Pillow Covers- Decorate Your Living Space and Protect Your Pillows

If you want to revamp your bedroom or living area but in a subtle and nonchalant way then decorative pillow covers are home maker’s best bet. They are affordable, stylish and can totally transform the space by just throwing a few of them. Providing the perfect finishing touch to your décor without burning a hole in the pocket, pillow covers are perfect accessories. If you don’t want to do a full blown décor with new furniture, carpets, lighting and paint and still want to add a breath of fresh air and liveliness to the living space then decorative pillow covers is the answer.

The most plushiest, comfortable and plump sofas, sectionals and wing chairs need a smattering of squishy pillow covers. Whether you want to fill up an empty sofa, add some color to break the monotony or want to have them around for comfort and relaxation, they can perfectly blend in any way you want. You can go for the bespoke ones, get them upholster in the same fabric as the sofa (boring!!) or opt for the most popular route; mix and match.

Decorative pillow covers are not just an eye candy they are functional as well. They are the easiest way to inject glamour, color and vibrancy to any room. Be creative when selecting pillow covers they have the ability to give a complete makeover to any room and you must explore all your options and settle for nothing less than the best. With markets and online shops buzzing with options it’s not easy to navigate through the innumerous options being hurled at us. From fabrics, textures, colors to patterns, designs and sizes the options are overwhelming and to select those 5-6 pieces that work best for your area is a hard one to decide.

That is where we come to pitch in; in this article I’ll walk you through all your options and guide you in such a way that you become a pro in choosing pillow cover and save you the hassle of returning. Here are 5 no-fail ways to become a pro-pillow-person.

1.      Choose a color to tie everything together  

Look around your house, rooms, furniture or curtains for inspiration; it’s your best guide to select an anchor color. Once you have selected a color that unifies all the things together and makes the overall look cohesive, hold on to it and buy pillow covers that are in that color or have hints of it. You can also go for pillow covers that belong to the same family as your anchor color; this will give variety and a board color palette.

2.      Play with textures

When you have selected a color story try not to deviate from it, instead play with textures. An assortment of textures will add visual interest and dimension to the sofa. Try the 3 texture rule which is safe and the result is always pleasing. Go for textures that complement the entire space and not just the sofa. Choose a floral, a geometric and a solid color pattern or a chevron, a stripe and a knit texture pillow cover. These mix and match of texture will compliment your walls, sofa, curtains or rugs and make it interconnected and well-thought after.

3.      Try different sizes

As you move into the sofa the size should get smaller. The patterns should not compete with each other; they should complement and balance the look. The bigger pillow covers should have the boldest pattern, the medium one should be a stripe or polka dots and the smaller one can be a solid color with faux fur or knit texture. When you have a steady color story then variation in sizes and textures make the décor interesting.

4.      Try not to clutter

Think about the practical usage of the pillows, are you someone who loves movie nights with friends and grabs a pillow cover to prop up or the living area is only used when formal guests arrive. If you are from the former set of people, throwing too many pillows will feel like you’re stuffed in a bag of marshmallows and if you’re from the latter set of people you may want to strike a perfect balance to make sure everyone is comfortable and the outlook is trendy.

5.      Go for a symmetrical or asymmetrical look

When all your principle bases are covered the last step is the placement of the pillows. If you want a quirky, spin-off look and if the setting is very cohesive and in sync with all the elements then have an asymmetrical look and throw an odd number of pillows. Try different sizes to give some movement in the décor. If you want to give a very symmetrical and traditional look then go for the same size and even number of pillows.

Protection of pillow covers

Buying throw pillows is one thing but we must also take measures to protect the pillow covers for a long lasting usage. Invest in pillow protectors and covers that guard against wear and tear, block fluids and stains. The zip closure ensures no dust mites and bed bugs sneak through. They also help to keep the pillows fluffier as they defend effectively against the saliva, sweat and oils.

Cleaning the pillow covers need a bit more attention as they come in different colors, textures and patterns one must see instructions for the proper cleaning but if there aren’t any instructions then feel the material and do spot testing before stripping them and throwing in the front load machine.  Silks and velvets need more care than cotton or linens. For embellished or embroidered pillows try hand washing as harsh detergents and machines can ruin them.

Lastly the storage of pillows is also very important. Discard the ones you are sure you are over with, as there is no point in storing them. Try categorizing them in such a way that they are easy to find next time. Buy quality packing material that ensures proper storing and keeps them good as new. With these tips your pillows will be good as new for the next season and will be able to revitalize your living space just like you want it.