12 Things to Know About Throw Pillows

If you don’t know how to decorate your lounge or living room, throw pillows are always the answer. Thanks to the option to choose multiple of them, along with different patterns, they add refreshment and new colors to your living room, or whatever place you’re trying to decorate.

They’re even a great bedroom accessory, as long as you’re not bored of putting them on and off every time you go to sleep or are making the bed.

Things to Know About Throw Pillows, Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ, bed — Image Source: Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ

However, choosing a throw pillow is not always easy as information about them online is limited compared with all-purpose pillows.

That’s why we wrote this FAQ guide that will provide answers to, hopefully, any question that you ever had about throw pillows, combinations and pairing, prices, and other things.

Additionally, we will detail 12 stores and online shops from where you could order your Throw Pillow bundle, but more about that later.

12 Things to Know About Throw Pillows

It’s no secret that Throw Pillows are a great investment for people who want to add more decoration and color to their apartment. But, they can get turned away by many factors, especially if they don’t know what they’re buying and why.

Read these commonly asked questions and see if you can find the answer for your own.

1. What Are Throw Pillows?

Throw pillows, also known as toss pillows and decorative pillows, are small cushion-like pillows that are put in the living room, lounge, or bedroom to add more décor and softness to your home. They are genuinely soft and available in a great selection of materials.

You can find them covered in cotton, silk, micro fiber, velvet, suede, linen, leather, and other materials. All in all, their purpose is to mostly add a little more comfort to your bed or couch, but their main purpose is to provide more cluttering elements in your bedroom.

2. Why Use Throw Pillows?

There are many reasons why throw pillows are used and found in the vast majority of households. Although throw pillows maintain its decorative purpose and are used mainly to decorate your couch, sofa, or armchair in the living room, and bed in your bedroom, it can also serve a functional purpose.

A lot of people combine different patterns with throw pillows to make them more suitable for the aesthetics of the room they are placed in. However, thanks to their soft nature, they can also be used to support your neck or back when you’re sleeping.

Additionally, if you sprained an ankle or suffered an injury, leaving it under your leg can balance it out and relieve the pain. Although the primary purpose for these pillows is purely for aesthetics, people can choose how they use them and make them more functional at home.

3. Why Are They Called Throw Pillows?

Things to Know About Throw Pillows, Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ, fight — Image Source: Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ

Funnily, nobody knows a 100% accurate answer to this question. There are different theories about the origin of its name, and some had made us laugh. However, it’s most likely that throw or toss pillows are called this way because of their random position at home.

If someone is laying or lounging and feels discomfort, they’ll ask you to throw them or toss them a pillow to put under for balance.

Additionally, it’s no secret that children, teenagers, but sometimes adults too throw pillow fights where they toss or hit others with a pillow. Given that throw pillows are never alone or just one in the collection, they’re an ideal asset for pillow fights.

Lastly, one theory suggests that throw pillows are called like that because of the spacious and large material called “throw” that is placed over sofas. Hence the name throw pillows, that are likely made with the same materials.

4. How to Choose Colors For Throw Pillows?

Whether you’re going to shop for throw pillows online, in-store, or hire an interior designer to assist you with your purchase, color is the first thing you’ll be asked to pick.

Throw pillows are usually chosen to complement the decoration of your room, we established that. However, you have to look at colors in your room, as well as accents, and pick which color would complement your room the best.

Things to Know About Throw Pillows, Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ, color — Image Source: Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ

How do you do that? Take a look at your couch, sofa, or armchair that you want to decorate with throw pillows. You will either pick a color that is immensely close to the color of your furniture and make them blend or choose completely the opposite.

That means standing out in terms of color and creating a contrast between the color of your sofa and the color of pillows you pick, which can also work refreshing for your living room.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a throw pillow collection for your bedroom, you should consider what sheets and covers you use and then either blend or make a contrast between the two. Sometimes, it’s easier if you work with an interior designer, although that can be pricier.

5. How to Choose Textures and Patterns For Throw Pillows?

This can be a little more difficult for people who are struggling with picking the right texture and simply don’t have the eye for design. However, if you love combining patterns and textures, experimenting can never get boring for you.

