Choose a fabric rated for high traffic, like a tight cotton weave, for an entryway bench. This is the pillow that meets wet coats, dog leashes, and dropped bags more than any other pillow in the house.
An entryway bench with nothing on it gets used for bags and mail, never for actually sitting down to take off shoes.
It’s the first piece of furniture guests see, and a bare one reads as unfinished before they’ve even reached the living room.
Getting it right means one or two durable pillows, sized to a typically narrow bench, in a fabric that shrugs off wet coats and dropped bags.
The bench starts getting used the way it was designed for, and the whole entry feels considered instead of purely functional.
Bench depth decides shape here even more than in a living room, since entry benches run narrower on average.
A 12x20 or 14x24 lumbar fits most of them.
A square pillow on a shallow bench overhangs the edge and ends up on the floor within days of foot traffic.
Durability is the second detail, and it matters more here than almost anywhere else in the house.
A darker solid or subtle pattern also hides daily wear better here than a pale or white pillow would, since this is the piece guests touch first.
This pillow meets wet shoes, dog leashes, and dropped bags daily.
A tight cotton weave or performance fabric with a machine-washable cover holds up.
Velvet and silk-touch fabrics show marks within the first month.
A round or bolster shape also survives daily handling better than sharp square corners, which flatten fast under constant use.
Use the sizing and fabric rules above to pick an entryway pillow built for daily traffic, then check the collection for durable weaves that still look considered.
Types of Throw Pillows
Not all throw pillows work the same way in a entryway space. Here's how the main types differ.
Square Throw Pillows
Square pillows are the backbone of every sofa and bed arrangement. The standard sizes, 18x18, 20x20, and 22x22, each read differently at scale. Larger squares (22x22 and above) work for deep sofas and king beds. Smaller squares get lost on large furniture.
Lumbar Pillows
The lumbar is the finishing touch in any arrangement. It sits at the front of the sofa or centred across the bed and completes the composition. A single lumbar in a contrasting texture or a richer fabric pulls the whole grouping together. Without it, a styled arrangement often reads as unfinished.
Velvet Throw Pillows
Velvet is the fabric that photographs best and feels most luxurious in hand. Cut velvet holds a clear sheen under warm light. Crushed velvet creates a directional shimmer that changes with every shift of the pile. Both read as premium against neutral furniture. They are the natural default for glam interiors.
Sequin & Metallic Pillows
Sequin pillows do something no other fabric can. They catch and scatter light across the room. A single gold or rose gold sequin pillow beside two velvet squares adds a level of shimmer that reads as deliberately styled. Reversible sequin pillows (one metallic side, one solid) are the most versatile version.
Faux Fur Pillows
Faux fur pillows are the texture contrast that makes a velvet-heavy arrangement interesting. An oversized ivory faux fur against a dark velvet sofa or a jewel-tone bed creates exactly the kind of tactile layering that makes a room look styled by someone who knows what they are doing.
Lumbar Ruched & Satin Pillows
Ruched and pleated satin pillows bring a couture quality to a bed or sofa. The gathered fabric catches light in multiple directions, creating a dimensional surface that looks more expensive than the price reflects. Champagne and blush are the strongest colourways for glam interiors.
Embroidered & Jacquard Pillows
Embroidered and jacquard pillows carry their own pattern and do not need additional styling elements to make an impact. Gold embroidery on black or navy velvet reads as genuinely luxurious. Art Deco geometric jacquard in gold and ivory is one of the most versatile patterned pillows for glam spaces.
Chunky Knit & Textured Pillows
Chunky knit pillows bring warmth and tactile depth to rooms that lean neutral. An oversized grey knit beside blush velvet squares creates a texture contrast that photographs well and feels genuinely inviting. The key is scale. Chunky knit needs to be large (22x22 or bigger) or it reads as filler.
Boho & Natural Fibre Pillows
Macrame woven, tassel-fringe, and natural cotton pillows bring the organic texture that defines a Boho or eclectic interior. They work as contrast elements in glam spaces too. One macrame piece in an otherwise velvet-heavy bed arrangement adds an unexpected tactile layer that keeps the room from looking one-dimensional.
Browse All Entryway Throw Pillows
Ideas & Inspiration
One real coastal pillow and a neutral texture pairing build a genuine coastal palette for β¦
Read guide β
Seven real bedroom throw pillows starting under $30, from velvet to linen to boho macrame β¦
Read guide β
Velvet reads richer and holds color better, linen reads relaxed and shows less wear. The β¦
Read guide βFrequently Asked Questions
Should an entryway bench have a throw pillow?
What size pillow fits an entryway bench?
What's the most durable fabric for an entryway pillow?
Do entryway pillows need to be washable?
What color works best for an entryway pillow?
How many pillows should an entryway bench have?
Want the Full Throw Pillows Guide?
Types, styles, sizing rules, and our complete pick list, all in one place.
Browse All Throw Pillows β