One of the best ways to enhance your space without actually doing a lot of work is through designer throw pillows. Adding or swapping out pillow covers can transform the look and feel of any space. They are a great addition to update and elevate a bare sofa or bed. If you are really wanting to maximize the wow factor a throw pillow can have, choose to do custom designer pillow covers.
Designer pillows are great because you can have a unique piece that works perfectly in matching an existing room’s style or can act as the element that ties a new look all together. If you are looking into getting a custom pillow cover, there are some key things to consider when going this route. We have put together a helpful guide below to walk you through the custom pillow process. We will discuss pillow sizes, pillow styles and designer fabrics selection.
With the world of designer pillows, you can dream big when it come to the different shapes and sizes your pillow can be. However, going with a standard pillow size is a good option and investment since you can often swap out a pillow with a new pillow cover, which saves you the cost of purchasing a whole new pillow set (insert and cover). Here are the common pillow sizes:
Pillow Sizes
Square Pillows
These are the most common pillow shapes/sizes and typically go on sofas, arm chairs, and sectionals.
- 20” x 20”
- 22” x 22”
- 24” x 24”
Lumbar
These pillows are rectangular in shape and work great as additional accents for an arm chair or bed. They get their name because they offer lumbar support for our lower backs.
- 14” x 20”
- 14” x 30”
- 14” x 36”
Bolster
Similar to a lumbar, these pillows are small and wide. The difference is that these types of pillows look more like cylinder since they have circular ends.
8” x 24”
Download our Pillow Size guide for sofa pillows
Understanding Pillow Fill
The fill that goes inside a pillow case is commonly known as an insert. These are made of many different types of materials. We have narrowed the types of pillow inserts into these selections which feature Polyester, Down and Feather.
Synthetic/Poly Fill – These types of pillows are the most common pillow inserts. That is because they are the cheapest to produce. This also means that they have a shorter lifespan and will lose their plush quick and will need to be replaced. These are also not the most sustainable, not only because of the lifespan, but due to their synthetic makeup.
Down – Down is a natural material made from goose or duck feathers. It is lightweight and great at insulating temperatures. It is a breathable material, helping to evaporate moisture and sweat. Since down is made from animal, they do carry natural oils which can release a bit of an Our inserts are made in the USA
Posh Diggs Insert Recommendations
Craft Pillows – Best insert for Outdoor Pillows
Created with the crafter in mind.
*100% durable bonded synthetic polyester covering (2 oz.)
*100% polyester filling
*Non-allergenic
*Economical alternative
*Remains resilient wash after wash
*Medium firmness
*Serged
*Made in USA
Comfort Classic Down – If you are prone to Allergies, use these for your decorative pillow inserts
*200 Thread count Cloth Cover
*50% Polyester 50% Cotton Shell
*”Synthetic Down” is 100% Premium Polyester Fiber Filling
*Mfg. to feel like down without the fuss or expense of feathers.
*Non-Allergenic
*Remains resilient wash after wash.
*Fire Resistant
*Made in USA
50/50 Down/Poly Blend – Posh Diggs FAVORITE – they fill the pillow well and you get the softness of Down/Feather
*50% Down/Premium Polyester Blend — 50% Feathers
*220 TC Cloth Covering meets all fire codes
*Standard in the Furniture Industry
*Modeled after those produced for Martha Stewart
10/90 Duck Down/Feathers
*10% Down/90% Feathers
*220 TC Cloth Covering meets all fire codes
*Passes the “V” Chop test.
Makes ideal throw pillows and cushions.
*Modeled after those produced for Calvin Klein
*Economical way to have the feel and look of down/feathers
25/75 White Goose Down/Feathers
*25% Down/ 75% Feathers (White Goose)
220 TC Cloth Covering meets all fire codes
Softer and has more down than the 10/90
Upholstery Material
The great thing about custom pillows is that you can have a wider variety of materials to choose from. Say you have an old prom dress. You can turn that into a small pillow. Now that being said, there are certain types of material that are better equip for becoming pillows. Here are a few common materials for pillows are their makeup.
Velvet – Velvet is technically a cut and not a material itself. Silk, cotton, and even wool can be turned into velvet. Velvet is a popular pillow choice because of its sheen and soft texture.
Cotton and Linens – Cotton is a natural material that is great for pillow covers. It’s a breathable fabric that is hypoallergenic and stays cool against the skin. Many times you will see this material mixed in with a synthetic blend for a more durable cover.
Polyester – This is a synthetic fabric made from plastic fibers. It’s a very popular fabric choice for applying prints. This fabric tends to be a less expensive option since it uses man-made yarns.
Wool – Wool is a very durable natural material made from the fibers of sheep, alpaca, and lamas. It is a natural fire retardant and is great for insulating temperatures and wicking away moisture. Due to the manufacturing process, sheering, and quality of wool, this fabric tends to be a more expensive option, yet well worth it for its benefits.
For the best look consider a combination. When designing your Bedroom Decorative Pillows, we suggest these combinations. Showcasing a Velvet Lumbar in front of Cotton/Linen prints looks spectacular. Placement and Scale are key to a successful look.
How to arrange your throw pillows.
Design Elements
Now comes the fun part everyone loves…the design! Design is subjective, so there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to go about this. There are things to consider when looking at the design of your pillow. These are called the design elements.
Color – Choose a color that already works with your existing room’s style and design for a cohesive look and feel. Pull this color from objects already in the space, such as area rugs, wall paint, or statement pieces of art.
Pattern – Similar to the color, pick patterns that are already apparent in the design. Do you have a striped rug? Find a vertical print to add to a pillow or two. To avoid being so matchy-matchy, play around with size and scale of these patterns to add more visual interest. If this is too overwhelming, going with a standard solid color is a safe and fail proof option.
Texture – A lot of the texture will come from the material you select for your pillow fabric. You can look for additional texture elements such as fringe, tassels, or embroidery. These details add a lot of interest to a piece and can turn a pillow into a work of art.
Now that you have a better understanding to the basics of pillows, you can have more confidence in knowing what to look for when you create your next custom pillow. We are always here to help as well, as we have very knowledgeable staff on hand to help with technical and design questions.
As a general rule for Sofas ‘ when in doubt go with 22”x22”. This is universally the most flattering size on sofa’s .