By Lauren Flanagan
Family & Living Rooms Expert
Throw pillows are the perfect decorative accessory. They add color,
pattern, texture, and comfort to just about any space. They’re also
very powerful – they have the ability to change the look and feel of a
room instantly. But whenever you’re decorating with throw pillows there
are a few important things to remember.
Color
One
of the most important things to think about is color. A pillow should
compliment your sofa or chair (or bed, or bench, etc.) by either
blending in or standing out. So look for something that’s either
similar in color to your piece of furniture, or something that is
completely different and adds contrast.
Pattern
Throw pillows are a terrific way to experiment with pattern.
Don’t be afraid to try something wild or bold. Since it’s a small area
you don’t need to worry about it overtaking the space. The other option
is to choose a pillow that’s the same color as your piece of furniture
but has a subtle pattern. It’s a simple way to add a little visual
interest.
Just remember when choosing patterned pillows not
to over do it. Patterns should enhance the colors and fabrics and add
some interest, but too many patterns can be busy and messy-looking. You
just want a little visual punch.
Texture
Texture is very important, particularly in monochromatic rooms.
When there aren’t many colors in a room it’s easy for it to look flat
and bland. This can be avoided with use of textures. Think about
creating depth by combining textures like cable knit, chenille, faux
fur, suede, linen, etc.
Style
Make sure your throw pillows compliment the style of your room.
A modern room will look strange if it’s full of pillows with tassels
and embellishments. A simple room needs simple pillows, while a more
decorative room can handle decorative pillows. Again, the idea is to
compliment the space. Also, try to minimize the number of embellishments
on a pillow. While beads and sequins can be fun, remember that a
pillow’s main purpose is to provide comfort. You don’t want anything
that will snag on clothing or scratch your face if you snuggle up to it.
Quantity
Pillows
are meant t be decorative and add comfort, but don’t overdo it! One of
the biggest mistakes people make with accent pillows is to use too many.
If you’re not sure how many is too many, here’s a good rule of thumb –
if you have to move them out of the way in order to sit down it’s too
many.
Proportion
Always use pillows that fit
properly on furniture. A tiny pillow does not look good on a large chair
or oversize sofa. Nor does a large pillow fit on a tiny side chair.
Large furniture needs large pillows. Small furniture needs small
pillows. It's as simple as that.
Season
When
decorating with accent pillows don’t forget to consider the season. In
the warm weather light fabrics like linen, canvas and cotton work well,
while in the cold weather suede, faux fur and wool are ideal. Changing
your pillows with the seasons will give your room an instant uplift.
source: about.com
