How to Mix and Match Throw Pillows Like a Pro

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Throw pillows are my weakness—I even have an entire closet just for my favorites! If there’s one thing I’m passionate about in home decor, it’s mixing and matching pillows. Whether I’m refreshing a room, introducing a new color, or adding texture and pattern, nothing pulls it all together quite like a great throw pillow!

If you’ve ever felt like your living room or bedroom needed a little something extra, the right throw pillows may just be the missing element!

Decorative pillows are an easy way to add personality to any room, but with so many options, it can be tricky to get the right mix. From picking a color scheme to layering in odd numbers, these tips will help you master the art of styling pillows like a pro.

How to Mix and Match Throw Pillows

When it comes to choosing throw pillows for your couch or bed, there are ever ending possibilties in terms of what colors, patterns and textures you can choose. Of course, this in itself may lead to overwhelm.

Here’s a simple formula that I’ve used over the years to help me pick color schemes and patterns that work together:

Pattern Mixing Formula

My go-to for three pillows is a solid color, a geometric and another pattern. Using odd numbers of pillows creates a contemporary look. The geometric print can either be the large scale pattern or small scale pattern, with the third pillow than being the opposite.

You do not need to use all three on a couch – you may just want two pillows in each corner and 3 in the inside corner of a sectional.

Texture also works in place of the smaller scale pattern, and/or can be part of the solid-colored pillows, too. I think it’s always important to vary the textures on throw pillows to really elevate the look.

Add Texture

Varying the textures is equally as important as adding a pattern. I like to use pillows with frayed edges, tassels, pillow that are velvet, thick knits or linen.

Advanced Pattern Mixing

This is the next step in the process! It’s not any more difficult than pattern mixing with two colors, and follows the exact same formula. Instead of only using two of the colors from one of your patterns, you simply use three!

When you get comfortable with the basic formula, you’ll find it easier to train your eye to pull in additional colors that complement the pillows and form a cohesive color scheme.

Study the images above. In the first example, I’ve pulled out 2 of the colors from the patterned lumbar pillow to get coordinating colors – a warm camel color, and a darker blue (the less evident color in the pattern). You’ll notice very organic patterns that are easy to use with different pillow combinations.

In the second example, I again opted for the less obvious colors. I could easily have chosen a sky blue solid pillow, but it would look flat and lifeless.

Instead, by choosing the deeper blue that’s evident in the threads, as well as the neutral color between the knit texture, the pillow combo really comes to life. Once you start recognizing these elements, it will become easy to match pillows.

Finally, in the last trio, I opted for the darker shade of blue as well as the darker neutral shade from the pattern.

I could have just as easily pulled out the green, or even that pretty dusty pink color. In fact, let’s take a look at how that would look…

Using the dusty pink color as the solid, I opted for a less red version of the red in the pillow, with the fig colored small scale pattern.

Then below, I pulled out the warm golden tone for the small scale/textured pillow as well as the green from the floral stems and leaves.

Owning a patterned pillow like the lumbar that I’ve been using in this demonstration, is such a great piece to own because it’s so versatile!

How Many Throw Pillows Should Be on a Couch?

The number of throw pillows you should have on a couch depends on the size of your couch and the look you’re going for.

For a couch, the traditional approach is 4 pillows – 2 on each end. The pillow on the back should be slightly bigger than the pillow on the front to get that layered look. Usually, I do a 22 or 20inch pillow in the back and a smaller 20 or 18 inch pillow in the front.

For a sectional, 7 – 10 pillows is the norm. Two on each end, three in the corner, and then more if needed. Just don’t over do it, as too many pillows can look cluttered.

Importance of Size and Scale

When it comes to throw pillows, size and scale are essential. The size of your pillows should be proportional to the size of your furniture. For example, if you have a large sectional sofa, you’ll want larger pillows.

Likewise, if you have a small accent chair, you’ll want smaller pillows. Keep in mind that larger pillows can make a bold statement, while smaller pillows can add a touch of elegance.

Choose Pillows That Reflect the Season

Colder months mean cozier textures such as boucle, faux fur, velvet and thicker knits, as well as darker colors, while in warmer months I usually bring in lighter colors like blues and whites and textures like linen and cotton.

I also consider the seasons when choosing prints and colors – for fall my color palette will reflect the colors I see outside; in spring I’m more drawn to pastels and florals.

The Best Places to Buy Throw Pillow Covers

There are many sources for throw pillows that offer a wide variety of style, from affordable options at HomeGoods and Amazon to high-end options at Pottery Barn, Serena and Lily, and Williams Sonoma. Etsy is also a great source for unique and handmade pillows.

I adore the throw pillows from Serena and Lily but they are pricey, so I always wait for a 50% off sale before purchasing. The quality is really good and the prints are timeless and classic if you like the coastal look. They have many popular choices and a wide variety of styles for those of us who favor a coastal color palette.

Pottery Barn is another favorite of mine. While they’re not cheap, they are a lot less expensive than Serena & Lily and the quality is also really good. I also highly recommend their pillow inserts. They are excellent quality.

For solid color pillows in particular, I buy a lot from H&M Home, HomeGoods and even Amazon. Additionally, The TJ Maxx website regularly has Serena & Lily dupes that get snatched up quickly. The quality tends to not be as good, but for the price they can’t be beaten.

How to Make Throw Pillows Look Fuller

When aiming for a full and picture-perfect look for your pillows, consider these tips:

• Choose a high-quality pillow insert
• There are two primary types of pillow inserts: down and polyester. Both work well, but down inserts usually feel more luxurious and are easier to fluff.
• The key to a nice full throw pillow is using inserts that are a size larger. This typically means that if you have a 20-inch cover, that you’d use a 22-inch insert.

Final Thoughts

I hope you found my tips helpful! Just remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t be afraid to pull out a bunch of decorative pillows in the store and get your pattern mixing on while you’re there. Pottery Barn in particular is a great place to do this, as they usually have a couch right in the pillow section!

There’s no hard and fast rules when it comes to anything in interior design. These tips are here to be a helpful guide if this is something new to you, or something you’ve always struggled with. Have fun using colors you love and make your home decor personal to your style!