One thing that is important for combining patterns and textures is that the colors are complementary and work great with the ambient decoration. With that in mind, the sky is the limit and you can try out pillows with different accenting.

If you live in a neutral place, you will want to combine more different textures and patterns, but not too many, as it can make your eyes hurt.

On the other hand, if your room already has a lot of patterned decoration, you may want to use pillows that don’t have any to tone down the ambient.

How does it work? For example, if your room is a minimalistic lounge with a lot of matte furniture and textures, you can pick shiny textures to complement it, and vice versa. If you live in a boho style room with a lot of patterns and boho-style textures, you will want to use simple patterns that don’t stand out too much.

Believe in your instincts and experiment, but also consult with designers and check websites like Pinterest to be able to catch the contrast.

6. Should You Use Embellishments?

Embellishments are something you can but don’t have to use. They add more detail and accent to the pillow, and while they can make the pillow look better, they don’t necessarily do that.

Things to Know About Throw Pillows, Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ, embellishments — Image Source: Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ

It’s best to add embellishments to pillows that don’t use too many patterns and textures as that adds up to their style and simplicity.

Embellishments commonly used on pillows can include anything from ribbons and brooches, to button tufting and accenting.

However, while embellishments are highly welcome everywhere, it’s important to know that you won’t always use these pillows to decorate your room, you or someone else may feel the need to rest on them, and that’s when comfort becomes the key factor of use.

7. What Filling Does a Throw Pillow Use?

If you’ve ever shopped for a pillow for your bedroom, then you must know that different pillows use different fillings. It all depends on a few factors, like the price and how much you expect from comfort. Some of the most popular fillings for throw pillows include:

Feather
Down
Polyester
Foam

Down and feather filling is the most popular. However, the regular feather filling doesn’t feel that good and comfortable. On the other hand, down filling is quite expensive. If you are aiming for a more affordable option, down is usually combined with feathers, at 70:30 percent.

Aside from feathers, there are a lot of synthetic options. But, unlike actual pillows for sleeping, throw pillows don’t come with cooling mechanisms, and chances for cooling pillowcase are low when it comes to memory foam.

That means that soft and comfortable combinations of down and feathers are the best.

Also Read: 10 Types of Pillow Stuffing: Which One Is The Best?

8. Which Shape to Choose?

Throw pillows are available in various shapes. Let’s take a look at them.

Square
Rectangle
Bolster
Box
Round

Square pillows are the most popular pillows, and they are similar to cushions. They can fit anywhere from the bedroom to the couch and sofa, as well as armchairs.

If you have seated windows, they come as a great decoration there too. There are various sizes of square pillows and it’s certainly the most available out of all shapes.

Rectangle pillows are also quite popular because they are easy to store and shape. You can put them anywhere, just like square pillows, you may just need to use fewer of them, as they are quite larger compared to square pillows.

Round pillows used to be popular, but are now commonly found on chairs. They are not as fluffy as the other two but can still be found here and there. They are also good to combine with square pillows, but shouldn’t be forced.

Box pillows are deeper options of round, square, or rectangular option, they have more stuffing and feel soft to touch. However, they are not used so often.

Bolster pillows are usually popular at the corners of sofas and armchairs. Sometimes you can find them on larger beds like Queen and King beds. They are usually more popular than other pillows too.

9. What is The Price of Throw Pillows?

People generally say that throw pillows are expensive, especially because you’ll always buy them in bundles and not separately. But, what’s their price? It differs from place to place.

The throw pillows have a wide price range. They can cost anywhere from $20 to $200, depending on the retailer, materials, size, embellishments, texture, filling, and other aspects.

10. What Are Sizes for Throw Pillow?

Similarly to price, throw pillows have varying dimensions based on the manufacturer and of course which shape they are.

When it comes to square pillows that are the most popular options, some standard size is 20 x 20 or 18 x 18 inches. However, this size may work with small couches, armchairs, and beds. If you own a larger bed, the dimensions can go from 22 x 22 up to 24 x 24-inches.

