I just got some new pillows in our family room and I love them! I thought it would be a good time to share my tips for picking the right size pillows for your sofa. I have talked about this before, over a year ago and I know one person did see it because when I went to my friends house this past summer I totally noticed her pillows were on point, she said because she read my pillow tips. I switch my pillows out probably more than the average person. I always keep the inserts and I will give away the casing or sell them if they cost a lot. I do have a set of pillows that I keep- they are just good basics that are great to mix in with trendier pillows. These are some tips that I have learned to make your pillows look their best.
It is really pretty simple. It comes down to the pillow SIZE and INSERT.
Pillow Size–
I suggest doing at least 22″x22″ to 24″x 24″ pillows at the ends of your sofa- like bookends.
My new pillows are 22″x22″ and the pillows next to them are 18″x18″. I think anything smaller than 18″ shouldn’t be used on sofa’s. This sofa actually came with 16″x16″ pillows and they were WAY too small.
Pillow Insert-
The insert you use can make or break a pillow. You can take an inexpensive pillow with a fiber fill to looking like a $100 pillow if you add a down fill to it. The trick is adding a down fill that is BIGGER than the actual pillow.
For instance my pillows are 22″x22″ but I used a 26″x26″ Ikea down insert. Typically you just need to go one size larger on the insert (Ikea’s are really flat, so I go up a couple sizes). THESE are great pillow inserts.
Having a couple great neutral pillows are essential. I went with my two biggest pillows in a neutral, then I can easily change up the smaller pillows depending on the season. Just like the image below, Michelle used larger neutral pillows as a base then mixed in a Hmong pillow. Notice the size and the down fill.
I like to find just the pillow casings and then switch them out! Surprisingly H&M has some really great pillow covers! You can find them HERE or I linked some of my favorites under “My Favorite Things” HERE
THIS shop, Danielle Oakey has the greatest Hmong and African Pillows.
Amazing how a little pillow change can make you love your sofa all over again.
You can find more details on this room HERE
Please enter me to win 3 pillows. I make envelope pillows and change them out several times a year on my LR sofa. I would love 3 new pillows for my bed. I have a black wrought iron bed and have mostly white and light gray bedding. You choose The pillows. And thank you. ❤
I really like adding a size larger down insert, because it makes total sense! Thanks for the great idea. Yellow please ?
Would love some neutral pillows and blue!!!
Oh I love these pillows and it just so happens I am current on a pillow hunt right now! I love both the grey and the white pillow with the triangle pattern! Clean, simple and versitile! What an exciting contest!
The pillows are all so beautiful it is hard to choose a favorite, but the charcoal gray woukd look lovely in my bedroom!
I’m all eyes for navy and grey!
I love your post and will be going out looking for bigger insert for my family room pillows. I would love any black and white pillows, you choose!
I am a pillow addict! 🙂 would love shades of gray, neutral or some color! These are absolutely stunning!!!!
Thanks for this post about making the insert one size larger than the cover! No wonder my pillow has been looking flat! Such a fun giveaway thank you!
I love the black mud cloth!
I love all the advice on the pillows! We have a grey couch and so I am loving the greys with pinks and the navy’s. I can’t decide what I like better!
Your home is a o gorgeous as always ! I would love to win these! ❤
I always have the hardest time mixing pillows. Thanks for this post!
Great tips! I’ve been looking for new pillows for my sofa and these are perfect.
Your home is amazing.
I forgot to add which pillows I like. I love all of them. Lol
hi, i’m nancy and i’m a pillow hoarder…i’d take any (and all 😉 of the pillows but i’m currently crushing on navy so if i can only choose one that’s what it would be…navy for the win (pretty please).
Love these pillow options! Always love changing things around and any of these would make a great addition to my collection! 🙂
Hey girl- love the pillows! Great tips!
Love the dark ones or the red (pink?) So pretty!
I love the mud cloth/African pillows so much!!!!! I would pick white! Thanks for your inspiring posts! ?
What a great idea to use a larger insert! I also use IKEA inserts – I think they’re a pretty good quality for a great price. I love using pillows for decor because, like paint, I feel like they can really make a room. I’d LOVE to win some deep blue pillows!
Thanks for the sizing info! Hoping to win 3!!!
I would love anything gray!!
Love these! We are remodeling our new home and we completely changed the look of our master bedroom. I have been looking for the perfect pillows to compliment our new space…saw these and love them! I liked a lot of the blue pillows Danielle has. Thanks for the giveaway, girls!
xo
Your sense of style is truly amazing! I love the pointer of using a larger down insert, brilliant!! I also love the faux brick wallpaper, and the chalkboard paint, I can’t wait to be a grandma, and will definitely add a little to one of my rooms!! My favorite pillows would be a mix of the grey triangles, with a touch of the red pillows. Keep up the good work, you’re so talented!
