Is There Such A Thing As Having Too Many Pillows On A Couch?

Throw pillows are a great way to decorate any space. One Affirmation lists some of the benefits of decorating with these pillows. First, they add comfort. Whether used in an outdoor area, a living room, or the bedroom, throw pillows make spaces comfortable for relaxation. Second, they make rooms look more cohesive. They are the perfect opportunity to carry a color scheme or pattern throughout a room. Third, they can make any space look cozier and inviting. Finally, throw pillows are super easy to add to any room. And, as Ballard Designs points out, they can easily be switched out for a quick design refresh.

However, some may wonder if adding too many throw pillows to a space is possible. Of course, you'll want to add some cushions to your couch for all the above reasons. But is there such a thing as too many, and if so, when should you stop adding these pillows?

Can you have too many pillows?

The simple answer is yes; you can have too many pillows. When deciding how many cushions to use, it's important to balance design with functionality. If there's nowhere to sit on your couch because of your throw pillows, there are too many. On the other hand, you don't want your sofa to look barren or uncomfortable. Therefore, you'll want to find a middle ground that allows your couch to look beautiful while also being functional.

According to Rapport Furniture, there are a number of ways to determine how many pillows are suitable for your couch. Generally, the rule of thumb is that smaller sofas can accommodate three pillows, larger couches can hold five, and chairs should only have one pillow. However, you could also use another method to determine how many pillows should be on your sofa. To do this, measure the length of your couch, then subtract one — that's the number of pillows it can hold. For example, an eight-foot-long couch can hold seven pillows.

How to decorate with throw pillows

Throw pillows can make a space look complete, but they must be designed and placed correctly. To make your pillows look more fluffy, try using the chop trend. You'll also want the largest pillows in the back and the smallest in the front, per Crate&Barrel. For a simple, balanced look, place one large and one small pillow in both the corners of the couch. If you have a more oversized couch, you could add two more sets of one large and one small pillow to the middle cushions. Try mixing colors, shades, patterns, and textures for added interest. To make your couch look longer, use skinny, long-throw pillows.

Ballard Designs also has some tips when it comes to choosing the right throw pillows for you. They suggest prioritizing a cohesive color palette and symmetry in placement. Also, as the cushions move towards the center, they should get smaller. Finally, if choosing three throw pillows, find one with a simple print, one with a solid color, and one with a busy pattern.