Updated: Mar 25, 2023 by Kris Jarrett

How to Arrange Throw Pillows on a Couch

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:

Great tip for how to arrange throw pillows on a sectional!

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:

Great post with tips on getting your pillows to look plump & full! — (Gray and white floral/dragon pillows found {here})

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:

Loving all of the pillow buying and arranging tips in this post!

whereas without giving them a little chop they’d look like this:

Great arrangement of pillows for the corner of a sectional

(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:

Chloe and Olive Pillows

Pillowtime Girls

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,

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