I would love to win these pillows! I have been following both of you forever and love everything about the blog and ALL those beautiful pillows!!! Crossing fingers ???
I love to karate-chop my pillows as the final touch. I really like how you’ve mixed patterns with yours. Now I’m inspired!
My sofa could use a pillow refresh! Thanks for the tips. Danielle’s pillows are gorgeous!!
I need to get down inserts for my pillow covers! I want black and white and gray pillows for my sofa!
I’m loving the 13×24 Hmong multicolored striped one!
I’d probably pick white or blue.
Love your tips here! Super helpful!!
Ok, having some new pillows in my new home would like make my whole week… I have learned so much fro you on your blog, and it’s a treat just to learn so much from you. Brooke you gave my own blog more meaning, and more thoughtful moments.. My home guru, love everything you touch… Besides this pillow giveaway just saying thank you…
I forgot to mention pillow cover colors the pink one to the left you have in the photo. The ones that you have moved all around your house, and I think you just moved them to your girl’s room.
Great tips, thanks. If I had to choose it would be the white with gray triangles…but they are all adorable!
I have been wanting some Danielle Oakley pillows ever since I seen the pretty ones that you had on your living room couch and now you had in your daughter’s room! I would love to win the blue with some pink ones that you have….they are so pretty! Thank you so much for the chance to win 3 pillows ♡
Beautiful Pillows, I am in the process of adding lighter neutrals to our living room, so love all of those on her website.
Great blog post! Thank you for the tips!
I’ve been dreaming of Danielle Oakey pillows in my living room! I’d love 2 arrow pillows and an indigo for a pop of color and contrast. Thanks for such a fun giveaway, and for being such a humble, positive inspiration – whether design, food, or parenting. ?
There’s nothing like a down-filled pillow! Danielle has so many beautiful options in her shop right now…I’ve been wanting to add some navy accents, so that’s what I’d choose Thanks for the tips and for a fun giveaway.
I am loving the mudcloth trend right now! The textures and unexpected pairings with all kinds of styles. Love love your blog and religiously follow your instragam for inspiration!
xo
@eacourts / elizabeth
Love your pillow tips!! I used your advice to use a bigger insert and I will never look back! It made such a difference. I would love some white or navy pillows for my living room!
Adding a larger insert is genius! I love the white pillows.
These pillows are so great! I would love the white and grey African mudcloth among others.
I LOVE these pillows!! And your posts!
Love reading your posts Brooke! Such practical tips for readers (and my clients/friends). I’ve had my eye on her deep blue pillows for awhile now but haven’t pulled the trigger. Would love to win some! I actually have one of Danielle’s smaller pillows but I’m loving the new styles and larger sizes she’s added. They’ll be on my couch one way or another ?.
Thanks so much for the tips! I’m obsessed with pillows for the sofa and my hubby thinks I’m crazy. I would LOVE to win some of these beautiful pillows!!! ❤️
What great tips! Never would have thought of using a larger fill! I would Love a nuetral, a navy and a pink/red! They are all beautiful! Thank you!!
Thanks for the tips!! I would love to win some new pillows!! We are currently updating bigger cosmetics in our new to us home, so decorative accessories falls last on the budget priority ?. Love your home, and always love reading your blog!!!
Great post and great tips! I recently updated all of the pillows in our living room and LOVE the fresh updated look it gave, but I never thought of using larger inserts! Genius!
I’ve never even thought about some of the things you mentioned! For some reason I throw all my pillows on one side of the couch, but I need to add some to the other side 😉 I love the grey and charcoal triangle pillows! @karliezaugg
Ooh and I loved all the pillows so it’s hard to pick! But I’d lean towards the neutrals, grey, white and the muted navy/black!
I love the bit about different pillow sizes. I had never thought about that but now I must try! Some blue pillows would do really well with my gray sofa & yellow walls 🙂
I love all of the pillow’s Danielle has in her shop but don’t have any of my own. I would love to win some of her pillows! Any of them would work great in my home, neutrals, grays, blues with the pinks. All of her pillow covers are lovely!
As a family of 5 in a tiny house, I love following you and seeing how you creatively use your spaces!
I need a good black pillow!
Oh I have been eyeing her shop for pillows and would love to win so e!!! Beautiful home and great tips!
That is such a great tip for a larger down insert! I’m loving the neutrals, grays, and blues! And offering 3 pillows is incredibly generous!
I adore Danielle Oakeys pillows!! Fingers crossed!!
