16 Versatile, Year-Round Pillows (Set ‘Em & Leave ‘Em!)

The Nudge to Make a Shift In My Pillow Game

Remember this, before I organized my office closet? Embarrassingly, this was not the first clean-out, nor was it the worst it’s been.

You can see the full post HERE but ultimately, I whittled the stash down to this.

Sources: Plastic Storage Bins | 3-Compartment Hanging Storage Organizer | Round Collapsible Hampers | Flush Mount Light | Dresser Pulls (pack of 10)

Despite my justification of “I’ll use this all over and year after year” for every single pillow purchase I made, time and application has been the true test. Super seasonal/designed/color-specific/bargain pillows typically don’t get cycled through on repeat. The pillows that continue to earn permanent spots in my home all have a few things in common…

• neutral in color
• large in size
• quality construction
• classic elements
• simple design (if any)

Versatile, Neutral Pillows for Any Time of Year

Maybe you already have the pillows in your living room, bedroom, etc. that make you happy and you’re set. But, I know if I didn’t love the pillows I currently have, I don’t know that I would be motivated to stop cyclical seasonal pillow shopping. If you like the idea of some of the prettiest, quality, best basics when it comes to pillows but you aren’t there just yet, below, you’ll find some current favorites from some of my favorite pillow sources. Again, colorful, inexpensive, and unique pillows all have their own place, but if you’re wanting to give them a long life without managing the constant evolution of pillow-scapes, settling on some quality constructed textiles that are easily coordinated is the way to go. I’ll talk more about several of these, but here are some beautiful options…

*All pillows are linked below the following graphic.

Sources: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10. | 11. | 12. | 13. | 14. | 15. | 16.

A left out THIS pillow — a favorite of mine with a thicker linen weave — but I often pair it with my FAVORITE versatile, staple/anchor pillow of all time — Number 2 — the Belgian linen throw pillow. Both the thicker weave, textured linen pillow and the Belgian linen throw pillow come in a TON of colors, they’re great quality, and they are fun to mix and match from room to room. You can see them paired together — the Belgian linen pillow in the 24″ option, with the textured linen pillow in the 20″ option below.

Sources: Bronze Belgian Linen Pillow (24 x 24) | Sage Grass Textured Linen Pillow (20 x 20) | Butler Check Lumbar Pillow- no longer available (SIMILAR from same maker)

And here’s the textured linen pillow in  a different, charcoal-hued color here. Number 12 is actually almost a dead ringer for the textured. linen pillow from PB — even down to the solid linen backing — but it’s at a lower price point and currently on sale HERE.

Sources: Charcoal Grass Textured Linen Pillow (20 x 20) | Wingback Chairs | Large Round Vase

For either of those pillows, I size up 2″ on the insert to better fill out the pillow covers. Tonic Living has my favorite faux down inserts (HERE) — they’re super plump, plush, and malleable and they maintain their shapes really well. But, if Im not already shopping pillow covers from them, I really like THESE down alternative pillow inserts on Amazon.

But, in terms of my top top favorite throw pillow ever, I’ve collected multiple colors over the years and even the first covers I ever purchased still look new. And, even if I were to get a new pillow, I like leaving them in the corners of the sofa as my permanent “anchor” pillows. I’ve gotten rid of a LOT of pillows over the years and I’ve never retired a single one of these. Most of mine are the 24″ option and they’re constantly adding new hues. If you like this clean style and in a gray tone, Number 9 is 22″ and made from my favorite pillow company — it’s about half the price of my go-to 24″ linen pillows. I mainly have a collection of neutrals, like these bronze ones…

Sources: Bronze Belgian Linen Pillow (24 x 24) | Sage Grass Textured Linen Pillow (20 x 20) | Striped Pillow (similar) | Wall Art | Sofa | Jute Rug (natural) | Round Accent Table | Woven Tissue Box Cover (similar)

And this earthy sage green, paired here with one of my favorite pillows (Number 8), in a charcoal window pane check. I actually originally purchased this pillow for winter but it gives just the right amount of soft contrast and a subtle pattern, I don’t think I ever changed it after I first put it on the sofa. It’s also from my favorite pillow company and I would 100% recommend purchasing it WITH the insert.

Sources: Sage Grass Belgian Linen Pillow (24 x 24) | Charcoal Window Pane Pillow (22 x 22) | Coffee Table | Black Woven Tray | Sofa | Jute Rug (natural) | Scallop Gold Leaf Mirror

Right now, I have the big 24″ Belgian linen pillows in two shades, paired with the charcoal window pane pillow on the big sofa.

