Mix patterns, colors, sizes, and more like an interior designer.

The first thing to remember is that your pillows don’t have to match.

In fact, you might achieve a more professional, stylish look if they don’t.

Vibrant throw pillows mixed and matched on a leather sofa

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Why Add Throw Pillows?

But throw pillows also have a purposethey make furniture more comfortable.

Choose Three Colors

First, choose a “color story” to follow for your pillow selection.

three-color story palette throw pillow scheme on leather sofa

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Then, the secondary patterns you select can contain just one or two of the colors.

Round pillows come in sizes similar to squares.

Pick three textures that will include an element of contrast yet complement each other.

throw pillows in mixed patterns on a leather sofa

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Play with the juxtaposition of smooth and rough, soft and fuzzy.

Think about faux fur, velvet, linen, knit wools, and tasseled accents.

If you keep your color and pattern theme in play, you might get creative with touch and feel.

Throw pillows in a mix of shapes, colors, and patterns

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Another approach is to match your sofa withaccent colors.

Throw pillows in accent colors can either contrast or complement the color of the sofa.

For beds,arrange pillowsin an inverted triangle.

Bed pillows can also serve as your base, or they can be hidden by your euro pillows.