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

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


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


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

From our Cove Remodel


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


From our Rye NY Project
Throw pillow favorites
Psst.. don’t forget to pin our guide below for future reference!

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.
Love this so much! Any tips for a daybed? I’m so lost when it comes to putting pillows on it!
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!
As usual, very useful and practical advice, beautifully illustrated.
I love playing with pillows – it’s a great way to add texture, pattern and colour in a room.
Have a good day. Stay safe.
Renaud
http://blogbyrenaud.wordpress.com/
Hi Renaud! Thank so much. 🙂
What about a loveseat?
i am sewing pillows with my 5 yr old during quarantine…i keep referencing this post. thank you:)
Every design is so unique. Loved it so much.
Hi, can you give detail on what size a long or extra long lumbar would be. Thank you
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