How to Choose & Style Your Throw Pillows Like a Designer

In the interior design world, completing a space from start to finish includes more than just paint colors, finishes, and window treatments. The way you accent your space defines your overall design aesthetic. From throw blankets to pillows, details do matter … right down to the very last pillow! Whether you are choosing throw pillows for your sofa, bed, bench, chair, etc., there are several design details to take into consideration. That’s why we’ve created a guide to help you choose the perfect pillows for your space.

Throw Pillow Details:

Shapes: Throw pillows can be made in all shapes and sizes! The most common shapes of throw pillows are square, lumbar/rectangle, and boudoir.

Patterns and Fabrics: The options of pillow patterns and fabrics are endless! With hundreds of designs and textures of fabric to choose from, first start by narrowing down the colors you would like to incorporate into your design. Are you trying to be neutral or bold? There are patterns for both! A neutral and simple linen, velvet, or bouclé are easy ways to add texture to your space without the patterns or colors being too overwhelming or loud. If you prefer a bolder design, colorful florals, animal prints, geometrics, or chinoiserie fabrics are great designs that make a stunning statement!

Contrasting Fabrics/Back: Did you know when you customize your own pillows, you have the option to finish the back of your pillow in a contrasting fabric color or design? In our designs, we typically choose a solid color that coordinates with a patterned pillow front. Contrasting backs are great to utilize when you are trying to tone down a bolder fabric choice.

Decorative Trim & Tape: A fun way to elevate your pillow design is to add a pillow trim or tape to your design. A decorative tap is a flat woven trim that can be creatively applied to your pillow fronts and back. It is most common to use decorative tape on a solid pillow fabric, but a pillow trim is easy to use on any pillow design! We love to add a fun fringe to our throw pillows when it makes sense. The most common trim options are tasseled, fringed, or poufed!

Edges/Cut: A common way to add subtle details to your pillow is by incorporating a unique edge to your throw pillows. The most common edges are:

Knife Edge: Clean lines, boxed shape finish
Ruffle: You can add a ruffle to just the corner of your pillows all the way around .. your choice!
Flange: A flange border is a decorative strip of fabric that runs around the pillow edge.
Welts: For a tufted look, you can add a center button, or “welt”, to your pillow.

How to incorporate throw pillows into your design:

**View the Club House Drive Project Here**

For your sofa:

Standard size & shape for throw pillows: For a sofa, the standard shape and size of the throw pillows we recommend are square and 21”-24”. However, if you are layering your pillows, you could consider adding a smaller bolster, or lumbar/ kidney pillow, in the shape of a rectangle. Layering pillows with various shapes and sizes is an easy way to elevate your design.

Number of pillows we recommend: Depending on the vibe you are trying to create, we typically recommend 2-4 throw pillows for a sofa. While this is really based on personal preference, a few things to consider when designing your pillows are the size of your sofa and how easy it is to sit down without pillows getting in the way!

For your chair:

Standard size & shape for throw pillows: We love utilizing smaller pillows for accent chairs, similar to a bolster/kidney pillow. Our standard size for kidney pillows are about 13”x22”. Not only are they functional, as they can support your lower back while sitting in your chair, they are also practical! Smaller pillows don’t take up much space and are actually used when sitting in your chair.

Number of pillows we recommend: For an accent chair, we recommend using one throw pillow. If it is a chair and a half, similar to the size of a condo sofa or loveseat, two pillows may work!

For your bench:

Standard size & shape for throw pillows: The shape and size of your bench determines the amount of pillows to accent it with. What are the goals for your bench? If it is just decorative, fill it with pillows! If you use it for normal sitting each day, you may not want to include pillows. Instead, you could drape a throw blanket on the back of it for a little bit of added texture and design.

Number of pillows we recommend: We love to use a cluster of 3 various shapes and sizes for bench accents. For example, we may use one or two 21”-22” square pillows and layer them with a smaller pillow, like a 13”x22”.

For your bed:
When it comes to bedding, depending on your bed size, there are several options for pillow shapes and sizes! By now, you know we enjoy mixing and matching to add depth to our design. Below is our typical recommendation for your bed pillows

Standard size & shape for throw pillows:

Shams: standard-king rectangle
Euros: 26-28” squares
Boudoir: 12x30 or 19x60 long, rectangle pillow
Accent Pillows: 13”-24” square, rectangle, or round

Number of pillows we recommend:

Sleeping Pillows: Twin - 1, Full/Queen/king - 2-4
Shams: Twin - 1, Full/Queen/king - 2
Euros: Twin - 1, Full/Queen/king - 3
Boudoir: 1 for all bed sizes, we recommend replacing a boudoir pillow for a lumbar pillow on a smaller, twin size bed
Accent Pillows: Twin - 1-2, Full/Queen/King - 2-4

Create your own

The great thing about working with an interior designer to source your throw pillows is that you can create exactly what you’re looking for! Not only will the quality of your pillows be elevated, but it will also create a space that is unique and custom to you. These won’t be throw pillows that everyone who shops at Target has! Ready to begin your own project? The Cossart Design team is here to help. Here is what we need from you:

Purpose of your pillows: What space are you incorporating custom pillows?
What size pillows are you looking for?
Are there any specific patterns, colors, or shapes you are wanting to use for your pillows?
*If you aren’t sure how to answer some of these questions, no worries! We are here to help create the best options for both you and your space.

Create custom pillows now