How to Choose the Perfect Pillowcase Colour

This guide will help you figure out how to choose a pillowcase colour. Whether you're trying to find decorative pillowcases for your bedroom or cushions for your living room, here are some essential tips.

Pillows are a great way to bring more personality into a room. The right throw pillows can not only help create a cohesive look in your living space, but they're also a great way to add some visual interest.

Whether you're styling your bed or amping up your living room decor, figuring out the colour first is a great starting point. Keep reading for expert tips that will help you choose the right colour for your perfect pillows.

Think About the Function of the Pillows

The first thing to consider when figuring out the colour palette of your pillows is their function. While some pillows may contribute to your overall design aesthetic, others serve a more practical purpose.

Practical pillows

For pillows that are more practical than pretty, a solid colour or neutral colour generally works best. Because these pillows are intended to serve a useful purpose more than anything else, a plain look helps them blend in. Examples include:

Standard pillows: These are the typical rectangular pillows on a bed. Generally, these look best when you select pillowcases that match your sheets or other bedding.
Supportive cushions: Whether on the couch or bed, large pillows that provide extra support while sitting or lying down also look best when they blend in.
Lumbar pillow: A lumbar pillow is a long, low pillow that supports your spine and helps improve posture. Though these pillows can be lifesavers for your back, they're not always the most glamorous-looking cushions. Therefore, it's generally best to choose one that blends in with your furniture colours or simply stow it away in a linen closet or armoire when not in use.

Decorative pillows

There is a huge variety of pillows that may serve a more visual purpose than anything else. You can be more experimental with this kind of pillow and cushion, as their purpose is to contribute to the overall look of a room. Examples include:

Sofa pillows: Sofa pillows come in all shapes and sizes. For a traditional look, you can choose to match throw pillows by choosing one colour for all of them. For something a little bold, mix up your throw pillow combination by choosing 2-3 colours that complement the rest of the room's decor.
Boudoir pillows: Boudoir pillows are smaller pillows that serve a primarily decorative purpose. Because of the small size of the pillow, boudoir pillows are a great way to incorporate an accent color or different patterns.
European pillows: European pillows (also called Euro pillows) are large, square bed pillows that provide ample accenting opportunities. European pillows look great when chosen in complementary colors to bed sheets, or when they add an element of fun. For example, European pillows with scalloped edges bring a cute touch and a sense of playfulness.
Round pillows: Round pillows come in different sizes, but are often used as extra decoration. Choosing round pillows that match your room's colour scheme will help strengthen the overall look, while bold patterns can add a slight twist to a room's overall aesthetic.
Smaller pillows: Like round pillows, small pillows typically serve a decorative purpose and are a great way to get experimental with your decor. Thanks to cushion covers, changing up the look and feel of your accent pillows is easy. Whether you choose floral patterns, interesting textures like velvet or embroidery, or make a statement with graphic prints, smaller throw pillows are a low-stakes way to play with the look of your living space.
Bolster pillows: Bolsters are long, often round, pillows that bring variety into a room through their unique shape. While some bolster pillows come in geometric patterns or bold colours, it's usually best to keep them aligned with your overall decor. Given their unique silhouette, these pillows can sometimes stand out too much when their prints are too bright, or colours are too bold.

Think About the Size of the Pillows

If you didn't think that size impacts how your pillow colours look, think again. How big a pillow plays a huge role in what kinds of colours will suit it. A good rule of thumb is that large pillows should be more neutral or blend in, while smaller pillows can be more dramatic.

For larger pillows, like standard bed pillows, it's best to select pillow covers that match your bedding or sofa. Small pillows, on the other hand, are better able to add a bit of embellishment.

If you want to add bold colour or pattern to your room, try the look first on a small pillow rather than a large cushion, which may overwhelm your overall vibe.

Think About What Kind of Maintenance You Want

When considering pillow colours, it's a good idea to keep your lifestyle in mind. Some households may be able to make a light-and-bright, white colour story work, while others may find it impossible to avoid stains.

If you have young children or pets or know that you're just prone to spilling, light-colored pillows might not be the best option for you.

Conversely, if you have a white-haired cat who sheds a lot, choosing dark-coloured pillows may require you to constantly lint roll to remove obvious stray furs from your new throw pillows.

If you know that a little bit of mess is unavoidable in your home, you may want to choose pillows that can help disguise stains. Floral patterns, bold colours, and different textures can all help disguise smudges, meaning less stress for you and a better-looking home in the long run.