One of the most budget-friendly ways to update the look of your living room is with a few new throw pillows. But once you start pillow shopping, it’s actually pretty easy to get stuck on which ones to choose. If you get throw pillow paralysis wondering what size throw pillows to get, how to arrange throw pillows on your couch, and which pillow inserts are best, this post’s for you!
I’ve put together my tips for shopping for and arranging throw pillows so you can choose the sizes, styles, and arrangement of pillows that give you the perfect stylish update! Let’s get to it… (post includes some affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here}):
Pillow Arrangements for Couches & Sectionals
Throw pillows on a couch or sectional look best when they have a layered look, which you get from using different pillow sizes. There’s no one this-is-the-only-right-way arrangement, but I’ll share what works well for me.
On most couches, I use a 22″ pillow + a 20″ pillow on each end. For couches that are bulkier and/or have higher back cushions, you can size up and use a combination of a 24″ pillow + a 22″ pillow on each end. The key is to use throw pillows of varying sizes with the larger sizes in the back and smaller sizes layered on top.
You could also throw some lumbar pillows into the mix! If you have an especially long couch, a combination of a 22″ pillow + 20″ pillow + lumbar pillow on each end is a great combination.
What about a sectional? I typically use the same combinations as with couches, choosing a 22″ + 20″ or 24″ + 22″ pillow combo on each end and then a trio of pillows of varying sizes in the corner of the sectional such as a 22″ pillow + 20″ pillow + lumbar pillow:
If you have an especially large sectional, you could add a few more pillows to the mix but I prefer to fill any empty-looking space with a throw blanket or two draped over the back of it. You don’t want to use so many throw pillows that you’re always having to remove some before finding a comfortable spot to sit.
Solids vs. Patterns
What if you’re not sure whether to choose solids or patterns or a mix? There are no rules here but a simple combination that works well is to use 1-2 solid colors, one large-scale pattern, and one small-scale pattern (often a geometric) for the throw pillows on each furniture piece.
The Best Pillow Inserts
This tip is key! You want your throw pillows to look nice and full which is done by choosing pillow inserts that are 2″ larger than the size of your pillow covers. So if you have 20″ square pillow covers, use 22″ square inserts. For 24″ pillows, use 26″ inserts, etc. The bigger insert size will transform your pillows from all lazy and slouchy to plump and pretty:
Also, the TYPE of pillow insert makes a difference. All pillow inserts are definitely not created equal! Steer clear of polyester pillow inserts and instead choose a down/feather combination or a down-alternative insert. Down inserts are so much more plush and comfortable to sink into and have a much heavier, luxe weight than polyester. Plus you can “chop” them a whole lot better too (more on that in a minute).
My favorite sink-into-them inserts are 25% down/75% feathers but they’re really pricey so I don’t have many of these. Most of my pillow inserts are combination of 5% down/95% feathers (I specifically recommend {these ComfyDown inserts}).
What if you’re allergic to feathers? I haven’t ever tried them, but {these Pillowflex synthetic down inserts} get great reviews.
One last little tidbit – just because I don’t like polyester inserts in my sofa pillows, it doesn’t mean that I don’t ever buy pillows that come with them. Just make sure that they have a zipper so you can swap out the insert for a better quality one. I rotate my pillows with the seasons so I always have extra inserts on hand and don’t mind at all if I find a polyester-filled one I love because I’ve got a down insert stash on hand to do an easy swap.
Chop Your Pillows… or Don’t
Ahh… the age old chop or not chop question 🙂 . This is totally a personal preference thing – no right or wrong answers here. Me? I don’t chop my bed pillows but do chop my square couch pillows. So mine look like this:
whereas without giving them a little chop they’d look like this:
(Pillows: Gray and white floral/dragon pillows, Cream with black dots pillow)
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Which look do you guys like best?
Find Killer Pillows at These Go-To Shops
My favorite source to buy pillows from is Etsy – there’s a HUGE selection and you can find everything from the best designer fabrics all the way down to super inexpensive ones. And for someone like me who doesn’t make her own pillows (truly, I’ve GOT to tackle becoming a better sewer!) it’s cheaper to buy an Etsy pillow than to buy the fabric and pay someone to sew the pillow. These are a few of my favorite Etsy shops for pillows:
Other stores that I have good luck with for pillows are Pottery Barn, Serena & Lily, and Anthropologie.
If you have any other burning pillow questions that I didn’t address, throw them out there in the comments! If your pillow cover stash is starting to get a bit out of control, check out {this post} on the simple way I store my extra pillow covers and inserts!
XOXO,
Kari says
Kris,
Love your posts! Do you happen to have a link for the blue lumbar pillow on your bed? It’s perfect!
Sue says
I have a patterned black and white bench and am searching for colorful solid pillows, the same size. Any suggestions where I can find the pillows or the fabric?
