Recent decor trends call for texture throughout the home. From raw wooden surfaces in the kitchen to woven fabrics in the living room, the emphasis is on natural, unrefined materials. For those of us who want to dip our toes in the trend, textured throw pillows add visual interest to your living room without going overboard.

Why create texture in the first place? Usually one's eyes are initially drawn to the lines of a room; along the walls, around furniture, or along the straight lines of exposed baseboards and carpet. These tend to be smooth, less cluttered but also less visually arresting. But just like looking at a photograph, our eyes naturally search for that final focal point in a room. The right throw pillows can be an excellent way of drawing the eye into the room, while at the same time extending an invitation to sit and relax.

Many people are aware of the power of color but few realize that texture can be just as effective at creating a visual point of interest in a space. For example, a long haired Mongolian sheepskin textured pillow on a smooth leather sofa can creates fantastic contrast in texture. Similarly, the reverse will work just as well, such as in the example of a smooth silk textured pillow on more heavily textured chenille sofa.

Not only are pillows a great a way of bringing texture into a room, but they can also be changed with the seasons, and are more affordable than many larger accents pieces such as curtains or area rugs. Pillows allow you the freedom to experiment with color and texture until you find the perfect look without compromising comfort.

You can try to apply texture to the walls or ceiling in the eccentric rooms in your home and contrast this look with bright or patterned pillows. This loft looks fantastic, though without some pillows to liven up the space it would look sterile and perhaps too much like a museum. Notice how the orange and black pillows stand out against the white walls, also successfully complementing the picture hanging above the couch.

How Do I Arrange Them?

Because the texture is the focus of the pillows, arranging them carefully is a must. It is just like hanging a picture. Pillows tossed carelessly against the floor or in the middle of the couch make the room look cluttered. Speaking of the couch:

• If you have two pillows sitting at both ends of your couch, find two with different patterns. You might want to keep the same texture so they match, but choose one with a solid color and the other with polka dots.
• Large sofas work best when patterned pillows are in the middle with solid colors at each end, or vice versa. Make sure your textured pillow matches the couch!
• Prints work much better with neutral colors. Bright-colored pillows stand out like a neon-green jogging suit in a room full of tuxedos.
• If you do decide to mix up patterns, at least one color should stay consistent. Otherwise, the color scheme fails and it looks less like decor and more like what you found in a string of garage sales.
• Vary the size of each pattern if possible. For instance, if one pillow has light, thin stripes, pick another with a bold plaid.