3 ways to style a bolster cushion

29 May

Bolster Pillows as a Centerpiece

It’s hard for a bolster pillow to not stand out- even in a sea of throw pillows. Give your ‘hotdog pillow’ the attention it deserves by making it the centerpiece of your furniture setting.

To make a bolster cushion the centerpiece of your bedding decor, line up your usual pillow shams against the headboard, then layer two euro shams next to each other in front of that. Finally, lay the bolster pillow in front to finish the look. Together, this style has tons of visual interest thanks to the multiple different pillow shapes and potential for pattern play.

On a sofa, chaise, or loveseat, toss the bolster pillow in the center of the furniture piece and place a layer (or two!) of matching throw pillows on either side. Once again, this look allows for the use of tons of different patterns, textures, and colors while still utilizing a bolster as the focal point of the look.

Bolster Pillows as Statement Decor

Rolling into another way to style your bolster pillows, an extra long bolster pillow, like our 9'' x 48'' bolster, can serve as a bold statement piece. Center one of these long cylinder pillows on any bed, daybed, or sofa and let it stand solo as the focal point.

To add a little balance to your bedding that doesn’t take away from the bolster cushion itself, use neutral or muted colors and patterns on your pillow shams, then let the bolster do the talking. Try a daring and unexpected pattern or any of our luxurious Classic Velvet bolster pillows for a statement pillow that is simultaneously bold yet elegant.

If your furniture or bedding already features lively patterns or colors, placing a solid bolster pillow in Classic Linen or a modest pattern can be equally as striking.

Bolster Pillows as Accents

So far we’ve discussed how the bold shape of a bolster cushion can serve as an eye-catching focal point in any room, but these versatile cylinder pillows can also be used as subtle accents on any piece of furniture. Beds and couches get most of the focus when it comes to decorating, but bolster pillows can serve as appealing accents on chairs, daybeds, and recliners as well.

On a bench or low-profile sofa, adding two identical bolster pillows on the ends to serve as armrests can add comfort and character to an otherwise basic piece of furniture. Or, add a short bolster pillow to your favorite recliner, desk chair, or papasan chair to add detail in any space as well as some lumbar support.

Don’t forget that any of these styling tips can be taken to your outdoor living areas as well.

Designer Tip:

To make your bolsters pop on any bed, be sure to follow our general sizing guide: