What Are Toss Pillows?

The toss pillow is a wonderful accent to this neutral ensemble from FFDM Brentwood Collection.

Toss pillows, more commonly known as throw pillows, are small, decorative pillows that are often placed on armchairs, sofas, even on beds. There are also homeowners who place toss pillows on the floor. Outside of the U.S., these are referred to as mere cushions.

A toss pillow serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. They are usually accents that are used to emphasize the decorative elements and the overall theme of a room. Its function is to provide support for the neck and back.

A toss pillow can offer an instant update of the ambience or the style of a room. The great news is that you don’t even need to spend a lot just to update the look of your home. This is an effective and inexpensive way of accessorizing any living space.

Toss pillows offer primary characteristics such as their shape and fabric type. There is an endless array of toss pillow choices so you have to know what you really need.

Throw Pillow Shape and Size

Toss pillow size includes 16 to 18-inch squares. There are round and rectangular toss pillows as well as cylindrical ones that are referred to as bolsters.

A thing that you would consider as you decide the pillow type that’s right for the couch is the body size of the users. Will the pieces be used in a lounging area? The pillows must be able to provide back and neck support.

Will there be a lot of foot traffic there? With this, you should consider the couch scale. Bigger toss pillows look good on larger furniture that offers enough seating space. If the couch is more delicate, though, you need smaller toss pillows to dress it up. In the same manner, a small toss pillow will look out of place when placed on a roomy sofa.

The aesthetics of the room must also be considered when picking the toss pillow shape. Round pillows will surely soften the look of an eccentric couch. Square ones are best on cozy and puffy couches. Mix bolsters, round and square toss pillows if you really cannot decide which shape you would use.

Toss Pillow Materials

Toss pillows and other decorative cushions are sometimes made with just a single material. Other times, they come with a removable cover complete with foam inside. The foam could be filled with natural materials such as down and other feathers or with synthetics such as polyester.

Down and feathers are the softest materials that are used to make a toss pillow lush. They are also pricier compared to the synthetic types. The natural type is a great choice for people with allergies.

Synthetic fillers are a lot stiffer but they tend to hold their shape better. Synthetics also look less luxurious.

Removable covers offer a lot of advantages such as ease of cleaning and the capacity to change the look of the couch by simply replace the covers of the entire set of toss pillows.

Toss pillows and covers are also found in a wide array of textiles from basic materials such as polyester, cotton and cotton blends to more elegant fabrics like linen, velvet and silk. These have been seen as a popular medium for fashion designers and fabric artists.

Among the materials, cotton is a common choice. It is breathable, comfortable and can be easily machine washed. It can shrink, though, especially when it’s dried too much.

Linen is crisp, cool and fresh. It is expensive but it is easily washable and it becomes softer with frequent washing.

Satin, on the other hand, has high luster and has a luxurious feel. They tend to be slippery so don’t expect them to stay on the couch. Silk is also smooth and has a soft texture. This is a strong fabric though it is vulnerable to static cling.

Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, throw pillow, throw pillows, toss pillow, toss pillows

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2017 at 8:00 am and is filed under Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.