Best Fall Pillows 2025: Joshua’s Top Picks & Styling Tips
When the leaves start turning and the air gets crisp, it’s the perfect time to cozy up your home with fresh seasonal accents. One of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to bring in that fall feeling is through pillows. With just a few swaps, your sofa, chairs, or bed can instantly reflect the warmth and charm of the season.
In this guide, I’m sharing my top picks for the best fall pillows of 2025 along with styling tips you can actually use. From earthy tones and rich textures to playful patterns with a fall twist, these pillows will help you create a look that feels welcoming and effortlessly stylish. Plus, you’ll find a digital shopping list so you can grab your favorites right away.
Whether you’re looking for a complete fall refresh or just want to sprinkle in a few seasonal touches, this guide will show you how to style your pillows like a designer and make your home feel ready for autumn.
Modern organic living room recreated by AI with cozy fall decor accents, featuring a white sofa, oak coffee table, and seasonal pillows.
Design Tips
When it comes to styling fall pillows, it’s all about balance: mixing cozy textures, earthy tones, and patterns that nod to the season without feeling overdone. Here are a few of my go-to tips to get that designer look:
Layer Textures for Depth
Think chunky knits, velvets, and linen blends. Combining different fabrics adds instant warmth and dimension to a sofa or bed.Play with Fall Colors
This season’s palette of burnt orange, rust red, brown, charcoal, natural neutrals, and playful pumpkin prints creates a cozy yet versatile foundation. Brown and charcoal act as grounding tones, while orange and rust bring warmth, and pumpkin motifs add a touch of seasonal fun.Mix Solids and Patterns
Pair a bold plaid or pumpkin print with solid pillows in brown, charcoal, or natural tones. This keeps the look seasonal without overwhelming the space.Vary Sizes and Shapes
Square pillows work well for layering, while lumbars bring contrast and polish. A mix of both makes the arrangement feel curated.Follow the Odd-Number Rule
Grouping pillows in sets of three or five creates a more natural, effortless look compared to even-number pairings.
With just these styling strategies, you can take your pillow arrangement from basic to designer-approved — while still keeping it cozy and welcoming for the season.
Pillow Sizing
One of my favorite ways to elevate a room for fall is by going bigger with pillow sizes. Larger pillows instantly create a more designer, luxurious look — and they’re just as comfortable as they are stylish. Here’s how I recommend layering sizes for different seating areas:
24x24 Inches – The Anchor Pillow
I love starting with oversized 24x24 pillows whenever possible. They add an instant sense of coziness and drama, especially in textured fabrics like chunky knits or velvets in warm fall tones such as burnt orange or brown. Perfect for deep sofas, sectionals, and beds.22x22 Inches – The Support Player
A step down from oversized, 22x22 pillows keep the look full but slightly more tailored. Use them alongside your 24s or as the main size on standard sofas and beds. They’re great in grounding shades like charcoal or natural linen.20x20 Inches – The Accent Pillow
Slightly smaller, 20x20s are perfect for layering in front of larger pillows. This is where I like to bring in playful seasonal touches like pumpkin prints or rust red patterns that pop against the larger solids.18x18 Inches – Compact Style
These smaller pillows are best as accents on armchairs or benches. One or two 18x18s keep a bench looking stylish without overwhelming the seat.Lumbar Pillows – The Finisher
A lumbar pillow (rectangular shape) is the perfect finishing touch. Place one in the center of a sofa, at the head of a bed, or across a bench for balance. I like using neutral or charcoal tones here to tie the whole palette together.
By starting with the largest size you can comfortably fit and layering down, you create depth and a polished look that feels intentional across any surface — sofa, chair, bed, or bench.
Pillow Insert Sizing & Recommendations
The right pillow insert can completely change how a pillow looks and feels. Even the most beautiful pillow cover will fall flat without the right insert inside. Here’s what I recommend for a designer-quality look:
Size Up Your Insert
Always choose an insert that’s 2 inches larger than your pillow cover. For example, pair a 22x22 insert with a 20x20 cover. This makes the pillow look full, plush, and high-end rather than flat or saggy.Feather/Down Inserts for a Luxe Look
If you love that soft, sink-in feel (and the ability to give your pillows the classic chopped look), feather or down inserts are the way to go. They create a relaxed, cozy vibe that works especially well for fall.Down-Alternative Inserts for Structure & Allergies
If you prefer more structure, or if down allergies are a concern, go with down-alternative inserts. These keep their shape nicely and are often more budget-friendly.Mix for the Best of Both Worlds
I often recommend using down inserts for larger pillows to keep them soft and inviting, then down-alternative for smaller or lumbar pillows where structure matters more.
When you invest in quality inserts and size them correctly, your pillows instantly look and feel elevated — no matter the cover. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in creating that polished, designer finish.
Digital Shopping: My Curated Fall Pillow Picks
To make shopping simple (and fun), I’ve grouped my favorite fall pillows of 2025 into five color stories. Each group adds a different mood to your home, but all work beautifully together if you like to mix and match.
Pumpkin Prints
Seasonal but playful, pumpkin-printed pillows are a fun way to bring in a fall theme without going overboard. They work beautifully as accents on chairs or benches.
Burnt Orange & Rust
These rich tones are the essence of autumn. Use them as your anchor pillows (24x24 or 22x22) on sofas or beds for instant warmth.
Brown
Earthy and grounding, brown pillows balance brighter tones like orange or pumpkin prints. They’re versatile enough for both modern and traditional interiors.
Natural & Neutral
Think linen, cream, or beige tones. Neutrals keep your palette calm and airy while letting the richer fall colors shine. They also work well in smaller accent or lumbar sizes.
Charcoal
Charcoal adds depth and contrast, making your fall palette feel modern and polished. It’s an excellent choice for lumbars or oversized pillows layered with lighter tones.
Styling Tip: Choose 2–3 colors from this palette to create a cohesive look. For example, mix burnt orange + brown + neutral for warmth, or charcoal + pumpkin print + natural for a playful yet balanced vibe.
Fall is the perfect season to refresh your home with small but impactful changes, and pillows are one of the easiest ways to do it. By layering textures, playing with warm seasonal colors, and choosing the right sizes and inserts, you can instantly transform your space into something cozy, polished, and ready for autumn.
With these 15 curated picks — from playful pumpkin prints to grounding neutrals and rich rusts — you have everything you need to create a fall look that feels both stylish and personal. Start with your favorites, mix in a few sizes for depth, and don’t be afraid to experiment with combinations.
Whether you’re refreshing your sofa, layering a bed, accenting a chair, or styling a hallway bench, the right pillows can make the whole room feel pulled together. Use the digital shopping list to find your perfect pieces and bring that fall vibe home today.
Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I genuinely believe in and that I would use in my own designs or home. Your support helps me continue to share design tips, curated shopping guides, and inspiration here on the blog.
