How Do I Arrange Throw Pillows?
Aby and her designer friend, Drew, answer readers’ questions on upholstery, design, and everything in between every two weeks. Email them at hello@abysupholstery.com and follow them both on Instagram @abysupholstery & @drewalbo
Just like so many of you all over the world right now, our team and I, here in San Jose, have been staying home a lot more often than usual. This has caused me and a lot of you, our clients, to look at their homes differently now that they’ve spent so much time in them. Needless to say, you’ve been reaching out, and we’ve listened. That’s why we decided to answer some of your essential questions here, On the Blog, regarding upholstery, design, and all of the things that fall in between.
Emily Asks: I’m a huge fan of throw pillows, I’m the kind of girl who believes more is more, especially when it comes to throw pillows. The only problem that I have, is that I don’t know how to style them. I end up putting all of the like colors and patterns together and then my sofa just looks like two large blocks of color. Is there a full-proof way to arrange throw pillows?
Hi Emily,
I once had a client that insisted on every pattern, print, and color be corresponding to the point that when we were finished, the sofa, once simple and understated, had a large blue color-blocked section atop of it that was comprised of pillows. Needless to say, it was a bit much, but she loved it and it worked for her home, so yes, and no. Throw pillows may seem like a small part of the design process, but they actually can make or break the finished look of a room. Sometimes they are necessary when furniture is simple enough, and other times, they can overpower a room.
The great thing about them is that you can also use them in other areas of your home. Hallway benches can be elevated with a few throw pillows, a bedroom can look cozier and add color with a pillow, any sort of seating can have a cute little bolster, the options are endless!
Start with an Anchor Color
Look for a common theme in your house. Is there an element of color that you seem to be drawn to or that you would like to introduce to your space? Anna Burke Interiors does an amazing job of finding commonalities in color palettes and exploring different ways of interpreting them as they did here. These pillows pick up on elements in the room without overwhelming the space. They create a cohesive story, they remind the viewer that they are there but not the focus, which is the perfect role for a pillow.
Mix and Match Your Materials
Change up your throw pillows by mixing and matching styles and prints to create some visual intrigue. This vignette created by Amber Interiors is the perfect example of decorating with throw pillows of different styles. You have something dark and bold in the background playing off of the fur throw, paired with a slightly eclectic striped pillow in a darker brown, which creates a little bit of mystery and depth. On the opposite side, you have a similar conversation happening in lighter tones. Together, these throw pillows bring out the natural textures of the hardwood floor and stucco walls, they complement the existing furniture and don’t distract or cause too much of a fuss.
Introduce Balance
Find an accent color and stick with it. The best combo is usually done in odd numbers and not evens, so when you are playing with color a good rule of thumb is to stick to three main colors. Luis La Place does a perfect job at playing around with color, but in a way that feels perfectly balanced and in harmony. I would say the three main colors in this room are a sort of Turmeric Yellow, Emerald Green, and a soft Rosé Pink. The rest of the colors like the grey chairs and wood tones are neutrals and act as accents to the main stars of the show.
XO, Drew Albo