Best Techniques for Decorating with Pillows

This might sound strange, but decorating with pillows can feel overwhelming. There are so many aspects to consider: colors, designs, patterns, textures, sizes...did I mention all the colors!? Then you have to decide how many pillows per chair, per couch, per bed? How many pillows are too many? 

When you’re decorating with pillows, it can feel like you’re standing in front of a blank canvas with endless options. Where do you begin? 

Don’t worry. We’ve got expert advice that will help you find the look you want. And it begins with an interior design approach. Having an approach gives you some much-needed guidelines to help you find the right pieces for your space. 

Take a look at the tips and hacks below to find your path to the perfectly pillowed room. 

Pick a color palette 

Before you start shopping, you need to determine what you’re looking for. Otherwise, it’s like going to the grocery store hungry. You end up grabbing everything that looks yummy at the moment. Two shopping carts and $300 later, you’re scratching your head wondering how this happened. 

Avoid that trap by deciding on a color palette. Your palette can feature complimentary colors like reds and greens, or analogous colors like greens and yellows. It depends on how much contrast you’re looking for in your space. Complimentary colors contrast more strongly than analogous colors, which can have a quieter layered effect. 

But how do you find the right colors for your palette? Easy.

Look around the room you’re decorating. What colors do you see? What colors pop out at you? What colors make up the background? Choose from those colors present in the space you’re decorating. 

For example, if you have a dark purple rug that really stands out, you might consider finding a purple pillow to tie in with the rug. Or, if you have a painting with warm reds and oranges, you can play off the colors in the painting with red and orange pillows. 

Trust your eyes. The key is to use colors that relate to the shades in the room already. There should be a cohesiveness to your decor. 

What if your room is neutral?

When you’re decorating a neutral room with pillows, ask yourself what kind of mood you’re hoping to achieve. Do you want to inject some energy into the space? Or would you like to keep a calm atmosphere? If you want energy, you could try a vibrant, brilliant color like the fresh bloom of spring flowers. If you want calm and soothing, stick to quieter, lighter pastels or earth tones that will blend with the colors already present. 

If you decide on one color, find 3 different patterns in that color

What if you decide on one color? Is that enough? Absolutely! 

If your heart is set on a single color or shades of that color, you can still add variety through playing with patterns, designs, textures, and sizes. For example, if you love orange, and you’re trying to decorate a sofa in a living room, you could pair orange stripes, with a solid orange, and a smaller pillow with an orange embroidered design. Each is different enough that they keep the eye interested while sticking to your favorite color.

Want to start your own pillow decor experiment? VNTG Home has you covered!

Come check out our Cleveland warehouse, or take a virtual tour. With our in-house consultation team and access to over 700 fabrics, we will help you find just what you’re looking for.