Pillows are more powerful than you may realize. An entire room can be brought together simply by adding pillows. Pillows can soften spaces, add color, and provide balance. They can add visual interest and easily give an instant makeover to the design scheme. Yes, pillows are quite important and something that shouldn’t be neglected when decorating your home. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your pillows.

Picking the Right Pillow

Picking the right pillows isn’t rocket science, but there are some key things to remember:

• Size is important. If you have a standard size sofa, then standard sized pillow (18 in) will fit nicely. Oversized pillows (24 in) produce a more comfortable, casual feel and 16-inch pillows are perfect for low-back sofas.
• Fill makes a difference. How do you want the pillows to feel and look? Lush and squishy pillows are mainly feather-and-down filled. They look and feel great, but don’t retain their shape as much as foam or synthetic filled ones do.
• Texture matters. Pillows can easily enhance the textural aspects within the space. Nubby, or pillows of a rougher texture, provide a nice contrast to smooth upholstery, while smooth, shiny pillows add visual interest to soft, fuzzy chairs and couches. Furthermore, textured pillows can offer traction, which keeps them in place.
• The entire room should be evaluated. Before you start scattering pillows throughout the space, take time to evaluate things such as the color palette and decorating style. You want the pillows to make sense within the room.

Getting the Right Look

Size, shape, fabric and trim all play an important role in staying true to your decorating style. Here’s a quick breakdown on how to achieve a traditional, modern and eclectic look in your home.

To achieve a Traditional look:

Maintain order by creating symmetry with even numbers of pillows on big pieces like sofas. Vary sizes and shapes, but keep it proportionate (i.e. pair oversized square with smaller square or round). Go for classic fabrics like velvet and silk and classic patterns like plaid and florals (as long as they coordinate, mix them up). Be sure to incorporate at least a couple of pillows with trim.

To achieve a Modern look:

Stick with an odd number of pillows, varying anywhere from 18 to 24 inches. Unexpected shapes such as oblongs are nice to incorporate. Fabrics like cotton and linen covered in large geometric prints or bold solid colors keep with the modern style. Don’t worry about trim, as it’s more traditional.

To achieve an Eclectic look:

Even numbers work in an eclectic space, but a beautiful asymmetry works even better. Opt for something like two pillows in one corner of the sofa and a third in the opposite corner. Pillows should be similar in size, with a few standard sized to oversized ones being more preferable than several smaller ones. Fabrics can vary depending on other items in the space just be sure there’s a common color to unify them. If trim is used, it should be kept simple.

If you are looking for a fabric store near you in Katy, TX, we have just what you need! Come by either of our locations in Houston where you will find everything from comfortable cotton fabrics, to luxurious dupiani silks and even some of the best faux leathers!