Home / Blog October 25, 2023 Updated on January 04, 2024

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How To Mix And Match Pillows On A Sofa

Mixing and matching throw pillows is a creative and simple way to enhance your home decor. In this blog, we share tips on how mixing and matching pillows by texture, color palette, size, shape, and patterns can elevate your space.

a girl hugging bearaby knot pillow

Bearassentials

It is essential to establish a color palette for your pillow colors and patterns.

Draw inspiration from the seasons to keep the match between your sofa and pillows fresh.

Consider adding ergonomic pillows in the mix for lumbar support when you relax. 

Did you know?
Color psychology matters when choosing pillows. For instance, many people associate blue with relaxation and red with energy and passion.

Are you looking for tips on how to mix and match pillows on a sofa? Look no further. From simple hacks for throw pillow groupings to tried-and-tested secrets of throw pillow color combinations, we’ve got you covered.

Below, we describe the step-by-step process of accessorizing a sofa, chair, or even your bed, by mixing and matching throw pillows. Read on to discover how to decorate your home with sustainable and eye-catching designs.

How To Mix And Match Throw Pillows

Mixing and matching throw pillows is a fun and creative way to add style and personality to your home decor. Here are some tips to help you achieve a balanced and visually appealing look:

1. Start with a Color Palette: Choose a color palette for your room or space. This can be based on your existing decor, or you can pick a new color scheme. Stick to a primary color, one or two complementary colors, and an accent color for variety.

2. Vary Textures: Mix different textures to add depth and interest. Consider sustainable materials such as upcycled velvet, organic cotton, linen, and more. Combining textures will make your pillow arrangement more visually appealing

3. Different Sizes and Shapes: Consider experimenting with different pillow sizes and shapes. Standard square pillows are versatile, but you can also add lumbar pillows, bolster pillows, round pillows, or even a chic knot pillow or two for variety!

4. Playing with Patterns: Mixing patterns can be tricky, but when done right, it adds dimension and style to your space. We suggest choosing one or two dominant patterns (e.g., stripes or florals) and mixing them with smaller, subtler patterns (e.g., polka dots or geometric prints).

5. Solids as Anchors: Solid-colored pillows can serve as anchors in your design. They provide a visual break between patterned and textured pillows and help create a sense of balance.

6. Odd Numbers: Odd numbers tend to be more visually pleasing than even numbers when arranging items. Consider using an odd number of throw pillows on your couch or bed. A common arrangement is three on a small sofa, and five on a larger one.

7. Color Distribution: Consider distributing the colors evenly throughout the space. It’s a good idea to steer clear of clumping all the pillows of one color in one corner. Instead, disperse them to create a harmonious look.

8. Contrast: Introduce contrast by selecting pillows that contrast with the color of your furniture. For instance, if you have a beige sofa, consider adding bold, colorful pillows to make them stand out.

9. Consider Seasonal Changes: If you want to change your decor seasonally, consider investing in a core set of neutral pillows and then add or swap out pillows with seasonal colors or patterns as needed.

10. Personal Touch: There is room for infusing your personality into your decor by selecting pillows that resonate with your style and interests. This can be through unique designs, custom-made pillows, or those that hold sentimental value.

While it’s fun to mix and match, be careful not to overcrowd your furniture with too many pillows. An important tip to remember is to opt for pillows that are more than just decor pieces. Having pillows that also soothe your senses is an excellent way towards holistic design. Our Hugget, for instance, adds a sprinkle of style to your space but also brings the benefit of being a stress-relieving knot pillow specifically designed for sensory stimulation.

Hugget

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Stylish and soothing

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Gently weighted to ease stress

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Cocoonable, couchworthy perfection

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When deciding how to mix and match pillows, you may be wondering how important it is to match pillows between the different furniture in your room. We talk about this in the next section

Should The Pillows On My Sofa And Loveseat Match?

Not necessarily. Whether the pillows on your sofa and loveseat should match is a matter of personal preference and the overall style you want to achieve in your home. Here are some ideas to help you decide:

1. Matching Sets: Some people prefer a cohesive and symmetrical look, and they opt for matching pillows on both the sofa and loveseat. This can create a clean and organized appearance, which works well in more formal and traditional settings.

2. Mix and Match: Others prefer a more eclectic and personalized look. In this case, you can mix and match pillows between the sofa and loveseat. This approach allows you to introduce a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, creating a more visually interesting and unique design.

Ultimately, it comes down to your personal style and what makes you feel most comfortable and satisfied in your living space. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to matching or not matching pillows on a sofa and loveseat.

Now, you may be wondering how exactly to go about mixing and matching different patterns, for instance. In the next section, we share some handy tips on how you can do that.

a women sleeping with hugget

How To Mix Pillow Patterns

Mixing pillow patterns can add depth, interest, and personality to your home decor. Here are some guidelines to help you mix pillow patterns like a pro:

1. Start with a Base Color: Begin with a solid base color that ties into your overall color scheme. This will serve as the anchor for your patterned pillows. The base color can match your furniture or walls

2. Choose a Dominant Pattern: Select one dominant pattern for your pillows. This could be a large floral print, bold stripes, or any other pattern you love. The dominant pattern will set the tone for the rest of the patterns

3. Complementary Patterns: To balance the dominant pattern, choose complementary patterns. These should be different in scale, style, and texture.: Small geometric patterns, stripes and plaids, and solid colors are all great options.

