Hi all, it’s me again, Keki from Home with Keki, and I am tackling a topic 100% of my clients ask about. How to select and style throw pillows? Honestly, I haven’t had a client who didn’t ask me, what is the secret? How do you know how to mix colors and patterns, how to pick the right size and what works with the space? AHH, it seems so complicated, but, the secret is in the three tips I am going to give you below AND then have fun, mix it up. Don’t over think the design.
How to Select and Style Throw Pillows:
As I mentioned, there are certain basic rules to follow, I have seen websites that list (minimum) five ways and each way has three or more tips. That is just too many steps for anyone, so I hope I am able to break it down for you in these three must tips for choosing the right pillow and styling them with ease.
1. Size is crucial
Pick a pillow too big and it will eat your sofa or chair. The pillows are accents to the piece, not the piece. Pick a pillow to small and it look like an afterthought, and that is a no-no in our world. Now, we all have different height chairs or sofas, so what is a good size? Start with what could be your largest size and work your way down to the smallest. On average, I start with a basic 22inch (maybe, depends on the piece, 24) pillow. Then, you know you need 18×18 or 16×16 plus an accent lumbar.
2. Determine how many needed
I know you all know now to decorate in odd numbers like three or five and the same goes for pillow styling if you want a more eclectic or modern look. If you have a larger (longer than over 6 feet) then this rule can go out the window and consider even number of pillows, six, three at each end. BUT, if you have a large sectional, I would go back to 5 or 7 pillows. Two to three at each end and a set in the middle. In other words, never just two, work in odd groups if you want more modern / eclectic look.
3. Mix patterns and textures
It is okay to mix patterns, go crazy and get a dot ikat against a damask design, I give you permission. But, also remember to mix textures. Your pillows do not all have to be the same fabric texture, it is okay to have a shag mixed in or a leather pillow. So, now you have a mixed texture and a mixed pattern.
You might ask, how to start? So, my insider tip, pick a solid color pillow first. All pillow combo’s need a solid color (or that might be my own opinion). Then, when picking out your patterned pillows, at least one to two of them, they can have that color in there, even if it is a dot of the same shade. When you get comfortable mixing patterns, then don’t even worry about complimentary colors, but for beginners, this is a safe route. Now you have a set of solid colors, then a set or more of mixed patterns with a hint of the color, and your accent. Your accent or next set of pillows are meant to give a statement too, have fun with it. Maybe it doesn’t have the same colors, or is a modern pattern with the more traditional pattern behind it. There isn’t a hard rule, just have fun with it.
With all the tips out there on how to style pillows, I truly hope that these three go to tips will make the process easier and not as stressful. As long as you get the right size and mix in patterns and textures, just have fun with it!
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I am a yoga pants wearing (I don’t do yoga), hockey carpool mom of 3, that decided eight years ago to begin a Home Staging & Design firm. Not expecting for it to explode or becoming one of Chicago’s mom-preneurs, I decided I needed to share the true in’s and out’s of my client projects, home DIY’s, and the reality of doing it all while balancing a sane (somewhat sane) family life through my true self, Keki.
I just bought the Marine Blue sheets from alohasofthome.com and have been looking for throw pillows to go with it for my master bedroom. Looking at the different ones you posted I didn’t even think about texture! I’m so glad I came across this post. Instead of color (which is harder to match for me) I think I”ll look at textures instead. Thanks for the idea!
You are so welcome and goodluck!