Sources: Sage Grass Belgian Linen Pillow (24 x 24) | Salt Belgian Linen Pillow (24 x 24) | Charcoal Window Pane Pillow (22 x 22) |  Sofa 

And here they are again in the conversation room, all on their own.

Sources: Chandelier | Sconces (similar) | Rug (8 x 10)| Bird Art Print Pair | Coffee Table | Black Carved  Bowl | Wooden Beads | Coffee Table Seagrass Planter (similar)| Cane Arm Chair | Lumbar Pillow | Faux Olive Tree | Olive Tree Pot (large) | Loveseat | Green Belgian Flax Linen Pillow Covers (24 x 24) | Curtain Rod | Curtain Rings | Curtains — Linen Weave Vanilla Bean (enter code KELLEY for an extra 5% off lowest sale price) | Large Cement Vase | Smaller Cement Vase | Water Hyacinth Storage Trunk | Black Glass Front Cabinet (similar)

You can see a version of them here, omitting the green… the charcoal textured linen throw pillows and the charcoal window pane pillow go really well together, without matching.

Sources: Chandelier | Rug (8 x 10′) | Wooden Wall Art | Sofa | Wingback Chair | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Tray | Leather X Bench | Salt Linen Pillow (24 x 24)|  Textured Charcoal Linen Pillow (20 x 20) | Side Table | Floor Lamp | Woven Storage Hamper | Map Art | Brass Party Tub on Hearth | Large Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches

And in addition to the neutral colors (my go-to for true year-round leave-em-and-live-with-em), I grabbed them in an eggplant purple color when they went on sale a few years ago, in anticipation of Eliza’s big girl bedroom. They don’t currently have the dark purple but they do have a pretty coral and old rose color HERE.

Sources: Bed (full, vertical tufted, tall, white chunky boucle fabric) | Mattress | White Linen Quilt | Purple Linen Duvet Cover & Shams | Sheets | Cream Throw | Plum Linen Throw Pillow Covers (24″) |  Cream Knotted Pillow | Stuffed Lion | Rattan Storage Trunk | Nightstands | Lamps | Rainbow Snow Globe | Piggy Bank |  Cloudscape Art  | Castle Art  | Jacaranda Art 

And of course, the guest bedroom has them in blue — which can easily pass for a neutral in my book.

Sources: Coastal Blue Wallpaper | Black Frames | Rattan Bed (similar) | Belgian Flax Linen Quilt (white) |  Belgian Flax Linen Duvet Cover & Euro Shams (white) | 700 TC Sateen Sheet Set (white) | Tobacco Teddy Bear Throw Blanket  (60″ x 80″) | 24” Blue Belgian Linen Throw Pillows (Gunmetal)  | 20″ Black & Cream Stripe Pillow | Night Stands

Not included in the graphic but worth a mention are THESE creamy, wool textured pillows — now on clearance. I’ve had them in our bedroom since our makeover and they’re still front and center.

I also love a rust that acts as a neutral — especially to escape some of the more somber gray tones — and while the below is no longer available, I still have Number 13 on display in our living room and love the subtle addition.

Sources: Woven Wool Pillow Covers | Clove Striped Lumbar Pillow Cover

THIS pillow has also been a great one to migrate around, always on display somewhere — it’s expected back in stock this month.

Sources: Striped Pillow

On a separate note, I know we’ve been talking about quality pillows that can stay put year-round inside, but on the outside, I have a little bit of a different approach. I ordered THESE pillow covers on Amazon that were so cheap, I knew I’d be 100% fine tossing them after the end of the season. No matter the pillow, when it comes to the outdoors, I can never seem to get them looking great again from one year to the next, so I was good going cheap here. I also love pillows that aren’t stuffed with polyfill so I purchased as a one-year buy.

However, I said this last year and I’ll say it again. I was shocked with how great these were — especially after having such low expectations. They aren’t marketed for outdoor use, but again, I wasn’t planning to use them beyond a season. They’re still great and I’ll continue to buy them if/when the former need replacing. They come in a ton of colors and sizes (HERE) and as an FYI — they comes as a pack of TWO, so the price you see on Amazon is for a PAIR of covers. We have them scattered on our sectional on the back deck, and on the front porch rockers — here’s the black and light beige.

Sources: Black Pillow Covers 22″ (set of two) | Beige Pillow Covers 22″ (set of two)

As I’ve continued to shift in the direction of fewer changes, I feel like I’ve gained breath, space, and time. The things I love most have more space to shine and get more appreciation and I’m loving the simplicity — even in the smallest new considerations and practices. Do you have a pillow problem? Exhaustion? Or do you have a system in place that works well? Tell me how you are, if you’re on a similar journey, and how things have changed (or not changed) for you!

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