01 | Pick a Color Scheme
Identifying a color scheme for your look will make the rest of the process much easier. If you don’t have a specific palette in mind, here are some helpful places to start:
Start with the foundation pieces in your room. Look at the colors in your artwork, area rug, or even the subtle undertones in your upholstery. Are there colors that you love that you want to accentuate with your decorative pillows?
Start shopping for pillows. Look for multi-colored, patterned pillows and find a design you like. Take careful note of the colors used in the design and use them as the foundation for your color scheme.
02 | Mix and Match Patterns
1. I like to start with a dynamic design, the pillow that you'd consider the focal or primary pattern. These are often referred to as “organic" patterns - they have movement, curves, and are often inspired by nature. This pattern is where you'll likely incorporate more color.
2. Choose two to three companion pillows. Great options are:
- Textured Solids. Pillows in a solid color that are woven with visible texture. That texture or dimension is what makes a solid pillow look visually interesting and expensive.
- Non-Solid Solids. This is an awesome (albeit super confusing) description I use for designs that are not solid but read like a solid. They have subtle, structured patterns (think simple stripes or big windowpane plaids) that are slightly more interesting substitutes for solids.
- Structured Geometrics. These can be simple to more complex stripes, checks, plaids, etc. Structured, geometric patterns will balance out the movement of the organic print and further add dimension and interest to the look.
03 | Finalize Size and Shape
Once you have narrowed down your pillow options, you need to determine which sizes will work with your furniture and where you'll want to use square and lumbar pillows.
Below are size options that work well for sofas of all different shapes and sizes:
Explore Sofa Pillow Collections
In the bedroom - especially the primary bedroom - you'll want to consider just how many pillows you want to move around regularly. You can veer on the light side and go with just three decorative pillows, or beef it up a little more if five pillows isn't too much effort.
