How To Mix And Match Throw Pillow Patterns Like A Pro

 Here’s how to mix and match throw pillow patterns to give your room a lift while showcasing your personal style. This should be fun! It’s the icing on the cake of decorating.

And it’s an easy and relatively affordable way to experiment with different patterns and colors in your living room, family room and bedroom.

Understanding Different Pillow Patterns

Think about the patterns and fabrics you gravitate to from your own closet. Do you like stripes, florals, geometric patterns, or solids? Texture can be considered a pattern, too.

Creating A Color Scheme For Your Pillow Selection

1. If it is your personal preference, choose a monochromatic color palette for a more subtle modern look. Neutral color never goes out of style. In fact, you could use all matching pillows if you have a lot of other bold patterns in the room like the area rug, art or view out the window.

2. However, if you enjoy color, select one main color (and various shades of ) and one or two complementary colors to start. You may be inspired by artwork you own, or a rug or the environment where you live.

Accent pillows can give you a pop of color that finishes your living spaces.

Mixing Patterns with Confidence For A Cohesive Look

1. Start with a dominant pattern in terms of large-scale and use this as your lead pattern.

2. For secondary patterns, incorporate a smaller pattern followed by a small scale pattern or…

3. Then add a solid or textured solid (such as velvet, woven cotton, linen or faux fur) color to create a cohesive feel.

4. An easy way to create balance is to put two matching solid pillows at opposite ends of the sofa.

Dimensions: Pillow Sizes

1. Using larger pillows (20″ square pillows or larger like 22″, 24″ feels more luxe. Most interior designers would agree that 22″ square is a good rule of thumb for a standard size.

2. One option, instead of different sizes, use pillows in the same size, say all 22″ square.

3. Or put larger pillows on the ends with the smaller pillows in front (as above).

4. It depends on the size of your sofa but an odd number of pillows, say four squares and one lumbar pillow can be pleasing.

Or on a smaller sofa, three pillows can be perfect. On a large sectional, three pillows in the center and two at each end is a nice throw pillow combination.

5. Add a throw blanket for more comfort and visual interest, especially if you have an even number of pillows. Quince makes luxurious solid color cashmere throws at a reasonable price for a stylish look.

Pillow Inserts

If you want beautiful pillows, make sure to buy a good quality down and feather or synthetic feather pillow inserts. For 22″ square pillow covers, I order 24″ inserts from Amazon for a plumper look. Store throw pillow covers in a closet and use the same inserts when you want a new look with new pillows.

​To sum up how to mix and match throw pillow patterns:

First step, start by understanding your color preferences. Then the formula is to mix one large scale pattern, one medium or small and one solid or textured. Try out different pillow combos on your couch in odd numbers. And don’t forget the importance of a good insert!

You may also like: Read This Before You Buy Another Throw Pillow! And Freshen Up with PILLOWS! My Ten Favorite Sources

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