How To arrange Pillows On A Sectional
Let’s talk about pillows! My favorite! Today let’s talk about how to arrange pillows on a sectional! I get quite a lot of emails and questions about this topic. If you have a regular sofa this post is for you too. Some sectional tips will work perfectly on a sofa.
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There is a lot of angst out there when it comes to sectionals!
One of my favorite designer tips is to break something I’m decorating down into sections. Like a grid! It makes decorating almost anything easier!
I use a grid on bookshelves, tables, sofas, and more! Try it! It makes decorating so much easier!
And I did the same thing for arranging pillows on a sectional! The imaginary grid I use for a sectional is divided into three pie-wedged sections.
The objective is to decorate each grid section so it works with the other grid sections.
So far, easy! Right?
When the camera comes out and I’m designing Hobbes, our little cat LOVES to be in the thick of things! No matter where he is in the house, he comes running! And for a little cat, he sounds like an elephant!
So Hobbes will be our lovely assistant for this post. I just could not scoot him away! He stakes his ground and loves being in the pictures.
We don’t think Hobbes knows that he is a cat. He acts just like a dog!
Back to sectionals and pillows, here are some things to consider when adding pillows to a sectional…
CREATE A COLOR PALETTE
I think for many home decorators, the hardest part of decorating is knowing where to start!
I know! Even though I have been decorating for decades, when I start a new project, I can still sometimes feel a bit anxious. But here’s something to remember.
When you start a new decorating project, you don’t need to get it right. Decorating is part science and part art! You need to have time to “play”—to work with a design or arrange those pillows until you get it right!
I always start by defining my color palette. You must make sure…
- the pillow color palette works with the rest of the things in the room
- works with the sofa
- adds beauty and harmony to both the sofa and the room
I like to work with three but not more than five colors.
ARRANGING PILLOWS WITH PATTERN ON A SECTIONAL
It is so much easier to use pillows that do not have lots of patterns!
I love this curated pillow collection from Linen + Cloth. The pillows have a great color palette and mix of patterns! You can see the pillows HERE.
If you like patterns, choose one large-scale pattern, one smaller-scale pattern, and one or two plain pillows.
This is a classic combination! And it’s a classic because it works almost all the time!
Here’s another pretty pillow combo from Krinto. See it HERE.
CREATE A FOCAL POINT
A sectional will probably be the biggest thing in your room! I know ours takes up a good portion of our sunroom.
We selected a sectional with a chaise for seating! Even though this is a small room my family loves to smoosh themselves in here! So, a sectional made sense!
Because a sectional calls attention to itself, it is important to dress it up with pretty pillows!
Pillows can add so much to a room: drama, cohesiveness, style, charm, beauty—the list goes on and on!
Go bigger! Choose bigger pillows for a sectional. Little pillows look too petite on a sectional, even a slimmed-down sectional!
The pillow above is 26 inches square! It’s big! But I love the statement it makes on the sectional. Our family loves to pull it off the sectional and use it for their heads when they lay on the floor to watch TV.
Create a pillow focal point in the elbow of a sectional. Add extra pillows and use a lumbar there too!
Hobbes is pointing to the pillow arrangement.
VARY SIZES
Vary the sizes of the pillows you put on a sectional. It is definitely more visually pleasing!
The standard sizes for a sectional are…
- 3 24″ pillows
- 3-5 18-20-22 inch pillows
- 1 lumbar
You can’t go wrong with this combination of pillow sizes.
Or if you are like me, you can use a euro sham that is for the bedroom (yes, the big pillows are)!
VARY SHAPES
For a really balanced and pretty pillow arrangement on a sectional, it is all about the lumbar pillow.
That rectangular shape mixed with the squares adds so much interest!
Don’t forget the lumbar!
THE CLASSIC PILLOW ARRANGEMENT FOR A SECTIONAL
Okay, now to the answer to the question, HOW TO ARRANGE PILLOWS ON A SECTIONAL!
Just a note: I’m arranging pillows on my chaise sectional as if I have an arm on the right side of the sofa.
This is so easy, friend! Remember the grid? Break your sectional down into 3 parts.
Individual pillow arrangements will be placed in each section.
THE END PILLOWS
Start with large pillows (24 or 26 inches) and put them against the two outer arms of the sectional. Then, put one in the crook of the sofa’s elbow.
For an almost no-fail look, choose the same pattern and color for these pillows.
So now there is a large pillow in each sofa section!
BUDDY UP THE END PILLOWS
The next pillows to add are 20-inch pillows leaning on the large end pillows.
I have two natural fiber caramel pillows with pom-poms and one of the same color and fabric without pom-poms.
So, I rested the pom-pom pillows next to the end pillow and used the other non-pom-pom pillow in the elbow of the sectional, along with a white 22-inch pillow with a caramel burlap trim.
