Erika Demshar 6/30/25 Erika Demshar 6/30/25

The Pillow Trick: 5 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Space Without Starting Over

Sometimes, the smallest changes make the biggest impact—and when it comes to refreshing a space, pillows are my go-to secret weapon. They’re easy to swap, fun to mix, and the right ones can completely transform a room without replacing a single piece of furniture.

I always say: you don’t need to start from scratch—you just need a fresh perspective… and maybe a few great pillows.

Here are five simple ways to use pillows to give your home a quick, affordable, and beautiful refresh:

1. Play with Pattern & Texture

Mixing patterns and textures keeps your space from feeling flat. Try pairing a bold print with a soft velvet or a chunky woven pillow. The key? Balance. Anchor one wild card print with a couple of neutrals or solids to ground the look. And be sure there is one set that is matchy-matchy!

2. Vary Your Sizes & Shapes

Square pillows are great—but mixing in a lumbar, oversized square, or round cushion adds dimension and interest. Try a 24x24 pillow behind a smaller 20x20 or a lumbar in front of two classic squares. Layers = coziness.

3. Use Down Inserts

The difference between a sad pillow and a designer-looking one? A plush, down-filled insert that’s slightly larger than the cover (think: 22” insert for a 20” cover). And yes, I’m team chop—it gives the pillow that satisfying, styled-but-soft look.

4. Switch with the Seasons

Pillows are the perfect way to reflect the changing seasons without committing to a whole new color scheme. Think: light linens and soft tones in spring, warm velvets and deeper hues in fall. It’s like a mini makeover every few months.

5. Have Fun With It

Seriously—this is the part of design that should feel playful. If a pillow makes you smile, if it adds personality, if it says you? It belongs. Your home is meant to reflect you, not follow a rulebook.

My Favorite Places to Shop for Pillows:

HomeGoods (treasure hunt finds!)
Target (great staples with a designer look)
World Market (textures + global patterns)
Amazon (budget-friendly covers + inserts)

(Affiliate links coming soon!)

The Everyday Designer Takeaway:

You don’t need a full redesign to make your home feel fresh. Sometimes all it takes is a few new pillows and a little styling magic. If you're feeling stuck or unsure how to pull it all together, that’s where I come in.

Let’s refresh your space—simply, affordably, and beautifully.