A CASUAL PILLOW ARRANGEMENT YOU SHOULD TRY
I’m excited to show you a casual pillow arrangement I think you should try! As I’m sure you know I am the self-proclaimed pillow princess! I love pillows. Yes, they are soft and yes they come in different shapes but mostly I love them for their ability to totally change the look of any room you put them in. And the options of distinct looks are endless.
This new way to style pillows has actually been around for quite a while but not until recently have I seen it become very popular. So taking a second look at it made me think this way to style pillows on my living room sofa would lighten and loosen up this more formal area!
And here’s other pillows that I used to make a casual pillow arrangement.
There are so many pretty ways to style pillows on a sofa! Make sure you also check out 5 No-Fail Tips For Pillow Arranging.
And here’s How To Build A Better Pillow Collection. This post gives lots of tips and savvy advice for collecting pillows systematically for building a beautiful and curated collection of pillows that work together.
Make sure you check out the bottom of the post for more pillow ideas.
Here are some guidelines for casual pillow arranging…
WORK FROM THE OUTSIDE IN
I still like the look of “anchor pillows” resting on the arms of a sofa. Put the largest pillow on the ends of the sofa. The anchor pillows that are buddied up with other pillows is placed so it rests on the arm and the back of the sofa. But the other anchor pillow that stands alone rests mostly on the arm of the sofa. If you take a good look at the pillow you will see what I mean.
Don’t you love these fluffy large anchor pillows? They are a soft as they look! The morning sun is so beautiful streaming into my living room! It’s the brightest room in my home.
GROUP PILLOWS
Feel free to “group” pillows on together with the anchor pillow that is wedged between the arm and back of the sofa.
LET PILLOW “SLOUCH”
I usually stand my pillows up like little soldiers! Almost standing straight up. Now they don’t have good posture. Let pillows “slouch” or lay back a little. This really helps to create that casual look!
The little lumbar pillow is really relaxing on the sofa!
THINK COORDINATED TENSION
What is coordinated tension? Well, let’s start with what it is not matchy-matchy! It is not even precisely coordinated. But coordinated tension IS
- finding at least one element that runs through most of the pillows, think color, texture, shape
- add at least one pillow that is different enough to create a bit of discord but not enough to look odd (although I often see designer arrangements with pillows that look very disjointed… but they work)
- choose at least one pillow that is a different size
- use even number pillows (oh my!)
Tension is a fabulous design element if used in small doses. It means something in a room or arrangement is just a bit out of the ordinary or a little bit “off”. But oh, if done right tension can make a room beautifully interesting!!!!!
I’ve used 4 pillows for this arrangement. I also use different patterned and textured pillows. The only pillows that are the same are my anchor pillows.
TEXTURE IS KING
Texture is the magic element when it comes to a more casual pillow arrangement. Look for pillows that are bumpy, wooly, fluffy, hairy, soft, ribbed etc. And let them live together!
Also, try using a bold print, maybe a graphic, because your eye picks that up much like texture.
LEARN BY “PLAYING”
You know I’m a big proponent of “playing” with your pillows. You won’t know what works and doesn’t if you don’t get out lots of pillows and arrange them and rearrange them. Edit and add, edit and add!
As you do this a few things will happen…YOU WILL…
- get better at decorating with pillows
- learn what you like and don’t
- find new ways to use what you have
- see what pillows you might need to complete a certain casual look
- this will give you confidence to learn the next new thing in decorating and home interior design
What do you think? Are you ready for a more casual pillow arrangement in your room?
You might like these pillow posts too…
HOW TO ARRANGE PILLOWS ON A SECTIONAL
BED PILLOW ARRANGEMENTS YOU WILL LOVE
I love the casual and sophiscated look of the pillows and arrangement. So cozy Very hygge!
Yes very hygge!
