One of the keys to a great-looking pillow arrangement is the variety of textures. Add woven linen, faux fur, or knit wool to your mix for a sophisticated touch.
Organic patterns that include nature, like florals and tropical motifs, also work well with leather. And geometric prints like chevron and quatrefoil work with many different styles.
Colors
One of the best ways to make your brown leather sofa pop is by pairing it with pillows that are a different color than the couch. This creates visual interest and can make the room look larger. Colors like cream and gray complement the neutral coloring of brown leather. They also work with a variety of decor styles. A light tan leather pillow with a floral pattern pairs well with Scandi minimalism, while a navy-blue pillow with a boho paisley pattern works well with rustic or industrial décor.
When selecting the right pillow colors for your brown leather couch, consider the entire room’s color scheme. This can help you coordinate your pillows with the colors of the walls, curtains, and rugs in the space.
You can also use the color of the couch as inspiration for the rest of your home’s decor. If you have a brown leather couch with tan accents, look for coordinating throw pillows in shades of tan or taupe to complement the leather and blend in with the rest of your living room furniture.
If you’re going for a more modern look, try using pillows with a geometric pattern. Patterns like chevron, quatrefoil, or scale work well with both neutral and bold colors. They’re especially effective when paired with metallics, like gold or silver. If you prefer a more traditional or classic style, try using pillows with solid or striped fabric. Classic prints like gingham and argyle look great with leather, while floral and tropical motifs complement the richness of the material.
Texture is the final element to keep in mind when choosing pillow colors for your brown leather couch. While it’s important to vary patterns and color, texture is also key for creating a layered and visually appealing pillow arrangement. Try playing with textures like velvet, knit wools, linens, and tasseled accents to add visual interest to your arrangement.
When mixing patterned fabrics with leather, be sure to consider the size and scale of each print. It’s best to stick with a ratio of one large and two smaller patterns. This will prevent the patterns from competing with each other and cause your brown leather couch to look cluttered. If you’re still unsure how to mix patterned fabrics, try using the “blur your eyes” trick. This technique helps you decipher whether the two fabrics are blending seamlessly or competing with each other.
Patterns
Patterns can be the most intimidating element to mix and match with throw pillows, but they don’t have to be. When you’re choosing patterns to pair together, stick with the general rule of one large pattern, one medium, and one small. This will ensure that the patterns support each other instead of competing with each other.
The larger the pattern, the bolder it can be, but smaller patterns tend to look more classic. It is also a good idea to choose a fabric with some texture to it so that the pillow doesn’t just look like another solid color. Adding some type of stitching, fringe, or tassels can help give the pillows some more dimension and interest.
Mixing patterns and textures can be even more fun than just mixing patterns and colors. The most important thing to remember when selecting the fabric for your patterned pillows is that you need to make sure that all of the fabrics are contrasting in size and scale. Having too many small patterns can compete with each other and become overwhelming.
Organic prints are a great way to add some life and movement to a leather sofa. These patterns typically derive inspiration from nature and can include things such as florals and paisley. Geometric patterns are also a good choice and can be used with organic or solid pillows.
If you want a more modern and sophisticated look, pair a wide-striped pillow with a smaller-scaled geometric pattern. This combination will create balance and create a nice contrast between the two different textures of the patterned pillows.
To further create visual interest, try pairing a large textured pillow, such as faux fur or woven wool, with a muted printed or solid pillow. Adding a pop of color with the textured pillow can set the room apart and make it look stylish. Just be sure that you use a quality polyester fiber or cotton-filled pillow for the pillow to keep it from sliding off of the leather.
Texture
When it comes to mixing and matching pillows, texture is the secret ingredient. The juxtaposition of soft velvet or faux fur against rough linen can add a whole new dimension to your mix-and-match. You can also play with different types of weaves, heavier versus lighter weight fabrics, and even tassel or fringe accents. The texture is also key to keeping a mix-and-match look cohesive.
If you’re a pattern-phobe, partnering patterned pillows can seem like a daunting task. However, sticking to the Rule of Three is easier than you might think. Start by designating a color palette. This doesn’t have to be the same as your room color but should ideally incorporate similar or complementary shades. This will help to make sure that your patterned pillow collection meshes seamlessly and doesn’t come across as random or haphazard.
Once you’ve designated a color palette, select two coordinating patterns and one solid-colored pillow to create your initial mix-and-match set. Then, when you’re ready to expand your pillow selection, you can use the same technique. Choose a pattern that fits in with your color story and add another two patterned pillows, again, in varying scales.
For example, a large floral print can be paired with a medium-sized geometric pattern and a small-scale textured lumbar pillow. This allows the eye to move between the three patterned pillows without them competing with each other.
Another great way to experiment with patterned pillows is to choose a complex pattern and add in a simple pattern to the mix. Complex patterns feature a lot of detail and can overwhelm simple striped or polka-dot options. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a large-scale textured pillow to the mix, like this hand-stenciled mud cloth in black.
Sewing through leather isn’t as hard as it might seem, especially with the right needles. They’re available at most fabric stores and can be purchased for relatively cheap. Just be sure to sew with a wide seam allowance and make sure to trim the corners to eliminate any raw edges. You can even use a tufting tool to add tassels and other details.
Materials
When it comes to mixing and matching fabrics, texture is the final ingredient to creating a gorgeous combo. If you stick to a color story and vary patterns, it’s important to mix textures as well so the pillows don’t look flat. Think about textures that stand out, like faux fur, velvet, woven stripes, macrame, knit wools, and fringe or tassel accents.
For example, if you have a gray striped pillow with black leather trim, pair it with a cream linen throw and a green tufted wool pillow to add contrasting colors and textures to your trio. This combination is also a great way to introduce a more masculine fabric to a feminine room without overpowering it with too much boldness.
Sew your front and back pillow pieces together with a 1/2″ seam allowance (right sides together) leaving a gap at the bottom large enough to stuff and blind stitch closed. Then turn the pillowcase right side out, stuff with your pillow form, and blind stitch the bottom opening shut. Sew on the 1-1/8″ x 3-3/4″ strip of leather along both edges, centering it over the wide patterned strip on the pillow.