Craft Your Pillowscape Like a Designer

If you’re like me, it’s never difficult to find a pillow to be excited about. They’re one of the most fun elements of a project to find and incorporate into a space, and with good reason: Pillows are fun! No other element in our spaces inspires as many oohs and ahhhs, especially not for their price point. They are the textbook Interior Design essential.

Visit any store remotely associated with home decor and you’ll be presented with a truly dizzying array of options at your disposal. It can be difficult to discern how to achieve a Designer-Curated look without making an array that feels too “catalogue” or inorganic. Like almost everything else in the design world, it’s all about balance! Start by asking yourself what your color scheme needs. We discussed this a little bit in Tuesday’s blog post. One of the reasons that pillows are so fun is the opportunity they present for self-expression: to really define and hone in on the thematic element of your space’s design. Assess what color exists in your space that you want to highlight, and start with that palate.

From here, you’ll want to play with your patterns. Don’t be afraid to mix it up: I never use two of the same pattern in a group. I’d advise against using two stripes or two prints in a group of pillows to preserve the all-important balance. I’ll typically choose a solid, a large graphic, a small graphic, an organic print, and a stripe. Choose one from each category, while maintaining a consistent palate and you’ll be blessed with a space that looks beautifully organic.

Next, consider what size of pillow your space needs. Often I’ll start with two large pillows, typically a 20" or 22” pillow depending on the piece of furniture. Then I’ll size in either an 18” or 20” pillow (depending on the size of my previous selection). Last but not least I’ll add a lumbar to mix it up!

Asymmetry can be your friend! I’ve loved playing with this idea recently. If you’ve already selected a consistent color scheme, it’s worthwhile to extend the variation of scale and pattern to the space itself. It also ensures that your space doesn’t feel overcrowded, an especially important point if you’re picking pillows for a smaller couch or loveseat.

Part of the fun of pillowscapes is the allowance to instill a seasonal element to your room. Pillows are meant to be swapped out and played with. Keep your color scheme clearly in mind. When fall comes around we don’t start throwing pumpkins or oak leaves everywhere, but we know that a deep rust or a golden straw will add a new festive atmosphere to a familiar space.

That’s really all there is to it! Keeping an awareness of what color scheme suits your space allows you to have all kinds of fun with pattern and scale. Whether your designing a full scale kitchen or just the corner of your sofa, consistency in color and artful asymmetry of scale will always be pleasing to the eye. Pillows aren’t cabinets or countertops: your never stuck with a choice that doesn’t work out. Mix it up and have some fun.

Happy Designing!