The white pillow with the caramel trim worked well with the other pillows and worked as a bridge between the large pillow and the caramel pillows.
ADDING THE LUMBAR PILLOW
Think of the lumbar pillow as being the magic sauce that pulls the look together! Yes, it is that important!
Arrange a lumbar pillow in the front of the other pillows or slightly off to the side.
Seriously, this finishes the look!
A FEW MORE THINGS TO KNOW…
Here are a few things to help you create the best pillow arrangement for your sectional or sofa…
Bigger is better on a sectional. Pillows that are 18 inches and under tend to look puny and might detract from the beauty of the sofa!
You can use more pillows. The longer your sofa, the more pillows you can use. However, too many pillows can be overkill!
You can also use three pillows at the elbow of the sofa instead of 4. You will know that it looks better for your sectional!
Toss a pretty throw over the back of the sofa and let it fall on the seat of the sectional. Choose one that works with your pillows. Toss the throw next to the pillows in the elbow of the sectional.
Create a more relaxed look by letting your pillows slouch to one side or the other. I like my pillows standing up pretty straight, but once in a while, I arrange them like I have tossed them on the sectional.
To chop or not to chop? Totally a personal choice. I love to chop pillows but I think there is too much pillow chopping going on when it comes to a sectional. Just saying!
MY SECTIONAL WITH A CHAISE
Because we have a chaise instead of a sectional with arms on both sides, I arrange my pillows in a hybrid way!
I like the look of dressing up this chaise sectional as if I were arranging pillows on a regular sectional, but I don’t add any pillows to the chaise end. However, I do add a nicely folded throw over the chaise.
It feels comfortable and looks nice!
I hope this has helped you know how to arrange pillows on a sectional and given you pretty ideas for your home. I want to thank my lovely assistant Hobbes for helping out today and being the same color palette as the room!
Pillows have great power! Great decorating power! They can absolutely change the look of a room! Create beauty, symmetry, tension, and a focal point by adding pillows to a sectional!
You might like these pretty pillow collections…
HERE ARE MORE HELPFUL PILLOW POSTS
5 NO FAIL TIPS FOR ARRANGING PILLOWS
A CASUAL PILLOW ARRANGEMENT YOU SHOULD TRY
8 BED PILLOW ARRANGEMENTS YOU WILL LOVE
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT PILLOWS
5 NO FAIL PILLOW ARRANGEMENTS FOR A SOFA
Would love to know where you purchased your sectional. I have been looking for one that will fit my small den, has a bench seat, and no skirt. This seems to fit the bill and is beautiful to boot!
The Andes sectional can be found here:https://rstyle.me/+WERkrtdas4_9Ji9DBczzGQ
Mr. Hobbies has stolen the show. He is so cute and I love love love his poses. ?
Thanks! He is a wonderful cat that acts like a dog.
Yvonne,
This post is perfect timing for me. I’m in the midst of changing out winter decor for spring and needed help with my sectional and dressing it up. Great advice.
You are such a wealth of knowledge on so many subjects. Absolutely love you and your blog.
Well, I’m not sure about that. I do love to decorate and try to learn everything I can about that subject!
Yvonne, your timing with this post could not be any better! My new sectional with chaise is due to be delivered this weekend. And I have been wondering how best to arrange pillows and throws. I’m excited to read your post more thoroughly again later this evening when I am finished work for the day.
We love our chaise sectional. What a great choice!
Very helpful! The pillow combinations you used and the ones you link are so nice and helpful.
Question — do you have a source for the topiary potted plants on your coffee table? They are airy and complement the pillows nicely.
Hi Elle, these topiaries are very popular. I found them at a vintage shop for $10.00!
Great timing for this post. I have a new sectional on order and I was able to choose the fabric for the four pillows that it comes with. It was a hard choice, but I think I did ok with two patterned and two solid fabrics. Now I will need to find a coordinating lumbar pillow. I did notice how well Hobbes coordinates with your decor. He’s the perfect accessory!
Hobbes does go with my color palette. LOL!
Great post! Sooo informational and helpful. But you do know that Hobbs stole the day, right?
We have a long haired “Hobbs”. His name is Max and he is the favorite of anyone who has met him. He also acts more like a dog than a cat and in fact, rolls over on command! The vet techs tease me that they all fight over who gets to work with Max when he comes in for his shots etc!! God is so sweet to bless us with such lovely creatures. Oh, and BTW I really enjoyed seeing the beautiful winter scenery out the windows. It’s a bright and sunny day here in Ocala FL heading into the mid 70s. Hardly seems like winter so the beautiful snowy scenes refocused the calendar for me!
We’ve had about a foot of snow! It does look lovely right now!
Finally I understand what I am doing wrong!!!! My pillows are too small. I am headed out to get 26 inch size pillows. I thought it was my color. Thank you!
So glad this helps.
Thanks for the ideas and great info always!
