Throw Pillows: How Many is Too Many?
One, two, nine or none – Houzzers attempt to solve the throw pillow case
Emily Hutchinson
25 November 2015
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More
Well here we have it folks – the great design debate that can separate a room: How many throw pillows belong on the bed? Our recent Houzz poll had our community divided, with 46% of people believing that 1-3 was too many and 38% saying that 3-6 were too many, while some thought they could never have enough decorative pillows. So what’s the magic number? Read on to find out what our homeowners and professionals had to say on the matter.
The case for none
What is it about throw pillows on the bed? They don’t really serve any purpose other than a decorative one, or to prop you up when you’re reading. But some people feel a bedroom isn’t complete without at least a couple of them neatly on display.
Quite a few users on Houzz said that they can’t see the point in throw pillows though, and that they’re impractical when it comes time to go to sleep. Often people don’t know where to put them, so they generally end up on the floor. “While I adore the notion of artfully tossed and occasionally plumped piles of silks, feathers, linens and embroideries, practicality also comes into play,” says interior design Kim Pearson. She also notes that some of her male clients tend not to like the concept of throw pillows, which Houzzers tend to agree with.
User telperien even says, “My husband isn’t a fan of throw pillows. In his opinion, they’re called throw pillows for a very good reason – to be thrown right out of the room!”
What is it about throw pillows on the bed? They don’t really serve any purpose other than a decorative one, or to prop you up when you’re reading. But some people feel a bedroom isn’t complete without at least a couple of them neatly on display.
Quite a few users on Houzz said that they can’t see the point in throw pillows though, and that they’re impractical when it comes time to go to sleep. Often people don’t know where to put them, so they generally end up on the floor. “While I adore the notion of artfully tossed and occasionally plumped piles of silks, feathers, linens and embroideries, practicality also comes into play,” says interior design Kim Pearson. She also notes that some of her male clients tend not to like the concept of throw pillows, which Houzzers tend to agree with.
User telperien even says, “My husband isn’t a fan of throw pillows. In his opinion, they’re called throw pillows for a very good reason – to be thrown right out of the room!”
The case for one to two
Even if you don’t love throw pillows, one or two on the bed still hints at a decorative element without going overboard. This less-is-more approach is also adopted by Pearson. “I have tended to scale down pillow numbers,” she says. “On my own bed we have two oversized long rectangles; one slightly smaller sits in front of the other and both are used as brilliant sitting-up-in-bed bolsters. It’s super quick and easy to make and turn down the bed. I simply don’t have time to artfully place multitudes of pillows on a daily basis – sadly!”
Designer Greg Natale would agree that less is more. He follows the two pillow and two square throw pillow rule, and advises to add rectangular ones to make it look fuller if that’s the look you want.
Even if you don’t love throw pillows, one or two on the bed still hints at a decorative element without going overboard. This less-is-more approach is also adopted by Pearson. “I have tended to scale down pillow numbers,” she says. “On my own bed we have two oversized long rectangles; one slightly smaller sits in front of the other and both are used as brilliant sitting-up-in-bed bolsters. It’s super quick and easy to make and turn down the bed. I simply don’t have time to artfully place multitudes of pillows on a daily basis – sadly!”
Designer Greg Natale would agree that less is more. He follows the two pillow and two square throw pillow rule, and advises to add rectangular ones to make it look fuller if that’s the look you want.
The case for three
It seems as though three may be the magic throw-pillow number among Houzzers, with some users commenting that it’s the perfect amount. I have three on my bed, but 46% of poll voters who thought that 1-3 throw pillows is too many may find that excessive.
In fact, decorating in threes is quite common in the design world as Houzz writer Janet Dunn explored in her story on the subject. “Numbers are part of the design equation,” she explains. “Three is the smallest number of elements our eyes perceive as a pattern or collection. Where one is the loneliest number and a pair may appear stiff or even jarring, groups of three – and following odd numbers – register in our brains as a more natural, dynamic and organic sequence.”
So that’s the answer then right? Three is the right amount of throw pillows for the bed – case closed … or maybe not.
It seems as though three may be the magic throw-pillow number among Houzzers, with some users commenting that it’s the perfect amount. I have three on my bed, but 46% of poll voters who thought that 1-3 throw pillows is too many may find that excessive.
In fact, decorating in threes is quite common in the design world as Houzz writer Janet Dunn explored in her story on the subject. “Numbers are part of the design equation,” she explains. “Three is the smallest number of elements our eyes perceive as a pattern or collection. Where one is the loneliest number and a pair may appear stiff or even jarring, groups of three – and following odd numbers – register in our brains as a more natural, dynamic and organic sequence.”
So that’s the answer then right? Three is the right amount of throw pillows for the bed – case closed … or maybe not.
The case for four to six
According to the results from the poll, 38% of respondents thought this was too many. However, when we asked the experts the case continued, with many professional interior designers swearing that four to six throw pillows was best when styling, claiming this upped the comfort factor in a nicely styled bed.
“I do like to use the two:two:one ratio (five in total) when arranging throw pillows on a bed,” says interior designer Anne Ellard. “It’s a classic look that will work with any style of space, and odd numbers of objects are much more visually pleasing than even numbers.”
According to the results from the poll, 38% of respondents thought this was too many. However, when we asked the experts the case continued, with many professional interior designers swearing that four to six throw pillows was best when styling, claiming this upped the comfort factor in a nicely styled bed.
“I do like to use the two:two:one ratio (five in total) when arranging throw pillows on a bed,” says interior designer Anne Ellard. “It’s a classic look that will work with any style of space, and odd numbers of objects are much more visually pleasing than even numbers.”
The case for seven to ten
This is the realm of our the true throw-pillow aficionados on Houzz, those who love to make their bed a comfy paradise. User Mary Langley says that she keeps nine on her bed. “I use four and when it’s time to sleep, I pop the rest of the decorative cushions on a chair … it’s nice to come home to a well-made bed.”
TELL US
What’s the right number of throw pillows on the bed? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section.
MORE
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: Baffling Bed Terms Demystified
Forever Furniture: A Buyer’s Guide to ‘The Bed’
Breakfast in Bed … and Other Important Activities
This is the realm of our the true throw-pillow aficionados on Houzz, those who love to make their bed a comfy paradise. User Mary Langley says that she keeps nine on her bed. “I use four and when it’s time to sleep, I pop the rest of the decorative cushions on a chair … it’s nice to come home to a well-made bed.”
TELL US
What’s the right number of throw pillows on the bed? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section.
MORE
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: Baffling Bed Terms Demystified
Forever Furniture: A Buyer’s Guide to ‘The Bed’
Breakfast in Bed … and Other Important Activities
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The only thing I can suggest ducks43 is don't polish the couch too much
and don't use a slippery, silky fabric. Here are pics of mine. The pleating on the velvety one and the coarse weave of the linen fabric of the other help to stop slippage. Good luck.
It does shock me how few people know how to dress their beds. A couple of uneven lumps under a throw on bedspread is not appealing, inviting or the way to sell your house. Neither are old worn or stained cushions or bedspeads or doona covers. I'd say photo one is pretty awful. Put your sleeping pillows in the cupboard people. Visitors or prospective home buyers do not want to see your mis shapen sleeping pillows no matter how comfy you find them. I'd say you have too many throw pillows on your bed if it takes up half your bed.