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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 works 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 (or find out from the manufacturer) the seating height of your sofa and add 3 to 5 inches to that to get your optimal pillow size*. The seating height of this particular sofa is 16 inches, so the optimal pillow size is 19x19 to 21x21. We opted for the larger 21x21 size for a more luxurious look. 

*Exception: if your sofa has a high back, don't go larger than 24x24.

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 one with the blue flower for the left and right corners of the sofa and the one with the orange flower for the middle corner. 

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

LAYER 3

To finish it off, 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 in the other pillows and/or coordinates with other accessories in the room. Here we went with the Peacock Velvet, which pulls out some of the blue in the Hot House Spark and also coordinates with a lamp in a nearby side table. 

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. 

That's it!

I hope you found this helpful. If you'd like styling and sizing recommendations for your specific sofa, we encourage you to sign up for a Mini Design Consult. You can learn more about that here.

FEATURED PILLOWS

  

Photos courtesy of Natalie Steen

Homeowner Tamara Anka used pillows to easily change the look and feel of her living room. Below are the 3 different looks she's created. Which one is your favorite?

LOOK 1: Coastal Chic

pillows shown L to R: Les Touches Blue, Wide Stripe Ocean, Huntington Gardens Blue

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LOOK 2: Warm, Rich and Luxe

pillows shown L to R: Midnight Blue Velvet, Channels Blue, Les Touches Tan, Shimmer Beige and Gold

SHOP THE LOOK 

    

LOOK 3: Casual and Light  

pillows shown L to R: Lorna Blue, Chambray Blue Linen, Adeline Blue

SHOP THE LOOK

  

Want some personalized advice on what pillows to get for your sofa? Click here to learn about our Mini Digital Design Consults. 

"Those rich colors and gorgeous prints stole my heart right from the start – Arianna helped me come up with this beautiful pillow combo, and I love it so much.

I wanted something glam and chic, luxe and rich, and it needed to be welcoming, cozy and approachable since we use this room daily. 

The pillows are so beautiful, and helped to pull my vision together perfectly.

Gold and brown tones paired with navy and cream? Fabulous in every way. "

 SHOP THE LOOK

   

   

Need help choosing pillows?

Click here to learn about our mini design consults.  We'll come up with the best pillow options for you and provide mock-ups so you can visualize them in your space. 

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lifestyle photos courtesy of Tamara Anka

When you're decorating a room, sometimes it's hard to know where to even begin. Next time you're stuck, try this: find a multi-colored pillow you love, then use it as the catalyst for your color palette.  Let's take a look at how interior designer Sita Montgomery did this with our Hot House Spark pillow for this beautiful living room. 

If you look closely, you'll see that the pillow has several colors that can be pulled out, including blue, teal, red-orange, and green. 

For a cohesive look, it's ideal to use the "Rule of 3" and repeat each color in a palette three times or more within a room. Sita did exactly this. Let's break it down:

She repeated the blue color with a deep blue accent wall, art, a Zig Zag Navy pillow, and blue rug. 

The red-orange is repeated with a throw blanket draped over the sofa, a Rust Velvet pillow, and art. 

The green shows up in the green spotted pillow, floral arrangement and greenery.  

The teal color is repeated with a teal throw, teal geometric print pillow, and rug. 

We could keep going with some of the other colors but you probably get the idea. I think you'd agree that the way everything ties together is so visually satisfying. 

Hope this inspires your own decor!  

Shop the pillows in this room: 

   
  

   

Pillows shown: Anshun Paprika and Blue, Chay Light Blue

Color lover Jennifer Lake recently transformed her neutral blank slate family room with the help of her designer Amelia Canham Eaton. Here’s the before:

Together they decided on a color scheme of blue with hints of pink and then brought that to life with blue striped wallpaper, a gorgeous Paule Marrot art piece, and of course pillows...

"Knowing that our sectional was going to be neutral, the perfect pillows were an absolute must. With the wallpaper, art, and furniture nailed down, the pillows would be the pièce-de-resitance. My favorites? The floral print Anshun pillow was at the very top of my wishlist, and the Chay lumbar pillow has the prettiest texture. Both of them bring so much life to the space while perfectly complimenting the overall feel of the room.” - Jenn Lake

Right: Anshun Paprika and Blue  | Left: Chay Light Blue

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I remember seeing the premiere issue of Domino magazine back in 2005 and completely falling in love with the statement making patterned fabric on the sofa - the La Fiorentina Wine and Magenta linen...

It was then that I started my total obsession with beautiful luxury textiles. I dreamed of one day using that fabric in my own home. As I met and chatted with other design-obsessed friends, I learned that they had a similar desire. 

So several years later when I decided to start Arianna Belle, it was only natural that I used the La Fiorentina Wine & Magenta for one of my first few offerings - pillows that would allow you to easily incorporate the covetable fabric into a room's decor without a big commitment. 

Over the years, my team and I have had the pleasure of making these pillows for several customers, including talented designers like Amanda Lee Reid of Mandarina Studio whose gorgeous office is shown above, as well as design bloggers like Elizabeth of The Little Black Door whose colorful living room is shown below. For Elizabeth we did a fun customization with wine piping around the edges and a magenta velvet back.  

We even made some for two national magazines, InStyle and Better Homes and Gardens, who requested them for feature. 

All great things must come to an end though and soon it will be time to retire the La Fiorentina Wine and Magenta pillow. Once it sells out, it will be time to say goodbye. If you've been eyeing it, now's the time to get it before it's gone.

SHOP THE LA FIORENTINA >> 

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Image credits: 1- Young House Love, 2 & 3 - Mandarina Studio, 4 - The Little Black Door

Leopard Velvet pillow

Recently we had the honor of seeing our pillows featured in the print magazine Style at Home, as part of a story showcasing the chic home of interior designer Sarah Walker. She had transformed the living room and other spaces within the main floor as part of the One Room Challenge. Below is a look:

I love how Sarah combined various patterns without making the space feel overwhelming by differing the scale and sticking to a consistent color palette. 

The perfect coffee table accessories: a beautiful tray, a luxury candle, an organic element and fresh flowers. 

The classic Leopard Velvet pillow (size 20x20) adds the perfect touch of animal print.  

The metallic Kubus Argent pillows (size 20x20) on the two accent chairs are a luxurious accent. 

The clear acrylic ghost chairs are a modern complement to the rustic wood table. 

A colorful fresh floral arrangement makes a beautiful dining table centerpiece.  

The magazine feature:

Shop the Look

Leopard Velvet / Kubus Argent / Channels Ebony & Ivory

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photographs of Sarah's home by Larry Arnal

Shop the Look

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