Your Guide to Choosing the Right Accent Pillows

Sometimes in decorating as in life we get so caught up in making big changes that we forget how changing even little details can have a profound effect on a room or even our life. Just because you don’t have a lot of money to devote to a complete room makeover, doesn’t mean you can’t transform a room with small details. While accent pillows are such a small detail to decorating a living room or family room, it can be truly amazing the difference it can bring to the overall look and feel of the space.

The challenge of course comes in finding the right accent pillows that go best with the space. Don’t worry though. There is help on the way. Here is your guide to choosing the right accent pillows:

Don’t Go Color Crazy

While they are only little spots of color on a big backsplash, too broad of a color palette for your accent pillows can come off loud, brash and even a bit disorganized. For the most powerful effect, it is best to stick to similar shades of one color or a pair of complimentary colors, colors on the opposite end of the color wheel like orange and blue which can bring some drama and richness to the room.

Another option is to pick a group of accent pillows in colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. This way they are similar, but are also markedly different as well giving the room a polished but more subtle look. For example, pink and orange are next to each other on the color wheel. You may not automatically think about pairing the two together, but can really make a room pop, especially if these colors are also in other parts of the room as well.

Different Fabrics Tell Different Stories

It is not just the color or pattern on the pillows that can add to the ambiance of a room or tell a particular story. The fabric of the pillow can as well. For example, a velvet pillow screams luxury and decadence while a cowhide pillow has a more country appeal.

Some fabrics are more versatile than others. Cowhide for instance is not just found on southwest ranches or in mountain lodges. It can also be the perfect addition to a modern living room full of monochrome and glass or even a romantic boudoir so never discount the power of cowhide accent pillows. You will love how soft they will feel as well as all the different colors and patterns they come in. Cowhide is also very durable so they will last you a long time.

One way to keep everything from becoming overbearing is to use the same color or a similar shade of color with the different textures so there is some form of uniformity. This way you can fun with mixing plaid pillows on one couch with flower pillows on the other side of the room without it call becoming too overwhelming.

The Art of Displaying Prints

Prints and graphics can be a lot of fun on accent pillows if you know how to use them right. The most common layout pattern used is to arrange three pillows together and have one simple print, one busier print and one basic solid-colored pillow. The loudest print should be on the larger accent pillow which should be placed in the middle of the pillow trio.

Don’t underestimate the power of simple stripes either. Thin stripes, thick bold stripes, they all draw the eye but also can easily go with a lot of other different patterns and colors. You can even play with texture with stripes but having the texture of the actual stripe be different from the rest of the pillow making the stripes stand out more.

Never Lose Sight of Comfortability

Playing with color and texture can be a lot of fun and it may be tempting to want to fill your couches with tons of colorful accent pillows, but too many pillows practically speaking will not be comfortable to sit on. Do you really want to have to move a whole layer of pillows every time you want to lounge on the couch? The perfect litmus test will always be how comfortable is the couch with these pillows added?

Other things you should take into consideration when choosing new accent pillows are the type of insert they come with and how you are going to arrange them. When it comes to the insert, your best choice is to choose an insert made of feather and down. Avoid pillows made totally of foam because they are not going to be comfortable for those impromptu naps in the middle of the afternoon.

When arranging the pillows along your couches or chairs, the rule of thumb is to arrange them symmetrically instead of layering them behind one another. Too many patterns and designs all bundled together can be a little too much for most people. It is more important that your living room feels inviting to your family and friends than it is that it looks like a piece of art.

Overall, the most important thing is to not skimp on the quality of your accent pillows. You don’t necessarily have to go with the most expensive, but you should pick good quality pillows that give you enough support but are also cushiony and soft to the touch.

Have fun and be creative in choosing accent pillows for any of the rooms in your home. Remember because they are just accent pieces they are easily interchangeable. Don’t be afraid to regularly switch things up by constantly which accent pillows are in which room. This way you can play a lot more with color and pattern without having to constantly buy new pillows.

If you want to learn more about how cowhide pillows can accent your home, call Cowhide Outlet today. Not only do they have a wide assortment of accent pillows but they also have quality cowhide rugs and furniture.