Holiday Throw Pillow Ideas: 7 Ways to Style Christmas Pillows This Season

Nothing changes the feel of a room for the holidays faster than a fresh set of throw pillows. There's no ladder, no boxes of lights and no rearranging furniture. Swap two or three pillows on the sofa and the whole living room says Christmas. Here are seven easy ways to style holiday pillows, built around the size our customers love most: the 20 x 20 inch square.

Why 20 x 20 is the holiday pillow to start with

The 20 x 20 inch square is our best-selling pillow size, and for good reason. It suits a standard three-seat sofa, a loveseat, an armchair and a queen or king bed, so one pillow can move around your home all season. It's large enough for a holiday design to read from across the room, yet it still leaves space to sit back and relax.

Our 20 x 20 holiday pillows come with the insert included and a zipper closure, so they're ready to use the day they arrive and easy to change covers later. Think of your 20 x 20s as the anchors of your arrangement. Then add a lumbar pillow (14 x 20 or 14 x 24 inches) in front to finish the look.

1. Classic red and green

For a timeless, traditional Christmas, pair the Christmas Wreath pillow with the Joyful Birds pillow. The wreath brings crewel-embroidered greenery and poinsettia red, while the three robins on a holly branch add a cheerful, cottage feel. Both sit on soft ivory, so they look like a set.

The recipe: one 20 x 20 at each end of the sofa, with the red-and-white striped HO HO HO lumbar pillow (14 x 24) in the middle. Add a red or green throw blanket over one arm and you're done.

2. Farmhouse red truck

The vintage red truck is one of the most-loved holiday motifs, and it suits farmhouse, rustic and cabin-style rooms beautifully. Start with the Christmas Tree Farm Red Truck pillow: snowy pines, a snowman and a red pickup bringing home the tree.

Pair it with the Merry Christmas Ride pillow or the embroidered Christmas Gift Car pillow, which carries a truckload of wrapped presents. Then layer in the red-striped snowflake lumbar pillow (14 x 24) with tassels. Wood, plaid and galvanized metal accents complete the look.

3. Soft, neutral Christmas

If your home leans calm and minimal, holiday decor doesn't have to mean bold red everywhere. The Believe pillow has an ivory base with a looped-embroidery Santa hat and pom-poms: festive, but quiet enough to sit happily next to cream, oatmeal and grey.

The recipe: two Believe pillows on a neutral sofa, plus the Colorful Tree lumbar pillow (14 x 24), which has soft pink and red trees on white. Add a chunky knit throw and a few white candles for a cozy Scandinavian feel.

4. Nutcracker storybook

For anyone who grew up with the Nutcracker ballet, this is the most magical look of the season. Mix and match three 20 x 20 designs:

• The Nutcracker Ballet pillow, with a ballerina mid-leap beside a nutcracker soldier and a decorated tree.
• The Merry Christmas Nutcracker pillow, in soft chenille with hand-embroidered details.
• The Nutcracker Party pillow, a playful "let's get this party cracking" design.

Love pink? Swap in the Nutcracker Gifts pillow in plush cotton velvet with chunky pom-pom trim, and finish with the scalloped Ballerina lumbar pillow (14 x 20). It's a lovely look for a girl's bedroom or a dancer's reading corner, too.

5. Winter wonderland that lasts into January

Want pillows that don't have to come down on December 26? Choose winter themes instead of Christmas ones. The Hello Snow pillow features a cheerful snowman on icy blue cotton slub, with hand-embroidered accents and red pom-pom trim.

Pair it with the Christmas Skier lumbar pillow (14 x 24), a snowy cabin scene, and blue, white and silver accents. The look feels festive in December and still fresh through the cold months that follow.

6. For the dog lovers

Pets are part of the family, so why not part of the holiday decor? The Cutie Puppy Christmas pillow (20 x 20) shows a pup in a Santa hat surrounded by gifts, finished with embroidery and pom-poms.

Layer it with the Holly Jolly dachshund pillow or the Merry Woofmas pillow, both 14 x 20 lumbar pillows. Three dog-themed pillows on one sofa is fun, not too much. These also make a thoughtful gift for any dog mom or dad on your list.

7. Bedrooms, guest rooms and entryways

Holiday pillows aren't just for the sofa:

• Bed: place two 20 x 20 pillows in front of your sleeping pillows, then one lumbar pillow in the center. Try two Joyful Birds pillows with the grey-and-red Jingle lumbar pillow (14 x 20).
• Guest room: a single holiday 20 x 20 on the bed or a chair makes visiting family feel welcomed the moment they walk in.
• Entry bench or window seat: one 20 x 20 and one lumbar pillow set the festive mood before guests even take off their coats.
• Accent chair: one pillow is enough. The Believe or Wreath pillow works well on its own.

Easy holiday pillow formulas

• Loveseat: two 20 x 20 pillows, one at each end.
• Standard sofa: two 20 x 20 pillows plus one 14 x 24 lumbar pillow in the middle.
• Sectional: two 20 x 20 pillows in each corner, plus a lumbar pillow along the long side.
• Bed: two or three 20 x 20 pillows plus one lumbar pillow.
• Mixing: pick one hero design, repeat one of its colors in the others, and keep at least one pillow simpler, such as a stripe, a word or a texture, so the arrangement doesn't feel busy.

Gifting holiday pillows

A holiday pillow is a gift people use every year, and it's easy to match to the person: a Nutcracker design for a ballet lover, a dog pillow for a pet parent, a red truck for anyone with a farmhouse kitchen. Two 20 x 20 pillows together qualify for free US shipping on orders over $75, and every order comes with 30-day returns.

Frequently asked questions

What size Christmas pillow is best for a sofa?

For most standard sofas and loveseats, 20 x 20 inches is the best size. It looks generous without taking over the seat. Add a 14 x 20 or 14 x 24 lumbar pillow in front for a layered look. For a deep sectional, you can go up to 22 x 22 for the back layer.

How many holiday pillows should I put on my couch?

Two to three is usually right for a standard sofa: two 20 x 20 squares and one lumbar pillow. Larger sectionals can take four or five. See our throw pillow size guide for more combinations.

When should I put out Christmas pillows?

Many people bring out holiday pillows right after Thanksgiving and put them away after New Year's. Winter designs like Hello Snow and the Christmas Skier can stay out through January and February.

Do Vibhsa holiday pillows come with inserts?

Yes. Our 20 x 20 holiday pillows include the insert and have a zipper closure, so they're ready to use as soon as they arrive. Check each product page for the details of a specific design.

How do I clean and store holiday pillows?

Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then let the pillow air dry. Embroidery, pom-poms and velvet keep their shape best out of the washing machine. After the season, store pillows in a breathable cotton bag or bin in a cool, dry place, not in sealed plastic.

Ready to give your home a holiday refresh? Browse our full collection of Christmas throw pillows, or see all Vibhsa decorative pillows.