When decorating a living room, one of the key elements to consider is throw pillows for the couch. Some people believe couch throw pillows should always match or coordinate, while others think it’s fine if they don’t match. So do couch throw pillows really need to match or can you mix and match? There are pros and cons to both approaches.
Reasons to Match Couch Throw Pillows
Here are some reasons why you may want to have matching or coordinating throw pillows on your couch:
Creates a unified look
Having pillows that match or complement each other can help pull your living room decor together into one cohesive look. Mixing wildly different throw pillows with various colors, patterns, textures, and styles can make the space look busy or haphazard. Matching pillows create visual harmony.
Easier to decorate
Choosing throw pillows that match is generally easier than trying to find pillows that purposefully clash but still look good together. With matching pillows, you don’t have to worry about colors clashing or patterns competing.
Reflects your personal style
For some people, matching throw pillows fit better with their desired aesthetic. If you want a living room with a polished, elegant look, coordinating pillows can help achieve that.
Reasons Mixing Couch Pillows Can Work
While matched throw pillows have their advantages, there are also some benefits to mixing and matching:
Creates visual interest
Using pillows of varying colors, textures, and patterns can help add visual interest to a room. Solid pillows mixed with patterned pillows or pillows with different trims and embellishments can make a couch look more intriguing.
Less expensive
Buying one or two decorative throw pillows that match your existing couch pillows can be cheaper than buying a whole new set. Mixing new and old allows you to add some flair without breaking the bank.
Reflects your eclectic taste
For some people, an eclectic mix of throw pillows better aligns with their personal taste. It creates a more casual, collected-over-time look compared to formal matched pillows.
Tips for Mixing Couch Pillows
If you do opt to mix your throw pillows, here are some tips to make it work:
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Limit the number of colors | Stick to 2-4 colors so it doesn’t look too chaotic. |
| Vary textures | Mix smooth with nubby, silky with velvet to add visual interest. |
| Repeat some elements | Using one pattern or color across a few pillows creates cohesion. |
Use same shapes and sizes
Keeping your mixed pillows the same basic shape and scale will make them feel coordinated. Don’t mix a giant rectangular velvet pillow with tiny square satin ones.
Make sure colors complement
Choose pillow colors that look pleasing together, even if different. Reds, pinks, oranges tend to complement each other while clashing with greens or purples.
Group like with like
Place pillows of similar colors or patterns next to each other rather than scattering them randomly about the couch. This creates a grouped, collected look.
Factors to Consider
Deciding whether to match or mix your couch throw pillows depends on a few factors:
Your room size
In a small living room, matching pillows can prevent the space from feeling busy or cluttered. Mixing pillows works better in larger rooms.
How often you want to change it up
If you only want to buy pillows once, opt for matching. Mixing allows you to swap in new pillows periodically for a quick refresh.
Your personal taste
Formal design styles and personalities tend to prefer matching. More eclectic, artistic preferences align better with mixed. Choose what appeals most to you.
Your budget
Buying one set of coordinating pillows is typically cheaper than buying a mix of patterned and embellished pillows. But you can also upgrade mix-and-match pillows over time.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, whether your couch throw pillows match comes down to your own personal preference. Some design guidelines suggest they should always match or coordinate, but mixing pillows can also create charming, eclectic spaces.
If opting to mix, focus on varying textures and limiting colors while repeating some elements to create cohesion. And when placing mixed pillows, group likes together. With these tips, you can have fun creating a vibrant living room space with or without perfectly matched throw pillows.