Your Ultimate Pillow Layering Guide for Sofas

Styling

how-to-layer-pillows-on-a-sofa-guide

Here is your ultimate pillow sizing and layering guide. Apply this technique to your sofa or bed to make your home look magazine-worthy, warm and welcoming.

REGULAR SOFAS

Regular sofas measure between 72-89 inches wide. 

My Recommended Square Pillow Sizes: 20×20 and 22×22 
The Best Lumbar Pillow Sizes: 11″ – 14″ height  x  19″ – 20″ width

Buy an insert that is 2″ larger than the cover. These are my HANDS-DOWN favorite pillow inserts (and there IS a difference in pillow inserts and such thing as higher quality. These hold their shape well, are fluffy and fat, and you are able to do the “pillow chop”!

I prefer 2 or 3 layers of pillows so you can mix patterns and textures.

Two Layers:

  • Back Pillow: two 22″ square pillows
  • Front Pillow: two 20″ square pillows or one lumbar pillow

Three LayersTry a mix of solids, a small scale pattern and a large scale pattern.

  • Layer #1: two 22″ square pillows
  • Layer #2: two 20″ square pillows
  • Layer #3: one lumbar pillow

SMALL SOFAS

Small sofas measure less than 72 inches wide.

Stick to 2 layers for a smaller sofa.
The Best Lumbar Pillow Sizes: 10″ – 13″ height  x  17″ – 19″ width

Two Layers:

  • Back Pillow: two 22″ square pillows
  • Front Pillow: two 20″ square pillows or one lumbar pillow

LONG/DEEP SOFAS

Deep sofas have a seat depth of 26 inches or greater. Long sofas measure 90 inches wide or greater. 


The Best Square Pillow Sizes: 20″ – 24″
The Best Lumbar Pillow Sizes: 13″ – 15″ height  x  20″ – 22″ width

You can do 3 or 4 layers of pillows for deeper sofas.

Three Layer Option

  • Layer #1: two 24″ square pillows
  • Layer #2: two 22″ square pillows
  • Layer #3: two 20″ square pillows or one lumbar pillow

The Four Layer Option 

  • Layer #1: two 24″ square pillows
  • Layer #2: two 22″ square pillows
  • Layer #3: two 22″ or 20″ square pillows
  • Layer #4: one lumbar pillow

HAPPY FLUFFING!

with love,
Jennifer Ma