pillows on beds in an inverted triangular shape. Starting at the back, place euro pillows against the headboard. Add pillows in a triangle formation, pointing the tips toward the end and bedside tables. You can use bed pillows as a base or hide them behind your euro pillows.
How many throw pillows are needed on a couch?
The number of throw cushions that should be placed on a couch depends on its length, depth, and number of corners. Three to six throw pillows could be used on a standard three-seater sofa with two corners, which is usually between 6 and 8 feet in length. One to three pillows can be placed in each corner. Three-corner sectionals can have as many as seven pillows. Two in each corner and three in the center, for instance. Too many pillows on a shallow couch can make it feel crowded. However, with a deep couch, the pillows provide greater comfort and support.
