How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows
07/23 How To

How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows

The perfect pillow combination starts with choosing the right sizes.

Nothing can bring a room to life like the right throw pillows…

Whether you’re putting the final touches on your space or refreshing a vignette to switch things up, throw pillows are one of the simplest ways to bring personality, pattern, and dimension to a design.  

After years of creating pillow combinations for our client projects and our Netflix show “Dream Home Makeover,” we’ve learned that curating the perfect throw pillow look all starts with choosing the right size. 

If you’re thinking about refreshing or adding to your throw pillow look, check out our guidelines and examples below. 

For tips on throw pillow combinations, check out our post here.

Throw pillow size guide:  

As a general rule of thumb for throw pillow sizing, start with the largest-sized pillows in the back of a sofa or bed, and build a triangle with smaller pillows from there. Typically, 2″ size increments work best for layering pillow combinations.  

Here are a few of our go-to examples:  

Throw pillow sizing on a chair:  

  • Single lumbar 
  • Single 20-22 inch 

From our Beckham Project

How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows

From our Pine Brook Project

Throw pillow sizing on a sofa, nook, or bench:  

  • 22-24 inch pillow at the back, layer a smaller pillow 20-22 inches in the front 
  • 24-22 inch pillow at the back (in the corner), layer in a lumbar 

From our PC Contemporary Project

How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows
How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows

Throw pillow sizing on a sectional:  

  • 22-24 inch and a 20-22 inch on the sides 
  • 22-24 inch, 20-22 inch, and a lumbar in the corner. 

From our AZ Homestead Project

How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows
How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows

From our Rye NY Project

Find more tips on how to style pillows on a sectional here.

Throw pillow sizing on a twin bed:  

  • One single lumbar 
  • 22 inch in the back, 1 lumbar in front 
How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows

From our Cove Remodel

How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows
How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows

From our SM Ranch House

Throw pillow sizing on a king or queen bed:  

  • 24″-26″ pillows + Extra long lumbar 
  • Large lumbar or headboard pillow 
  • 2 x 24″-26″ and a 20″-22″ pillow and a lumbar 
How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows
How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows

From our Rye NY Project

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Psst.. don’t forget to pin our guide below for future reference!

How to Choose the Right Sized Throw Pillows
Show Comments
10 Comments
Studio McGee
  1. Hi!
    The pictures look absolutely amazing. Pillows do hold a LOT of effect for a home decor.
    Different sizes and different colours do matter.
    Thankyou for sharing this post.

  2. Love this so much! Any tips for a daybed? I’m so lost when it comes to putting pillows on it!

    1. Hi Jessica! If it has a back on it, we’ll follow the same rules as a window seat or nook (22-24 inch pillow at the back, layer a smaller pillow 20-22 inches in the front or 24-22 inch pillow at the back (in the corner), layer in a lumbar). If it does not have a back, we usually won’t do pillows and let the piece speak for itself. Try draping a throw if you feel it needs something extra!

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