Throw pillows do not have to all match. Select pillows that coordinate with a color scheme of one, two, or three colors. Pick at least one color already present in your room. As long as your pillows coordinate with each other on a pre-arranged color scheme, they will look as though they belong together.
It's the matching part of mix and match! In fact, having a few throw pillows with matching patterns, colors, or sizes will make your design feel cohesive. You can absolutely have two pillows that are the same, just don't put them right next to each other.
There are a lot of different ways to mix and match throw pillows, and it's true—sometimes it does take a practiced eye. It is possible, though, for room in which not a single single pillow matches another in color, pattern or style to still look incredibly polished and modern.
Your sofa and adjacent love seat or armchairs are a visual gathering and not lone strangers. Think of your room's pillows as a family. The pillow on a chair doesn't have to match the group on the sofa, but should relate in some way—color or style. This will make your décor feel unified and polished.
We recommend using two or three pillows in each grouping. Start by anchoring each group with a dark, solid color. Then, layer in patterns and pops of accent colors. We like keeping the ends more symmetrical and introducing a pop of something different in the middle nook!
For a bed, add two 20″ or 22″ square pillows in front of the foundational pillows. This is a great place to use pillows with a geometric pattern, such as stripes, diamonds, or repeating patterns. Finish off your pillow combination with one rectangular lumbar pillow in front.
As discussed above, matching pillows to your rug isn't necessary either, but creating a cohesive or coordinating look using one of the above methods, can bring all colors and textures in your room together.
Typically, between seven and nine throw pillows is the average recommended for most living room sectional sofas. However, not all throw pillows are created equally. You'll want to choose the right size, generally between 12" to 20", and mix and match pillow colors and patterns to accentuate the room's decor.
Because loveseats have slightly less space than couches, a loveseat's pillow arrangement will only include 3 to 4 pillows.
We recommend using anywhere from 3 to 6 cushions for a 3 seater sofa. Using 3 cushions creates a pared down look, 4 cushions helps to create symmetry, while using 5 and 6 cushions creates a much fuller look with plenty of opportunity to showcase textural and size differences.
The color of the pillows should complement the color of the area rug instead of antagonizing it. Therefore if your rug is red with blue and navy motifs, go for blue and navy cushions instead of shades of red. Do not overwhelm the room with the same color.
If you're a side sleeper your pillow needs to fill in the space between that shoulder, to the curve of your neck and all the way to the top of your head.
When lying on the back, a pillow should support the natural curvature, or lordosis, of the cervical spine, with adequate support under the head, neck, and shoulders. Pillow height should be lower than for side sleepers. Placing another pillow or two beneath the knees further alleviates any back strain.
There is no right or wrong answer to how many cushions or pillows you should have on a bed. It is all down to what you find most comfortable. As a guide Lead Home Stylist at West Elm, Mariam recommends using no less than three cushions, and one or two pillows on each side of a bed.
Let the style of room dictate the number of cushions you add. If you are going for a more traditional look then stick with an even number of scatter cushions. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is to choose two matching solid square colours and put these in each corner of your sofa.
Place matching cushions side by side in the centre of the sofa with a proportional gap between them. Channel a sophisticated, cohesive look with matching or similar fabrics or draw attention to special cushions with a contrasting fabric.
No law states that you can only match your curtain depending on the colour of your couch and wall. At the end of the day, it all depends on your style and preference.
As a general rule, an odd number of pillows makes for the most natural, inviting arrangement: three for smaller sofas, and five for larger ones. For this 92-inch sofa, we'll use five—but our guidelines can be applied to sofas of any size.
The most common throw pillow sizes for sofas are 18″ x 18″ and 20″ x 20″. However, larger sofas and sectionals, especially those with deep seats or high backs, may be better off with 22″ x 22″, or even 24″ x 24″ pillows.
For a full size bed, Wolf recommends two standard pillows, two standard or Euro shams and one to two accent pillows. Queen beds can easily hold two queen pillows and two queen shams, plus two to three accent pillows or a single bolster.
Simply drape your throw over the back, down the front of the back cushion, and down onto the seat. I usually like a throw pillow placed in the front, but it's not necessary. If your couch has legs, your throw can extend down the front of the cushion.