Interior designers love throw pillows, and it's easy to see why. They're one of the quickest ways to add personality to a room without much effort or expense. You can swap them out with the seasons or whenever you want a fresh look.
How to choose throw pillows
Filling your couch with random pillows rarely works out well. Here's what actually matters when you're shopping.
Pick a color palette first
Look at what you already have: your sofa color, wall paint, rug, or artwork. Your pillows should pull from these existing colors rather than introducing something completely new. If you're unsure, neutrals like cream, beige, or gray work with almost everything. The Arctic Fox Faux Fur Pillow is a safe starting point if you're feeling stuck.
Get the size right
Standard sofa pillows are 18 to 20 inches square. For a larger sectional, you can go up to 22 or 24 inches. Lumbar pillows (roughly 12 by 20 inches) work well as accent pieces in front of larger squares. The general rule: bigger furniture can handle bigger pillows.
Don't overdo the quantity
A standard three-seat sofa usually looks best with three to five pillows. A sectional can handle more, maybe six or seven. But if you have to move pillows every time you want to sit down, you've gone too far. Pillows should make your couch look inviting, not unusable.
How to arrange throw pillows
Once you have the right pillows, placement matters. A few principles help you avoid that "furniture store display" look.
Odd numbers look more relaxed
Three or five pillows feel casual and modern. Even numbers (two on each side, perfectly matched) work for more traditional or formal spaces, but they can look stiff. If you want that lived-in feel, go odd.
Mix sizes for visual interest
Start with your largest pillows in the back corners, then layer smaller ones in front. A lumbar pillow or round pillow at the center adds variety. All the same size looks flat.
Combine two or three textures
This is where throw pillows get interesting. Pair something smooth like velvet with something woven like linen, and maybe add a third texture like faux fur or chunky knit. The contrast makes each piece stand out more than it would on its own.
Choosing pillow fill
The cover gets all the attention, but what's inside affects how your pillows actually look and feel.
Feather and down fills have that soft, squishy look you see in magazine photos. They sink in the middle and need occasional fluffing to look good. They also cost more, usually $30 to $60 for the insert alone.
Polyester and foam fills hold their shape better and cost less, typically $10 to $20. They look perkier and more structured, which some people prefer. The tradeoff is they don't have that relaxed, lived-in appearance.
For most living rooms, a mix works well: down-alternative for your main pillows (good balance of softness and price), and maybe one or two real down pillows if you want that extra plushness.
