Should Throw Pillows Always Match Your Rug? Here’s What Designers Say

When decorating a room, the smallest details can make the biggest impact—and few elements tie a space together like throw pillows and rugs. But do they need to match? As it turns out, according to interior design pros, the answer is pretty simple.

We spoke to three interior designers to settle the debate about whether rugs should match throw pillows, and here’s what they had to say.

Should Throw Pillows Match the Rug?

The interior designers we spoke to all agreed: throw pillows should coordinate with the rug, not match. 

“Matching them exactly can feel a little too try-hard, like your room is wearing a uniform,” says Darci Hether, an NYC-based interior designer and founder of Darci Hether Interior Design. “Instead, think of your rug and pillows as part of the same conversation, just not necessarily reading from the same script.”

A color, texture, or pattern can help tie one element to another. The goal is harmonious coordination, not copying and pasting.

In short, it’s the differences between the two that will create contrast and friction, which brings life to your design and keeps it from falling flat. 

“I look for tension, a relationship between elements that feels intentional but not obvious…Contrast creates movement,” says Lauren Saab, founder and principal designer of Saab Studios in Dallas, Texas. “When every piece aligns too perfectly, the energy flattens. Design should unfold gradually. A shift in scale, texture, or sheen keeps the room dynamic and visually moving.”

This will help create a space that feels warm, layered, and textural. So, how do you coordinate throw pillows and rugs without making them feel too matchy? Designers have a few key rules they always follow.

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How to Coordinate Rugs and Throw Pillows Like a Designer

Area rugs act as a grounding element in a space, so always start with your rug and build the rest of your upholstery around it. Plus, throw pillows are more easily swapped out.

When selecting throw pillows to complete your space, designers recommend following these five guidelines. 

Support the Strongest Visual Element

Is your area rug the focal point of the room, or is it more understated? The answer to this question will help guide you toward the throw pillows that will work best in the space

“If the rug carries weight in pattern or texture, let the pillows soften the moment,” Saab says. “If the rug is understated, the pillows can carry form or richness.”

Stick to a Color Palette

Next, it’s important to stick to a color palette for your space. This will help you create a cohesive color story without getting repetitive in your finishes.

To build a color palette for your room, start by pulling a color family or tone from your rug and mix in some complementary hues in your throw pillows, Hether says.

“For example, if your rug is a moody green, try pillows in deep plum, soft camel, or creamy ivory,” she says.

Vary Pattern and Scale

Mixing patterns is always optional, but done right, it can add depth and personality to your space that is hard to replicate otherwise. Fortunately, designers are well-versed in coordinating different patterns effectively.

The trick, says Rebekah Murphy, co-founder and Architect of Design at Murphy & Moore Design, is to vary the scale and intensity between patterns to create balance and ensure they aren’t competing for attention. 

“Mix large and small prints with solids to give the eye places to rest,” she says.

Try pairing a bold stripe with a soft floral print, or an abstract pattern with something more organic. Likewise, mixing two similar patterns, such as two different stripes or two different floral prints, will work well as long as they differ in scale and weight.

Layer Texture

Similarly, don’t forget to consider the texture of your fabrics. Just like color and pattern, texture can be used to create depth and visual interest in the space. Consider contrasting matte and sheen, soft and structured, and smooth and rough fabrics in your space, says Murphy. 

Be Mindful of Trim and Detail

Lastly, don’t forget to consider ornamentation, such as trim, when choosing throw pillows to coordinate with your rug. 

“If one element has a tape border or strong graphic edge, let other items play softer to keep the room feeling balanced,” says Murphy. 

Tassels can be a fun design element, but if they’re repeated too often in a space, they can start to feel cliche and expected.