Interior designers love pillows! Pillows have the power to transform a space, adding color, texture, and comfort. Let’s dig into the world of pillows and explore how to mix patterns, choose the right inserts, and select the perfect sizes for that layer look for your space.
Mixing Patterns:
Mixing patterns can feel daunting for some, but it’s a fantastic way to add visual interest and color to a space. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Start with a Color Palette: Choose a color scheme that complements your room. This will help ensure that the patterns you select work well together.
- Vary the Scale: Mix large-scale patterns with smaller ones. For example, pair a large floral print with a small stripe.
- Balance the Bold: Combine eye-catching patterns with small-scale or solid fabrics to let the focal pattern stand out.
- Use a Common Element: Find patterns that share a common color, style, or design component to create a cohesive look.
- Experiment with Texture: Don’t just focus on visual patterns; mix different textures to add depth.
For more detailed pairings and examples, check out our previous blog post on Mixing Patterns.
Choosing the Right Fill:
The insert is just as important as the cover when it comes to pillows. Here are some things to think about:
- Fill Material: Down and feather inserts are plush, luxurious and will give you that designer look. Synthetic fills are often the more affordable option and are great for those of you who are allergic to feathers. We almost always recommend down, as they tend to last. The issue with synthetic inserts is that overtime, they will lose their volume and eventually flatten out – down on the other hand can just be fluffed back up.
- Size: If you have the option to pick your own insert size, a good tip is to choose one that is 1-2 inches larger than the cover. This will make it so that the cover fits nice and snug. No one wants a droopy pillow!
Sizing Guide for Different Spaces
The size of your pillows can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your space. It can sometimes be hard figuring out sizing and quantity for pillows for those larger furniture items like sectionals, sofas and beds. Here are some quick hints for you below:
- Sofas: Standard sizing for sofa pillows typically ranges from 18-24 inches square. The size you need depends on the height of your sofa – if you have a high-backed sofa, you may need those bigger pillows! As far as pillow arrangements, we love the classic 2 pillows on each arm — so you would put 2 larger pillows (22″) on each side of the sofa and layer 2 smaller pillows in front (20″). Occasionally, we also love to add an extra 3rd pillow (lumbar pillow 14×20″) to one side to add a little asymmetry to the space.
- Sectionals: For sectionals, start by placing your larger pillows (22 – 24″) in each corner. This is where we tend to have our solid color pillows as they make for a great backdrop. Next are the smaller pillows (18-20″) in the corners and layered in front of the larger ones. For these pillows we either use the same fabric for all 3, or 2 in the same fabric and 1 in a coordinating fabric for the middle corner. Lastly, we like to add a lumbar pillow (14×20″) to the center corner to tie it all together! Of course, there are many ways to fill up your sectional with pillows, this is just the one we always fall back to when designing!
- Beds: For a queen or king bed, we start with Euro sized pillows (26- 27″) at the back – 2 for a queen bed, 3 for a king bed and all in the same fabric. Then the standard pillows with decorative shams (Standard pillows: 20×27″, King pillows: 21×37″). Now for the decorative pillows, if you want a simple look go for a classic lumbar pillow (14×24″) or a long lumbar pillow (14×36″) in the center.
In our opinion, pillows are one of those finishing touches absolutely essential for a space. Let us know how you do when finding pillows for your own space!
Stay Inspired!
The Margery Wedderburn Interiors Team