More often than not, a room simply needs a splash of color or a new patterned textile to give it a whole new personality. So, if you’re getting a little bored with your home decor and feel like it’s time to add some oomph to the environment, updating your throw pillows could be the answer. With a few fun throw pillows, a room can go from basic to bold. It’s that simple.

Cushions and pillows are often overlooked as an important component of style and decor in a home environment. They are actually some of the most visible pieces in a room, while also being the most flexible and easily changed. Even a very basic cushion can be a canvas for artistic expression with a few simple techniques and a bit of creativity. Some inexpensive glues, ribbons, trinkets and paints can help you customize cushions to suit your style while remaining comfortable and practical.

Consider size 

Standard squares (about 18 inches) nest neatly on sofas with typical dimensions. Oversize pillows (24 inches) create a more casual, loungey feel. If you have a modern sofa with a very low back, consider 16 inches.

Know about fill

A feather-and-down fill has more squish, and it’s also the priciest. Foam and other synthetic fills are stiffer. They hold their shape but look less lush.


Use an odd number of pillows

In design, odd numbers tend to be more artful. Try one, three, or five, depending on the size of your furniture and the look you want (one for a chair, three or five for a standard 88-inch sofa).

Create a mixed “pillowscape.” An easy combo:

A matched pair of square solids that contrast with the color of your sofa, one oblong pillow for the center of the couch, and two interesting outliers—patterned, embellished, or oddly shaped—that reference either the color of your upholstery or the color of your solid pillows.

 

Don’t forget about texture.

Tactile contrast—nubby linen against smooth leather or silk upholstery, or shiny pillows on a fuzzy couch—add warmth and offer traction, so pillows don’t slide off seats.

Address the whole room. Think of a living room’s pillows as a family. The pillow on a chair doesn’t have to match the group on the sofa, but if it relates in some way—palette, style—the space feels unified and polished.