How to Mix and Match Throw Pillows

Learning how to mix and match throw pillows will allow you to coordinate different fabric prints with confidence. A beginner-friendly guide to confidently mixing patterns in your home, is for the DIY home decorator.

Let’s be honest: throw pillows are supposed to be the easy part of decorating. But somehow, they end up being one of the most confusing. Too many colors? Not enough pattern? They looked cute in the store but totally off on your sofa?

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Guide to Mix and Match Throw Pillows like a Pro

If you’ve ever stood in the home decor aisle holding two pillows and thinking, “Wait…do these go together?” You are not alone. Today I’m breaking down exactly how to mix and match throw pillows so they look intentional, not accidental. With just a few simple tricks, you’ll style your space like a pro.

Step 1: Choose the Color Scheme

Before you even think about the pillows themselves, take a look around the room. What colors are already at play? Your rug, curtains, art, or even a favorite vase can help guide your palette.

A good rule of thumb? Choose 2–3 core colors that already exist in your space, one dominant and one or two accents. And yes, neutrals count! Ivory, gray, tan, and even black are great color anchors.

If you are following along on my Facebook page, where I share paint color boards daily, you will have seen my use of neutrals often.

If you’re feeling unsure, choose pillows that pull from the wall color or upholstery. Keeping tones similar creates a calm, cohesive look, especially helpful if pattern-mixing makes you nervous.

Creating a cohesive home color palette is the best for keeping a flow with your decor. See our entire home paint color palette for an idea. Choosing the right paint colors for your home starts with an inspiration piece.

Step 2: Get the Pillow Sizing Right

It’s not just about color, size matters too. Layering pillow sizes on your couch or bed is what addds depth.

Use larger pillows (like 22×22”) for the corners of your sofa or bed to add a grounded feel. Then layer in medium (20×20”) and smaller accent pillows (18×18” or a lumbar) in front. Euro size pillows (like 26×26″) are the best for anchoring a bed.

Pro tip: Odd numbers tend to feel more casual and collected. Think 3 or 5 pillows instead of 2 or 4. And always size up your inserts! A 22″ cover with a 24″ insert gives that plush, full look that says “designer” instead of “just okay.” This is why buying pillow covers instead of pre-stuffed pillows is key.

If you do find yourself at Home Goods, avoid the pillows with floppy covers. If it has a zipper and you love the cover, you can easily buy an insert and swap it out. I have done that before. Try this synthetic down pillow insert for designer looking pillows.

Step 3: Solid Color Pillows

If every pillow is patterned, your eye won’t know where to land. That’s where solid pillows come in to the mix. They act as a visual anchor in your pillow combo.

But solid doesn’t have to mean boring.

Choose solids with interesting textures like linen, velvet, boucle, or even leather. These subtle differences add depth while still giving the patterns room to shine. Bonus: solid pillows are timeless, so they work across seasons and styles making them a good investment.

Tricks to choosing throw pillows for a leather couch.

Step 4: Mix Pattern Scale and Style

Okay, this is where the real magic happens. But don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds.

Stick to three pattern types, each with a different scale:

• Large – Think bold florals, oversized geometrics, or wide stripes
• Medium – Plaids, ticking stripes, medium-scale prints
• Small – Tiny dots, tight weaves, or subtle textures

Shop the throw pillows and pillow covers you see in this post.

Mixing pattern types also helps. Combine organic (florals, botanicals) with structured (stripes, checks). The key is making sure all your pillows share at least one unifying element. The color, undertone, or overall vibe.

If they share a common thread, they’ll feel like they belong together… even if they’re very different patterns. Amazon has some great throw pillow covers for all styles.

Step 5: Seasonal Pillow Swaps

One fun home styling hack is changing pillow covers with the seasons.

Instead of buying all-new pillows (and storing them), just switch out the covers to match the mood of the season:

• Fall & Winter: Cozy textures like wool, velvet, or faux fur in richer hues like olive, rust, deep blue, or cranberry
• Spring & Summer: Lighter linen or cotton in soft neutrals, pastels, or earthy tones like sage and clay

This keeps your space feeling fresh without a full-room overhaul. And when it’s time to decorate for holidays? Swap in one or two seasonal pillows, not the whole collection.

Final Thoughts

Mixing throw pillows should feel fun not like a pop quiz in pattern theory. If you look at it and it feels off for some reason, it is usually wrong.

Start with what you love. Stick to a color palette. Layer in texture. And don’t forget: your sofa doesn’t need to look like a catalog to feel beautifully styled. Sometimes the best combos are the ones that tell your story, not someone else’s.

So go ahead, fluff those pillows with confidence! You’ve got this.