Pillows can be used for more than just head and back support in beds. They can be decorative accents throughout the home, including in bedrooms, living rooms, and outdoors. Pillow styles, shapes, fabrics, and fill materials vary greatly and are chosen based on the homeowner's taste and needs. Pillows are commonly placed asymmetrically on beds and in stacks or layers on furniture. In living rooms, more ornate pillows may be used on sofas and accent chairs. There are many pillow options to suit any design scheme or theme.

1. The Power of Pillows
When you think of pillows a good night’s rest may come to mind; but these fluffy, feathery
cushions can function as much more than a typical head rest. An ordinary bedroom can be
instantly transformed with just a few stuffed confections. That good ole’ living room sofa can
easily become a decorative center piece that makes visitors want to kick back and relax. There
are many places where you can toss these square, round or oblong pieces to create comfort with
style.
Where can I ‘throw’ them?
Rachel Weingarten of Parade magazine suggests adding an odd shaped pillow to the bedroom to
spice things up, at least when it comes to the décor. She also recommends cute pillows with
unique textures. Bedroom pillows are often strategically placed at the head of the bed
asymmetrically. According to HouseBeautiful.com, modern pillows are usually balanced with
one single accent. However, this design is usually to the liking of the bedmaker and can vary
from stacked pillows to a more layered formal display. Pillows can also be used as accents on a
sofa, sectional, accent chair or floor.
For living room decor, one might consider more ornate designs or patterns. Southernliving.com’s
decorator and author Phoebe Howard suggests mixing and matching fabrics on the sofa in her
article How to Arrange Sofa Pillows. She also encourages designer to start from the outside,
using 22 to 24 inch square pillows. The accent chair pillows are usually coupled with a graceful
throw and floor pillows are mostly big, square and comfy. When seated outdoors, one might
even consider outside pillows. The options are definitely wide and broad.
The Pillow Fight
What kind of pillows? Well, this question is quite the ‘toss’ up. From cotton to satin, pillow type
will most likely fit the style and personality of the home owner and options are virtually endless.
Regardless of the design scheme or theme, there is undoubtedly the perfect pillow no matter how

2. improbable it may seem. Typical styles include throw, euro, boudoir, and breakfast. Shapes
include square, rectangular, round, novelty and bolster. Satin, cotton, chenille, faux fur, faux
leather, linen, micro suede, synthetic and wool are just a few of the fabrics used for cover
material.
When it comes to fill material the selection varies widely as well; including down, feather,
cotton, polyester, eco-fill or natural organic fiber. Southernliving.com’s Howard suggests down
fillers for fluff or hypoallergenic down for those with allergies. Yet, DoITYourself.com says
that foam is great to maintain shape and resilience. Manufacturers have even created specialty
pillows for spine alignment and even special pillows for cradling babies.
When it comes to design; a regular square, round or oblong pillow serves as the perfect easy
accent for the bedroom or living room. The only problem is that the options for these fluffy
fixtures are so plentiful that you might just end up losing sleep.