8 Ways To Mix and Match Throw Pillows for Your Couch

Throw pillows are one of the simplest ways to spruce up your living room, family room, or bedroom. These are opportunities to express your creativity on a plain couch.

Numerous pillow arrangements, whether basic, quirky, or mismatched, can liven up the room. They come in a broad variety of fabrics, hues, and patterns.

Knowing how to mix and match cushions on a sofa may seem like a small detail, but it may help to make your area look polished, well-coordinated, and, of course, comfy.

It’s also a pity to play it safe with only two or three solid-colored pillows – or worse, to stick to the set that came with your couch – given the abundance of lovely, reasonably priced pillows that are available.

But picking throw pillows might seem simple in principle until you buy one from the shop, get it home, and realize it doesn’t go with anything you already own and merely stands out like a sore thumb.

In this article, we’re going to talk about all the different ways you can mix and match throw pillows to create a look that perfectly captures your style.

Throw Pillows: A Tri-Color Story

Choosing a color story is the first step in designing your throw pillow choices. Your pillows will feel like they belong on that couch or bed even though they are all different if you choose colors from other parts of the space.

A throw pillow’s color palette should always start with three complementary hues and be expanded upon from there. To create a color story, you might choose the color of your walls, the hue of your rug, and the hue of a piece of wall art.

Make sure one of the colors you choose for throw pillows comes from the bedding if you’re adding them to bedroom decor. It is preferable to employ three different colors that have been taken from other elements in the room, such as the rug, your bedding, the wall color, or the curtains.

The effect will still be harmonious even if you select a variety of pillows with varied patterns, as long as they at least have the same colors. Several illustrations of color combinations that usually work well together include:

• Magenta + gold + dark green
• Gold + peacock blue + sage green
• Orange + deep green + deep crimson
• Pink + deep crimson + dark blue
• Violet + mustard yellow + magenta

These examples are some of the best color schemes to inspire your imagination! Try to come up with a few combinations on your own, and don’t forget to look at examples to see what color schemes are utilized in your favorite pictures.

Magical Formula of Pattern Mixing

The next step is to try to establish a sense of balance, hierarchy, and harmony in your room. When choosing patterns for your throw pillows, it’s crucial to strike the right balance.

It’s important to keep in mind that designing with “throw pillows” doesn’t mean you threw them together; too many patterns will guarantee you trend in the wrong direction! We almost always advise selecting three distinct patterns.

Patterns are typically divided into geometric and organic categories. Stripes, plaids, and other patterns with shapes are examples of geometric patterns. Organic patterns can be abstract, flowery, or botanical.

Taking one step at a time will help in finding problems and figuring out how patterns will go together. Pick a pattern you truly like that uses several colors from your color story, and if you think the design needs additional depth, add a second pattern.

Choose a geometric stripe, an organic floral pattern, and a solid color. Here are some suggestions for pattern mixing to try:

• A floral, a geometrical design, and a solid color
• One toile, one ticking stripe, and one buffalo check
• One knit texture plus one chevron, dot, and pattern.
• Dominant Large Scale Print + Solid Print in Coordinating Colours + Smaller Scale Print in Coordinating Colours

A Dominant Pattern

Picture this as a busy print, perhaps with large-scale florals or a geometric pattern. You can choose an item with a few colors or numerous colors. The “busiest” of your patterns should be this one. You will extract your other colors from this fabric.

A Stable Pattern

Take a hue from your prevailing pattern. Any of the colors in that pattern will do; it need not be the most noticeable one. Choosing the least obvious option typically looks the best. Additionally, although the tones need not be identical, they should be very comparable.

Picking a new texture, such as faux fur or leather, is nothing to be afraid of. The best method to achieve a style that is designer-inspired is by layering textures.

A Smaller-scale Print

This print either matches the color of the solid cloth or uses a different hue from your main print. Polka dots, delicate stripes, a gingham design, or even a solid print with a lot of texture that gives the impression of having a print on it can all be used as this smaller-size print.

Throw pillows in solid colors are self-explanatory, and even though they don’t technically have a pattern per se, solids are a crucial component of your pillow combos.

More often than not, the pillows with the most fascinating textures are the solids. Try varying the scale of your patterns as well when examining matching patterns. 

Choice of Textures

Even when they have intriguing patterns, pillows with the same texture can still look like they were purchased in a bag and not specifically chosen by you for your room.  Things will quickly fall apart if all three cushions are made from the same fabric.

You should choose several textures to give your pillow arrangement depth. When decorating with monochromatic or mostly neutral color schemes, texture is extremely important.

Here are some intriguing materials that will give your throw cushion combinations some wonderful textures. When you shop, be aware of these:

Here are a few combinations that rock together:

• Velvet + Corduroy + Linen
• Mudcloth + Wool + Boucle’
• Raw Silk + Kilim + Faux fur
• Faux Leather + Quilted + Macrame

If you favor boho-style design, throw pillows with pom poms and tassels are also texture-adding items that are unquestionably ideal to incorporate! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fabrics, materials, and textures; the more original you are, the better.

The little things in your home should reflect who you are, and they are just as significant as your big statement items. Make sure to mix and match the textures you utilize along with your choice of throw pillows.

Pillow Size Makes a Difference

Make sure to experiment with the sizes when you want to mix and match the throw pillows in your living room or bedroom. The size of the pillows themselves should be considered in the same way that you pay attention to mixing different scales of patterns when mixing patterns.

