Decorating Fails You'll Only Notice When They're Wrong

Have you ever come home after confidently picking out a clutch of new decorative pillows for your couch only to realize that something looks wrong about the combo? Remember the rule of three—which basically means that items arranged in groups of three appear more visually beautiful and compelling. Each pillow should be a slightly different size. I typically go for one 20-inch square, one 16- to 18-inch square and then a lumbar pillow to keep it visually interesting. Just as you wouldn't want to dress your body with three outlandish patterns, so it goes with the pillows on your couch. Try to keep one a solid, one a smaller pattern and the third can be either a neutral pattern, like a stripe, or a tonal texture.

Designed by Brady Tolbert for Emily Henderson, Photography by Jess Isaac