The “2-2-1” Rule Is the Perfect Formula for Styling Pillows on Your Bed, According to Shea McGee

Styling your bed is one of the easiest ways to bring more personality into a bedroom. Aside from investing in quality bedding (and maybe even a transformative bed skirt), you can’t go wrong with adding a few throw pillows as an effortless way to elevate your space and incorporate different colors and textures. Balance is key, though. While I’m often on the side of a “more is more” mentality, you want to avoid drowning in throw pillows that are more decorative than functional.

In the past, I initially styled my bed with the four actual pillows my husband and I sleep with (three for me, one for him) propped up. Then my living room became overwhelmed with throw pillows, so I started repurposing them in our bedroom. Eventually, our bed had nine pillows total, over half of which were purely decorative. Since we don’t have a bench in front of our bed, I usually stacked most of these on top of our accent chairs and laundry hamper, preventing us from using them. I knew it was time to edit things down. 

Even though interior designer Shea McGee confirms there’s no one-size-fits-all throw pillow formula for every bed, she suggests starting out with a 2-2-1 configuration. “I like to start with two sleeping pillows and two shams for a great base,” she says. “Then, layer in throw pillows to create a more curated look. I love odd groupings — three, four, five pillows, or just a lumbar. It’s really about finding what feels right for you.” 

Once you have the number down, think about how the fabrics and prints will work together. “Adding a collection of throw pillows is all about creating dimension,” McGee adds. “Whether you go with a stacked pyramid look or keep it simple with a long lumbar, throw pillows are a great way to bring in texture, pattern, and color. You can keep the palette neutral and mix different textures, or if you’re feeling playful, mix in some patterns.” 

Not sure which order to display your pillows, though, especially if you have a mix of different sizes and styles? “Usually the main pillows of the bed are standing at the back,” says interior designer Lucy Small of State & Season. “Then, I like to use a long colored pillow with a light texture to fluff up the presentation. In front of that, two larger pillows in one color, then either two more in a different color/pattern/texture and an accent pillow in front. The accent will be my statement pillow.” 

One thing to note is that styling does change based on the size of the bed. For instance, I went with two standard pillows and one throw pillow for the twin beds in my guest room, and even less for my baby’s nursery. 

“For a baby under 12 to 18 months, the rule is zero pillows in the crib for sleep safety reasons,” says Timo & Violet founder Erin Jensen. “Once a child gets to 2 years old, especially if they moved into their ‘big kid’ bed, you can have more fun. I would stick to the one-pillow rule for twin beds, but for full-size beds, my older boys have two to three pillows that reflect their interests and personalities.”

Maybe less really is more when it comes to decorative cushions in the bedroom. Throw pillows may elevate your design, but don’t let it get to a point when they overtake your entire room!