Pillow talk: The artful placement of pillows...
don't go overboard or over the Head board when piling pillows on the bed
Arranging pillows on a sofa or bed is a fairly mundane activity that in itself does not necessarily require instruction. However, if your home is on the market and your looking to give your property it's best face possible, here are some simple pointers to give your pillowed furniture practical pizazz.
Less is more, more or less: regardless of how passionate you are for pillows, the old adage that less is more applies when it comes to staging the bedroom. The best approach to pillow placement is not to cover more than a quarter of the bed with pillows and to layer them no more than four deep and five across. Ideally, you should keep the pillow count under ten for King and Queen beds and less than six pillows on full and twin sized beds including sleeping pillows. Now day beds and pune'e (Hawaiian day beds) naturally require more pillows in order to supply adequate back support when seated so you have a little more leeway here in the pillow count but remember less is more.
"...What immortal hand or eye, could frame thy fearful symmetry?" -William Blake: Of course, Blake was talking about a tiger when he wrote this poem but it applies to pillow placement too. Be fearful of over doing symmetrical patterning when it comes to the context of the room. Too much of 'two of everthing' can make a room predictable and boring. Most designers will tell you to use an odd number of pillows on beds and sofas and for the most part I agree but if you are using asymmetrical patterning else where in the room then it's OK and sometimes advisable to pair pillows up.
Size matters and variety is good thing: avoid using just small pillows on a big bed and vice versa. Proportionality is important and using different sizes, shapes, colors and textures helps to make the bed a focal point in the room.
Seven & Three
When it comes to sofas you want to be able to sit comfortably without having to move pillows around to do so. Keeping pillows closer to the arm rests makes this a little easier. On a standard size sofa try to keep the pillow count under 7 and with love seats 3 or less.
Bold & Bright
When you want to give a little more contemporary feel to transitional furniture use bright colors and bold patterns. Floral patterns are usually a traditional standard but there are many modern floral prints available today that can give a modern flare to your transitional decor.
Balance & Weight
A little color goes a long way. Adding a touch of color can give balance to a sofa. In the example below the detail of the face pillow pulls the eye to the right while the blue draws the eye to the opposite end giving equal visual weight to both sides of the sofa.
Variations on a Theme
Pillow themes can really pile on the charm factor when staging but beware of being too kitsch. Below is a ocean theme using bright red contrast, textured fabrics intimating coral, and a blue crab to define the theme. Of course this looks great in a beach house not so great in a log cabin in the mountains.
Mirth & Whimsy
Everyone can use a little laugh these days. Using whimsy to entertain potential buyers can lighten the mood of a space and create a sense of fun and interest. Unusual pillow shapes like the penguins and felt "stones" can instantly transport your imagination to another place, which is not really the purpose of staging so temper your sense of humor and keep the avant garde for your new home.
The penguins and felt stones are a couple examples of my favorite pillows. Although, I wouldn't necessarily stage with them I would definitely use them as an interior decorator. I invite you to post your favorite pillows and share how they make you feel. So lets continue the pillow talk...
Pillow Talk: the artful placement of pillows vol I. beyond the fringe
JDS Consulting-Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog:Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- tel.+1.808.927.9162 Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008
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Hi Kimo,
I definitely like the "Red" couch... Good suggestions! THANKS!!!!
;>)
Aloha Kimo ~ Nice follow-up to Part 1. Great tips to how many pillows to use and placement. I have seen some beds that are over-pillowed and can't imagine where you put them all when turning the bed down at night.
I love placing pillows when I stage - but find myself getting overly annoyed when they get moved around. My eye starts to twitch when I go into a house and realize that the agent re-arranged them to her satisfaction or, gasp, the homeowner wanted to sit down to watch tv. I've resorted to taking photos and emailing them to the clients - this is how it is SUPPOSED to look!! And don't get me started on the pillow fights with the 3 year olds. Yikes!
Seriously - I love these photos - the penguins and felt stones are my favorites. Some fabulous information and I appreciate it.
Aloha Ann-Marie, Mahalo for visiting and happy pillowing!
Aloha Kathy, I tend to push the limit when it comes to the pillow count for my personal space. When staging, three seems to be the magic number for me.
Gosh Kimo,... another fantastic post! "Pillow Talk" one of my favorite Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies! ;) I love arranging pillows using different variations of patterns and textures and mixing them all together!
Aloha, Kimo. I think I've seen a few beds that look like the first example =) and I recently come across those felt stone pillows you mention: NOT cheap! I'm trying to figure out how to get that "look for less" because I LOVE them, however I am no seamstress. The penguin pillows are an eclectic touch - very refreshing whimsy.
Your are right - -some time you see a mass of pillows on the couch or bed -- and if it is bed you end up wondering where on earth they put them at night .
Great photos/examples ... and I like 'less is more'. :)
I tend to throw more pillows on the bed when I'm reading but generally, less is definitely more (for me).
Great examples of how pillows can change it up.
Love your examples. It is amazing how great pillows can add to a room when placed correctly.
Thank you for taking the time with the well done photography...picking up a color or adding an accent with different sizes and shapes is a great way to "light up a room." Our pillow inventory is vibrant and climbing \in numbers.
