My Secret $17 Hack for Making Worn-Out Living Room Pillows Look Great Again

Like many people, I’m all about accessorizing my home with throw pillows. I keep five pillows of various sizes on my bed at all times, and the selection on my sofa is ever-changing. I like to shop for different styles of pillow covers at stores such as Zara Home, H&M Home, West Elm, and Etsy, which means that I can easily switch things up depending on the season (or just my mood!).

It’s fun to easily be able to pull out chunky knit pillow covers when the temperature drops and to swap in stripes or linens come summertime. That said, I’ve found that, as is the case with sleeping pillows, throw pillow inserts need to be replaced every now and then. This is particularly the case if you’re actively leaning on yours all throughout the day (hey, there’s absolutely no shame in the work-from-sofa game — I do it, too!).

I personally don’t want to spend a ton on a throw pillow insert, given I won’t ever see said insert, and my throw pillows don’t get quite as much use as a bed pillow. That’s also part of the reason I’ve often hesitated to purchase replacements. But recently, I ripped off the band-aid and did just that. And truthfully, this is an expense — and a super minimal one at that — you won’t regret! A new insert will make any throw pillow look a bit more fresh and crisp. You’ve probably seen throw pillows that haven’t been filled properly or are on their last leg due to a sagging cushion, so you know how unappealing they look. And the pros agree.

“For higher-traffic areas (think: the living room), I always recommend that our clients replace their throw pillow inserts every one to two years,” says designer Taylor Fusco, the founder of Tay Fusco Design, with regard to synthetic inserts. Down inserts will last a little longer, with an average life span of about three to four years. She adds that when shopping for inserts, it’s important to remember to purchase something roughly two inches larger than your cases. “If your pillow [case] is 20 inches by 20 inches, you should be buying a 22 inch by 22 inch insert for a more luxe look,” says Fusco.

I was pleased to see that this set of Utopia Bedding throw pillow inserts (retailing for just $17 for a pair!) seems to be a fan favorite on Amazon. The pair’s received over 177,000 reviews, 78% of which are five stars, and having placed an order of my own, I now understand why. These inserts are perfectly fluffy, meaning they’re comfortable to lean on but also make any throw pillow look plush. They arrive in a vacuumed plastic bag and immediately “come to life,” so to speak, once you cut the bag open. I’m leaning against one of the pillows as I write this, and I never would have guessed that it arrived flat, given how cushy it is now.

While I opted for the plain white inserts knowing I’d be covering them with pillow cases, the pair is actually available in a few different colors, too, meaning that you could technically use the inserts as stand-alone throw pillows. Sizing ranges from 12 inch by 12 inch to 28 inch by 28 inch, with many different square- and rectangle-shaped options in between.

So what are you waiting for? Impress your holiday guests with plush, designer-look throw pillows that will make your home appear extra-inviting and put-together. Even if it seems counterintuitive, because covers get all the glory, the best decorative pillows start with quality inserts. 

Buy: Utopia Bedding Throw Pillows Insert (Pack of 2, White), $16.99 (normally $21.99)