Perfect Throw Pillow Arrangement Ideas for Bedrooms and Living Rooms

Proper throw pillow arrangement gives a room that final touch that makes everything come together. Throw pillows reflect your style and add a level of coziness that you and your guests will appreciate. Whether you want to go with something neutral and simple or something colorful and quirky, Southshore Fine Linens has many options to choose from. Keep reading for ideas on arranging throw pillows in your bedroom and living room. 

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Throw Pillow Arrangement Ideas for the Bedroom

According to Psychology Today, when picking designs for your bedroom, you should choose designs that contain more “curvy lines” because curvy lines are associated with relaxation and comfort.

Throw Pillow Arrangement Ideas That Are Simple and Elegant

Option 1: Clean and tidy with a personal touch

For those who may be a bit weary of bedding accessories, consider this arrangement:

• Lay your sleeping pillows flat at the head of the bed.
• Put a single statement throw pillow propped up at an angle in the middle.
• Consider matching throw pillows on each side of the bed for tidy symmetry.

Option 2: Alternating colors

Alternate between light and dark-colored throw pillows to give the bed dimension and depth. Be mindful of where the eye is drawn, and put the prettiest pillow there. You can enhance this look by incorporating the sleep pillow colors into the look or folding them into the comforter to hide away. This look is best achieved on beds with a solid neutral-colored comforter.

According to the Sleep Foundation, lighter and cooler shades of blue, green, and white are often the most conducive to sleep as they aren’t as stimulating as other colors. So, when choosing darker shades for depth, consider adding darker shades of these three colors. 

A Little More Elaborate

Option 1: Reverse sizes

Traditionally, bigger pillows are propped up against the headboard or laid flat, and then the smaller throw pillows are stacked in front. But what if you reversed this idea? Get a set of oversized decorative throw pillows or a set of pillow shams that are larger than your sleeping pillows and stack the smallest to largest against the headboard.

This works best with soothing neutral shades since the large pillows in front will be what draws attention. 

Option 2: Have fun with varying sizes

• Lay your sleeping pillows flat at the head of the bed.
• Lay decorative pillows in varied sizes in fun ways, thinking about what colors, sizes, and patterns look best next to the other.

Alternating size ideas: The biggest throw pillow in the middle with two little ones on the sides. One big, one little. Or two larger decorative pillows with three ultra-small ones in front. 

Option 3: Emphasize the background color

Get your sheets set in your favorite color, but in a dark or bright shade then:

• Prop the sleep pillows up against the head of the bed.
• Add medium to small-sized throw pillows in a neutral color in a mid-shade to emphasize the pop of color that the sheet sets will add.

A Little Quirky and Fun

Option 1: All the pillows!

For this look, you’re going to want six regular sleeping pillows and at least three decorative pillows arranged just so:

• Lay four pillows flat in sets of two at the head of the bed — these pillows will look best in bright white, such as the Vilano Springs 4-Piece Pillowcase Set.
• Prop up the remaining two sleeping pillows against the stacked ones — these will look best in black or navy pillowcases or dark-colored shams.
• Prop two decorative throw pillows of equal (or closest to equal) sizes right next to each other in the center of the dark pillows — these will look best in a medium color, such as the smallest size of these Vilano Quilted Pillow Covers in lavender, sky blue, gold, or sage green.
• Place a final elongated pillow in front of all the pillows. 

Bonus tip: If you’re decorating your bedroom or guestroom for the holidays, we’d suggest the Merry Town 3-Piece Throw Pillow Set or the Winter Wonderland 3-Piece Throw Pillow Set to get this look. 

Option 2: Go asymmetrical

• Place two to four sleeping pillows at the head of the bed. Consider playing with patterns and textures with pillowcases in a fun pattern and leave them visibly propped up against the headboard.
• Get three to five decorative pillows in various sizes with complementary colors, patterns, and textures.
• Prop one 26-square-inch decorative pillow to one side of the bed with two 22 to 24-square-inch pillows next to it.
• Place a lumbar throw pillow on the opposing end to contrast the other throw pillows. 

Not a Huge Fan of Throw Pillows? Consider a Bench at the End of the Bed!

If you’re the type that finds the idea of too many pillows on the bed to be uninviting or tiresome, consider incorporating one of the decorative pillow designs on a small bench at the end of the bed instead. 

Living Room Throw Pillow Arrangement Ideas

Throw pillows can turn a room into a welcoming environment. According to Dr. Jonauskaite, a color psychologist interviewed by the American Psychological Association (APA), the mind often associates light shades of yellow with sunshine and joy, and light blue is often associated with the sky and the ocean, which inspires calmness. Therefore, these may be colors to consider for communal spaces. 

Couch Ideas

Option 1: Symmetrical squared

• Place sets of two throw pillows in each corner of the couch.
• Each set should have one pillow larger than the other.

Add a neatly folded throw blanket such as this Cotton Waffle Throw on the back of the couch to add extra coziness to this look. 

Option 2: Simple and cozy

For smaller couches, set two long rectangular throw pillows (one should be darker than the other) and prop them up in the center of the sofa. The darker pillow should be in the back, peeking out to the side of the other. 

Option 3: Simple and elegant

Place two to three throw pillows off to one side of the couch. Generally, this looks best with one larger throw pillow in the corner of the sofa and the smaller one in front slightly off to one side. To add extra comfort, drape a neutral-colored throw blanket such as this Acrylic Blanket and Throw Pillow Cover Set over the couch corner and arrange the throw pillows on top. 

Tips for Arranging Throw Pillows on a Living Room Chair

Putting throw pillows on a chair in a common sitting area can quickly make a space feel busy and uninviting when not done properly. A good rule of thumb is:

• Never have more than two decorative pillows (three if it’s an oversized chair, a lounge chair, or a fainting couch).
• Place a single-throw pillow either in the center of the chair or off to one side.
• If using multiple throw pillows, stack them by size, with the largest in the back. 

Throw pillow arrangements are a delicate balance of style and comfort. At Southshore Fine Linens, you will find options ranging from simplistic and timely to bold statement pillows to holiday favorites.

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Sources:

Augustin, S. (2021). Choose the Curvy One, Probably.
Speaking of Psychology: Red with anger or feeling blue? The link between color and emotion, with Domicele Jonauskaite, PhD. (2023).
Summer, J. (2023). What Color Helps You Sleep?