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What shape and color throw pillows should I get?

20 days ago
last modified: 20 days ago

I’m working on finishing a living room refresh and would love some advice on throw pillows for a pair of accent chairs.

The room is heading in a sophisticated, moody lounge direction — vintage-inspired, a little collected/eclectic, with brass accents, a large floral painting, a dark patterned rug, burgundy curtains, a gray chesterfield sofa, and dark wood pieces. I recently painted a pair of white metal chairs in Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Satin Claret Wine. The satin finish is much better than the glossier burgundy I tried first, and I think the color works well with the floral painting and curtains.

Now I’m torn on the chair pillows. The chairs are about 17 inches wide, so I’m leaning toward lumbar pillows instead of square pillows because I don’t want to hide too much of the chair back.

I’m considering 12x16 lumbar pillows.

The colors I’m considering are:

  • Navy blue velvet — ties into the rug, sofa pillows, and darker tones in the painting.
  • Chocolate brown chenille — moody, textural, and subtle.
  • Olive green velvet — botanical and vintage-feeling.
  • Bronze / antique gold velvet, specifically a color called “Sunlit Kelp” — ties into the brass accents and warm golden tones in the painting and rug.

I’d love opinions on both shape and color. Should I stick with navy because it connects to the existing room colors, or would olive/bronze/chocolate feel more sophisticated with the Claret Wine chairs? Also, would 12x16 be a good size for 17-inch-wide chairs, or should I go longer with 12x20?

I’m attaching photos of the room and a few pillow options. Any suggestions are appreciated!









Comments (18)

  • PRO
    20 days ago

    I need to see the whole space and IMO those chairs look uncomfortable with or without a pillow. Is that the only place you want pillows ? BTW the art is hung a bit high

  • 20 days ago
    last modified: 19 days ago

    Assume you are adding for interest vs comfort - would you consider just reupholstering the seat? The chair’s features will become more visible and appreciated. Suggest going bolder and richer and duplicate some colors in your art which will create more of a vignette.




    Duplicate the colors with cushions on the couch and test swatches abd cushions (that can be returned).


    If interested, the best way to achieve a moody lounge effect is with paint.




  • 20 days ago
    last modified: 20 days ago

    of the options shown, the gold/bronze. Have you considered a little chest of drawers under the painting rather than the little table? The chairs appear so fragile that a bolder piece of furniture would firm up the area. just a thought.

  • 20 days ago

    I just glanced at your pics. From the options you are considering, this is the best one, imo. It looks good.




    You have a good eye.


  • 20 days ago

    At the beginning of the month, my space looked like this:




    I recently purchased the larger table and brass tray from Facebook Market place. The chairs aren't really used by anyone other than my cats.




    And yes, I plan on replacing the lamp, not sure with what yet.

  • 20 days ago

    This one works, too- especially since you want dark/moody:




    The black might also work, if it was on a lumbar.


    Really, any of your ideas could work.


    It’s your art... and you have a good eye- so go with what looks and feels right to ’You’. Van Gogh would... ;)


  • 20 days ago

    I just noticed your comment, we were possibly posting at the same time. Well... the cat is gorgeous. And since those are his/her chairs- please let cat weigh in here. Maybe black lumbars!

  • 20 days ago
    last modified: 20 days ago

    Do you need the table and lamp in the corner?

    Use the end table from the corner and center the sofa on the window, pulled away from the window a bit more. put the solid round cocktail table at the other end of the sofa, in front of it.

    For a moody feel, paint the room the same Merlot color as the curtains.

  • 20 days ago

    The sofa would be smashed up against the wall with that centering it on the window idea, I think. And with the current placement, at least some of the sofa clears the windows. Plus, the lamp in that spot seems nice.

  • 20 days ago

    You came here for advice on pillows for two accents chairs. Any of your pictured ideas can work. Plus, the black lumbar idea I offered, is another one for you. So if I were you- I would pick one of these pillow ideas- and move on...


  • 20 days ago
    last modified: 20 days ago

    Any would work. Just here to say I like your black cat! I’m taking my grandchildren to a local cat rescue in our city, told them I would prefer a black cat but they can pick.

  • 20 days ago

    In my opinion the brown, green, and gold ones that you show look as if you tried to match the seat upholstery color but missed. You need more contrast, although the navy might work. Consider if you really need pillows there.

  • 20 days ago

    Try sapphire blue.

  • 20 days ago

    Reupholster the seat cushions the same color as the burgundy paint and skip the pillows. Clear all objects from the round table so that its shape makes more of an impact on its own and there's no small clutter below the painting.


    Put an antiqued brass floor lamp in the corner with a light or dark shade.

    Uttermost Elica Twist Buffet Lamp, Gold · More Info



  • PRO
    20 days ago

    I don't have an opinion on the pillows but the art is mounted too high on the wall and the table lamp selected doesn't work in the space.



  • 20 days ago

    BeverlyFLADeziner, totally agree, the table lamp doesn't work in the space. And I cannot believe I never noticed that the painting is hung too high.

  • PRO
    20 days ago
    last modified: 20 days ago

    My suggestion is to hang the art in the center of the wall...eye height. It needs nothing else.

    The metal chairs look too outdoors, too red and too small to work with the rug, the Chesterfield sofa and the art.

    Impressionism inspired throw pillows for the sofa?





  • 19 days ago

    I like the bronze lumbar.