Yvonne, your blog has helped me to completely re-vamp my home. I was very traditional, but always loved elements of contemporary and farmhouse as well. With your help I am now happy to say that my style is “transitional”. I am working toward a more neutral palette through out our home…..keeping the things I love, reorganizing items to different rooms I never thought of using them in, and adding a few new items. My house looks like a new home. Thanks for your inspiration!
Exactly how my little dog likes to arrange my pillows! Guess he is a decor expert.☺ Who knew?
LOL! How adorable!
Oh, Yvonne, your timing of this post is so perfect for me! I actually stepped out of my matchy-matchy comfort zone this week and am contemplating a look of coordinated tension as I type this out!! Picture this: I have a matching couch and loveseat across from each other with a coffee table between them. On the couch are two beautiful solid-colored matching pillows with embroidered pumpkins on the front, and on the loveseat are two beautifully textured striped pillows with one pillow between them with “Home Sweet Home.” Ideally that pillow would be a smaller lumbar style, in my mind, but it is the same size as the striped ones, and it is what I happened to find and brought home. What do you think? Does that work? Be honest! I am loving the variety of textures! Coordinated tension is exactly how I would describe it!
Jacki, because I can’t see them and only can picture what you are talking about in my mind I say yes, it is okay. Off center your pillows that are the same size and enjoy what you have created! BTW you can send me a picture and I can help you better.
Have been doing a large pillow one end of the sofa for years. That is the one my husband likes to use when he takes a nap during the day. With a covering on it of course. The other smaller ones are against the other end of the sofa. Finally I am in style again. (Ha)
These pillow arrangements look great, I agree, but I’m starting to find myself thinking like a man! They are so in the way when you sit down and take up so much space and then you just end up, especially in a small space, having to throw them on the floor. No, I don’t have room for a lovely basket to contain them. Right now I have just pulled out fro, storage all my late fall and winter throw pillows and just don’t have space either on my bed or in my living room on my small settee and an armchair for more than two or three. So frustrating as I love them all.
I love how your pillows look. Somehow I can never feel comfortable with pillows that contrast to our brown sofa? We have so much other color in our room (living/dining/kitchen attached to each other) with paintings on two walls gallery style, it seems so much less cluttered to just use pillows that blend in with the sofa but still offer a back rest or a foot rest. I can’t even get used to pillows that are very large or over stuffed. I would love to be able to change ours. They are covered with a brown/burgundy/gold paisley fabric right now. I love all your fluffy and nubby ones! Just don’t know how to make it work for this big room(s). Ahhhh the difficulties of decorating a manufactured home….Thank you for your inspiration tho. Maybe if we can get rid of a chair or two and a cat tree along with some speakers and such we might be able to add a couple pretty pillows. 🙂
Hi T! I think if you edit your room the pillows would stand out more. Give that a try.
This isn’t so much a comment on the pillows as it is the couch. I listened (again!) to the DTT podcast on buying a sofa. We are looking to purchase a new one. I am curious to know if the couch in the post is the one you said you didn’t like. Also, I keep seeing 2 chairs instead of a love seat. Are love seats out of favor? My husband isn’t big on the two chairs notion over the love seat. I’m on the fence. We already have a nice chair that is solid in color but has nice texture with our current sofa and love seat combo. Thoughts? Back to the pillows, it is something I would have to get used to!
Love, love, love all your tutorials and helpful hints! They are so easy to follow, and of course, everything looks terrific. But… you do not have a grouping of four (gasp–even number!) of pillows. You have one pillow, and three pillows–still odd!! (Sorry… silly me!). 🙂
I know! Keeping it CASUAL, Rhonda!
Unfortunately, the first thing people do with my lovely pillows is put them on the floor as they don’t want them on the couch! I finally just gave up using them on the couch, and only use them as decorative items on my bench that people rarely sit on.
Laurin, depending on the pillow many of my guests like to sit on them, lean on them and even hug them. I don’t mind if my guests put the pillows on the floor… it’s clean.
If you enjoy pillows keep them on your sofa and your guests will be okay. Hope this helps.
