A t first glance, they seem like small details. A blanket tossed over a chair. A few pillows scattered across a couch. But when it comes to creating a welcoming, lived-in space, throw pillows and blankets play an oversized role. Of course, there’s an art to getting it right. Should you chop your pillows or leave them be? Fold your blankets or drape them? For something so casual, they’ve collected a lot of questions. So we turned to four design experts for their advice on these decorative additions.
PILLOW TALK: KNOW YOUR LIMITS
First off, we had to know—how many throw pillows is too many? On that, our experts agree. If there isn’t room to sit, you’ve gone too far. In general, aim for two to five pillows for a standard sofa, and seven for a sectional (three in the corner, two on each end). For beds, you ideally want two to three throw pillows in addition to those you sleep on. But don’t get too hung up on the rules.
THE GREAT DEBATE: TO CHOP OR NOT TO CHOP? Once you’ve figured out the right number of pillows, the next step is presentation. And in the design world, few topics are more polarizing than the infamous pillow chop. So is the center crease a necessary finishing touch? Brooke Sabia of Phase 4 Design Group says it depends on the pillow. “If we’re talking a 24-inch square on a sofa in a formal space, the chop is critical. But to chop a lumbar is a crime. A lumbar wants to be squooshed like an accordion. Pillows, like people, each need something different.”
“One or two really beautiful throw pillows is better than a swarm of just okay ones,” says Devin Kirk, chief creative officer at Jayson Home. “You can make a big impact with a graphic pillow or two that almost works like a piece of art in the space.”
ASPIRE ON THE SHORE // 71
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