Excellent post!! There is nothing worse than looking at a sofa with tons of pillows and having to ask, "Where am I going to sit/fit?" Thank you!
Jan Whitlow, ASPM, IAHSP
I never realized there were so many options. Everyone in my house messes up my sofa pillows, including my 2 dogs.
Kimo,
Thanks for the post. Always a feast for the eyes and helpful information.
Thank you for your great post, Kimo. I see so many "tired" beds, sofas...clients are amazed at the transformation just adding/arranging pillows can accomplish. Funny, no matter how many times I do it, it amazes me as well!
Great Post!! I love every single example. Thanks for the inspiration!
The first picture of the bed loaded with pillows reminded me of something I've always wanted to see an interior decorator do on one of those TV shows my wife likes so much. Show a guest bedroom with a pillowl loaded bed at bedtime when the guest is in town. I can imagine suitcases on the floor, pillows strewn all over, a bag with dirty laundry and a tripping hazzard worthy of cancellation of ones home owner's insurance. Obviously, I've got a "thing" with all those pillows on the bed. However, I did find your comments useful and your placement of pillows on the sofas was tasteful, ie you left some space to use the sofa for its intended purpose,,,, sitting.
All those pillow to take off the bed and artful replace again in the morning. Now way, no thank you! The less is more theory works much better and you show it perfectly in the pictures.
Excellent post with super ideas and examples. I have always felt there is an art to good pillow arrangement whether staging or living in a home. You got it right.
Great examples of how the little things placed corrrectly can make a room pop! I also love the red sofa.
I didn't know how little I knew about Pillow arranging until I read this...this was VERY useful...now can you write a post on picture frames and arrangments.. ;)
Love this! Finally, an answer to the "how many pillows" dilemma! Do you mind if I link to your post from my next newsletter? My clients need to see this! Thanks!
Very tastefully done! LOVE the pictures. Staging seems like a fun profession and you are truly one.
Great post...really illustrates how pillows can make a difference...love the red couch!
So I see this blog and your picture and I think to myself: "The only pillow placement I'd like to do is position some right under your head!"
Lord have mercy! Talking about pillows from a man who looks like you do, can only elicit some daydreams for an overworked agent... Go easy on us with your pillow talk! Either that, or take that enticing picture off!
OK! Now that I've taken this off my chest: GOOD BLOG!
ANONYMOUS
Aloha Kimo and what a great topic! Thank you for this valuable lesson Im adding it to my favorites. I sometimes have pillow dilemmas ! LOL thank You
I believe less is absolutely more when it comes to pillows on the bed. From a practical standpoint who wants to spend any more time than necessary removing and replacing decorative pillows on their bed every morning and night.
Kimo, there is no one better for Pillow Talk...sic...and congratulations on the feature. You deserve it!!!
Kimo - I love how you've taken the art of pillow placement to new heights in these beautiful photos. It's amazing what a little color can do to add that little extra decorative touch to a sofa or a bed.
Great looking post Kimo. Less is always more. You understand Staging well. As always great inspiration to other stagers and to consumers looking for someone to improve their interior decorations for selling. Keep up the good work.
The little things can really make a difference, and in almost everything in live, LESS is MORE.
Thanks for the chuckle on the first photo -- I've seen a few beds that are very close!
Great post. I think I'll pass it on to my mom who has what I'd term a pillow fetish.
www.RobertWBowen.com
Kimo - who knew that there could be so much to know about arranging pillows! Is that Julius Caesar in the bedroom, hmm, not so much ;-)lol. The Penguins are adorable and would probably walk away with my grandchildren.
Good grief! Who knew one could produce an entire blog on pillow placement. Just joking. This was pretty helpful. Gotta go remove some pillows.
OK, I got the pillows stacked just the way I want them...I am a very practical person. I was thinking of hot gluing them together in that position so that when I remove them every night and put them back in the morning I can lift the whole thing up set it down next to my bed and repeat in the morning to save me the hassle of doing one at a time. What do you think about that? LOL
Hi Kimo, Fabulous pillows, you are definitely the Pillow King. I love the black sofa pillows with the teal accent ! God bless,
Aloha Michelle, there are so many varieties of pillows available today it boggles the mind. I can spend far more time than I should searching through pillows and creating endless combinations.
Aloha Connie, the "stones" alone in a small meditation room would look incredible I think.
Aloha Bob, someone should invent a pillow compactor for storage.
Aloha Sylvie, Thanks for visiting.
Aloha Michelle, Mahalo nui loa!
Aloha Kathy, art & pillows can really carry a room.
Aloha Sally & David, having a large number and wide variety in your pillow inventory is a great asset for staging.
Aloha Jan, no one likes to compete for seating with a pillow. Usually they end up in my lap or on the floor.
Aloha Diane, my dogs love to burrow under and knock the pillows around and do so almost immediately after I arrange them.
Aloha William, Thank you for commenting.
Aloha Marian, it truly is amazing how pillows can transform a space.
Aloha Jacqueline, Mahalo for visiting.
Aloha Richard, pillows can sometimes take over a space and befuddle your patience. It's always good to keep an eye on their numbers lest they smother you in your sleep.