Great tips! I was struggling and struggling months ago with a sofa in my home and finally just started flipping through some Pottery Barn catalogs for inspiration…. and voila! After copying a couple of layouts I realized I was 1) trying to make pillows work together that would never work together and 2) using too many pillows. You just elevated yourself to Pottery Barn status in my world with this post!
Best comment E-V-E-R! Thanks so much!
Good afternoon, Yvonne:
I just love the way the sun is coming into your living room in your beautiful photographs. It looks so warm & cozy…I could just curl right up with a soft blanket and a cup of coffee☕️ As always, absolutely gorgeous! I do have a question regarding your pillows/pillow covers. I tend to gravitate toward the fancy pillows with beading, ribbon, textural appliques on them. I seem to utilize my “anchor” pillows on each end of the sofa…these tend to be less embellished and more neutral. I have several of your lovely seasonal pillows, but only one. I’ve noticed at times you have the special embellished pillows in pairs. How do you know how many you need or how you’re going to use them ahead of time? I need to “play” with what I have, and I usually feature the special pillow in the center of my grouping. Do you buy two covers when you’re getting an amazing deal on them, or do you have a master plan in your head? Sometimes, the specialty pillows are cost prohibitive to purchase more than one. I would love to hear your ideas on how you plan. You are the pillow princess after all?? I want to thank you for your kind comments to me last week when I was sick! I am all better this week thankfully, and I am so happy to have you and your blog to learn from and become enriched by!❤️
Much love to you! Blessings,
❤️Beth
I tend to be too asymmetrical, too. Thanks for this advice. I love the look and am going to try my hardest to break my habit. Thanks for broadening my horizons once again. Love, love, love your blog…..and you‼️
It looks great, but how does iteork on 3 couches?
Three couches? I’d have to see how they are placed in a room to give you an opinion.
It looks great, but how does iteork on 2 couches?
See comment to T. Hope this helps you Liz!
My house is “Un co-ordinated Tension”. Who knew it was a “style”? You know….I dont want it to look like I am trying too hard….or at all.
Hi Yvonne!
Thank you for showing how to arrange pillows as it can be tricky if you don’t know how. I was wondering if you also use a throw during the spring and summer months on the sofa? If so, what kind? The knitted throws seem heavy with spring and summer pillows.
Thanks!
Wow….I was chic before it was in!! My pillows usually look like this, and I rush to straighten them up.
Wow! Who would have guessed?! The pic of the 5 pillows… compared to the more relaxed/not done look (with 4 pillows & throw)… amazing! You are the best, Yvonne! Seriously, amazing what a difference — so updated/fresh… so glad I opened this blog! I glanced at it quickly and thought, what could be new and fresh about pillows?… (I’ll learn 🙂 <3
Thanks, Dana! It’s always nice to get encouragement!
It looks great! Just wondering how this can work on 2 sofas of damask fabric? Thanks
Use one common pillow on each sofa and pillow colors and designs that work together and with the sofa.
I love how your pillows look. Somehow I can never feel comfortable with pillows that contrast to our brown sofa? We have so much other color in our room (living/dining/kitchen attached to each other) with paintings on two walls gallery style, it seems so much less cluttered to just use pillows that blend in with the sofa but still offer a back rest or a foot rest. I can’t even get used to pillows that are very large or over stuffed. I would love to be able to change ours. They are covered with a brown/burgundy/gold paisley fabric right now. I love all your fluffy and nubby ones! Just don’t know how to make it work for this big room(s). Ahhhh the difficulties of decorating a manufactured home….Thank you for your inspiration tho. Maybe if we can get rid of a chair or two and a cat tree along with some speakers and such we might be able to add a couple pretty pillows. 🙂
Oh, my sweet friend, I just purchased a matching pillow to my favorite Christmas one of last year. It is down filled linen with an embroidered wreath with berries and pinecones. Accidentally found it at Marshall’s with no tag. The manager priced it at $12.99, just as I was praying that it would not be $25, likely half of the original cost. I am so thankful to have stumbled upon it, so as much as I like your new pillow arrangement, it may be symmetry for me this Christmas. Will play with it and see. Your ideas are timeless.
