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I love a good throw pillow. They can instantly change the look of a room, and when you get the right ones, they can add a sense of luxury to just about any space. But good throw pillows (I mean really good throw pillows) are expensive. The best ones can be upwards of $400. Yes…you read that right.
Years ago I needed to borrow some pillows for a photo shoot and as I left with them the store clerk said, please be careful, you’ve got $1800 worth of pillows there. I tried to look nonchalant, but I was terrified. I had five pillows that were worth more than my post-secondary education. That was my first lesson in the true costs of interior design.
So Why are Throw Pillows So Expensive?
There are a few things that make good throw pillows so expensive. One of which is a designer name. Sought-after designers who create throw pillows with great patterns, artful designs, and high-quality fabrics can command a pretty hefty price. But there’s more to it.
Fabric
The biggest differentiator between expensive throw pillows and cheaper versions is the fabric. Take this beauty, available through Fig Linens. It’s the Madhya Azure Decorative Pillow by Designer’s Guild – a company known for their beautiful, high-quality fabrics. It retails for $319, and while that may seem like a lot for a pillow, the beauty and quality can’t be beat.
Insert
Inserts can make or break a decorative pillow. Generally speaking, the best ones are a ratio of 75% feather and 25% down. Some people even prefer a 50/50 feather/down split, however they often rquire a lot of fluffing or they look flat. These inserts alone can cost upwards of $150, so you can see how they quickly drive up the price of the pillow.
Quality of Construction
The quality of construction is a pretty big factor in the overall price. Take a look at the seams and it’s not hard to tell the difference between the costly ones and the cheap ones. The cheap ones don’t usually have that much attention to detail, and patterns don’t always match up at the seams.
It can be tough to tell from photos just how beautiful these materials are. If you get the chance, check them out in person. While you may or may not be the kind of person to splurge on home accessories, there’s no denying the quality.
Are Cheap Pillows Any Good
Absolutely. It’s possible to find inexpensive throw pillows, just know that the material, quality of construction, level of design, and comfort may be sacrificed. As much as I adore the pillows in the photos above, and wouldn’t hesitate for a second if I had the money, there’s nothing wrong with spending less. In fact, I love to switch my pillows up with the seasons, so I try to keep them under $50 apeice.
The pillows below are all from Amazon and fall into the under $50 category, BUT read the descriptions carefully because some are covers only, and don’t come with the insert. Also, some come in packs of four or six. Even so, I included them here anyway to show a range of products. The point is that pillows come in a lot of different price points, so no matter what your budget, you can find something great.
What about you? Would you ever splurge on expensive throw pillows?
