If you want to build up your set of throw pillows without spending a fortune or if you want to freshen up your existing set of throw pillows without having to buy a whole new set, then throw pillow covers are probably the thing for you. They’re cheap, and very easy to store. So you can buy or make lots of them and change the look of the place as often as you want.
Building Up Your Set of Throw Pillows
An excellent way to build up a set of throw pillows is to go to garage sales, thrift stores, etc. If you’re shopping at places like these you can find throw pillows at CHEAP prices! Recently a family member found throw pillows at a garage sale. She bought four for only $8 bucks, yup $8 bucks!!! (That’s $2 per pillow!) The average retail throw pillow is upwards of $20.
When shopping garage sales you aren’t necessarily going to find the highest quality, newest, most fashionable, perfect throw pillows. (Sometimes you’ll find the perfect pillows if you do CELEBRATE your good fortune!) But the fashion, quality, etc of the pillow doesn’t matter. If it isn’t perfect you are going to make it perfect, with a throw pillow cover.
Now, before you set out to the nearest goodwill, or garage sale there are some things to look for in your throw pillow purchases and some things to avoid:
- Don’t worry about the pillow’s current look. (If it’s the perfect pillow, snatch it up.) If it doesn’t look perfect, use a pillow cover.
- Focus on the pillow’s shape. If you only like square pillows then keep your eyes peeled for those. If you like variety, then look for pillows of all shapes and sizes. Look for the pillow sizes and shapes that will suit your needs.
- Don’t buy pillows with raised features on top such as ruffles, pleats, etc. Make sure the top of the pillow lies flat and won’t be bumpy or uneven when covered.
- Don’t buy lumpy pillows, chances are you won’t be able to remove the lumps
(The exception to this is if it’s the perfect pillow, and you are willing to remove all current stuffing and then stuff with new filling.)
- Test for softness and comfort, especially if you will be using the pillows a lot. Don’t buy pillows that are too hard, or two soft unless it really doesn’t matter.
- If pillows smell, chances are that you can wash them to remove the smell.
- Don’t buy horrible smelling throw pillows. I know I said above that chances are you can remove the smell with washing, but for those really bad smelling pillows, I wouldn’t take the chance.
Once you’ve acquired your new throw pillow(s) it’s time to make them perfect.
- Wash your newly purchased pillow, or get it drycleaned. You don’t know where that thing has been. (See other articles on cleaning your throw pillows)
- Buy a throw pillow cover or make one yourself. There are many designs available, and there are even more options if you are making the cover yourself.
If you really can’t handle the idea of a used pillow, or are just looking for another option you can also buy a pillow form or pillow insert. These are both different names for plain covered, or uncovered pillows (like your bed pillow without a pillow case.) You can then cover these with the perfect throw pillow cover.
Freshen Up Your Existing Set of Throw Pillows
If you already have a full set of throw pillows and you just want to freshen up the look a great (and cost effective) way to do it is with throw pillow covers. You can either buy them or make them yourself.
If you are one of the many people out there who like to continually change the look of your home then this is definitely the way to go. You can buy or make 10, 20, 30 pillow covers and change the look of your pillows as often as you want. This way you can constantly mix it up without having to buy whole new pillows every time you get the urge to redecorate.
Keep your eye out for reversible throw pillow covers. These are great as you get double the design power with one cover.
There are some additional perks to throw pillow covers: they are simple to wash and take little space to store.
