Have you ever spotted some colourful and vibrant pillows on a couch and wondered how you can get your couch to look equally stylish? Well, the answer is through couch pillows!

To get the perfect look, you first need to choose the shape, size, colour, texture, and pattern of the throw pillows. Then, you can style them by mixing and matching with each other as well as with the couch and other interiors.

1. What is a Couch Pillow?

A couch pillow is a pillow that is used for mainly decorative purposes. It is mostly known as a throw pillow.

Throw pillow enhances your interiors like sofa, couch, chair, swing, and bed. They also uplift the overall ambience of your home or office.

Before finalizing the style of your throw pillows, you first need to select pillow inserts by fill material, size, and shape.

Then, you need to select pillow covers by choosing the colour, texture, and pattern of the fabric.

1.1. Pillow Inserts

The inner cushion of the pillow is known as a pillow insert. It is a pillow lining filled with filler material like cotton, down, feathers, etc., to form the pillow.

Pillow insert is an important factor to consider before buying, as well as while styling because the shape and size of the throw pillow depends on pillow inserts.

There are plenty of options for different kinds of insert fills, natural as well as artificial.

• Natural Fill: Feather, down, cotton, kapok, latex foam, buckwheat hull
• Artificial Fill: Polyfill, memory foam, wool, microbead

1.2. Pillow Covers

Throw pillows may have removable or fixed pillow covers.

Though the main purpose of a pillow cover is to protect the pillow from all the stains, dust, and dirt, it also serves another equally important purpose. 

The pillow cover is also responsible for the final appealing look of the pillow. Except for shape and size, other factors like color, texture, and pattern of the throw pillow are dependent on the pillow cover solely.

1.3. Pillow Count

1.3.1. Odd

If you are confused with the question of how many pillows, then the answer is the odd number of pillows. And it is also sworn by interior designers.

1.3.2. Even

Two pillows, four pillows, six pillows, and so on are considered an even number of pillows. And it is a great option if you want to achieve symmetry through sofa pillows.

2. How to Style Couch Pillows: Styling Options

Now, it’s time to pick that perfect pillow combination for your home. You need to mix and match throw pillows not only with each other but also with your couch, sofa, and other surrounding interiors.

2.1. Styling According to Shape

Firstly, you need to make up your mind about the shape of the throw pillows.

There are plenty of pillow shapes in the market to play with. But here, you need to look at your sofa, couch, or any other interior style first.

You also need to consider whether it is for the living room, balcony, porch, or other room’s decor.

2.1.1. Square Pillows

This shape of pillow is found in almost every home. Indeed, they are basic yet must-haves, as they can be styled in many ways.

2.1.2. Rectangular Pillows

It is also known as a lumbar pillow. Further, it may be a short lumbar pillow or a long lumbar pillow, according to the length of the pillow.

This shape is also available in most of the homes.

2.1.3. Round Pillows

This one is a great option from the decorative point of view.

2.1.4. Bolster Pillows

Bolster Pillows are great for decoration as well as body support. In fact, their unique shape makes them an ideal choice for physiotherapy purposes.

2.1.5. Heart Pillows

It is the perfect choice for bedrooms, especially the couple’s room.

2.1.6. Other Shapes

Nowadays, you can find pillows of all the different shapes. For example, flower shapes, fruit shapes, trigonometric shapes, and whatnot.

Styling Options –

You can choose the same shape of pillows, but you can choose different sizes, colors, textures, and patterns if you want. It is a simple, sober, and very basic style option to style pillows on a couch.

Another option is to mix different shapes of pillows. Here, you can choose the same pattern and textures, as shape difference is already adding variation.

2.2. Styling According to Size

After choosing the shape, you need to decide the size of the pillow.

First, you need to consider the size of your couch, sofa, or wherever you want to style throw pillows.

Remember, your pillow size should not overpower your couch, nor it should be negligible to the same.

There are many pillow sizes available in the market.

• Small size
• Medium size
• Large size
• Extra large or jumbo size

Styling Options –

If you have chosen the same shape, you can select the same size too. Here, you can add variations with different colors, textures, and patterns.

