Choosing the right pillow colors to coordinate with your bedding can be tricky. The pillows on your bed serve both a functional purpose and an aesthetic one. You want pillows that look cohesive with your overall bedroom decor, but that also provide comfort and support. Following some basic guidelines on coordinating pillow colors will help you select shades that work together and complete the look of your bedroom.
Consider the Color Scheme of Your Bedding
The first thing to look at when picking pillow colors is the color scheme and patterns on your bedding. This includes your comforter, quilt, coverlet, duvet cover, sheets, shams, or any other bedding layers. Look at the dominant colors and secondary accent colors. Then match pillow colors that complement that existing palette. Accent pillows can match a bold graphic print or pick up more subtle details like piping or embroidery.
For example, if your comforter is navy blue with yellow and white stripes, look for solid navy and yellow pillows or those with similar stripes. Or if your duvet cover is floral, find pillow shams that match the blossom colors. Sticking to 2-4 core colors from your bedding for pillows keeps things cohesive.
Go for Contrast
Don’t be afraid to add pillows that contrast your bedding as well. Darker saturated pillows can make lighter bedding pop. Or brightly colored pillows add excitement to more neutral bedding. Just make sure to repeat a color from your main bedding so it still ties together. An accent bright green pillow would tie into light blue bedding that has touches of green florals.
You can also layer pillows with different patterns but similar colors. Plaid pillow shams would complement a striped duvet as long as a couple unifying colors are consistent between them. Contrasting textures like velvet or faux fur pillows also help styles gel when the colors match.
Take a Cue From Your Walls
If you want your pillow colors to blend seamlessly into your bedroom’s decor, consider your wall color too. Choose pillow hues that are in the same color family as your walls. Neutral walls with gray, tan, or cream tones are easy to coordinate. But even bright accent walls can inspire pillow colors. For walls with wallpaper or other dominant patterns, find pillow details that echo them.
Your bed should feel like a natural extension of your room’s design. Tie it together with wall-inspired pillow colors. Then layer in some contrasting tones if desired.
Factor in Flooring and Furniture
Take a broad view of your room when selecting pillow shades. Look at the floors, chairs, curtains, rugs and other furnishings beyond just your bed. Identify any colors used in those items that could also translate well to pillows.
For example, hardwood floors with reddish tones could be complemented by burgundy and terra cotta pillows. Or a turquoise accent chair or throw rug could inspire bringing in some turquoise pillows to tie the whole room together. Even small accents like a lampshade or decorative tray can offer a color lead.
Create a Color Flow
When numerous colors are present in your bedroom, map out how the colors flow around the room. Try to replicate that with your pillow palettes. You usually want lighter or brighter colors higher up and darker colors below. Keep that visual movement going.
For example, if your bed is centered on a lighter wall with darker walls on either side, arrange your pillows to match. Place lighter toned pillows in the center against the headboard and flank them with darker pillows that complement the side walls. Let your pillowscape follow the room’s natural color story.
Test Out Tone and Texture
When building a complete stacked pillowscape, vary tones and textures as well as colors. Light to dark ombre pillow arrangements are popular. Or group pillows made from linen, velvet, wool and other materials. Adding pillows with sheen or matte finishes also blends better than all the same texture.
Don’t be afraid to layer in some patterns too. For example, stripes, florals and plaids will work together if you stick to the same overall color scheme. Just balance busier prints with solid pillows.
Create Color Blocking
For a bold graphic statement, create strong color blocking with square or rectangular pillows of the same size. Contrast a few solid bright or deep colors right next to each other. This works best with minimal bedding like white sheets or a light grey duvet cover. Arrange the square pillows in clean modern rows.
You can also color block with circular floor pillows. Use similar sized round pillows right next to each other in contrasting colors. Add visual interest with various pillow fabrics and fuzzy textures for a playful vibe.
Choose Seasonal Colors
Select pillow hues that fit the season or occasion. Warm metallics, deep reds and greens, icy pastels, or beachy blues all evoke certain times of year. Holiday or themed pillows also help mark seasonal changes.
During warmer months, use lighter weight natural linen or cotton pillows in sunny colors. In winter, break out wool, velvet or faux fur pillows in darker jewel tones. Get creative combining specialty seasonal pillows with your core neutrals.
Work With a Designer
If you’re still struggling to coordinate your pillowscapes, consider working with an interior designer. Give them inspiration images, fabric swatches, and bedroom dimension details. Then they can create color scheme mockups and 3D renderings to help select harmonious pillow colors.
You can also share your bedding and bedroom photos online for input from designer social platforms. Or use one of many bedding specific virtual design tools to try out pillow colors before purchasing. Experimenting digitally first takes the guesswork out.
Opt for Washable Fabrics
No matter what color pillows you choose, select fabrics that can be easily washed. Opt for removable, washable pillow covers whenever possible. Choose durable, colorfast fabrics like cotton, linen, polyester, microfiber, performance wool, and outdoor acrylic.
Wash pillows frequently to prevent odors, allergens, and buildup. Take care to properly launder delicate decorative pillows according to their fabric instructions. Withstand wear by rotating pillows seasonally.
Mix in Some Neutrals
Neutrals are great for anchoring colorful pillow palettes. Timeless whites, tans, grays, and browns work with almost any color scheme. They add lightness and breathing room to brighter pillow displays. Use neutrals as your base layer and scattered between bold accent pillows.
Textures like cable knit or soft chenille give neutral pillows visual appeal. Metallic threads or subtle patterns like tone-on-tone stripes also keep them interesting. Embrace neutrals to balance more daring pillow choices.
Pay Attention to Scale
Make sure decorative pillows are well-proportioned for your bed size. Standard bed pillows tend to range from 20″x26″ to 22″x28″. Euro sizes are typically 26″x26″. King pillows go up to 36″ long.
Then choose accent and floor pillows that fit the scale. Oversized floor cushions can dwarf a petite bed. Tiny 18″ pillows might get overwhelmed on an expansive king bed. Get the best balance of pillow colors and sizes.
Mix Round and Square
Varying pillow shapes creates visual interest within your color scheme. Mixing round euro and standard rectangles provides contrast. Layer in some square floor cushions.
Circular medallion or heart pillows also break up linear edges. Oval bolsters work on beds without headboards. Get creative combining geometric and organic pillow forms.
Pay Attention to All Angles
Consider how your pillow colors look from all viewpoints. Coordinate pillows at the foot and sides of the bed, not just what faces forward. Contrast the front headboard pillows with ones further down that pop.
You can be bolder with pillow colors on sides that won’t be as visible when sleeping. But ensure nothing clashes from corner views. View your finished bed from all angles.
Accessorize Beyond Pillows
Use other bedroom accessories to complement your coordinated pillow scheme. Look for area rugs, throws, and accent chairs that pick up key colors from the pillows.
Window treatments, lamps, candles and artwork also present opportunities to reinforce the color palette. Repeating pillow colors throughout room decor brings it all together.
Conclusion
With some strategic planning and experimentation, you can create a bedroom oasis with perfectly coordinated pillowscapes. Keep the color palette cohesive with your existing bedding and wall colors. Use a blend of tones and textures. Add visual interest with contrasts, shapes, and seasonal variety. With the right mix of colors you can bring comfort, style, and harmony home to your bedroom.