• About
    • About Mary Ann
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
  • Projects
  • Shop
    • Shop Our Home
    • Home Décor Finds
    • Fashion Over 50
    • My Amazon Store
    • Gifts For Everyone!
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Classic Casual Home

  • About
    • About Mary Ann
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
  • Projects
  • Services
  • Shop
    • Shop Our Home
    • Home Décor Finds
    • Fashion Over 50
    • My Amazon Store
    • Gifts For Everyone!
  • Subscribe

Read This Before You Buy Another Throw Pillow!

January 16, 2024 By Mary Ann Pickett 35 Comments

People often ask me about what a good standard throw pillow size is for their sofa. The short answer is a 22″ square standard size looks good on most couches.
Decorative pillows in this size can give a “plush” feel. 20″ squares and lumbars are good, too.
But there is more to know than the standard pillow size. Before you buy another throw pillow learn the correct sizes that you need.
This is an updated post for 2024 as the throw pillow dimension size chart (among other tips) is a good resource to keep on hand (and pin for later).

Liana, The Pillow Master’s Advice

This was written with the help of the “pillow-master” fabricator, Liana.
So, before you buy another throw pillow…
before you buy another throw pillow

What Is The Best Size Pillow For Your Decor

Liana says “An interior designer will be able to determine the right size and number of pillows to best suit your furniture.”

“But, if you enjoy tackling the challenge, here are some tips for selecting adequate pillow sizes for sofas, loveseats, chairs, and banquettes.”
 
Note: These are not rules, but simple “foolproof” tips to create seating arrangements that are comfortable, balanced, and in good proportion.

Know Before You Buy Another Throw Pillow That:

A Pillow Cover will have different dimensions when empty versus full with a pillow insert.

 In this case, we have a 20″ high x 20″ wide pillow cover. 

before you buy another throw pillow

Once stuffed, the cover will become a different dimension, and its depth will be a number of inches taken from the height and the width of the flat cover. 

In other words, once stuffed, your 20″pillow cover will no longer measure 20″ high.

Pillow Dimensions Size Chart

These are approximate dimensions. I found a pillow insert source recently on Amazon since the manufacturer I used for years closed. I buy 24″ inserts for 22″ throw pillow covers so that they are fuller. You might want to pin this!

pillow sizing tips

Note that a standard throw pillow size of 22″ becomes 15″ x 15″ when filled.

Follow the proportions of your sofa…

Avoid getting pillows that are too small (as it looks cheap and generic), or too big (gigantic pillows will look more like back cushions and will rob the depth needed for seating ).

Measure your sofa’s BACK HEIGHT and SEATING DEPTH

To determine the best depth of the pillow, leave at least 16″~17″ of depth for comfortable seating.  For the height, it’s a good idea not to let the larger pillows surpass the sofa’s back height.
The height and depth of your seating will determine the right pillow size (refer to the chart above).
The width lengthwise of your sofa will determine the NUMBER OF pillows. Below are 22″ standard throw pillow sizes.
Note the different textures below of linen, velvet and grain sack. I like to mix natural fabrics.

Number of Pillows?

It’s a personal preference whether you want an even or odd number, how you want to layer them and how much free space you want on the seat cushions.

Armchairs may be more comfortable with lumbar pillows instead of squares, but not always.

Again, measure the BACK HEIGHT, SEATING DEPTH, and SEATING WIDTH. Choose the pillow height at half of the chair’s back height, and pillow width at the zipper, as close as possible to the seating width. 

A lumbar pillow should give enough seating depth, but if your chair has extra-deep seating, choose instead a large square pillow to provide full back support of an added back cushion.

Banquettes

If you have a backless banquette (like a window seat for instance), choose large square pillows that will function as back cushions and will provide full back support (leave at least 15″~16″ of depth for comfortable seating).

throw pillow tips

If your banquette has a padded or upholstered back, then lumbars or smaller square pillows should give you the right amount of support. Remember to save at least 15″~16″ for comfortable seating depth.

With my 6-foot wing settee, the back is high enough to accommodate 24″pillows but the seating depth is not deep enough.  The best way to address this situation was using taller lumbar pillows which are less deep than squares, to balance the higher back.  I used here three 18″x28″ lumbar pillows.