I have a regular sofa, but it’s leather and my pillows always slide down. Do you have suggestions for keeping pillows upright and in place on a leather sofa?
Thanks.
You and everyone else what to know that! We are getting a leather chair soon so I’ll do a post about pillows and leather.
Good tips on pillows for sectionals. I changed out my sectional for a sofa, but I could see a different sectional in my future in a new location. I love seeing your first picture with your Hobbes! Our Hobbes was Hobbes Garfield, and he was the sweetest orange-striped tomcat.
Tiger cats have the best disposition.
Yvonne, thank you so much for putting this in your blog! I’ve agonized over how to arrange pillows on my sectional for a long time! This is so helpful!
I’m thrilled this is helpful Linda!
We have leather furniture. I can’t get pillows or blankets to stay in place. They slide off, I have tried many different pillows without success. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!
Sliding pillows is an issue. Look for a post this summer.
The pillows are lovely as are their arrangement on the sectional but my favorite is Hobbs.
Thank you for the very helpful post! I am a pillow junky! I love arranging them differently each season around my house. If you haven’t already written a post on selecting patterns that work together, I’d love to hear your views.
I’m working on that one Donna!
Interesting post, thank you. I love your sectional, do you mind sharing where it is from?
Here’s the link to the chaise sectional https://rstyle.me/+WERkrtdas4_9Ji9DBczzGQ
Hobbes adds a splash of color to the room! Ba ha ha!
I have rearranged my pillows over and over. I never seemed to get the pillows right. I was so excited to read the post on arranging pillows.THANK YOU so much. I love reading Stone Gable!
You are so welcome, Cindy!
Girl… your CAT even coordinates with Tanglewood! LOL! Thanks for the tips! Your sectional looks lovely!Pinned!
LOL! LOVE my pinners! Thanks, Julie!
I so liked this article and how you break this down into steps. Thanks!
Yvonne, thank you for breaking this down into easy- to-do steps! I can’t wait to go pillow shopping armed with your instruction manual! You’re so good at this!
Yay! I’m thrilled this post helped, Alexia!
Thank you for the tips. I was struggling with how many pillows to add. Now that I understand pillows, how do I hang art above my sectionnal ?
Hmmm, art is a hard thing to hang above a sectional. I’d probably hand it on the longest part of the sectional or on the focal wall. Hope this helps.
I’d love to know your source for the half white/half ecru lumbar pillow. It would be perfect in my bedroom.
Can you give links/details to the pillows please
Many of these pillows I found on Pottery Barn, Ballard Design, Wayfair and locally.
I absolutely love your design. Can you tell me where you got the largest pillows on you sectional. I love the colors.
Thanks
Hi Mary, the largest pillow is really a bed euro sham. I liked it so much I thought it would work in the sunroom. It came from Pottery Barn years ago. I looked on their site and can no longer find it. Sorry, I don’t have a source for you.
Your pillow decor just saved me! I have a sectional in almost the exact same color and I’ve been struggling how to warm up the room. I never thought of mixing tan/light brownish pillows with gray and white! Any chance you have a link to the curtains? They’re gorgeous!
My question is, how to arrange pillows on a sofa, loveseat combo. The sofa being on a long wall with the loveseat at a right angle to it.
Use a combo of pillows that coordinate. Don’t overthink it and don’t overdo it. Choose a consistent color palette and a few coordinating fabrics can distribute them between the sofa and the loveseat.
I just found this and just wanted to say thanks so much!! We’ve had our sectional for a month now and didn’t know how to style it. What type of fill inserts do you suggest?
Hi Maria, I use down inserts. The are heavier and the feathers sink to the bottom of the pillow making them easier to place.
What a wonderful post- and at the perfect time! We are redoing our living room. I got a gray sectional. The new rug we have has some splashes of navy, grey and beige on white. If I wanted to incorporate navy- which pillow should I choose to do so? Thank so much!!
This is so unbelievably helpful! I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind 🙂 What size is the lumbar pillow featured here? I have a pretty deep sectional so as you said, want to make sure it doesn’t look too puny! Also wondering if you have any advice for an armless sectional? It’s not a chaise – it has a back along the whole thing – just no arms!
Hi Stella, I’m so glad this post helped you! The sofa in the post has a chaise too. If you look at the images you will see that I used the corner (of the L) and styled 4 pillows there. I didn’t use any pillow in the chaise. I no longer have that pillow. I gave it to my daughter-in-law. I feel like my decor is like a lending library for my kids! I think the pillow was about 10-12″ high. Hope this helps. Have a wonderful Saturday!
Where can I find the the exact pillows you have in this blog on sectionals
Hi Michelle, the only pillow that is still available on the sectional is the pom-pom pillow. You can see it here:https://rstyle.me/+NkFMoKr7jpNoUFraj4MZvA
Decor like pillows tend to go fast and new ones replace them. Sorry I can’t help more.