Filed under: Your Home, Living Room, Furniture
Pillows can make or break the look of a room. Learn how to decorate with pillows and add comfort and color with ease.We all know that pillows make great accents and come in many shapes and sizes, but your favorites may not always work together or in the same room. To help us unstuff the dos and dont's of decorating with throw pillows, we consulted with Taniya Nayak, designer for HGTV's Destination Design, and Designed to Sell and pillow designer Jeanine Hays of AphroChic.
They both had a similar message: When you decorate with pillows, you can make or break the look of a room. Use the perfect pillows, and you've got a brand new couch or bed, but use the wrong ones and it can be a cushiony catastrophe.
Taniya says that she decorates with pillows in a few different ways. First, she relies on them to bring in color and texture. A few bright red pillows can make an enormous difference in an all-beige room. Secondly, she uses them to draw interest.
Pillows can add a much-needed pop of color to a bed or sofa. Photo: CB2
"Changing up the sizes and fabrics as well as the prints can completely change the look of a room," Taniya says. Placing a grouping of pillows on your sofa can make the room instantly seem brighter or cozier.
And pillows are a great way to introduce prints and patterns into a space without overdoing it or committing permanently to a bold color. "Invest in more neutral based larger furniture items like beds or sofas in gray, taupes, whites and chocolates," she says. "Then decorate with pillows as a way to bring it to life. This is where the color, texture and fun comes in or the richness and plushness, if using a monochromatic scheme."
When you decide to add accent pillows, there are a few things you will want to consider before just snapping up all the ones you like from various retailers (we're particularly drawn to this simple rectangular pillow, above, in peacock blue from CB2). It's important to consider the fabric from which the pillow is made. For example, if you have pets and young children, silk probably isn't going to be the wisest choice unless you enjoy going to the dry cleaners every week. More family-friendly fabrics include cotton, linen and similar blends.
Jeanine says that "the perfect pillow will have a fabric that is hard-wearing and easy to maintain." She suggests organic cotton, 100% cotton and linen. "They will stay in wonderful shape for a long time to come," she says, "and can be easily washed if they ever get stained."
Taniya suggests opting for cushions that have removable covers and separate inserts. They make for easier cleaning because you can usually remove the cover and place it in the washing machine. Be sure to check the tag for proper cleaning instructions. It's great because if you get bored of the pillow cover or want to swap it out when the seasons change, you can easily put on another cover to change up the look.
Mix patterns and tell a color story with pillows. Photo: Pottery Barn
Making the Arrangement
Once you've selected your new pillows, it's time to do some arranging. When grouping them together on your sofa, Taniya says it's important to fill the corners by angling the pillows for a more inviting look and feel. Place the largest pillows in the back and gradually decrease them in size as you get to the front -- like a well-arranged group photo. Jeanine suggests that you "make sure that your groupings don't get in the way of seating space."
To get that picture-perfect catalog look, give each pillow a firm "karate chop" in the middle of the top.
In the bedroom, place two oversized pillows next to each other, and add a bolster in front to bring in a different shape and feel.
A bolster is a great way to finish off your pillow arrangement. Photo: Lotus Bleu Home Decor and Interior Design
Since pillows are relatively inexpensive, it's one area in the home where it's easy to follow trends. What's hot right now? Taniya's loving these laser-cut felt pillows from Home Decorators Collection and these Pottery Barn grainsack pillows: "I love the organic nature and texture. Pair these up with some linen pillows and don't be shy with the number of them -- the more the better!"
Jeanine says piping is a hot trend right now: "More designers are having fun and offering piping in a variety of fun colors -- pink, acid yellow, black, green. It's a small way to offer something a little different." Although it's more than just a trend, sustainability in pillows is increasingly growing. Companies like Hammocks and High Tea are creating incredible eco-friendly pillows. "Kapok is the latest in eco-friendly inserts," she says.
Classic patterns are also making their way into modern design. For example, ikat and chevron are growing in popularity, and we're seeing modern takes on these traditional patterns emerge in small boutique companies and large retailers like West Elm.
What are some of Taniya's favorite places to score great pillows on a budget? She suggests trying HomeGoods or online retailer Imagine Throw Pillows. You can also get inexpensive pillow inserts at IKEA and then splurge a bit on the covers.
Let's recap:
DO:
-select a color palette
-mix and match prints using your selected color palette
-use a lot of pillows for a lush and comfy feel
-use your pillows as inspiration to find the perfect wall color by selecting a color that is very small in scale on the actual pillow
DON'T:
-be conservative
-buy all-beige pillows
-be afraid to splurge on one or two pillows if you truly love them
-be afraid to mix up your fabrics, shapes and sizes
Check out some of our other great makeover stories:
- Decorate Your Bedroom for a Good Night's Sleep
- 6 Inspiring Bedroom Makeovers
- Update Your Living Room in 5 Easy Steps
And if you're still thinking about pillows...
- Find must-have Pillows at AOL Shopping- Washing Bed Pillows: Experts' Advice