Pillow size tips for a banquetts
Below is a six-foot love seat with deep seating and a high back.  While it’s a small sofa, the high back accommodates 24″ pillows that will also provide needed support.
My 7 foot RH Belgian Track arm sofa is the 38″ classic depth. As seen, it has shallow seating and shorter back cushions, while this is a larger sofa than the previously shown, the height x depth ratio won’t allow pillows larger than 22″.
Pillow Size tips
Thanks so much, Liana, for sharing your knowledge and amazing style.
That’s all about the recommended standard throw pillow size…
You may also like: A Little PILLOW Talk!
and Freshen Up with PILLOWS! My Ten Favorite Sources.

Related posts:

Freshen Up with PILLOWS! My Ten Favorite Sources 6 Tips For A Casually Polished Living Room

Filed Under: Decor Tips, Design, home accessories Tagged With: pillows

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natalie says

    February 16, 2025 at 4:43 pm

    This was incredibly helpful! I have two chairs coming that are wider and shorter as far as the back cushion goes (about 29 wide by 16 tall excluding arms). I was going to go with an over-stuffed look with 22 x 22 beautifully patterned pillow that I had picked out, but I’m wondering if I should get them made in a 12 x 20 or 12 x 24 instead? What would you do! I can send photos of the chair if you’re willing to take a look!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 16, 2025 at 4:58 pm

      It’s really the look you want. 22 x 22 are comfortable on our low back mid-century modern chairs (my husband likes them bigger and better than the lumbars)…but I prefer the look of a lumber pillow that’s about 12 x 22. Do you have a 22 square in your house that you could try out?

      Reply
  2. Blakely P says

    June 10, 2023 at 9:59 am

    Wow, thank you so much for this post.
    I was trying to find covers for my husbands old couch pillows and definitely would have ordered the wrong size!
    They’re about 15 years old, 20 inches square, and have lost most of their loft (I don’t mind, they’re broken in to an almost ideal comfort level). I was thinking they needed 20” covers; I am so glad I researched further!
    That being said, if they appear a squished 20in*20in/ 5in, synthetic fiber, with a corded edge, does that make the case likely still 28” or some strange size in between?

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      June 10, 2023 at 3:30 pm

      Are you sure you don’t want fresh inserts and covers? Are they foam? Or feather and down?

      Reply
  3. Marilyn says

    November 1, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    Fantastic tips! I need this. 🙂 I’ve been agonizing over pillow sizes for my new sectional. For an 84″ loft size sectional (Gus Modern Jane 2 Loft Sectional) I’m wondering what to do at the corner. Should I fill it with two 20″ pillows with a smaller one in front? Or fill the corner with a 20″, 18″ plus something smaller. I’ve been going round in cirlces with this LOL. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  4. Lynne says

    March 10, 2022 at 6:19 am

    Just found your site. Love it!
    How do I choose and arrange pillows for two 84” sofas arranged in an L shape?

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      March 10, 2022 at 3:33 pm

      That’s a complicated question…as it depends on how deep and how high the back is. An easy formula would be four 22″ pillows (two of one kind) on each sofa that match.

      Reply
  5. Sarah says

    March 3, 2022 at 11:22 am

    Thank you for these helpful tips! In your opinion, do you think it would look okay to have a 22×22 inch pillow paired with a 18×18 inch pillow? Or would it be better to do 20×20 and 18×18 pillow together? Thanks for your help!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      March 3, 2022 at 11:28 am

      Yes…22″ with 20″ or 28.”

      Reply
  6. Beth says

    February 26, 2022 at 6:33 am

    This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you. I sure miss Liana on Etsy. Her pillows were incredible, and her photos gave so many excellent ideas regarding mixing patterns. I imagine she is now to the trade only?
    Thank you again for this…..

    Reply
  7. Karen B. says

    February 18, 2022 at 11:16 am

    Mary Ann,
    Best of luck to your sister. I’ve recently done the same. It feels good to have just what I need and use.
    Great information and I will flag it so that I can refer to it when I need to. I know I wouldn’t remember all of the details. Haha,
    xo,
    Karen B.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 18, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      We are still editing things! And tomorrow hanging art.

      Reply
  8. Hilda says

    February 18, 2022 at 7:16 am

    Good info. I’m wondering if two facing sofas should have exact matching pillows. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 18, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      I really think that is up to you, Hilda. I’m my case, mine don’t match exactly but they blend.