Thanks for the pillow lesson/update. We have just moved into our forever home. If I can ever get through the garage full of boxes, I’ll be ready to decorate! I have come to ’embrace’ pillows as such a versatile feature in your home-thanks for the lessons along the way! Question-how do you store your pillows when not in use. I would buy a pillow a day (or more) if I could figure out where to put them all! Perhaps you’ve addressed this in a previous post, if not would love a future post on this topic.
Your pillow arrangement looks so inviting. There is just the right number of pillows that you have a place to sit and I like it when you tell us where we can purchase them. I guess I should make a trip to Pier 1.
Yvonne…thank you for proving I’m not crazy! I came across velvet pillows covers that were printed like the spots on a cow…yes cow pillows! (I think it’s a Pennsylvania thing) I had to have them and they grace my sofa for winter. I never changed out the original pillows that came with the sofa. How boring am I!!!!! Now, with your inspiration, I’m on the hunt for robins egg blue ones for spring. Thinking that sewing the covers can’t be all the difficult so no more boring sofa!
Hugs,
Carol
So glad to help Carol!
Thank you for a new start in 2019. I am anxious to start playing with pillows They add so much to a room. Your tips are so great
Love the pillow arrangement and i can achieve the ‘look’. It the throw i have a problem with! How can i get that casually thrown look????
Thanks
I fold my throws in half lengthwise and put it over the back of the sofa. Then I “scrunch” them with my hands. Works every time.
Sounds easy! I’ll see how it works! Thanks
I love pillow talk!! You have such a knack for arranging pillows but also the throws. I can’t seem to make my throw blankets and quilts look casual and “fit” the space I am using them. I enjoy seeing your home and how you are reflected in its beauty.
Hi Yvonne
Oh how I wish I lived where you do! I’m based in the UK and finding great cushions (pillows) here that go together well is really hard! So many stores only sell exactly the same sizes, even when I try shopping online, and I also find that I have to pay an absolute fortune for something a bit different, which is very off putting when you’re working on a small budget. I’m also disabled, so it’s hard to go out shopping, and seeing the colours online is tricky too, so I order what I think might go together only to find that when they arrive they don’t blend at all. HELP!!
Judi
Hi Judi
I’m not Yvonne obviously, but saw your comment, had the same issue when I lived in the uk. Have you tried looking at Dunelm.co.uk? They have some reasonably priced cushions and inserts. Amazon and Etsy too.
Worth a look.
Hope this helps a little.
Liane
Thanks for being so helpful Liane! I have the sweetest readers!
GOOD MORNING!
I love arranging pillows in different rooms in and around
our home. When placing your pillows how do you hide the tags you don’t want to trim off?
Starting Fall Decorating. Our Hibscus are still blooming and I just potted HUGE TRI COLORED MUMS in our pretty black tall urns on either side of our front door on our porch. I placed a beautiful wreath on the front door.
Next, PUMPKINS!!
Hi Su, I bet your front porch looks gorgeous! What color!!!!! As for the pillows I trim (don’t rip) the tags off as close to the pillow as I can get.
Could you please offer links for where you purchase your pillows?
Also, suggestions for pillows on leather (slippery) sofa?
Thank you!
Jane
Use down/feather inserts. They won’t slip like polyester filled pillows.
I so agree!
I have two love seats facing each other. What is the best pillow arrangement for this? Three each? Do the two sofas reflect each other?
I would say pick a pillow arrangement that works best for you. Keep some of the pillows the same and a couple that are different but work together. Hope this is helpful!
You are indeed, the Pillow Princess! Thank you for sharing your pillow styling expertise. Everything looks so lovely.