Things to Know About Throw Pillows, Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ, size — Image Source: Terry Cralle, RN, MS, CPHQ

11. Can You Sleep On Throw Pillow?

Throw pillows are an ideal decoration and an asset to occasionally lean on and rest. However, a throw pillow isn’t a pillow for sleep. There are many reasons, but the primary reason is that they are not comfortable, and the size of them likely doesn’t work with the shape of your head.

Even if you manage to fall asleep with them, you may get hot or uncomfortable. Throw pillows can however assist you in getting proper night rest.

You can place them under your pillow for additional support if you’re struggling with your pillow. Additionally, a throw pillow can be placed under an old saggy mattress to extend its lifespan for a bit.

We reviewed a lot of sleeping pillows on the site, made with different filling. Make sure to check them out.

What We Recommend:

12. Where to Shop For a Throw Pillow?

Throw pillows are easily found in any retail shop. However, if you’re looking for a pillow collection that you can use for decoration in your room, it’d be best to either hire an interior designer or take a look at specialized stores that deal with throw pillows.

We compiled a brief list of online stores where you can shop for throw pillows for your home. Check them out!

The Citizenry – This site offers a wide collection of throw pillows that will help you decorate any room you want.

Most of the pillow models also support different colors and patterns, so you can mix and match models that you like and want to try out. Whether you’re looking for something neutral or bold, the Citizenry has it all.
Society 6 – Among a lot of different decorative furniture, Society 6 also offers to throw pillows. They can be found in different patterns, textures, embellishments, and much more. You will find bold, cultural colors, but also summer pastel pillows with durable and fluffy design.
Laura Park Designs – On this website, you can find various types of pillows, including the throw pillows for your lounge or bedroom.

There are various designs and patterns, most of which are designed in Rainbow-like accents, pastel colors, and patterns that closely resemble of Boho style.
Overstock – Here you can find throw pillow and throw pillowcases for any occasion, neutral colors, bold patterns, embellishments, Christmas décor, and much more. This place is ideal for shopping for throw pillow sets because all pillows will match closely.
Amazon – There’s plentiful of throw pillows on Amazon, of every style and occasion. However, the models seem rather blend, so you’d have to buy separate pillowcases that’d match with the throw pillows.

However, if your kids are into throw pillows you can combine ideal children models like foods, desserts, clouds, stars, and more.
Land of Pillows – Like its name suggests Land of Pillow provides a lot of different pillow designs. However, the throw pillows they offer are mostly simple patterns with emphasis on neutral tones. They are great for gardens, living rooms, and bedrooms if you’re looking for a more neutral tone.
StFrank – If you’re looking for stripes, rhomboids, and other geometric designs, look no further than StFrank. It also boasts a lot of warm and romantic colors and can easily fit into any ambient.
Lulu And Georgia – This website boasts throw pillows along with lumbar pillows that look similar to the rectangular design of throw pillows. There are a lot of designs, but most are cultural.

You may find Middle Eastern accents and patterns, Indian, as well as Native American styles similar to the Boho style. There are also more neutral tones, but most of the pillows have warm and embracing colors and textures, as well as wool and fur textures.
Oka – Oka throw pillows are available as standard square pillows and rectangular pillows. Similar to the aforementioned websites, Oka also boasts warm and velvety colors with modern and bold accents including the tufted and knitted styles.
Pottery Barn – Traditional website for selling pillows hosts both neutral and minimalistic tones, and beautiful patterned, embellished, and even knitted designs. This website hosts enough options for any style and interior.
Wayfair – Wayfair offers simpler designs than other options. You can find both smaller and larger pillows dyed in different colors. We liked both pastel and bolder colors.

Additionally, if you’re into the cottage store lifestyle, you’ll love floral patterned throw pillows that can be found at a relatively affordable price.
AtHome – Here you can find both smaller and oversized throw pillows. Some are designed so that they are leather, while other options are available in cotton, velvet, suede, and other materials. The pillows look lovely, fluffy, and have innovative patterns that you will love. They’re also budget-friendly.