How To Style Pillows and Mix Patterns Like Home Stylist
Apr 24, 2026
Styling pillows with color and pattern intention will create a stylish and pulled together look for your home. Here are keys and methods to keep in mind as you style your pillows in your home ~ living room, baguette nook, bedroom and of course as we are getting into the spring and summer months ~ outside. But, as we said in Designing Stylish Outdoor Space With 10 Must Have Pieces, just because you are placing (styling) them outside does not mean you need to get outdoor fabric pillows. Some tend to be on the rough side because they are weather (water) resistant fabric.
10 KEYS TO STYLING PILLOWS
1. SELECT ONE COLOR ANCHOR
Start with one primary anchor color. I usually select a neutral. With our outdoor space, we selected white. I know, white is not practical ~ but I love it. We went with black and white with dark green pattern accents.
2. SELECT ACCENT COLORS
After you choose your anchor, add in 2 more colors. I’m not much of a “styling rules” girl. I say pick any two colors you love and are in your home now. I would say make it cohesive to what is in your home now. You want pillow styling to be intentional, blend and marry with what you have now.
3. SELECT PATTERNS
Key to mixing patterns is within the 3 colors you select (anchor and 2 colors) select patterns that have only those three colors. This way they will look cohesive ~ because they are all within the same color palette. Great example of coordinating pillows is Serena and Lily.
All these pillows coordinate beautifully together:
Alano Pillow
Reef Pillow
Embroidered Pillow
Zuma Pillow
Add this Mendocino Pillow and you have added a silhouette to the mix! (Also, what is great about many Serena and Lily pillows is that they are multi-styled with 2 different styles front to back. (& like the embroidered pillow above, it has a beautiful piping detail.)
OR you can select a pattern that is available in 2 colors of same pattern and mix with solid pillows. Serena and Lily's Priano Pillow available in colors mink and grove would be beautiful paired with solid and solid textured pillows.
4. ATTENTION TO PATTERN SCALE
This is important stage of pillow styling. You want to vary the size and scale of the patterns. If you select all patterns in the same size, (all big patterns or all very small patterns) it may look too busy and not coordinated. Using florals as an example, select:
▪︎ 1 large scale statement (big florals)
▪︎ 1 medium subtle pattern (ex. stripes/shapes)
▪︎ 1 small subtle print (ex. pinstripes/tiny dots)
5. ADD TEXTURE
Balance is key. Add both solids and textures. Doing this, gives place for the eye to “rest” and reduce busyness that mixing can cause, if not intentional. Quince has a great variety of textures to consider.
Fisherman Cotton
Alpaca Boucle
Raw Silk
Mongolian
Tufted Wool
Leather
Chunky Knit
Also: Beading, Embroidery
6. MIX TEXTILES
Mix variety of texture feels.
▪︎ Soft and plush (velvet, faux fur)
▪︎ Rough or natural (linen, burlap, cotton)
▪︎ Structured (leather, canvas)
▪︎ Dimensional (knits, embroidery, fringe)
7. SILHOUETTES
Fringe, ruffles, flange, piping ~ Try a variety.
8. NUMBER of PILLOWS
Be mindful not to overcrowd and have too many pillows. Edit number of pillows. You want your styling to be comfortable, stylish and not overdone. (over-styled)
9. SIZE AND SHAPE
Vary your size and shape. There are many options. Euro for Bed, Lumbar,
10. DIVERSITY OF STYLE
Again, as Photo Stylist ~ I always break the style rules. So whether your style is modern, rustic, boho, mid-century modern . . . you do not have to stick only to that style. It actually makes your styling more interesting when you don’t stick to rules! Mix it up! Create your own style. We talk adding whimsy in How To Style Your Home In Whimsical Touches. Pillows is a perfect opportunity to do that! You can add pillow with a texture that is out of the character of your home style.
WHAT IF YOU WANT ONE COLOR?
Using one color and shades of that color can also be very stylish. Just keep the keys in mind: mix textures, patterns and silhouettes.
COORDINATION WITH FURNITURE
If your furniture is bold, go simple with pillows. If your furniture is neutral, you can go bold with both color and patterns. This guideline is also for walls. Do you have a very bold wallpaper? Then you may want to go more neutral with pillows, not to distract and create a busy look. If you have neutral walls, go bold with pillows. Again, not a steadfast rule ~ it's a guide.
CHANGING WITH THE SEASONS
Refresh your pillows with the seasons. We talk about doing a seasonal re-fresh textile swap in 10 Ways To Style Your Home Without Renovation. In Spring and Summer bring on the linen and light fabrics, in winter bring out the cozy with chunky knits and wools. You can really feel that your home is "in style" when it reflects the seasons.
SUGGESTED COLOR COMBINATIONS:
Warm and Earthy
Cream/Beige, Rust or Terracotta, Olive Green
Cool and Calm
White/Light Gray, Navy Blue, Soft Blue/Sage
Bold and Classic
White/Ivory, Black, Camel/Tan
Soft Neutrals
Ivory, Taupe, Warm Gray, Graige
Jewel Tones
Emerald Green, Burgundy/Plum, Gold/Mustard, Blue Sapphire
When styling pillows (or anything) in your home have balance, cohesiveness ~ but remember to show you personality, have fun and make your comfortable and a place you love. While pillows are such a beautiful enhancement to our home, remember to get some pillows that are soft, comfortable and cozy that you just love laying your head on. Our homes, while we want them to be stylish ~ we also want to make them a place of comfort and joy.
Bonnie ~
Cover Image Credit │ Serena and Lily
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