Secondly, if you have chosen the same shape pillows, then different sizes can add a variation effect.

The same goes for different shapes throw pillows too.

Here, larger pillows must be arranged most backward and smaller at the front.

2.3. Styling According to the Color Scheme

Without a doubt, pillow colors are the most important to choose to throw pillows.

And we have countless colour options for throw pillows to choose from.

• Solid color
• Multicolor
• Pastel colors
• Bold colors
• Neon colors
• Neutral colors

Styling Options –

Firstly, you can consider styling pillows of the same colour. But it would be better if that colour is contrasting or at least from a lighter or darker hue.

Secondly, you can consider monochromes, which means the same hue of a particular colour. It is the best option if you don’t want the exact same colour pillows.

Thirdly, just choose multiple colours for your pillows. In fact, you can choose all the different colours of throw pillows.

Finally, contrasting colors are the best choice for throw pillows. Also, consider contrasting it with the couch and other interior.

For that, you just need to take the help of the colour wheel and choose opposite colours for throw pillows.

2.4. Styling According to Texture

Now, it is time to select the texture of your pillow.

Throw pillow textures play a very important role in styling. Most importantly, we are referring to the texture of the pillow cover here.

2.4.1. Cotton Pillows

Cotton is a very common fabric used for pillow covers. It is a natural, washable, non-allergenic fabric, and it is best for skin for regular use.

2.4.2. Silk and Satin Pillows

These fabrics are the best option for the rich look as well as for skin and hair. It can be made up of natural silk or with a blend of natural and artificial materials.

2.4.3. Polyester Pillows

It is a man-made fabric, which is durable and ideal for long-run use. Additionally, there are very few chances of colour and pattern fading with this.

2.4.4. Velvet Pillows

You can choose this fabric for the pillow to get a very rich, elegant, and royal look.

2.4.5. Faux Fur Pillows

Faux fur is a blend of different man-made fibres. And they also add a rich look and cosy feel.

2.4.6. Leather Pillows

A very attractive style statement look can be achieved with the leather pillows.

2.4.7. Other textures

Wool, linen, flannel, woven, chenille, etc., are other options to choose from for the throw pillows.

Styling Options –

You can keep the same texture for all the pillows if you want a minimal look. Also, you can go for the same texture if other elements like size or shape, colour, and even pattern are different.

Different textures can lift the style without too much effort. Here, you can choose satin, silk, velvet, or leather texture as per your taste and need to have that dreamy royal look.

2.5. Styling According to Pattern

No doubt, patterned pillows can easily up your home styling game. As we discussed, there are numerous choices for patterned pillows.

If your sofa is solid and plain, patterned pillows will stand out and enhance the look.

And if you have a patterned sofa, you can either have solid pillows or mix or contrasting pattern mixing for the throw pillows.

Pillow patterns are also important to achieve that OMG factor.

• Plain pillows
• Plaid pillows
• Dots pillows
• Floral pillows
• Striped pillows
• Geometric pillows
• Decorative pillows
• Animal print pillows

Styling Options –

You can choose the same pattern for formal and minimal styling. You can even match patterns with other decor items like curtains, bedsheets, etc.

On the other hand, you can consider pattern mixing. For that, you can pick two or three different patterns or all the throw pillows of different patterns.

In summary, pillows on a couch can make a look or break a look of your house interiors.

And that’s why it is very important to choose throw pillows carefully.

The primary purpose of throw pillows is that of decorating and styling your house interiors. For that, you need to consider many points.

First, you need to consider the size, colour, texture, and pattern of your sofa and other surrounding interiors.

Then, you need to choose pillow inserts that are comfortable, non-allergenic, durable, washable, and hold the shape of the throw pillows perfectly because the secondary yet important purpose of throw pillows is comfort.

Finally, choose the shape, size, colour, texture, and pattern of the throw pillows.

For the minimal look, you can just go for the same shape, size, texture, colour, and patterns. However, for the complete makeover, we suggest mixing and matching throw pillows as much as possible.

Last Updated on January 15, 2024 by Ananya Sreen