I’m obsessed with pillows! My couch definitely needs some new ones!
Love the tips on how to pick the right pillows! I would be SO thankful to be chosen as the winner. I’ve been wanting to update my couch pillows but haven’t been able to justify spending the money. Love all of Danielle’s designs, so this would be a dream come true! 🙂
Such helpful hints! Hoping to win the pillows! Loving the patterns. My living room sofa or kitchen bench would be happy to have a pillow update! Anything grey, black, or white would go well. ?
Love the advice and pillows used in this post. Pillows are so much FUN to decorate with!
I love your tips! I’m going to order some inserts from IKEA??? My favorite pillows in your blog post are probably the African mud cloth. I love blacks and grays with white! I’m remodeling a 1970’s ranch style house and would LOVE to add those to my blacks and whites!!! You’re so talented!
Would love a mudcloth and Hmong!
So good! I never thought of going a size up on the insert. Can’t wait to try this tip. I’d love to be entered to win!!!
I’ve been on the hunt for pillows for our sofa & bed. These are so perfect! I love your idea of stuffing the cases with a fluffier insert! I’m loving the pink striped ones & the triangle pattern ones…and basically all of the other ones as well!
Love the Hmong style pillows! Thanks for the tips.
Love your page!
Navy blue please 🙂
Thanks for sharing your tips and for a new IGer to follow! I’m in the process of redecorating our living area and I would love to add mudcloth pillows. Blues greys and blacks are my fave:)
Such a great idea to go one size larger on the insert! I love the navy as well as the red striped pillows. So good looking!
Thanks for the pillow tips! I’ve been hesitant to add pillows to our couches, because I was unsure of what to buy. I’m so glad I saw your Instagram post!! ? If I win, I’d love anything blue or gray. Thanks!!
Love the tips!! Thank you and neutral or gray pillows would be my choice ??
Such a good tip, using a larger insert to fill covers! And right on-point with the sizing, I completely agree! Thanks for the awesome post, love your blog! 🙂
I LOVE her pillows!!! They look so wonderful on your sofa! I would love to have the indigo ones! I am terrible, I haven’t bought any new pillows for my sofa in about a year….I am in desperate need of some beautiful new ones!
Thanks for the great tips! I could never have enough pillows?
I am OBSESSED with Danielle’s pillows! And Michelle’s house is my whole heart. Right now I’m in love with the white mud cloth and light indigo combo ?
I love pillows and am always making new covers or dreaming over ones i see! Loved your tips! If i win, i would choose anything blue grey! (I have white couches)
Thanks so much for the pillow tips! I have been struggling to choose the right pillows for my couch both in color and size.
I like all of the pillows,but leaning toward the white with grey and the black and white ones. Actually I would love you to pick
the 3 for me – I think you have great taste!
Great post!
your home makes my heart so happy and my mind always inspired! throw pillows are my constant work in progress and current mood is anything with a little pink and loving triangle pattern + stripe- please and thank you ?
Love the mud cloth and the African pillows! Great tips!
Any of the white and grey pillows or I kind of like the blue chevron she has in her shop! All are super cute!
I really love all the black African pillows!!
Tania
I love the white with black African mud cloth and the faded indigo ones!!
I have been wanting an indigo one forever!! Love all her pillows!!
I love Danielle! She’s such a sweet one! Love her shop as well! If I were to win I would take the indigo or the blue + pink pillow!! #fingerscrossed
I am desperate for new pillows! Love all of Danielle’s pillows. Thanks for the tips! I always get overwhelmed with pillows and sizes
The pink pillow! ?
You can really never have enough pillows! Good tips!
I would love the pink & grey, navy, or a white patterned one! I will probably change my mind later because they are all so good!
Thank you!!
Esther
Obsessed will all of your pillows
I have decided to switch out my pillows seasonally rather that all.the.time, bc I was making myself crazy. I love how pillows change the mood of a room
These are so pretty. I would choose blue and pink!
I need these pillows !
Love your tips and I love Danielle Oakey’s pillow shop. Crossing my fingers and toes!!
? the pillows! I would choose the pink ones mainly because I am trying to add color to my boring ish, gray living room. I was into the gray for a while, but it is starting to drive me crazy.
Love this! I love her pillows! Especially all of the blue Hmong ones and the black and white mud cloths
I have admired Danielle Oakey’s pillows for years!! Thanks for the pillow tips; definitely never thought about having the pillow inserts be bigger but makes sense!
Love your idea about going up a size in the inserts. I always find myself frustrated when the pillows flatten out. Danielle’s pillows are all divine, but I expecially love the large indigo mudcloth ones and the pale blue and pink Hmong. Thank you for offering a giveaway!
