What Pillow Textures Work For You?

Blah sofa? Blasé bed? Give prosaic basics new life by popping a throw pillow on top! Want to partake in the fun, but feeling perplexed as to what pillow textures will work best in your space? To help, we’re giving you the details on some of the most common pillow textures. Plus, providing pro tips on how and where certain types and sizes work best!

Blue & White Kravet Coastal Nautic…

Purple Master Bedroom Sitting Area with John Dinckinson Style Table and Klismos Chairs by Sarah Gilbane — *Design by Sara Gilbane Interiors / Photo by Zach DeSart*

What Pillow Textures Are Available?

Cotton

Basic, but certainly not boring, cotton pillows are the most common type of throw pillow available. Cotton pillows are easy to clean — pop them in the wash when needed — and, while not ultra-soft, they have a smooth, cool-to-the-touch feel. But perhaps most compelling about cotton pillows is the sheer breadth of colors and patterns that they can be sourced in. Whether you’re on the hunt for a solid-colored pillow, a patterned pillow such as plaid, or you’re searching for a pillow featuring a high-end fabric house print (think Scalamandre or Schumacher), cotton is your go-to.

Velvet

With its high sheen, rich color, and super-soft pile, it’s easy to see why velvet pillows earn high marks among homeowners and designers alike. Velvet throw pillows are undeniably luxurious, making them perfect for elevating a basic piece of furniture. Velvet cushions are generally solid in color but can occasionally be sourced in patterns. Popular, in particular, are damask, floral, and animal-print velvet pillows. For a more maximalist look, seek out pillows edged with fringe or tassels.

Faux Fur

If you’re looking to add a tactile element to a space, there’s nothing like a faux fur pillow to fit the bill. Faux fur pillows come in a wide range of colors and pile lengths. Pillows with short pile in neutral colors like beige, white, brown, and black are especially popular for their versatility and softness. For something even more textural, source faux fur pillows designed to look like Mongolian lamb hair. These shaggy pillows feel especially apropos during the winter season, if you’re looking for a chic way to do Holiday pillows.

Cool Craftsmen in Los Angeles with brown leather sofa outfitted with neutral wool pillows — *Photo courtesy of Katie Leede & Company*

Linen

For shabby chic or beach-inspired spaces, linen pillows capture carefree ease and understated elegance. In addition to solid colorways, they can be found in simple patterns such as seersucker stripes. Since linen is a lightweight fabric, these pillows tend to look best placed atop pieces upholstered in fabrics that are similarly lightweight. Style one atop a linen chair as opposed to a velvet or wool chair.

Leather

Love the look of a leather sofa but can’t justify the price tag of one? Opt for leather pillows instead. Choose from smooth leather pillows in neutral colors like cognac or black, or shop for leather pillows featuring customized embellishments. Options include designs showcasing stitched seams, woven leather patterns, and hair-on-hide pillows that evoke the look and feel of cowhide floor rugs.

Pattern-Rich Loft in Soho with burnt orange velvet sectional sofa and metallic pillows — *Design by Katie Leede & Company / Photo by Lesley Unruh*

Vintage fabrics

While not necessarily a specific fabric type, vintage fabrics that have been fashioned into pillows can make a dramatic impact. Search for pillows crafted from vintage crewel or old tapestry remnants. Pillows sewn from global fabrics such as African mud cloth, Central Asian suzanis, and Indonesian ikats are also relatively easy to find. Use a mix to add vibrant color and texture to a room.

Tips for working with Throw Pillows

Mid-Century Modern inspired living room with brown paneled wall and turquoise accent wall and sectional sofa accented with bohemian macrame style pillows — *Design by KitchenLab Interiors / Photo by Michael Kaskel*

Set a color palette

Designate a color palette to make easy work of mixing and matching pillows. Your palette doesn’t necessarily need to be the same as your room palette, but it should incorporate similar or complementary colors. If possible, try to keep your color palette limited to just a few colors. Three to five colors can mesh fairly seamlessly, while introducing any more poses the risk of your pillow collection looking non-cohesive.

Eclectic Living Room with small brass hammered coffee table — *Design by Eclectic Home New Orleans / Photo by Daymon Gardner*

Play with Pattern

Avoid the temptation to partner pillows that feature similarly-sized patterns. “A smaller pattern coordinates well with a larger pattern because they aren’t competing with each other,” explains designer Lauren Wills Grover of Wills Design Associates. If you consider yourself a pattern-phobe, and matchmaking big and small patterns sounds like something you’d rather pass on, try layering patterned pillows over solid colored ones. It won’t translate as an avant-garde risk, per se, but it will add interest.

Hallway, cozy corner, entrance with slipper sofa outfitted in metallic textural throw pillows — *Design by Alexandra Naranjo Designs / Photo by Stacey brantford*

Work with Different Sizes

20″ x 20″ might be a common pillow size, but that doesn’t mean every pillow you place on your bed or sofa should be that size. Unless you’re opting for a balanced look (such as one pillow placed on either end of a sofa), consider mixing up the size of your pillows. Try layering a smaller pillow in front of a bigger pillow to create dimension. Or, go rogue and factor a ball or disc pillow into the equation. And keep in mind, of course, there are exceptions. If you have an ultra-modern sofa with a sleek, uniform silhouette, identically-shaped pillows might feel perfectly right.