To me decorative pillows are the most versatile home accessory. It's like a piece of jewelry that can transform an otherwise bland chair, bed, or room, and that is the single reason why I am so passionate about them. Decorative pillows make a powerful statement in any décor. They always invite one to unwind in comfort as they can inject a pop of colour, soften a space, create contrast, inject elegance, add texture and bring dimension to your space. After all, what is more comfortable than chatting with a friend on a chaise lounge or reading on your patio with a plush pillow at your back or under your feet? 

Pillows styles are endless. They can be extravagantly ornate, whimsical, avant garde, floral, metallic, sequined or quiet and unobstrusive. Whether they are bright or in a high contrast colour, they draw the eye and create excitement. A pillow can showcase your decorative details; embroidery, hand beading, quilting, hand-made rosettes, flowers, bows and yo-yos accentuate ones home. Well-constructed pillows with details draw attention to the overall design of the pillow and ultimately the room.

Most of you may believe that pillows are made from remnants of other sewing projects, but that is only true if you desire a quiet, simple pillow. But for most part when it comes to custom pillows, I always consider the design and size ahead of time, so that the correct yardage per pillow can be included in the client's raw materials budget. 

TYPES OF PILLOWS

Pillows come in various shapes and sizes. Their shapes are also very diverse, and one need not stick with the traditional square, circle, triangle, rectangle or cylinder. Remember, different types of pillows suggest different forms of usage and one has to know the main differences, in order to avoid clash or conflict of design in their home. 

BOLSTERS – A bolster (neckroll) is a cylindrical shaped pillow commonly used on day beds, beds and sides of sofas and chaise lounges. They can be decorative or functional.

FLOOR PILLOWS – Floor pillows are large pillows in varying shapes usually placed in the corner of bedrooms and living rooms to create a reading space, or to provide additional seating in family rooms and are primarily functional in nature.

OUTDOOR – Outdoor pillows come in an array of shapes, sizes and styles and should be made in fabrics best suited for the outdoors.  Sunbrella fabrics are great for this purpose as they are fade-resistant, water-repellant and air dry quickly. 

SEASONAL/OCCASIONAL – These pillows are used only on special occasions or seasons like Christmas, Easter, Birthdays and so on.  They are made in colours or styles suited to the season or occasion and create a look that can be easily removed once the holiday or event passes.

SILK – Silk pillows are the most luxurious decorative pillows. They are made in a variety of styles with or without decorative detailing, creating a very soft but smooth finish, perfect for accentuating high-end furniture and designs. Silks come in various shades, colours, and patterned designs.

CUSTOM – A custom pillow is one that may combine two or more styles of pillow. They may come with or without decorative detailing, and are made to fit the client's exact needs. Indeed, they are the greatest choice amongst all pillows.

WHAT ARE PILLOWS MADE OF?

The fabric you select for your pillow depends on the mood and ambiance you are trying to create. Pillows are relatively small accents, so you can use brighter, more intense colours for them than you would larger furnishings such as slipcovers or drapery. Every pillow has an outer covering of fabric. You can use the same fabric on the front and back for a reversible pillow, or you can choose a decorative fabric on the front and a more utilitarian fabric for the back. To be more creative or really make a pillow pop, you can use more than one fabric, and add a decorative detail to the pillow. You should also consider the pillow's function: Is it a conversational piece, decorative or is it functional? If the pillow is to be used on a regular basis in a TV room for example, choose a washable fabric that can stand up to a lot of wear and tear. For decorative pillows, you can use pure silks, velvets, taffetas etc, in printed, embellished or plain fabrics.

WHAT'S INSIDE PILLOWS?

In addition to lining your pillow covers for a more luxurious feel you may want to add lightweight batting, fleece or padding on the inside of them whether you intend to quilt them or not. For the stuffing, I have found that simply using poly fill, foam, feathers, fibrefill or batting, but without the use of a pillow form will result in a lumpy pillow that can be difficult to wash.  For a more professional approach, use a pillow form (inner sack) that can be removed and reinserted allowing you to wash the pillow cover, or even exchange for another with ease. However, in cases where the pillow has no opening a pillow form should still be used.

Throw pillows can really make your home look stunningly beautiful and elegant, but do not forget the fact that there are different types of pillows meant to meet specific needs and functions. Depending on your budget and desire, pillow prices can range from a few bucks to hundreds of dollars.

Enjoy the pillow gallery for even more colour and fabric combination to fuel your creativity... Have a fun-filled Mother's Day all!