How to Find the Perfect Needlepoint Pillow for Your Home Style

Needlepoint pillows add so much personality and character to home decor. Beautiful and utilitarian, these handmade, hand-stitched, and stylish pieces add comfort, style, and individual design to any room. From the beginner to the seasoned needlepointer, choosing the perfect needlepoint pillow for your home helps ensure a comfortable and inviting atmosphere that is personalized to your unique taste. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about selecting the right needlepoint pillow for your home.

Needlepoint Pillows — An Essential in Decor

There is a certain sophistication that comes with needlepoint pillows, needless to say! Needlepoint pillows stand out with rich texture, vibrant colors, and attractive design patterns that double as a decorative element and a piece of furniture. They complement your couch, your bed, and your other accent chairs to add your own personal touch that you’d be hard-pressed to find with any pillows found in a factory.

Needlepoint pillows also have versatility. They range from classic floral motifs to contemporary geometric patterns, so there’s bound to be one that will find a place in just about any room. Due to the handcrafted method, no two pillows are alike, giving you a one-of-a-kind heirloom-quality piece with a story.

Consider Your Interior Style

Before selecting a needlepoint pillow, it’s important to take an inventory of your existing home decor. Consider your color palette, room layout, and overall vibe. Here’s how to approach this:

Traditional Homes

To add to the classic aesthetic of your home, you can incorporate needlepoint pillows that feature vintage-style patterns. Traditional spaces can be beautifully complemented with wildflower prints, damask, and paisleys, all in rich warm colors such as deep reds, golds, and greens.

Modern and Minimalist Spaces

If you are more on the minimalist or modern side, opt for simple needlepoint pillows with bold lines and a neutral color scheme. Simple geometric designs or abstract motifs in black and white or subdued colors can keep a modern space streamlined while still providing texture.

Bohemian or Eclectic Rooms

For a more eclectic style, consider needlepoint pillows with heathered colors and vintage patterns. Large florals, birds, or even inspirational quotes can add personality and warmth to a space filled with random, boho vibes.

Coastal or Beach Style Houses

Choose needlepoint pillows with beach motifs for a coastal or beach-themed room. Designs featuring seashells, waves, or other ocean patterns in soft blues, sandy beige, and seafoam greens will give your living room or bedroom a relaxing, beachy feel.

Choose the Right Material

The fabric used in making needlepoint pillows varies, affecting the texture, wear, and comfort of the pillow. Consider the canvas material, the filling, and where it will be placed when selecting the right pillow for your space.

Canvas Material

• Cotton Canvas: A very common option for needlepoint canvases, cotton is tough and relatively easy to paint and stitch. While not as luxurious as linen, it is beginner-friendly and perfect for most designs.
• Linen Canvas: Linen provides a finer finish and is much softer, making it a favorite among experienced stitchers. It’s pricier but adds an element of elegance to any project.
• Acrylic or Polyester Canvas: These synthetic fabrics are inexpensive and often used for lower-end needlepoint pillows. While durable, they are less appealing than cotton or linen but are suitable for tough, long-lasting designs.

Filling Material

• Polyester Fiberfill: Inexpensive, soft, fluffy, and easy to clean, polyester is a common choice for needlepoint pillows.
• Down or Feather Fill: Offers a plush, fluffy feel that molds to the shape of your body. While more expensive, it provides superior comfort but requires more upkeep.
• Memory Foam: Known for providing excellent support, memory foam offers comfort but may be less flexible than other fillers.

Match the Size to Your Space

Needlepoint pillows come in different sizes, and choosing the correct one will help you achieve a balanced look. Here are some considerations:

• Standard Throw Pillow Size: Typically about 18×18 inches. These are perfect accent pieces on a couch or chair.
• Larger Pillow Sizes: Extra-large pillow sizes, such as 22×22 inches or 24×24 inches, are great for larger furniture pieces like king-size beds or oversized sofas.
• Lumbar Pillows: These long, narrow pillows are ideal for additional lower back support and can serve as decorative accents for chairs or beds.

Think About Color

Pick colors that complement your room’s palette. Here’s a quick guide:

• Neutral Colors: Beige, white, and grey are versatile and work with any room decor, providing texture without overwhelming the space.
• Bold, Bright Pillows: If your space is neutral or minimal, choose pillows in vibrant colors like teal, mustard yellow, or coral red to make a bold statement.
• Accent Colors: Coordinate with your room’s accent colors. For example, a navy and gold needlepoint pillow could tie the room together if you have navy curtains.

Stay Aware of Patterns and Shapes

Needlepoint pillows come in a variety of designs, from classic florals to modern, abstract shapes. Consider your room’s vibe when selecting a pattern:

• Floral Designs: Always in style, florals work in both traditional and modern spaces. You can go for vintage-inspired roses or bold, graphic florals.
• Geometric Designs: Great for modern spaces, geometric shapes like chevrons or stripes add a contemporary edge to any room.
• Themed Pillows: For a specific theme, such as beachy or rustic, choose pillows with related motifs like ocean waves or barn scenes. These can take any room’s decor to the next level.

Handcrafted vs. Machine-Made

When choosing between handcrafted and machine-made needlepoint pillows, consider the following:

Handmade Needlepoint Pillows

• Unique, one-of-a-kind pieces
• More detailed and artistic
• Can be tailored to your taste

Machine-Made Pillows

• Affordable and easy to find
• Quality is consistent but can lack the character of handmade pieces
• Faster production and delivery

Maintenance and Care

Proper care ensures your needlepoint pillows last for years. Always refer to the care instructions from the maker. Some pillows are dry-clean only, while others can be spot-cleaned or machine-washed. Avoid placing pillows in direct sunlight to prevent fading, and use pillow inserts with removable covers for easy washing.

Final Thoughts

Needlepoint pillows add warmth, character, and style to any space. With the right choice of room style, material, size, color, and design, you can select the perfect pillow for your home. From striking, contemporary geometrics to soft, classic florals, there’s a needlepoint pillow for every home.

Having covered the essential criteria for purchasing a needlepoint pillow, you’re now ready to shop! Explore and embrace the hunt for the perfect accent pieces that will complement your home decor.