      Reply
  9. Elizabeth says

    February 17, 2022 at 6:19 pm

    I actually had no idea there was a pillow formula, thank you for sharing Mary Ann. I have bookmarked this post and am sharing it on my Friday Favorites as well.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 18, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      I still refer to the chart, Elizabeth!

      Reply
  10. Jaye says

    February 17, 2022 at 3:31 pm

    Good for folks to know….and that they always need to buy an insert 2″ larger than the pillow they’re filling! Also, do you purchase Interior Linens to purchase to fill your pillows? Wondering how their price compares to my work room! If you do, what “feather combo” do you use?

    thank you!
    Jaye

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 18, 2022 at 4:26 pm

      I use the 90/10 feather/down combo. Their inserts cost more but they are double-lined so that the feathers don’t come out as easily.

      Reply
  11. Barbara says

    February 17, 2022 at 11:00 am

    Am I the only one who finds all these pillows, while lovely to look at, just a little bit silly? For the most part they do not improve the comfort of seating, and must be moved when people choose to sit. If 3 people want to sit on a sofa, where do the pillows go? Why not simply purchase seating that is an appropriate depth for most people, and avoid all the pillow shuffling? Same thought on the masses of pillows on beds. They look pretty, but putting them in place and then removing them every night just seems silly to me. I prefer the old adage ‘Form Follows Function’ for a more livable space. Just one opinion. I know many people love their pillows…

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 17, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      I DO love my pillows for the comfort, color, and texture that they provide…you sink into them and they can provide back (and neck if you are lying down) support. On the rare occasion, we have three people on one sofa…a pillow is easy to move. I am so happy you shared your opinion though!

      Reply
  12. Carolina says

    February 17, 2022 at 10:49 am

    Excellent information that I’m certain will be useful. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 17, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      Thanks, Carolina.

      Reply
  13. Juliet says

    February 17, 2022 at 10:03 am

    Thanks, MA and Liana … this is so helpful and I’m saving in new folder ‘Pillow Strategy’ … yay! xo

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 17, 2022 at 2:15 pm

      You are a lucky one with some of Liana’s pillows, Juliet!

      Reply
  14. Ginger Whelan says

    February 17, 2022 at 9:06 am

    so what size insert (square) would you purchase for a 20″ square cover?

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 17, 2022 at 9:18 am

      If you buy from a designer pillow place like Interior Linens you get a 20” Square. But size up if you buy from a retail store like Pottery Barn. They will let you try them out in the store.

      Reply
  15. holly says

    February 17, 2022 at 8:49 am

    This post is THE BEST! Answers a lot of questions to help me get that perfectly proportioned look. So, so glad to have this as a reference….Thank you and Liana for sharing your wisdom!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 17, 2022 at 9:15 am

      Thanks, Holly!!

      Reply
  16. debra @ 5th & state says

    February 17, 2022 at 8:28 am

    great article! thank you!!
    Debra

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 17, 2022 at 9:15 am

      Thanks Debra!!

      Reply
  17. Sue Taylor says

    February 17, 2022 at 8:17 am

    This was very helpful. I’m hoping you could tell me what size inserts to buy for the different size pillows. You mention oversized down. the exact size for each size pillow cover would be very helpful to me.
    Thanks very much.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 17, 2022 at 2:18 pm

      If you buy from a designer pillow place like Interior Linens (the link is above) you get the same size as your insert dimensions. But size up if you buy from a retail store like Pottery Barn. They will let you try them out in the store

      Reply
  18. Jill says

    February 17, 2022 at 8:08 am

    Great post! So very helpful! Do you have a good source for quality pillow inserts? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann Pickett says

      February 17, 2022 at 2:19 pm

      I like Interior Linens…link above.

      Reply
  19. Luis Melon says

    February 15, 2021 at 9:19 pm

    Thank you very much Mary for those tips. I will share it on my Instagram and Twitter. Really very very helpful. Thanks again.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Sign Up

Sign Up

And get my e-book for FREE

Mary Ann Pickett
Design Blogger Mary Ann Pickett
LEARN MORE
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Some posts contain affiliate links to products I like at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure here. Thank you!

Popular Categories

  • Design
  • Our Home
  • Entertaining
  • Style Over 50
  • Travel Design Files
  • Five Faves

Copyright © 2025 · Classic Casual Home · Blog Design Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy