What’s Your Number?
Recently, a topic of conversation got a little out-of-hand shall we say? It was like opening up Pandora’s box into what we thought was a simple question: How Many Pillows Should I Use On My Sofa??? Answering a question with a question was never so engaged as with our design team! What size sofa? How deep is the sofa? What style sofa? So we took a more diplomatic approach and created a poll among decorators and interior designers in our area to form a consensus on this agree-to-disagree topic. We will address all points made and form them into one visually appealing arena of Pillow Talk.
The one thing that all of our designers do agree on is that odd numbers do look best. So, what’s the number? We’re bringing it all together with a simple formula to success, which is *subject to change at any time depending on a few further details that were discovered in our consensus. . .
The Formula
Photo courtesy: Stout Textiles. Visit our showroom to see and sample the beauty of Stout’s entire library of designer-quality fabrics and trims.
Our formula to success is relatively simple! Take the length of the sofa <less> one and you’ll have your number of throw pillows to create a perfectly proportioned arrangement. For instance, a six-foot sofa will look best with five pillows… an eight-foot sofa with seven pillows, etc. This allows for plenty of sitting room amongst the pillows! We know what you’re thinking: “But, I have a seven-foot sofa! How do I keep with the odd number of pillows rule and follow the formula?”
To keep the rule of the “odd numbers”- use 1 smaller pillow.
Small, as in a 12-inch pillow with all the trimmings will be visually appealing as it keeps to the odd number rule. Our seven-foot sofa <less 1> is six pillows.. So, our formula, as *noted above is indeed subject to change! To keep our “odd numbers” rule, consider adding the smaller pillow for seven pillows or choose the five pillows. Compromise is key.
Photo courtesy: Fabricut
A few of our designers responded to our “How Many Pillows” question with, “You can never have too many pillows!” The debate was on and one rebuttal stood out . . .
You’ll Have Pillows On The Floor!
Stout Textiles recently introduced their accent pillow collections. Click here for collections.
It’s true that when your company gathers for a sit on your overly-pillowed sofa, you will have pillows on the floor or in their laps. Our consensus: They still look lovely and create softer floor seating. Design Tip: If the space allows, consider adding a fabric upholstered bench/coffee table where the top lifts for storage.
How Deep Is The Sofa?
For those of us that fall into the category of ‘You Can Never Have Enough Pillows’, we must consider and recommend a deep-cushioned sofa. This allows you to pillow-it-up to your heart’s desire without restricting seating capacity.
Photo courtesy: RMCoco Decor Ltd. Click here to visit RMCoco directly, or stop by our showroom to shop their entire collection of fabrics, trims and drapery hardware.
DESIGNER TIP: Standard sofa cushion sizes are typically 18-to-20 inches square. For a deeper seating cushion consider 24 inches or greater.
Sectional sofas are the favorite among our accent pillow lovers.
Style Matters
Modern Style
For modern style sofas that have lower backs and smaller seat cushions, you’ll want to streamline the decorative pillows by measuring the back of the sofa and have pillows at that size and smaller.
Our formula still applies here and we want to add in a few pillows … Okay, maybe, not a few, just one long bolster along the back should do it!
Insert Bolster
For modern style sofas a bolster pillow will give you an immediate transformation allowing for additional pattern while not affecting the streamline of the design that modernists desire.
Consider carrying the fabric pattern in pillows to the chairs as well. In this case we’ve selected and railroaded (turned sideways) RM Coco’s fabric pattern Tiberon Stripe in Twilight for our Bolster pillow.
No Afterthoughts
We’ve taken some liberties here with our redesign of the pillow design by cutting out the pictured pillows. Decorative pillows are a statement maker in the room and we want to make the right statement by incorporating well-designed pillows so it does not look like an afterthought.
What Sizes Should I Use?
Did you decide what number of pillows will look best on your sofa? After thoroughly researching our subject matter, the magic number is . . . five, but, really, whatever is pleasing to you! For eye pleasing proportions start with the size of your pillows. Design Tip: Too large of a pillow will swallow up your sofa, and pillows that are too small will have an unfinished look.
Featuring the Mt. Vernon signature collection by Fabricut. Shop Fabricut online, then visit Knight’s showroom to sample.
Follow These Steps To Achieve Designer Looks
Start with your largest pillow size. In most cases, I’ll start with a 24-inch square pillow. Depending on the sofa size I sometimes start with a 22-inch pillow, and work my way down to the smaller sizes.
For pillow number two in our grouping, the next size should be two-to-four inches smaller. Consider 20 or 18 inches. This will create an expressive arrangement allowing for the details of trims in the larger pillow to be showcased.
The third pillow size is up for grabs as the shape must be considered. To stay within a five-pillow arrangement, the third pillow will typically be placed in the center of the sofa. To create a more custom look choose smaller bolsters, rectangle envelopes or rounds. Consider: 16 or 12 inches.
For our “You Can Never Have Enough Pillows” loving friends, add in just one more size to the above grouping. Choose a 16 or 14 inch pillows for sectional sofas and deeper seat cushions.
Design Custom Throw Pillows
One of our favorite design tasks is the design of custom pillows, mixing up the fabric patterns for a naturally decorative arrangement where you don’t have to choose just one! Adding the tassels, trims and banding is what sets custom pillows apart from store bought. Designing custom pillows gives you the freedom to put your personal signature style on your pillow! A unique, one-of-a-kind design that brings the entire room and seating together. Did you know that designer trims can be made from fabrics? They can! Consider using the same fabric you selected for your drapery, and customize into a trim for some pillow pizzazz!
A Pillow For All Seasons
Aside from painting the walls or replacing the area rug, accent pillows can easily be changed out for a quick refresh.
Designer Tip: For busy households with kids and pets, consider high-performance fabrics. Sunbrella, Crypton Home and upholstery fabrics are excellent choices and offer stylish patterns in worry-free fabrics that can be seen and sampled in Knight’s showroom.
Placement & Arrangement
1. Start In The Corner
To build your sofa pillow-by-luxurious-pillow, I always start in the corner and group the different sizes together - with one overlapping the other. Both sides/corners of the sofa should have the same grouping.
2. Work towards the center
The center pillow is a fun piece to work with as its shape should differ from the others. Design a custom pillow for the perfect fit.
3. Carry the look to your chairs
If you haven’t incorporated the drapery fabric into the room yet, the chairs present the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Design Tip: Always, always select designer-quality fabrics!
Happy Decorating!
Thank you so much for following along in our Pillow Pallooza! For more ideas on designing and placement, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to be of service and provide complimentary consultations.
Click here to contact us, or leave us a comment with any questions you may have.