How to Arrange Decorative Pillows

The arrangement of a large pile of decorative pillows can either create a posh, pleasant oasis of color and texture or a scattered, cluttered mess of mismatched fabric, depending on the artistic know-how of the person setting out the pillows. By using some simple design principles as the basic guidelines for pillow choice and arrangement, you can easily create a luxurious aesthetic.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper
• Fabric samples
• Camera (optional)

Instructions

1. Take Stock
   Look at the area where you want to arrange your pillows and take thorough stock of the decorating considerations. On your piece of paper, make notes about the colors, textures and shapes of the furniture that the pillows will sit on. Also pay attention to prominent colors, textures and shapes in the room and note them, as they will influence your pillow choices, too. You may want to take pictures so you have an accurate record of the colors for reference when you shop later.

2. Choose Colors
   Determine the color scheme you want to use for your pillow arrangement. The first color you'll choose will be your focal color and will probably be a bright, intense or rich color. The second color will be a neutral color like tan, white, black or gray. Your third color should be an accent color found in the room's decor to help tie your pillows together with the rest of the room.

3. Shop
   While you're shopping for pillows with the colors you have chosen, you should also be aware of textures and shapes. Try to buy pillows that are made of different types of cloth to have a variety of textures. Also select pillows of different sizes and shapes to add visual interest to the arrangement. You may want to get fabric samples from the store or bring in your photos to make sure the pillows match your existing furniture.

4. Layer
   Place your pillows on the sofa or bed with the tallest ones in the back of the arrangement. Let some of them sit a little crooked to give a relaxed feel and add interesting angles. Arrange them so that you have at least two layers of pillows for a cushier, more opulent look.

5. Experiment
   Try different patterns with your pillows to see what order the pillows look the best in. You should also be sensitive to certain practical considerations that necessitate changing your pillow arrangement, such as having to move the pillows to sit down.

References

• Things That Inspire: Decorative Bed Pillows