Get creative. “A great pillow can truly make a room feel complete.” But a “bad one—or even an excess of good ones—can throw off the balance of color and texture.” If you prefer bold prints, pair them with subtle patterns to “tone things down.”
Create contrast. First consider the texture of your furniture and then choose a pillow covered in material that’s different enough to provide an “interesting interplay.” If you have a leather sofa, try a “nubbly linen or soft velvet” pillow.
Make quality choices. “There’s nothing worse than a lumpy, misshapen throw pillow” plopped down on a sofa. “Fluff the pillow several times” and “look for protruding feathers” before buying.
Know when to stop. “There is such a thing as too many throw pillows.” A very large sofa can handle three pillows, but most look best with one or two. “A good rule of thumb: If you have to move them to sit comfortably, you’ve got too many.”
Source: Apartmenttherapy.com