I can barely remember a time when I DIDN’T have throw pillows on my couch!

You can think of throw pillows as the jewelry of your living room. And just like jewelry, the wrong combo can throw (ha, pun definitely intended!) the whole outfit off.

When it comes to pillows, there are some really simple rules (ok, more like guidelines, because I’m not uptight about it) that make styling your couch pillows super simple.

Stick with me through this post and I'll share some styling ideas, go-to arrangements, and helpful tips that'll make your couch the best-dressed seat in your home.

As I’ve shared before, odd numbers tend to look better when it comes to styling. Something about symmetry being slightly off makes your eye move around and stay interested in what it’s taking in.

So instead of four matching pillows lined up like little soldiers, go with three…or five. I think three is the sweet spot for most standard sofas, and five works well on a larger sectional.

But if you've got a loveseat, two is totally fine! Again, it’s a guideline, not a law.

I tend to be in favor of going with more of the same, but when it comes to pillows, it’s ok to switch it up. So instead of having pillows that are all the same size, incorporate some variety.

• Back layer: Your largest pillows (usually 22"x22" or 24"x24"). Consider these your anchor pillows.
• Middle layer: Medium pillows (18"x18" or 20"x20"). These are your workhorses…usually the patterned or colorful ones go.
• Front: A smaller accent, like a lumbar pillow, a round pillow, or something with a fun texture.

Visually it’s kind of like a mini pyramid. Big in the back, small in the front.

Just like with pillow size, it might be tempting to select pillows that all have the exact same pattern. I dare you to live a little!

Now, I do think there’s balance needed so that you don’t go overboard, so here’s a formula to use.

1. One solid: This is your “background” pillow. You might pick linen, velvet, or a textured solid.
2. One large-scale pattern: Something that stands out visually, like a big floral print, wide stripes, or an oversized geometric.
3. One subtle pattern: Tiny dots, or thin stripes.

The trick is keeping them in the same color family. No, they don't need to match perfectly (please don't try to match perfectly, that's how things start looking like a hotel lobby).

Formula example: A terracotta solid + a large cream-and-rust floral print + a striped rust color.

Now onto the fabrics. This is where things get really fun, and where you get to be a little sneaky with your styling.

• Fringed or tasseled - playful and adds some movement
• Velvet - makes everything appear more expensive than it really is (love that!)
• Linen - laid-back, beachy look
• Chunky knit or woven - depth and dimension you didn't know you were missing
• Leather or faux leather - a little bit of edge, great for boho or modern vibes

And even if all your pillows are in the same neutral color family, mixing up the fabrics prevents things from falling flat.

Try a cream velvet next to a cream chunky knit next to a cream linen. Yes, it’s three cream pillows but you’re bringing in a great combo of fabrics.

Before you buy anything, pick a color story. Basically you’re looking for 2-3 colors that'll tie your pillows together.

Not sure where to start? Here are some combos that fit pretty much any kind of couch.

• Neutral lovers: Cream, tan, and warm gray
• Earthy feels: Olive green, terracotta, and cream
• Moody and rich: Navy, mustard, and ivory
• Soft and feminine: Blush, white, and sage
• Coastal chill: White, dusty blue, and natural linen

Of course your couch color gets factored in too. If you've got a gray couch, warm hues like mustard, rust, and cream will give off a cozy atmosphere instead of a cold one.

If your couch is beige or tan, cooler tones like blue, green, or even black-and-white patterns can give it some life.

Oooh, I love sectionals! Why? Because there's just…so much couch. Here's how to handle your pillow arrangement.

• Cluster your pillows in the corners, don't spread them out evenly across the entire thing. Otherwise it looks like you're stocking a pillow store.
• Use 5-7 pillows total. I know that sounds like a lot, but on a big sectional, three pillows aren’t going to cut it.
• Anchor each corner with a larger pillow and fill in from there.
• Leave the middle mostly open. That's where people will sit, and nobody wants to move six pillows to watch TV.

When it comes to pillows, which camp are you?

The karate chop is that dent you press into the top of a pillow with the side of your hand. I’ve got to admit that I’m team chop.

The chop works best on down or down-alternative inserts because they're soft enough to hold the shape. If your pillow inserts are firm poly-fill, that chop’s going to pop right back out.

Pro tip: If your pillow covers look saggy or floppy, your inserts probably aren’t big enough. Always go one size up on your insert. If your cover is 18"x18", stuff it with a 20"x20" insert. You’ll enjoy fuller, fluffier pillows.

[ ] Odd numbers: always looks more natural and interesting

[ ] Mix 3 sizes: creates depth and keeps the eye moving

[ ] 1 solid + 1 large pattern + 1 small pattern: the foolproof formula

[ ] Mix fabrics: even same-color pillows look amazing this way

[ ] Pick 2-3 colors: enough variety without going overboard

[ ] Karate chop: for that designer-styled dent on top

Throw pillows are such a low-commitment decorating move. No drilling, no painting, no calling your landlord.

And now you’ve got tons of styling tips and ideas to play with. Your couch is about to look so good!

If you want to set up your own space online to share ideas like this without starting from scratch, you can grab the exact template I used to build this site below.