How to Layer Decorative Pillows on a Sectional Sofa

Sectional sofas can sometimes be tricky to style. Based on our experience though, we've found that in most cases, three layers of pillows usually work really well.

Below is a look at a sectional that we recently helped transform and our tips to help you choose the best options for your own sofa.

LAYER 1

Start with a first layer of one pillow on each corner.

Fabric: Choose either a solid or a small-scale print. For this sofa we went with the Les Touches Orange.

Size: Measure the inside seat height of your sofa and add 3 to 7 inches to that to determine your optimal pillow size*. The inside seat height of this particular sofa is 14 inches, so the ideal pillow size is 17x17 to 21x21. We opted for the larger 21x21 size for a more luxurious look.

*Exception: If your sofa has a high back (20" or higher), avoid going larger than 24x24 for your largest pillow cover.

How to Layer Decorative Pillows on a Sectional Sofa | Layer 1

LAYER 2

For the next layer, add another pillow on each corner.

Fabric: Choose a medium or large-scale pattern. For this sofa we went with the two variations of the Hot House Spark - the version with the blue flower for the left and right corners, and the version with the orange flower for the middle corner.

Size: Go for pillows that are 1 to 3 inches smaller than the ones in Layer 1. Here we went with 20x20 pillows (1 inch smaller).

How to Layer Decorative Pillows on a Sectional Sofa | The 2nd Layer

LAYER 3

To complete the look, add a lumbar on the longest side of the sectional. If both sides are a similar length, place it in the middle corner.

Fabric: Choose a fabric that pulls out one of the colors from the other pillows and/or coordinates with other accessories in the room. Here, we went with the Peacock Velvet, which picks up the blue tones in the Hot House Spark and coordinates with a nearby lamp.

Size: Opt for a pillow that's 10 to 14 inches tall and a similar width as the other pillows. We went with size 11x19.