Throw pillows are like the earrings of a room—they’re small but make a big impact! They’re the perfect way to play with color, pattern, and texture without committing to a major change. Plus, they’re an affordable way to refresh your space. But figuring out how to mix and match throw pillows can feel overwhelming. Trust me, I’ve stood in store aisles (and my own living room) trying to decide what works together. That’s why I came up with a simple formula to make it so much easier for you!
If you’re a fan of DIY, don’t miss my DIY Easy Envelope Pillows tutorial. It’s a great way to create custom throw pillows that perfectly match your style.
My Formula for Effortless Throw Pillow Mixing
The secret to styling throw pillows without overthinking? It’s all about balance. Here’s my go-to formula: Pattern + Solid + Whimsical.
So, choose:
- One bold pattern as your statement piece (you can also use a nearby by piece of art or area rug as the large patter that you draw the rest of the patterns and colors from).
- One solid color pillow to balance the boldness.
- One whimsical design—think something playful or textured, like tassels, embroidery, or a small-scale print.
This combo works in any color palette you love.
💡 TIP: An easy way to choose a combination of pillows is to simply lay pillows on the floor together to see what goes well together. Add or subtract pillows until you get a mix you like. You can do this with toss pillows you already have at home, or even in the aisle at the store. 🤫 I won’t tell!
How to Pick Colors and Patterns That Work Together
- Choose an anchor pattern. Start with a pillow that features multiple colors in a large pattern from your room’s palette. This will set the tone for the rest of your pillows. (You can also use a nearby by piece of art or area rug as the large patter that you draw the rest of the patterns and colors from).
- Coordinate the rest. Select additional pillows with smaller patterns or textures in one color from your anchor pillow (or art, or area rug).
- Lay them out. Whether at home or in a store aisle, arrange pillows side by side to see how they work together. Swap pieces until you find the perfect balance!
For more on this, my How to Keep Throw Pillows Fluffy post will help you maintain that designer look even longer.
Here Are a Few Examples of My Throw Pillow Combos
Scroll through the gallery below to see several of my own throw pillow combos that I’ve used over the years.
FAQs
Start with one bold pattern you love and build around it using complementary solids and smaller-scale designs.
Absolutely! Just follow the pattern + solid + whimsical formula in sets of three or five for a balanced look.
Stick to a palette of 3–4 colors that already exist in your room, and choose pillows that feature those shades.
Look for affordable options at stores like HomeGoods, Target, or even thrift shops. Or, make your own with my DIY Easy Envelope Pillows tutorial!
Get the FREE Easy Throw Pillow Mixing Formula Cheat Sheet
To help you choose and mix throw pillows and patterns with style, I created this visual cheat sheet printable. Grab it below!
Ready to refresh your space with perfectly styled throw pillows? Let me know your favorite combos in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas!
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Awesome! Just Awesome!
So glad you liked it, Faye!
Thank You Shannon!!
You’re welcome, Marla!
This is such a useful post Shannon! Thank you very much for this – my own challenge with throw pillows is my magpie nature – I am drawn to too many different things 🙂 and restraint is not my middle name. The result is a mish-mash that rarely works well. This post will be super helpful in editing my pillows. Thanks again!
All the pretty, shiny things, right, Anne?! I hear you. But you hit the nail right on the head – editing is one of THE keys to a well-decorated home. I too LOVE so many things but also can’t stand clutter or too much visual chaos. So I’ve really had to practice the editing I’m preaching!
Thank you for such a useful post. And a cheat sheet, Yes please!
🙂 Glad you like it!
Love it! Simple yet it all makes sense 🙂
Thanks!
Deb, Lakeville MN
I’m so glad it makes sense!!!
Love the cheat sheet! My confusion comes from the fact that I have a patterned sofa so I need a cheat sheet part 2. I need to know how to mix patterns and colours
Thanks
Ah yes! Fair enough. That’s when you’d include the couch pattern as one of the patterns. Be sure to use a solid color that’s taken from the couch pattern and then mix in others. 🙂 It’s easier than you think. Promise!
Thanks for the tips! I recently discovered the wonders of pillow slip covers…makes washing a snap. Now if I could only get the kiddos to keep the pillows on the couch instead of the floor! 🙂
Have a question for you though: would your suggestions still work even if couch is not a solid color? We recently acquired blue floral couches (which actually go better with my farmhouse chic stlye than it sounds lol) but I’m struggling to find the right mix of pillows for such a “busy” couch.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a bunch!
Yes. You’re the second person to ask that. 🙂 You can absolutely still use the suggestions. Just use the couch pattern as one of your patterns, add a solid blue or two solids even.
Hey hello,
I’m so happy I found you! I am obsessed with creative designs and keeping up with the latest oh so chic ever changing decor.
I’m designing my friends first baby room and with the help of your brain I already have some fun ideas.
Please forward anything, anytime.
Make it a great day!
I’m so glad you found us. Have fun with that baby’s room! Have a look through the archives and let us know if you have any questions.
I have a question about the feather inserts. Do the ones you use allow the feathers to poke through the cover? I have a couple pillows that I bought at Home Sense and the feathers are constantly working their way through the covers. I would love to find feather inserts that don’t do this as it drives me crazy!!
No, sadly I’ve yet to find one that doesn’t shed its feathers. I have the same issue. I just vacuum them up every few days.
What about putting the feather into a tightly woven secon casing such as pillow covers many of us use for our guest pillows? This might make for fewer feathers making their way to the surface at least….?
THAT is a fabulous idea!!!! 🙂
Thanks for the great advice. I’ve been obsessing over and hording luxury decorative throw pillows for some time now!
Lol. I don’t know about luxury throw pillows – my dog and kids sit on ours all the time. But throw pillows for sure!
Thanks for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go link party!
Can’t say anything but perfect. Thank you for sharing.
Do you use 18” or 20” pillow covers on the 20” ikea feather inserts?
Hi Sarah. You could use either! I prefer a fuller pillow so I’d use 20″. Hope that helps!