Aloha Cindy, nothing is worse than adding more things to do in your morning routine.
Aloha Connie, thank you. I like to apply artful consideration to just about everything I do.
Aloha Cat, God and the devil are in the details.
Aloha Konnie, mahalo for suggesting an excellent post topic.
Aloha Lizette, please do link and mahalo nui loa.
Aloha Eva, staging is what you make of it but the design aspect is certainly fun for me.
Aloha Sonja, thank you, the red couch is very inviting.
Aloha Anonymous, I'm blushing thank you. But it's my parents you have to thank for my appearance.
Aloha Fernando, pillows can overwhelm you if you don't give yourself guidelines and self control. You know you are in trouble when you start making excuses for pillows.
Aloha Jim, many share your sentiment, mahalo for commenting.
Aloha Terrylynn, Thank you...thank you!
Aloha Donna, color is a powerful trans-formative element when used thoughtfully.
Castellum Gentlemen, thank you for the compliment and stopping by, Aloha!
Aloha Kerry, We definitely have too much stuff these days, just look at all the self storage places there are. I can't imagine paying rent for things you don't use.
Aloha Robert, I hope your mom enjoys the post and thanks for passing it on.
Aloha Judy, no it's not Julius, it's a Greek cameo and it has a mate that I didn't show. The penguins are super fun.
Aloha Marian, I had more that I edited out. Thanks for commenting.
Aloha Rosa, hehehehe... I can imagine this glued mass going on and off the bed in a simple flick of the wrist, perfect every time.
Aloha Cheryl, I except your appointment, hahahaha.
When I was a photographer I used to get so annoyed with stylists that thought there should be NO sitting room on a couch, and no sleeping room on a pillow. I think that people have crazy notions about all of the "throw" pillows. And the "throw" part is because you have to throw them all over the floor in order to use the area.
Kimo... great post on pillow talk.. Pillows can dress up if done correctly.
Wow! You clearly know this business. Thanks for the informative and colorful post.
Funny Post ... Funny because I was always taught to place pillows at an angle and my housekeepr has re arraned all my pillows in my house like yours and it looks so much more appealing - I thin my housekeeper is missing an opportunity - ! She's right on track with you!!
So all those years and this is what they mean't. I love the pictures, I have had a few accessories that looked like those by the way. Thanks for you imput.
Aloha Lane, I think the designers you mention might have misconstrued nesting with design, thanks for visiting.
Aloha Roland, simple little buggers, pillows but they can pack a big punch.
Aloha Marcia, thanks for commenting. When I'm pushing the pillow count to the max, I like to angle the inside layers as you do. However, they often have a hard time staying in place if they're not packed in tightly and often need constant fruffing and adjusting.
Aloha Joyce, if your referring to 'pillow talk' I've expressed the literal meaning of the words, the actual common understanding of the phrase refers to the adoring chat that goes on post coitus. Hawaiians traditionally love to play with double entendres and multiple meanings in wordsand I'm no exception. mahalo for visiting.
Aloha Jason, oops I missed your comment and thanks for the compliment.
Kimo -- thanks for a fun and informative topic! I have to confess to an obsession with accent pillows -- I love rooms that are more like a neutral canvas that can be transformed with a few carefully chosen accessories, like pillows. It helps me indulge my passion for fabrics, texture, color, and contrast. BUT I can't stand too many pillows -- your first image of the bed groaning under the weight of the throw pillows (which get tossed onto the floor at night) is my nightmare!
Just a few of my own pillow suggestions:
- DON'T place a big karate-chop in the middle of a pillow. Ever.
- DON'T use the same-fabric or matchy-matchy pillows that originally came with the sofa or chair, ditch them right away. Instead, select a contrasting color and/or fabric pillow to coordinate with, but not match, the upholstry. If you're petrified of choosing from the array of accent pillows out there, take comfort that solid colors, without lots of frou-frou trim, can be a great safe choice.
- DON'T show your home with limp, stale and dingy pillows. Fresh accent pillows are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to perk up a room
- DON'T bury beds under a pile of pillows. Not only does it look too cluttered and busy for MLS photographs, but it's very '80s-looking. Streamlined is the word.
- DO store most of your accent pillows away, then trade them out as seasons/moods change. They'll look fresh to you again when you place them out bit by bit.
Thanks for letting me vent -- I agree with your suggestions! Leslie
Aloha Leslie, mahalo for visiting and including your pillow suggestions.
Excellent information Kimo, thank you for sharing. I've noticed in several magazines lately and the big thing is the ONE pillow that tops all of the others in the room. It's usually different, unexpected and fabulous. Wish I could find some pics, but it's very catchy.
Aloha Robyn, the accent pillows can pack a major punch at minimal cost. I'm curious about the magazine(s) you mentioned please share. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Kimo, the ones I seem to recall most recently are Domino and Elle Decor. I wish I could remember specific issues, sorry.
Aloha Robyn, Mahalo for the info!
What a super blog post, Kimo! Mahalo for the pillow primer.
Aloha!
Robin
Aloha Robin,
Mahalo for visiting and commenting!