Pair Your Pillows

H e l l o!

Up on the blog today, it's all about pillow tossing!  If you know me well, I hope you got a little giggle out of that.  Decorating with throw pillows may seem like a small part of the interior design process, but that couldn't be further from the truth. They're the best way to elevate a house to a home. Even though they are soft and comfortable, they're not all fluff. When it comes to living room seating, hallway benches, and pretty much anything in the bedroom, adding a throw pillow will pack a ton of punch and bring out the subtle design features in a space. In order to harness the full potential of these decorative do-gooders, we've rounded up a few tips that will make the styling process a lot easier.

SOLID

Start with an anchor.  Solid colors are the perfect place to start!  If there's a piece of furniture in your room that brings in a pop of color, make sure the rest of the room highlights it without outshining it. In the example below, the soft rose gold accents and striped linen pillows pick up on the tufted raspberry ottoman. This makes the overall look much more cohesive.

CHRIS PATEY FOR MYDOMAINE

PATTERN AND STYLE

Mix and match prints to add visual intrigue.  By mixing and matching styles and prints, you'll elevate the intrigue to keep the eye engaged. This next vignette is the perfect example for decorating with throw pillows of different styles.  You have your blue striped print, a few neutrals for balance, and then, for the standout, a distressed-print pillow that ties in most of the colors in the room. Again, when choosing your throw pillows, it's best to think of them without the context of the entire space. So you can see how some of these pillows flatter the crisp white walls while others are flattering the blue cushion and carpet. Together, they also bring out the natural textures of the hardwood floor. As you can see, these pillows are also artfully curated in their own right.

Photo Cred:  Etsy

SIZE MATTERS

Play with shape, scale and size.  Using differently patterned pillows in the same color scheme creates an interesting juxtaposition that looks curated and unique. The key here is to play with different scales of patterns so that they have enough contrast. If you’re doing one pillow with a thin, minimal stripe, try pairing it with a larger geometric graphic and a smaller, repeating pattern.

SYMMETRY

Once you've got all the right pillows, you should also spend some time thinking about how you'd like to display them to get the most out of their décor potential. If you like the look of asymmetry, try an arrangement that looks more random and effortless. This symmetrical approach is another great option, particularly well suited for bedding. Layer up your throw pillows like the example below. Try keeping the neutral sleeping pillowcases in the back and let the more exciting throw pillows take center stage. Feel free to break outside the bedding set, too, if you'd like to introduce wilder prints into the mix.

Photo Cred:  One Kings Lane

TEXTURE

This little corner is perfectly textured. I love how an unsuspecting corner is turned into a chic little nest. A shaggy fur or faux-fur pillow is a another great option to use to stand on its own atop a chair in a lackluster room, in a random nook, or in an entryway that feels empty. Its fun texture makes it the perfect way to achieve a wild aesthetic outside of color, print, and shape elements. And it doesn't get much softer, so pair it with a blanket to create an extra cozy atmosphere.

Photo Cred:  Pinterest

Photo Cred:  AMBER INTERIORS

Once you've purchased your pillows, you might wonder, what now? Arranging your pillows by style is one way to ensure your space will look effortlessly chic. An easy way to start is by picking an odd number of pillows, with a unifying aspect, like a color or theme. If mixing patterns is not your thing, consider mixing textures of the same hue instead. Arrange the larger pillows to the side, with smaller ones in front, like on this outdoor couch that has a textured white pillow and mustard yellow pillow on each side and an earthy patterned pillow in the middle.

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In addition to being a Philadelphia Multifamily Interior Designer,  I also design boutique hotels, fitness centers, office spaces, residential development projects, other commercial spaces such as office and retail spaces, and the senior living community throughout the tri state area.  We work here in Philadelphia, the main line, and even Nationally!