Is your sofa looking a little lackluster lately? Do you feel like it could use some pizzazz to liven things up? Don’t despair! With the right pillow pairings, you can easily transform any tired couch into a showstopping statement piece. This comprehensive guide breaks down all the expert tricks for taking your sofa from bleh to dazzling in no time. We’ll cover everything from choosing a cohesive color scheme to mixing prints like a pro. Follow these sofa styling tips and you’ll have the coveted living room centerpiece you’ve always dreamed of!
Choose a Color Scheme That Flows
The first step to spackling your sofa with style? Choosing a color scheme that enhances your existing decor! Begin by identifying three core colors in your living room to pull out in your pillows. This helps echo key tones from wall colors to accents pieces for visual harmony. Distribute these colors evenly across your mix of pillows as well. For example, if your main colors are blush pink, navy blue, and crisp white, incorporate those hues throughout your pillowscape. Contrast brightly with a few graphic black and white printed pillows to add bold focal points. Maintaining color connections while shaking things up prevents chaotic clashing!
Sample Color Combinations
- Pink, green, tan
- Red, yellow, blue
- Purple, orange, gray
Remember, the three colors in your palette don’t necessarily need to be bright primaries shades. Soft neutrals like cream, taupe and dove gray make excellent core sofa pillow colors as they act as rich backdrops. Sprinkle vibrant jewel tones over the pillows in smaller doses for an eye-catching effect.
Mind the Number of Pillows
Once you’ve settled on a color palette, it’s time to turn our attention to pillow numbers. How many toss pillows should you add to your sofa? While there are no strict rules, stylists stick to some helpful guidelines. In most standard-sized sofas, between three to five throw pillows strike an ideal decorative balance without appearing too spare or overly stuffed. More than five and things start looking a bit overcrowded. Less than three, and your sofa may still seem kind of naked and forlorn. When first arranging your pillowscape, flank the arms and corners with larger pillows to frame the piece. Then fill in gaps in the middle section with smaller accent pillows.
If working with a smaller loveseat, opt for just three toss pillows – one for each side and a centerpiece pillow to tie it all together. For sectionals, use your best judgment based on size and shape. Just don’t let the pillows swallow the seating or prevent people from actually sitting comfortably. That defeats the whole purpose!
Pillow Pairing Ideas for Sectionals
Given their sprawling shape, sectionals look best with lots of little pops of pattern and color. Scale options run the gamut too for fun with pillow proportions!
- 5-7 medium rectangular pillows
- 3 large statement pillows + 4-6 small decor pillows
- 8-10 smaller square lumbar pillows
Place larger pillows near the corners and ends to frame the piece. Then have fun sprinkling smaller ones throughout central areas. Feel free to overlap and stack pillows for a relaxed aesthetic.
Contrast Organic and Geometric Patterns
Now comes the really fun part – print mixing! When it comes to scatter cushions, clashing wild prints is actually encouraged. The contrast between organic and geometric motifs creates visual interest and vibrancy. Start by choosing one floral toss pillow with big, blowing blossom motifs. Florals look best when you can see the details of the blooms. Pair that with a striped lumbar pillow boasting clean graphic lines and narrow bands of color.
You can take this concept even further mixing in plaids and global-inspired prints like Suzani and Ikat patterns. Just be sure to vary prints sizes and scales alongside motifs. A sprawling peony floral feels wonderfully juxtaposed beside a tossed Ikat graphic with tiny angular detailing. Keeping complementary color schemes between pillow prints prevents them from competing too much. And always layer prints over solid backdrops. The absence of pattern underneath highlights those pretty pillow prints floating above.
Helpful Pattern Pairing Combos
- Ditsy floral + awning stripe
- Chintz floral + Greek key
- Paisley + check/gingham
- Suzani/Ikat + foulard
Textures Make Things Interesting
We’ve talked a lot about prints when it comes to dolling up your sofa. But don’t underestimate the power of textures too! Combining different fabric feels adds wonderful depth and tactile contrast. Play around mixing smooth and coarse options. For example, pair sleek velvet pillows with rugged linen and textured chenille. Contrast matte and shiny styles – couple a muted wool knit with sparkly crushed velvet! Embellished embroidered and beaded toss pillows make glam statements, so use them sparingly for maximum impact. Too much texture can get visually busy fast. But when done right, it makes for a seriously snazgable sofa!
Texture Pairing Suggestions
- Velvet + cable knit
- Faux fur + denim
- Chenille + faux suede
- Linen + sequins
Arrange Pillows with Purpose
Now that you have a visually delicious mix of pillow prints and textures ready to go, how do you arrange them on the sofa for maximum style impact? Placement matters, so don’t just randomly toss them about. Designers suggest flanking the arms and corners with larger matching pillows to frame the piece. Angle them attractively rather than just placing them straight. Diagonal positioning makes things feel more natural and organic.
Fill the central area with a combination of upright back support pillows and slouchy lumbar pillows. Angle the toss pillows opposite each other for nice asymmetry and cascade. Play with overlapping and stacking. Keep colors and patterns spread out evenly. Plump and fluff regularly. Don’t be afraid to move things around until you find an arrangement with that “wow factor.” Make things feel fresh by swapping pillow covers seasonally or stashing half away to pull out later. It’s an easy switch-up!
Break the Rules Once You Know Them!
Now that you’re a pillow pairing pro, don’t be afraid to break out of the box! Once you know the guidelines, take artistic license and customize things. Love bright colors? Consider an all emerald pillowscape! Prefer modern and minimal? Opt for fuzzy black and white pillows in sleek graphic prints. The formality of traditional rooms crave hints of the unexpected – a splash of cheetah print perhaps! Or inject posh allure with a grouping of luxe crushed velvet styles. There are truly no rights or wrongs when it comes to scattering cushions. Couch couture is all about what makes your heart sing!
Refresh Things Up
The beauty of throw pillows lies in their versatility to transform the vibe. Once you nail your perfect placement, don’t let things get stale! Change out pillow covers seasonally to refresh your space. Wintercalls for jewel tones and cozy cable knits. Lighten things up in summer with breezy linens awash in sorbet hues. Store half your printed pillows away and rotate fresh ones in a few months later for an easy update. And don’t forget thematic holiday styles! Christmas velvets and Halloween orange lend festive flair.
Final Review
With a few insider styling tricks, it’s simple to take your sofa from snoozy to stunning! Follow these key steps:
- Build a 3-color palette to coordinate
- Flank with framing pillows first; fill center after
- Mix and match prints and textures for interest
- Arrange pillows asymmetrically and fluff often
- Have fun and customize to your personal taste!
Trust us, with high-impact hues and eye-catching prints, you’ll have the focal point piece you’ve always dreamed of. No more blah basics! Show off your style by learning how to mix and match pillows on a sofa with creative confidence.
Have any special tips or tricks for dollhouse pillow display? Share them below for a chance to be featured in our next style roundup post! Let’s get chatting about fab ways to spotlight that sofa.