Anything in indigo – all day, everyday. Thank you
Love Love Love the pillows!!
I never thought to go up a size when you buy IKEA pillow inserts to get the right look! Thanks for such a great tip!
Thank you for the sage advice! I just ordered my first Danielle Oakley lumbar pillow yesterday. Looking forward to adding more, soon! #entertowin #pillows #giveaway
Everything in her shop is incredible! I just bought my first home and I’m on the hunt for the perfect throw pillows for our new couch. I live in CT also and I’m always looking at your feed and blog for inspiration. Anything white and black or Indigo would look amazing.
Thank you for your tips!
Great tip for using a larger insert! I love the darker pillows but they are all beautiful. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love her pillows and this post was literally perfect timing for me as I’m trying to find new covers to fit inserts I already have. I’ll be using this post for sure. I love the blue mud cloth pillows!!
It never occurred to me to have the insert a size or two larger! I’m loving the pillows that have the pops of pink/orange/green! Adds some color and texture! So beautiful!
Great tips! I like the Ikea pillow insert since my budget doesn’t allow me for feather down inserts…yet 😉
I would love the black pillow with indigo subtle pattern and the neutral pillow with accents of pink! Love them! #needtohavethem
They would come perfect as I’m almost done furnishing my master bedroom 🙂
I always go up one size with my inserts but now I’m thinking I should go up two sizes. Thanks for always teaching me how it’s done!
Thanks for the wonderful pillow advice. I love Danielle’s pillows and they are just the ones to make my den complete. I am in need of 3 dark blue ones for my space. I have been admiring her pillows for a long time, and would love to own some myself.
Thank you for a chance to win these beauties! I love any of the mud cloth with the white background and black or gray design.
Love these pillows! I have been wanting one from
This shop for a long time! They’re beautiful! I would love navy and white African mud cloth pillow covers for my light beige slip covered couch! Thank you!!
PS- I live in a 777 sq foot condo and your IG feed gives me so much inspiration on living in a small space, and making it beautiful!
What great tips!! Thank you as I needed the help! Never sure what to use, etc. I have brown leather couches. Neutral or navy would be my pick. Yours looks so nice. Love the chance to win- thank you.
Love the blue pillows!
These pillows are everything! I’m in love with the white & black mud cloth + indigo + Hmong pinks! Oh they are just dreamy ?
Such a great giveaway!! Xo
Thank you so much for sharing this information!! So very helpful!?
Love her pillows! I’d love a fresh restart for Spring! 🙂
I really love that navy Hmong one in the top middle! I love her pillows too, been a long time fan!!! Thanks for the chance to win!! ?
Oh gosh I can’t decide on color! I want them all haha. Maybe start off with a light indigo? Love them.
These pillows are the cutest!? The White and Black African Mudcloth is my favorite color/design!? My husband and I close on our first home on St. Patrick’s Day? and these would make our new home look awesome!?
Great tips! Textural neutrals and blues are my faves.
Ooh, I love them all, but (at least today) am especially drawn to the indigo ones.
I’m in process of buying a couch and new pillows will be next. I have one hmong from danielle already but would love 3 more.
I love the light indigo pillows, they are gorgeous! I also love the black and white mud cloth, stunning! These pillows are so gorgeous, I I’m thinking I need to start a collection!
Spring color pillows like pink or anything bright!
I might simply die of happiness to win these pillows! ? I love, I mean LOVE throw pillows, and could definitely use some great Danielle Oakey pillows in my life! The couch is begging for some light denim and navy/pink pillows!! This giveaway sounds like an absolute dream!
Love your blog and love your pillow suggestions!! Finding and arranging pillows might be the hardest thing about my life right now (which means life is good 🙂 ) and this article is super helpful. I’ve been drooling over Danielle Oakey’s pillows for a while now and love that you are cosponsoring this giveaway. Would love a chance to adorn my couch with these beauties! @kararose12 …. thank you!!!
Have been wanting black and white mud cloth pillows for a long time now! Love these all! ??❤️?
Want a navy pillow for my bed!
I’m moving at the end of this month and would love to win some pillows! The indigo color is my favorite but also love the neutrals! New pillows always complete a space!!
LOVE your blog, OMG, I’m in love with the way you’ve curated your page! Ok, AND I want to win some pillows… 😀 #entertowin #pillows #giveaway
thank you!
So thankful for people like you who can see the impact of details that make a huge difference. Thank you for sharing your expertise! I love Danielle Oakey’s shop! I especially love the 22×22 Hmong indigo cover. I’m struggling to choose though because I also really love the white and black African Mudcloth. Gah! So pretty.
Love the whites, greys and blacks!