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Designer FAQs: Outdoor Decorative Pillows
How do you use outdoor throw pillows for decorating?
As far as which outdoor pillow colors and patterns to use when you’re decorating, the sky’s the limit! We love to mix bold stripes or patterned pillows with coordinating solid colors. We even have outdoor pillows with hand-painted designs on the front.
One method for arranging outdoor pillows is the 2-2-1 rule.
- Place your two brightest, most vividly patterned, or largest pillows next to the armrests of your outdoor sofa or sectional, one on each side.
- Atop each of those pillows, add a slightly smaller or less vivid complementary pillow. You could choose a solid color that complements an outside pillow with a very vivid pattern or the opposite: have a bright, solid pillow on the outside and use a lightly patterned pillow on top of it, one that picks up just a hint of that vivid solid color.
- In the middle of your sofa, add a lumbar pillow.
The 2-2-1 formula is one approach to outdoor pillow arranging, but there are a million ways to create something beautiful. For more outdoor decorative pillow arranging ideas, see some of our outdoor inspiration rooms.
You can also have custom outdoor pillows made to order in 150+ solution-dyed polyester fabrics.
- To order fabric swatches, see our outdoor fabrics.
- Ping Designer Chat or visit a Design Center if you need a hand creating your pillow mix; our service is always complimentary.
What kinds of decorative pillow fabrics are best for outside use?
Ethan Allen’s indoor/outdoor pillows are made from solution-dyed polyester, a fabric that’s water, fade, and UV resistant. We carry more than 150 of these fabrics; they resist mold and mildew, and they’re easy to clean—many are bleach cleanable.
Your outdoor pillow filling—will it stand up to moisture and outdoor elements?
Our outdoor pillow inserts are crafted from blown polyester fiber that’s encased in a water-resistant ticking. They will stand up to the elements, but to maximize their lifespan, we recommend storing them indoors when you’re not using them.
Can indoor pillows be used outdoors?
They can for short periods of time. When you take indoor pillows (or any indoor décor, for that matter) outside, they won’t have the same resistance to fading and the elements as pillows made for the outdoors. If a bird flies overhead and leaves an unwelcome gift on your indoor pillow, it’s not going to be as easy to clean as a pillow made from an indoor/outdoor fabric.
Keep in mind that using indoor fabrics outdoors can void your product warranty, so make sure you return them to the great indoors right after use.
What about the opposite: Do outdoor throw pillows work indoors?
An outdoor throw pillow can be a great choice for your sunroom or for any room that sees a lot of natural light, or if there’s a pattern that you love and can’t get in an indoor fabric. Their fade-resistant properties will last longer in a bright sunroom than most indoor fabrics.
Do your outdoor decorative pillows come in more than one size?
Yes. We offer two sizes: 20" square pillows and 14" x 20" lumbar pillows. Mixing sizes can make your pillow arrangements more visually interesting.
Do you have more questions? Click the Designer Chat icon, or contact your local Design Center—we’re happy to help!