You should try to mix them up a bit. If you do decide to match two same-sized pillows, make sure they each have a distinctive design to keep things interesting. Additionally, you may overlay various sizes. For instance, you might use a 20-inch pillow in front of a larger dominant pillow, like a 22-inch or 24-inch pillow.

To round off the first two square pillows, you could even add a somewhat smaller lumbar pillow. Choose pillows in two or three different sizes – small, medium, and large – as well as shapes – square and lumbar, for instance. Place the larger pillows at the back to add height. By doing this, interest and dimension are created.

Adding a Twist To Boring Identical Pillow Shapes

Throw pillows are often square and look great everywhere. Additionally, there are rectangle-shaped pillows, often known as lumbar pillows. There are also spherical pillows, bolster pillows, and other interesting new trends like round and bolster pillows.

All of your pillows don’t have to be the same shape; a variety of shapes is what you desire! You may have seen a pattern here. With throw pillows, variety is crucial!

Always make sure your pillow insert is 2 inches bigger than the throw pillow cover you’re using. This ensures a beautiful, snug, chubby appearance! For instance, if your pillow is 22 inches long, choose a 20-inch pillowcase.

Pillows come in a variety of sizes and forms, so experiment by pairing them. Be careful not to overdo it by adding too many pillows of different shapes, though; this could make the room look cluttered and chaotic.

In general, the ideal shapes to pair together are square and rectangular. You may create a wonderful, dynamic pillow combo by varying the size as well.

If you have a lot of linear shapes and want to soften things up a bit, round pillows are fantastic. Although we like to avoid them because they’re a little too weird for my tastes, you can totally add circle pillows if you want to.

Alter the Shapes, Sizes, and Patterns

The use of pillows in opposing colors, patterns, and shapes is part of what produces a magical, unique, and interesting scheme, so couch pillows don’t necessarily have to match.

However, it is important to adhere to a few fundamental design principles, such as using not more than one major color, two accent colors, and neutrals, as well as choosing one huge design motif and a few more modest or straightforward prints.

Do you think you could comfortably fit five 24-inch pillows on a sofa? We can’t either, since there would be nowhere to sit. Throw pillow sizes need to be considered, and not just for reasons of use. It will look visually boring to have five identical-sized pillows.

Additionally, you’re not required to select only square pillows with similar patterns and colors. Pillows come in a variety of forms. Your pillow groups may benefit greatly from a beautiful lumbar pillow or a circular one.

But be careful not to overdo it because too many forms will appear haphazard and unplanned, just like too many patterns or colors.

Odd Numbers Do the Magic

The first rule of decorating is to use an odd number of pillows in a color scheme that coordinates. Choose three or four colors, and then look for throw pillows in a variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, and textures.

Going bold with a variety of colors is suggested for living rooms with a white or neutral couch. Experiment with gold, coral, and sage green. Additionally, you may alter them to match the changing of the seasons or your room’s color scheme! So mix and match like crazy.

Rule Breakers

Since comfort is the most crucial factor, there is no rule for the number of cushions that should be placed on a couch.

If you’ve recently been shopping for living room ideas, you may have seen the many approaches designers take to this. Now that you are aware of the Rule of Three, we should also add that every rule can be broken, especially when it comes to design.

It’s acceptable if you begin combining your collection of gorgeous throw pillows using the formula given here only to discover that four colors suit you the best or that you prefer two enormous designs to one.

Use this Rule of Three just as a starting point; in the end, all that matters is that you like what you see. If you follow the method, you’ll get stylish results, but don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the mix that works for you.

But we can assure you that if you keep experimenting with the aspects we discussed today, you will soon start anticipating rather than dreading your next trip to the store to buy throw pillows.

When you shop in person in a store, don’t be afraid to mix and match items, and when you buy online from home, experiment with mood boards and digital pairings.

Added Tips for Mixing and Matching:

Here are a few more suggestions to help you mix and match pillows with various patterns and colors.

• Odd numbers provide a more contemporary appearance: When arranging your throw pillows, keep in mind that odd numbers work well. A smaller number of larger pillows looks fresher than a scattering of smaller ones, and that odd numbers in most design aesthetics always look more artistic.
• Even numbers appear conventional: An even number of comparable pillows, like two or four, gives your bed or couch a balanced, symmetrical appearance that is neat and organized.
• When buying throw pillows, pay attention to the fill and how it will have an amazing effect on the appearance. For instance, a fill made of feathers and down has more “give” and a softer squish. Foam and other synthetic fillers are often stiffer and more cost-effective. Pillows stuffed with them might not appear as luxe but will remain in shape for a longer time.
• Also, combine textures: Although pattern and color blending is crucial, the texture should also be considered. Play with the contrast of soft and fuzzy, rough and smooth. Consider knit wools, rayon, fake fur, nylon, velvet, linen, sequins, and tasseled embellishments.

Closing Thoughts

It doesn’t get much better than changing your throw pillows to entirely transform your area with little to no work. The ideal number and arrangement of pillows can transform a room, making it cozier and more inviting.

Finding the perfect combination, though, is more difficult for some of us. It requires some practice and some trial and error. This simple method is for you if you’re afraid to mix and match throw pillows throughout your house.

So, what do you think about altering the way you combine different throw pillows in your home? Let us know!