Stephanie Grace Pepper says
Hi. Any tips on decorating a window seat in a living room? The seat is 11′ x 2″ wide. The window starts at 14.5″ up and the walls on either side of the window are each 19″. I have on hand five 26″ inserts, three 16″ and one 20″. I am also working with an oriental rug I married into (hubbies’ family heirloom) that has a fairly intricate or busy pattern. Any suggestions or tips would be welcome. Thank you.
Kris Jarrett says
It’s hard to give good advice without seeing pics (and unfortunately I don’t offer design services anymore) but I generally like window seats with pillows staggered in sizes on the ends (like a 24″ with a 20″ on each end). Some also look great with a long lumbar pillow on them but it really depends on the window seat!
Sherry Cunningham says
Hi Kris
I need help with throw pillows on a twin bed as well as a queen bed.
Thank you
Sherry Cunningham
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Sherry – for twin beds I like to keep it simple – I stand up the sleeping pillow and then put a 24″ pillow or euro sham in front of it.
Melissa says
I have been driving myself crazy reworking the pillows on my couches. I am definitely going to check out Etsy because I didn’t realize they had great pillows so thank you for that info! My question is…I have 2 full size couches in my living room. Should the pillows on each couch match? Should each couch be arranged exactly the same? They sit in an L shape in my room, not touching, with two chairs on the open side and the tv/fireplace in the front. Thank you!
Nancy says
We sold ever-thing and traveled around for 3 years. Now, we are setting up house again. Where can one find a 25% down pillow insert? I would love that. I just bought one from Pottery Barn and it’s all feathers! Boo.
Also, I just read about Wholesale Pillow Inserts. They have 10% down. The shipping is pricey but the pillows are very low priced. They add just a little more to price of shipping if you get more than one insert. I think if I make a good list of every pillow I want to make, I could save a lot. I can sew but I have found after I buy fabric, welting, etc., sometimes it was less expensive to just buy what I wanted from Etsy. The Pillowtime Girls are very nice, I don’t have experience with the rest.
I love your blog, you don’t know but, you’re helping me a lot with this new house!
Michelle says
Love the color scheme! Where are your 20” and lumbar solid pillows from? I’m having a hard time trying to find similar ones. Thank you!
Lisa DiLibero says
Any suggestions / go to favs for great small but high ceiling Ed laundry room with white cabs and white washer dryer? Xxoo
Michele Oskanian says
Kris, I love the comforter in your guest bedroom. Where did you purchase it?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Michele – thank you! You can find all of the sources for our guest bedroom bedding in this post: https://www.drivenbydecor.com/guest-room-north-carolina/
Dora Henderson says
I have a cream leather sofa and love seat. I also have 2 sliper chairs that have a pattern. My area rug is wool and cream in color with texture. I have a few pieces of delft like pottery and would like to bring that color into the cushions. My sliper chairs are throwing me off when it comes into choosing cushions… please help me. I also have a couple of mirrored pieces, one we have the TV on and the other is behind the love seat and serves as a liquor cabinet. I love my pieces but really need to bring it all together. I like a nice formal look. Thank you in advance.
Mrs. Henderson
Lauren B says
Hello,
Just got a new couch. Would like to purchase new throw pillows. Loved your helpful tips above. Any suggestions/tips on picking a color theme? Do you typically match to other color themes nearby or go bold and different?
Thank you in advance!
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Lauren – it really depends on the room and the furniture pieces you have in it – if your furniture is mostly neutral you can bring in almost any color but if you have a colorful couch, it’s usually best that your pillows coordinate well with that color.
Kate says
Hi this is so helpful thank you so much! I realize this might be a silly question but for a chaise type couch what size pillows do you recommend. I’m not sure whether to do what you do for two ends and do the 1 +2 and the he 3+1+4 combo. Thanks!
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Kate – it depends on the length of the sofa with chaise but I’d stick with the same arrangement on both ends – I think either the 2 pillow or 3 pillow combo could work. I’d lean toward using 3 pillows on each end if it’s a longer sofa and 2 if it’s shorter.
Jillinda Janeway says
This is so helpful. So on a sofa you’d just have 4 throw pillows? What about a love seat? I’d heard that it should always be an odd number, and to add a lot of pillows. I’m like you though. I don’t want to have to move all the pillows to sit down.
Kris Jarrett says
I typically just use 4 throw pillows on a sofa – sometimes I throw in a 5th lumbar pillow. I do the same for loveseats!
Rochelle Johnson says
I am trying to fix my apartment with very little money so any help would be very Appreciative Thank you so much
Stacey says
Hi Kris!
Thank you for your post! I just bought a Gray leather Sectional. But it’s very modern and low. The back is low and you can lift the head rest up and down. What size pillows would you put. The back is less than 20”. Would you go bigger or smaller? I know to Layer you need to go big then smaller to have them show. I also want to use red and white. What materials do you recommend for gray leather couch. Like metallic for the red for it to pop? Please advice! Thanks so much!!