How to Pair Throw Pillows

I'm absolutely obsessed with textiles. I seriously can't get enough pillows, blankets, curtains, or rugs in my life. The first of that list takes the cake though. Throw pillows are an amazing way to add texture, color, and visual interest to a room, however, pairing them can be tricky. When picking throws, you want to make sure you're creating a cohesive grouping so it doesn't make your space feel busy. Here are our tips for creating the perfect pillow combinations.

Shapes & Sizes

As with many styling elements, 3 is a magic number. My go-to shape combo is a large square, medium square, and smaller lumbar. The staggered sizing and slight shape variation helps let each one shine. For smaller loveseats or sofas, consider picking just 2 throws for each corner to not overwhelm the furniture piece (when in doubt, stagger the height).

Some other combinations that I love are:

• Two large squares and a long lumbar in front for a bed


• Large square, medium circle (circle is such an underrated pillow shape)


• Three squares in the same size across a bed, with the middle style being different

While this post is about pairing pillows, I also love standalone looks. For example, I have an extra-long lumbar across our bed, and let that be the statement. Depending on the dimensions of your seating or bed, a solo throw can certainly do the trick. Again, just make sure that the size of the pillow works for the furnishing.

Patterns & Colors

These are the variables where most people get hung up. Mixing patterns and colors can be overwhelming, but nailing the technique brings beautiful results! Start by picking your color palette. This step is critical. Even if you find a pattern with an array of colors, you'll want to find complementary throws in lighter or darker versions of those hues.

Once you've decided on your color scheme, you can start to look for styles to group. Like with shapes and sizes, I have a favorite pattern combo: one solid, one subtle pattern (like stripes or small designs), and one bold pattern. By mixing all three, you prevent the look from feeling chaotic.

Some other killer combos:

• Floral, subtle stripe, solid


• Solid, solid with woven texture, bold pattern


• Color block or solid, large pattern, subtle dots


• Solid, solid with tassels, bold pattern

Easy as 1, 2, 3

Looking to add some beautiful pillows to your home? We've made it a cinch with our pillow bundles! Snag one of these combos below, or click here to create your own.



Click the bundle name to shop: 1. Classic with a Twist || 2. Earthy Boho || 3. Global Modern || 4. Vintage Glam || 5. Scandi Vibes || 6. European Folk ||

Thanks for reading!

• Rachel Cafferty of Quarter-Life Living

---

Image Credits: Cover - Jessica Isaac || 1. Danielle Oakey || 2. Cali Vintage || 3. Avenue Lifestyle || 4. Emily Henderson || 5. House of Jade Interiors ||