Some types of specialty-shaped pillows include:
- L-shaped
- U-shaped
- Triangle-shaped
- Letter-shaped
- Number-shaped
It's even possible to find pillows shaped like stars, hearts, and flowers for a pillow arrangement that's unique to your style.
Throw Pillow Sizes
A pillow's size should suit the scale of the furniture piece it sits on. With such a wide variety of chair, couch, and bed sizes, it should be no wonder there are plenty of common pillow sizes to match.
Square Pillow Sizes
Square pillows traditionally come in 16" x 16" and 18" x 18" sizes. You can also find them in larger sizes, though these are most common.
Euros are typically the largest square pillow you can find without creating custom pillows. Shams are traditionally 26" x 26", the same width as a standard pillow for the bed.
Rectangular Pillow Sizes
Standard-sized rectangular pillows are 20" x 26". Queen-sized pillows may come slightly larger at 20" x 28" or even 20" x 30". King-sized pillows are typically 20" x 36".
Lumbar pillows come in a few sizes to accommodate people of differing heights and body weights. The most common ones measure 12" x 24", 14" x 18", 14" x 36", 16" x 32", or 16" x 46'.
Last and smallest is the boudoir pillow, which measures a minuscule 12" x 16", or sometimes even smaller.
Round Pillow Sizes
Regular round pillows come in a wide variety of sizes. They may be smaller than 16" in diameter or up to 32". Some of the larger ones are big enough to sit on!
Bolster pillows come in fewer sizes. Larger ones may have 10" widths x 27" lengths. Anything smaller than 8" x 30" would be considered a neckroll, which traditionally measures at least 6" x 16".
Throw Pillow Designs
Nowadays, you can change out your decorative pillows with your mood, and you can do so affordably with pillow cases. Pillow cases come in an array of colors, patterns, and textures to suit your design preferences.
Color
There are a few strategies when it comes to choosing accent pillow colors. They may be complementary or analogous to the couch, chair, or bed.
Analogous colors offer a calming, minimalistic aesthetic. Complementary colors are contrasting and make a bold statement.
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel: purple and yellow, red and green, or blue and orange. Imagine how turquoise-blue pillows would pop against a rust-brown leather couch!
On the other hand, analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. Purple and blue, red and orange, and yellow and green are analogous colors. Think about how relaxing pale yellow pillows would look against a sage green bedspread backdrop!
Pattern
Using patterns in the home can be tricky. Choose the wrong design, and you may wind up dating your décor. But on-trend patterns are constantly changing, making it difficult to keep up.
Currently, designers tell us to ditch tropical prints, polka dots, nature-inspired designs, and nautical patterns for animal prints, geometric patterns, and local floral designs.
If you want to avoid having to switch out your throw pillows every time a new trend rolls around, go for timeless patterns instead. Plaid, stripes, and herringbone patterns have been in vogue for centuries and will be stylish for years to come.
Texture
Texture adds depth and richness to any decorative pillow arrangement. If you choose pillows in contrasting colors and bold prints, texture may not be as crucial. But the opposite is true if you want a laid-back neutral color scheme.
Pillows and pillowcases come in many different textures, from winter-worthy faux fur, cable knit, and velvet to summery pom-pom and Nantucket linen. Fringed, tufted, and embroidered pillows are also a great way to add texture.
When considering texture, don't just think about tactile feel. You can also create a dynamic display using light-reflecting textiles like silk and satin or natural-looking materials like leather or suede.
How to Arrange Throw Pillows
There are countless ways to arrange pillows depending on your preferences. Just make sure to keep these tips in mind:
- Go for multiple textures, especially with a muted color palette
- If you go for color, stick to around three
- Don't place all the patterned pillows together
- If you must place printed pillows together, mix large- and small-scale patterns
- Don't place pillows of the same color together
- Place pillows in groups of three
- Group a solid-colored, patterned, and textured pillow together
Last but most importantly, if there is not enough room to relax on the couch, chair, or bed because there are too many pillows, remove one or two. Consider replacing them with a throw blanket, which will take up little to no space.
Arranging Sofa Pillows
How to style sofa pillows depends on the size of the couch. Smaller-scale couches should only have up to four pillows. Larger couches, but not sectionals, can have up to five throw pillows.
One of the best formulas for arranging sofa pillows is to include two matching square pillows on either side and then layer in two to three additional smaller pillows. Mix up the shapes with smaller squares, lumbar pillows, and rounds.
Arranging Sectional Pillows
Sectionals offer a ton of room to play with throw pillows. Compact L-shaped sectionals have room for up to six throw pillows. Larger L-shaped and U-shaped sectionals may accommodate seven or even more.
Our favorite formula for styling sectional throw pillows is to start with matching square pillows again. Place three matching square pillows in each corner of larger sectionals or two on each end for smaller L-shaped couches. Alternatively, replace one large square pillow with a long lumbar or bolster for larger sectionals.
Next, sprinkle in four or so more accent pillows. Vary the shapes, colors, patterns, and textures to create interest.
Arranging Chair Pillows
Chairs, chaise longues, and small loveseats only have room for one or two pillows. A rectangular boudoir pillow is sufficient for a small chair, while a lumbar or bolster plus a 16" square pillow can be enough for a loveseat or chaise longue.
If you absolutely must add more pillows, only include up to three. Vary the sizes to ensure there's enough room for you, your family, or guests to sit comfortably.
Create Your Own Custom Pillow Cases
No room is complete without a few throw pillows. Decorative throw pillows come in many shapes, sizes, and designs, which can be mixed and matched to create the perfect pillow scheme on your couch, sectional, or chair.
Are you struggling to find the perfect throw pillow to complete your space? Mary's Kitchen doesn't just sell flour sack towels. We also offer wholesale throw pillows you can customize to your size, shape, and design preferences.
Order our high-quality blank twill pillow cases to create your own bespoke design for your home, business, or both!
