I have this thing with throw pillows.  I feel like they really bring a space to life.  Changing up my pillow arrangements is something I do quite a lot, but I especially love to do it as a way of ushering in a new season.  I’ve had way too much fun styling my sofa lately thanks to the newest additions to my hoard of pillow covers, so I thought I’d share a few styling tips.  I think decorating should be fun, so consider my thoughts as helpful tips not hard and fast rules.  At the end of the day it’s about going with your gut and finding a look that speaks to your own personal style!

Sofa Styling Tips

• First and foremost, size matters.  Opt for 22 x 22 inch pillows or larger for at least the two end pillows.  Then you can layer in smaller sizes.  This is one reason I like shopping at Pottery Barn or Etsy as you can get quality covers in larger sizes than that of what you typically find ready made on the shelves at Target or HomeGoods.
• Should they match?  That’s all relative to your personal style.  I tend to prefer the look of matching end pillows because they add some symmetry to my mostly asymmetrical design style.  But if you’re into that collected, bohemian look, feel free to mix and match to your heart’s content.  I don’t always have matching pillows.  It all just depends on my mood at the moment and what I’m loving.

• How many?  I think a lot of times in design magazines and on blogs sofas tend to get overloaded with pillows to make spaces look really full and beautiful in photographs.  The rooms look stunning but I prefer to live in a space where I don’t have to move all the pillows on to the floor in order to enjoy binge watching Netflix.  😉  I think there can be a happy medium between looking great and functioning well.  I tend to go for just a few pillows, which is probably another reason I love larger sizes to anchor the ends.  As a general design rule, things look best when grouped in odd numbers, so opt for combinations of 3 or 5…..although there is always room to break the rules.  On loveseats or smaller sofas two anchor pillows and a throw blanket can be simple but sweet.  (*The joy of a stripe pillow is being able to change the direction to add some interest to matching pillows.  Black and white stripes are always a win, and they’re are always in style!)

• If coordinating patterns is tough for you, my best tip is to pair any patterned pillow regardless of color with a black and white print, just vary the scale a little bit, and you’ll have a winning combination.

(*I’m still a huge fan of Schumaker’s Betwixt pattern as it comes in a number of colorways and works with pretty much any design style.  The black and white colorway is my personal favorite!)

• How to arrange them?  Place your large anchor pillows on the ends and work your way toward the middle.  When working with four rather than three, I tend to like the 3-and-1 look with varying sizes.

• Or I like to keep it super symmetrical with matching pillows on both sides and a throw blanket in the middle.

• Throw blankets are a great way to add pattern and color without adding more bulk to your sofa.  And in the fall and winter they become a super functional accessory.

Want to a build a pillow collection, but don’t think you have the space? 

• I don’t actually have a lot of pillow inserts, I just have lots of pillow covers.  So my linen closet is full of options but not bursting at the seams.  Good pillow inserts make a world of difference!  These are my personal favorite.

Playing with the pillows in your space allows you to experiment with pattern, color and texture with little commitment.  It can be the easiest and least expensive way to freshen your space, and you can really create a lot of different looks with just a few extra options.  Life is short, buy the pillow covers.  😉  My favorite places to buy them?   Etsy, Pottery Barn, World Market, H&M and Ikea.  Do you have a go to source for stylish, affordable pillow covers?