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I’ve never met a throw pillow I didn’t like, I literally have a closet dedicated to storing all my favorites! In fact, if there’s one thing I love more when decorating my home, it’s how to mix and match throw pillows. Whether it’s to refresh the look of my space, to introduce a new color, or to add in additional texture or pattern, nothing can do it better than a throw pillow.
Throw pillows are an easy and affordable way to incorporate personality, style and interest into your home. Besides, nothing says cozy to the family room couch or bed, like a pretty matching pillow.
How To Mix And Match Throw Pillows
When it comes to styling throw pillows, there are never-ending possibilities of color, texture, and pattern combinations. Something to keep in mind is that pillows do not have to match. They just have to work and play well with each other while offering visual interest. Here’s a few of my own tips and pillow combinations that I use in my home when I am styling my throw pillows.
Choose a color story
When it comes to choosing throw pillows for your space, ask yourself what color palette you want in the room. Pulling in colors from other objects in the room such as rug, the couch or bedding, and artwork will help create a cohesive look.
Pick a dominant pattern or color
Pillows mix and match in three different patterns, as long as each pattern incorporates at least one of the colors in the color story you have chosen for the space. You can see how I have the same color on each of the pillows on my Living Room couch, yet they are all in different patterns.
When it comes to pattern mixing on your beautiful pillows, don’t forget to have some fun with it! Try something new that’s outside your comfort zone if you’d like. The best part about patterned pillows is that they’re easy to swap out if you change your mind.
Pick a solid colored pillow
When it comes to color mixing, choosing a solid-colored pillow helps to anchor the pillows in the collection. The solid color can also be the main color in your color palette and help pull in the color shade in the other pillows and accessories in the room.
Add texture
As much as color and pattern are important in choosing pillows, don’t forget about the element of texture. Find pillows that are smooth, soft, fuzzy or have some fringe. Look for velvets, linens, faux fur, and knits to offer a creative touch and feel to your pillows. I love to mix textures with my pillow combinations.
Mixing shapes and sizes
Keep in mind that a smaller number of larger pillows looks fresher than a bunch of smaller ones. On my bed I have two larger pillows as a base layered with one lumbar. This combo works because the three pillows fill the bed nicely and they don’t compete with each other.
Even though they each have a different pattern, they work well because they have complementary colors. On a couch, arrange pillows by size, starting from the largest in the corners and layering to the smallest on the inside.
Select pillows based on the rooms aesthetic
Let the vibe of the room help you select the type of throw pillows you want to have out. Whether it’s coastal, modern or farmhouse try to think outside the box and add pillows that enhance the rooms aesthetic. Some classic prints like chevron, stripes, quatrefoil or paisley will work with a variety of styles. I personally love a striped pillow!
Keep the season in mind
I find that I follow nature’s schedule when swapping out my throw pillows. In the winter I go heavier with my fabrics and textures, think faux fur and knits. Spring brings more pastels and floral patterns.
Summer is bright with my favorite shades blue and in the Fall I mix in all the autumn colors. Keep in mind colors and prints that illustrate the season and bring that to your throw pillows.
Decide on how many pillows
The style and function of the room may help you with determining the number of pillows to use in your space. For a traditional look, think balance and symmetry, an even number of pillows may look the best on your couch or bed, or bench.
In more untraditional styles ( modern, contemporary) odd numbers of pillows work best ( three, or five). I added three in the corner of my seating area to provide color and softness to the space. I chose three because two pillows wouldn’t have been enough and more than three would have been too many for this area.
In addition to the endless possibilities when styling your throw pillows, remember there are no hard rules in interior design. Do what you love and what looks best in your home. I mean there are even lumbar pillows that are cute enough to display on your bed nowadays!
Knowing how to style pillows on a couch or bed comes down to how you mix the pillows up, match them to the room palette, group them in the right size and keep things fresh and cozy.
