How to Buy Throw Pillows

Looking to buy throw pillows? Shopping for throw pillows can be daunting. There are literally hundreds of thousands of options to choose from which cover any and every style you can dream up. (We have a few thousand throw pillows for sale just on our own website!)

So how do you narrow down the best styles for your space? Whether you’re putting the finishing touches on a newly renovated room, or giving an old décor scheme a new twist, these expert tips will help you choose the right throw pillows for your space.

Throw Pillow Color:

We recommend narrowing down your choices first by color. Color not only has the biggest potential impact on the overall design of your space, but it’s also the easiest criterion for weeding out what will and won’t work.

There are a few ways to go about choosing a color for your throw pillows.

1. Look to other pieces in the room. The easiest place to pull color inspiration is from other pieces in the room. If there’s a shade in your drapery that really catches your eye, or you want to reinforce your blue-and-white porcelain collection, for example, use these elements as design cues.

2. Consider the amount of color already in the room. If your couch is a saturated shade of navy velvet, your rug is a rainbow of pinks and blues, and your walls are covered in shiny gold frames, then your throw pillows might be an opportunity to add some “white space” in a color-saturated room. Consider pairing one colorful pillow with a two or three others in complimentary neutrals.

3. Think repetition. When it comes to color in a room, repetition is key to making a design feel cohesive. So whatever color you choose for your pillows, be sure its represented in at least two other places throughout the room.\

Throw Pillow Print

Unlike color, the key to nailing print in a room isn’t repetition, but variety. That doesn’t mean you need to mix polka dots, checks and stripes to create a beautiful space. What is does mean is that the prints you choose for your room must have enough variation in their size and scale so that each pattern stands out distinctly from the others. Too many small- or large-scale prints compete with one another and feel busy, while one small-scale, one medium-scale, and one large-scale print, on the other hand, will look complementary and balanced.

For example, if you have large-scale geometric-print curtains, try a small-scale animal-print pillow and a medium-scale stripe.

Throw Pillow Fabric

The fabric of the pillows you choose can be just as much of a design element as the color or print. Fabrics with sheen, like velvet or silk, feel fancier than matte linens and cottons, while heavy textures like faux fur, flannel or cable knit instantly bring a warm, wintry vibe to any space they occupy.

One good rule of thumb: If you want pillows with color AND pattern, look for a simple fabric like cotton. On the other hand, if you’re opting for all solid pillows in neutral shades, fabric is a chance to add texture and depth to your room, so consider statement makers like faux fur and velvet.

Throw Pillow Fill

Most pillows come in either down or polyester fill. If you’re going for looks-only and are working on a budget, polyester-fill pillows are the less-expensive option, while still being plenty durable and comfortable. Choose down-fill if you prefer natural materials, love the look of “fluffed” pillow, and want extra comfort.

Also, when shopping around for pillows, check to see if the manufacturer lists the size of the pillow insert. In an 18″ x 18″ pillow, for example, a 20″ x 20″ pillow insert is ideal, to ensure a snug, full fit.

Now that you know what you’re looking for, browse our collection by style, color,  pattern, or fabric, here.