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I’m planning my holiday pillows, and this year I’m starting with gingham. Not a bright red buffalo check, but a gingham that leans more brown than red, so it still feels soft and neutral in my house. Then I pair it with a pretty floral, mix in a true Christmas pillow or two (like a wreath pillow), and that’s it!
Below is my quick video, how I put the combination together step by step, and the pillows I’d grab for each one, linked under each photo so you can just swipe through to shop.
Step 1: Start With a Gingham That Leans Brown
I like this gingham because it’s kind of a mix. It reads a little burgundy, but it leans brown, so it still feels cozy and calm. I can’t just put a ton of red in my house. I like everything to feel nice and soft, so a brown-leaning check is the perfect way for me to bring in that Christmas feeling without it taking over the room.
The exact gingham cover from my video isn’t linked, but these check, plaid and tartan pillows give you the same look. Look for a deep, muted red, burgundy or brown instead of a bright cherry red. The burgundy tartan ruffle pillow from Target is the one from my post:
24"x24" Oversized Burgundy Tartan Taffeta Ruffle Pillow – Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee
Target
ShopFoindtower Set of 2 Decorative Linen Check Throw Pillow Covers Neutral Farmhouse Vintage Cushion
Amazon
ShopMIULEE Christmas Set of 2 Scottish Tartan Plaid Throw Pillow Covers Farmhouse Classic Decorative
Amazon
ShopStep 2: Pair It With a Pretty Floral
Next, I pair the gingham with a pretty floral. A small block print floral in olive and cream on natural linen softens the check, and because the print is small and the colors are muted, the two patterns don’t fight each other. It keeps the sofa feeling more cozy cottage than Christmas theme.
These two hand block print linen covers are the ones I linked with my video, plus a few more florals that work the same way:
Handwoven Hand Block Print Pure Linen Throw Pillow Cover: Handmade Vintage Cushion Cover (Miles) (22×22)
Amazon
ShopCanyon Theory Studio Hand Block Print Pure Linen 20×20 Inch Throw Pillow Cover: Indoor Outdoor Handmade Vintage Cushion Cover (Keaton)
Amazon
ShopStep 3: Mix in a True Christmas Pillow
Then you can mix in some true Christmas pillows, like a pillow that has a wreath on it. This embroidered wreath pillow from Target (Threshold designed with Studio McGee) is the one on my sofa this year, and the Hearth & Hand tree pillow and the little “Believe in the Magic” lumbar are sweet options too.
One or two festive pillows go a long way when everything around them is gingham, floral and linen. A wreath, a tree or a little cottage scene is all you need:
14”x8” Believe in the Magic Mini Lumbar Christmas Throw Pillow – Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia
Target
ShopHow I Put My Holiday Pillow Combinations Together
Whether you start with gingham or not, these are the simple rules I follow so a mix of holiday pillows looks pulled together:
- Pick one color family. I stay in brown, cream and soft green with just a touch of muted red. When every pillow shares a color or two, you can mix almost any patterns.
- Mix the pattern sizes. Pair a medium check with a small floral and one statement Christmas pillow. Three patterns in three different scales look intentional; three big patterns compete.
- Vary the sizes and shapes. Larger squares (22″ or 24″) in the back, 18″ or 20″ squares in front, and a lumbar on a chair or in the middle of the bed.
- Add texture. Linen, velvet, knit and faux fur keep a neutral mix from looking flat. A chunky knit throw over the arm of the sofa finishes it.
- Swap covers, not pillows. Holiday covers on the inserts you already have are the most affordable way to change things up, and they store flat after Christmas.
I think gingham is a really good starting point. It’s so festive, and it can stay out through winter.
My Christmas Living Room Pillows
Here’s how it all looks in my living room this year: the wreath pillow and soft linen pillows on my white sofa, a chunky knit throw, garland and knit stockings on the stone fireplace, and little potted trees on each side. Here are the pieces I’ve linked from this room, plus a few cozy pillow covers that would look pretty with it:
Softer Holiday Pillows for the Bedroom
In my bedroom I keep it even simpler: brown velvet pillows, a linen lumbar and white bedding, with a framed cedar wreath above the bed as the Christmas touch. Velvet in a warm taupe or brown feels festive without any red at all. If you want that same feel, these velvet and linen covers are a good place to start:
Foindtower Set of 2, Decorative Linen Soild Throw Pillow Covers Soft Accent Cushion Euro Case Boh
Amazon
ShopMore Cozy Christmas Decor Ideas
If you’re decorating this week, see how I add Christmas berry stems to my everyday greenery, my twinkling Christmas tree and my neutral Christmas decor ideas. You can shop my holiday pillows and everything from this video on my LTK.