4. Vary Scale and Size: Mixing patterns with different scales and sizes is crucial. For example, pair large floral prints with small, intricate designs. This variation creates visual interest and avoids a cluttered look.

5. Maintain a Color Connection: Even if the patterns differ, ensure they share a color or two with the dominant pattern or the base color. This creates cohesion in your design.

6. Use Pillow Shams and Covers: If you want to switch up patterns seasonally or for a change, consider using pillow shams or removable covers. This allows you to easily swap out patterns without investing in entirely new pillows

Throw Pillow Color Combinations

Choosing the right throw pillow color combinations can significantly enhance your home decor. When selecting colors for throw pillows, consider the following color combinations, keeping in mind the mood and style you want to convey in your space:

1. Analogous Colors: These are colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. Combining analogous colors creates a soothing effect. For example, shades of blue and green or yellow and orange can work well together.

2. Complementary Colors: Complementary colors are opposites on the color wheel, such as blue and orange or red and green. Combining these colors creates a striking and dynamic contrast. Use one color as the dominant one and the other as an accent to create a vibrant look.

3. Monochromatic Colors: Sometimes, it helps to stick to a single color but vary its shades and tones. For example, you could use different shades of blue – from navy to light aqua. This creates a clean and sophisticated look while allowing you to play with different textures and patterns.

4. Triadic Colors: Triadic colors are evenly spaced around the color wheel, creating a balanced and vibrant combination. A classic example is using red, yellow, and blue. Ensure one color is dominant, and the others are used as accents.

5. Split-Complementary Colors: This involves selecting a base color and then choosing the two colors adjacent to its complementary color. For example, if your base color is orange, you could use blue-green and blue-violet as accent colors. This combination provides contrast without being too overwhelming.

6. Warm and Cool Colors: Consider pairing warm colors (e.g., red, orange, yellow) with cool colors (e.g., blue, green, purple) for a balanced and visually appealing contrast. For instance, you might use warm red pillows on a cool blue sofa.

7. Neutral with a Pop of Color: Another way is to start with a neutral color scheme (e.g., white, beige, gray) as your base and then add one or two vibrant, eye-catching colors as accents. This creates a clean and modern look with a pop of energy.

8. Bold and Subtle: Consider combining bold, vivid colors with subtle, muted tones. For example, pair deep emerald green with soft blush pink. The bold colors create visual interest, while the subtle tones provide balance.

9. Nature-Inspired Colors: Take inspiration from nature by using greens, browns, and earthy tones. These combinations can create a sense of tranquility and connection with the outdoors

10. Black and White with a Splash of Color: Some people prefer keeping the base colors black and white and introducing a single color as an accent. For example, a black-and-white theme with yellow or red accents can make a bold and dramatic statement.

11. Tonal Variation: Choosing colors from the same family but in varying shades can create a gradient effect. For example, you can use different shades of blue, from navy to sky blue, to create depth and dimension.

12. Metallic Accents: Consider incorporating metallics like gold, silver, or copper as accents against a neutral background. These accents can add elegance and a touch of luxury to your decor.

When working with throw pillow color combinations, it’s important to keep the existing color scheme of your room in mind. Experiment with different combinations, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments until you achieve a look that complements your space and suits your taste.

Finally, the last aspect of mixing and matching throw pillows is making sure your pillow selections complement your couch. In the next section we share a few general tips to help guide you to pillow choices that will match your sofa.

a girl resting with bearaby cuddling

General Tips For How To Match Pillows To Sofa

Matching pillows to your sofa is an essential part of home decor and can greatly impact the overall look and feel of your living space. So, when thinking of how to decorate a couch with pillows, you may consider the following tips:

  1. Choose pillows that either match or complement your sofa color.
  2. Take into account the color scheme of the entire room for holistic design choices.
  3. Consider mixing different textures that can add depth to your decor.
  4. Include different pillow sizes and shapes which can create a more balanced look.
  5. If you’re going for a more coordinated look, select one color as the dominant hue.
  6. Have a core set of neutral or versatile pillows that stay on your sofa year-round.
  7. Let your personal style shine through your pillow choices. 

For an even better effect, consider pillows that serve as more than just decorations. Our Cuddling bolster pillow, for instance, is an ergonomically designed pillow that is not only a couch-pleaser but also provides gentle lumbar support.

Conclusion

Learning how to mix and match pillows on a sofa can be an exciting endeavor that can truly transform your living space. From choosing a well-balanced color palette to experimenting with various textures, sizes, and shapes, your options are as diverse as your personal style.

Whether you prefer a symmetrical, matching look or an eclectic mix of patterns and textures, the key is to create a design that resonates with your taste and complements the overall decor of your home. Keep in mind the importance of having pillows on your sofa that are more than decorations. Our Cuddling bolster pillow is a good example of this as it is ergonomically designed to cushion your body for soothing support, creating napworthy nooks anywhere you go

In the end, your space should not only look great but also reflect your unique style. So, feel free to experiment, make it your own, and enjoy the journey of decorating with throw pillows. Your sofa will thank you.