Pillow Talk- Accent Pillows Done Right

We all know that pillows make great accents and come in many shapes and sizes, but your favorites may not always work together or in the same room. Taniya Nayak, designer for HGTV’s Destination Design, and Designed to Sell and pillow designer Jeanine Hays of AphroChic gives us tips for decorating with throw pillows.

They both had a similar message: Pillows can make or break the look of a room. Use the perfect pillows, and you’ve got a brand new couch or bed, but use the wrong ones and it can be a cushiony catastrophe. Here’s a list of Do’s and Don’ts:

Taniya says that she decorates with pillows to bring in color and texture. A few bright red pillows can make an enormous difference in an all-beige room. Secondly, she uses them to draw interest.

“Changing up the sizes and fabrics as well as the prints can completely change the look of a room,” Taniya says.

And pillows are a great way to introduce prints and patterns into a space without overdoing it or committing permanently to a bold color. “Invest in more neutral based larger furniture items like beds or sofas in gray, taupes, whites and chocolates,” she says. “Then decorate with pillows as a way to bring it to life. This is where the color, texture and fun comes in or the richness and plushness, if using a monochromatic scheme. Mixing and matching prints and patterns creates interest but stick to a similar color theme so that the pillow collection speaks to each other.

When you decide to add accent pillows, there are a few things you will want to consider, such as choosing family-friendly fabrics like cotton, linen and similar blends.
The perfect pillow will have a fabric that is hard-wearing and easy to maintain. Cotton and linen will stay in wonderful shape for a long time and can be easily washed if they ever get stained. Removable covers and separate inserts  also make for easier cleaning. When you go shopping for a new pillow, bring the other ones along to be sure they’re the right fit.

When grouping them together on your sofa, Taniya says it’s important to fill the corners by angling the pillows for a more inviting look and feel. Place the largest pillows in the back and gradually decrease them in size as you get to the front — like a well-arranged group photo. Jeanine suggests that you “make sure that your groupings don’t get in the way of seating space.”
To get that picture-perfect catalog look, give each pillow a firm “karate chop” in the middle of the top.

Since pillows are relatively inexpensive, it’s one area in the home where it’s easy to follow trends. What’s hot right now? Laser-cut felt pillows from Home Decorators Collection and these Pottery Barn grainsack pillows: Pair these up with some linen pillows and don’t be shy with the number of them — the more the better! Piping is a hot trend right now.Classic patterns are also making their way into modern design. For example, ikat and chevron are growing in popularity, and we’re seeing modern takes on these traditional patterns emerge in small boutique companies and large retailers like West Elm.

What are some of Taniya’s favorite places to score great pillows on a budget? She suggests trying HomeGoods or online retailer Imagine Throw Pillows. You can also get inexpensive pillow inserts at IKEA and then splurge a bit on the covers.
Making the Arrangement

Once you’ve selected your new pillows, it’s time to do some arranging. When grouping them together on your sofa, Taniya says it’s important to fill the corners by angling the pillows for a more inviting look and feel. Place the largest pillows in the back and gradually decrease them in size as you get to the front — like a well-arranged group photo. Jeanine suggests that you “make sure that your groupings don’t get in the way of seating space.”

To get that picture-perfect catalog look, give each pillow a firm “karate chop” in the middle of the top.

In the bedroom, place two oversized pillows next to each other, and add a bolster in front to bring in a different shape and feel.

Pillow Trends and Shopping

Since pillows are relatively inexpensive, it’s one area in the home where it’s easy to follow trends. What’s hot right now? Taniya’s loving these laser-cut felt pillows from Home Decorators Collection and these Pottery Barn grainsack pillows: “I love the organic nature and texture. Pair these up with some linen pillows and don’t be shy with the number of them — the more the better!”

Jeanine says piping is a hot trend right now: “More designers are having fun and offering piping in a variety of fun colors — pink, acid yellow, black, green. It’s a small way to offer something a little different.” Although it’s more than just a trend, sustainability in pillows is increasingly growing. Companies like Hammocks and High Tea are creating incredible eco-friendly pillows. “Kapok is the latest in eco-friendly inserts,” she says.

Classic patterns are also making their way into modern design. For example, ikat and chevron are growing in popularity, and we’re seeing modern takes on these traditional patterns emerge in small boutique companies and large retailers like West Elm.

What are some of Taniya’s favorite places to score great pillows on a budget? She suggests trying HomeGoods or online retailer Imagine Throw Pillows. You can also get inexpensive pillow inserts at IKEA and then splurge a bit on the covers.