Here are some tips to the perfect pillow pattern combinations.
If you’ve read my blog for more than a day, you know I have a slight serious throw pillow addiction. One of the most common questions I get on the blog or social media is where I got my pillows (most I made myself), how to mix patterns, where do I find fabric, what are my favorite pillow inserts…the list goes on. Needless to say, this post has been a long time coming!
Today I’m going to share some tips for creating perfect pillow pattern combinations:
- Pick a floral or botanical pattern (or similar vibe) with at least three colors in the pattern. This should be your foundation for the rest of your choices.
- Choose a large-scale geometric pattern (or stripe!). If my floral has a dark background, I try to go with a light background on this one, and vice versa. Should contain at least one of the colors in the floral/botanical.
- Pick a small-scale geometric pattern or solid. If solid, try and get a fabric with some texture (linen, velvet, etc.). Should contain at least one of the colors in the floral/botanical.
I know it can be a bit hard on your eyes because there are so many patterns together, but, I put together a few looks below that demonstrate these tips. You will find that if the fabrics come in multiple colors ways, you can even mix the large-scale geometric from one with the floral in another and vice versa! Following are some random fabrics I perused last night to whip up some combos for you. I tried to include a variety of color schemes to show you how it works. It doesn’t take a ton of effort if you follow the tips! Each row demonstrates a grouping of pillow I think would look great together!
Blue and Green Floral Print | Interlocking Squares | Betwixt Water
Deep Gray Floral | Brown Riad Print | Teal Linen
Blue Floral | Navy and White Buffalo Check | Blue & White Strands Pattern
Cheerful Floral | Graphic Mist Pattern | Betwixt Spark
Colorful Floral | Pink Trellis | Red Hatch
Just a quick random sample, but I think the visual above helps demonstrate exactly what I’m talking about. And now, some of my looks in action in our home so you can see how it works live in an actual space. Note: I make almost all of my own pillows, but I’ve affiliate linked to Etsy shops and stores that sell pillows in the same fabric as my own, in case you’re not a seamstress 🙂
From my 2015 Fall Home Tour / Navy & Ivory Riad Pillow / Floral Pillow / Velvet Pillow / Navy & Ivory Betwixt Pillow
From my 2015 Spring Home Tour / Floral Pillow / Seafoam Riad Pillow / Water Betwixt Pillow / Interlocking Squares Pillow
From my 2014 Fall Home Tour / Trellis Pillow / Floral Pillow
From my 2015 Summer Home Tour / Paisley Pillow / Pom Pom Pillow
From my Guest Bedroom Refresh
Pretty simple, right?
A couple other rules of thumb I follow:
- I never buy square pillows smaller than 18″x18″ and I really try to stay no smaller than 20″x20″.
- In the past on our couch, I’ve always gone with a floral in 24″ squares, and then the other patterns in 18″, 20″ or 22″ sizes. This fall, I had four patterns, so I went with all 20″ squares. It’s really a matter of personal preference.
- On beds, I love to use Euro shams in back (26″ squares). I usually go with two on smaller beds and three on kings or California kings. Depending upon your headboard, a queen will need two or three. Just play it by ear based upon the bed you have.
- I love a full-looking pillow with only a little slouch. I always cut my fabric exactly the size I want the pillow to be, so with the seam allowance, the cover ends up being 1.5″-2″ smaller than the insert. But they still fit, and look great!
- It’s always fun to add in some colored piping if you know how (I don’t) or some ribbon trim to your solid pillows for a little more visual interest.
- Mixing textures helps to perfect the look even further!
Interested in making your own throw pillow covers?
For those that are interested in making your own throw pillow covers (it is such a money saver especially if you love designer fabrics like I do), be sure to check out my throw pillow tutorial.
Where to buy the pillow inserts for your covers:
If you do give it a try, or even if you typically only buy covers, I love the pillow inserts from Robey’s (I get the 90/10 blend) and Crate and Barrel. Then If you need a down alternative (for those that are allergic or prefer not to use down), this line from Crate and Barrel works well. Also, HomeGoods carries a lot of clearance pillows with down inserts. If they seem full (even if you hate the cover) buy them! You can usually get them on clearance for under $10 which is a great deal! Just make sure they aren’t too slouchy.
Any other throw pillow questions you’re dying to know?
Do you have any other tried and true tricks for mixing patterns, whether on throw pillows, in fashion or other areas? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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disclosure: some affiliate links used
Did you ever decide what kitchen countertop and backsplash you were going to use?
No. We actually decided to put the kitchen project on hold again to work on the backyard project. Part of the reason I put it on hold though was because I couldn’t settle on a countertop I really loved!
What about non-feather pillows? Do you have a favorite pillow insert? We are allergic. Thanks!
Great question! Crate & Barrel also has a down-alternative line that I think works really well! Here’s the link but I’ll plan to update the post as well with it: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/down-alternative-square-pillow-inserts/f53242
Where do you put the pillows you actually sleep on?
They are actually always on our bed. I just lay them flat and pull the comforter over them. They then help to boost that back throw pillows a little above the front row of pillows 🙂
I love this post! You do such a beautiful job of mixing prints and patterns and colors. Thank you for the inspiration!
I love pillows! These are all stunning!
Awesome post- I haven’t taught myself piping yet either… My favourite forms are from IKEA – they are such a great deal and really have a good amount of fill. Your pillows always look perfectly stunning, Sarah!
Thanks so much for sharing!! I have used your pillow cover tutorial to make a few pillows for our family room and I was wondering where you go the pillow forms!
I feel like you are my pillow guru – whenever I’m on the hunt for pillows I hear you speaking at Haven in my head! Thanks for this post – it’s full of great information! Pinning so I can come back again and again!
Thanks for the tips! I just started making my own throw pillows and wasn’t sure what to pair with a beautiful floral fabric I found. Because I’m new to sewing and making pillows I buy the fluffy filling this way I don’t have to worry about measurements and sewing to fit the exact size of an insert!
Hi! Do you recommend a particular order in arranging the different patterns of pillows on a bed? Should the floral pillows be the largest pillows on the bed, i.e. the euro pillows on the back row…And then the large scale geometric be a couple pillow sizes smaller than the euro, with the small scale geometric being even smaller than that on the front row? Or vice versa?? Or should the floral pillows actually separate the geometric patterns and be placed in the row in-between them? I have picked out 3 patterns that I like and will be making my pillows, but I don’t know which pattern to use for my euros and which to use for the smaller sizes! Any “formula” you go by when figuring out how to arrange them on a bed? Thanks in advance!
Hi – Sorry for the delay. We were out of the country for the past week. Anyways, I think you can go either way (I have several times). I ‘think’ I prefer the large geometric in back, then the floral, and then the smaller geometric. Visually that always seems to work well. I hope that helps!
I’ve been on the hunt for new spring pillows and I think you’ve picked my fabrics for me! Love these!!