A well-styled bed can immediately change your entire bedroom. And the quickest way to achieve that upscale, magazine-perfect look? Decorative throw pillows. They’re a simple way to add color, texture, and personality to your space.
But let’s be honest: staring at a pile of pillows and trying to figure out how many to use or if they should match the duvet can feel overwhelming. Should they be symmetrical? Should they clash? Don’t worry! We’ve got a few simple tricks to get your pillows looking just right, no professional styling degree required.
Here’s how to easily style your throws and make a bed that’s both welcoming and stylish.
Start with a Solid Base First
You have to have a clean, organized base before you get to the fun throws. This base ensures all your decorative pillows lay nicely.
- The Essentials: Begin with your comfort pillows (two standard or king-sized). Arrange these tidily against the headboard; these are what you actually sleep upon.
- Add Height (Optional): For dramatic height, add Euro pillows (big squares) in the back of your regular pillows. They add height and an elegant, structured background.
Have Fun with Shapes, Sizes, and Layers
The best part arrives: adding the layers! Imagine this as constructing a pillow pyramid with a mix of shapes and sizes for the visual excitement.
Begin with your largest pillows in the back and move forward. In front of your foundation pillows, add in rectangular throw pillows (lumbar or bolster type) for a clean, contemporary look. Then top everything off with your smallest accent pillows dead center, or slightly off center for a more casual, lived-in look. Adding in a round pillow can also introduce a fun, surprise element to the symmetry!
Master Color and Texture
Throw pillows are your opportunity to add personality to your room, but you must have a unifying principle in order to keep things harmonious:
- Stay within a Color Palette: Select one or two primary colors that complement your room’s current decor and utilize neutral colors (such as beige, cream, or gray) to anchor the look. To create a neutral space, utilize your throws to introduce a single splash of color such as rich navy or mustard yellow.
- Mix Your Textures: This is how you get a bed to really feel cozy and layered. Mix various materials such as velvet, linen, chunky knit cotton, or faux fur. A rich, cozy velvet pillow and a raw linen one instantly creates visual depth and an untouchable tactile sensation.
How to Mix Patterns Without Chaos
Combining patterns does take some effort, but it’s a wonderful way to infuse a touch of artistry. The trick is balance:
- Be Consistent with the Color Scheme: When combining a striped pillow with a flower pillow, ensure they have at least one common color (e.g., both contain a splash of light gray or white). This will make them work together rather than fight.
- Utilize Solids as a Buffer: If you have a strong, active design on one pillow, use solid-colored throws to surround it. This provides the eye with a place to rest and prevents the overall setting from appearing too busy.
The Finishing Touch: The Throw Blanket
To finish that upscale feel, throw a stylish throw blanket over the foot of your bed. Have it drape slightly carelessly or fold it in half either will bind together your pillows‘ colors and textures with an added dose of snuggly functionality.
Throw pillow bed styling doesn’t have to be hard. By working in terms of foundation, layering, and balance, you can have a visually appealing and wonderfully inviting bedscape that looks like it was plucked right out of a magazine!
