Not-So-Square: Why Custom-Shaped Pillows Are the Secret to a Unique Home
By Lara Sluszinak - June 5, 2025
In a world full of square throw pillows, why blend in when you can stand out! At Grand and Humble, our pieces are made to your exact needs and preferences, from the size and shape to the fill of your choice. There is no limit to what pillow you can create with us! We believe custom-shaped pillows are just as impactful as the color and fabric as they offer a unique way to bring personality, proportion, and comfort to your space.
Going Beyond the Square
Most off-the-shelf throw pillows come in the same few sizes and shapes, usually square. While there’s nothing wrong with basic shapes, custom shapes offer creative freedom and be tailored to your needs. The shape of a pillow can completely alter the feel of a room, introduce balance, and add thoughtful intention to even the smallest details.
Proportion and balance play a huge role in design, and often, standard pillows just don’t do the trick. If you’ve ever tried styling a king-size bed with nothing but small squares, you’ve likely noticed that the arrangement feels either cluttered or undersized. A custom lumbar or bolster pillow can help to add scale that better matches your furniture. A few well-placed round pillows can even provide symmetry and proportion that standard pillows often lack.
Another reason to customize your throws is because not every space was made for a square. Curved-backs, seats with unusual dimensions, or custom furniture can be difficult to style. Custom shapes allow you to work with your furniture, not against it. Pillows are a key element to the design and should fit without looking like they don't belong there.
A uniquely shaped pillow immediately draws the eye, adding interest and texture to your space without overwhelming it. Shapes like hearts, circles, triangles or elongated forms can instantly bring a room together and create a personalized space.
Popular Shapes We Love
At Grand and Humble, we believe that the shape of a pillow is more than a detail to a room, it's an opportunity to make your space more personal and intentional. While square pillows may be the go-to, exploring different shapes can introduce a new stylistic choice to your design.
Round pillows for instance, bring softness and symmetry to your space. Their circular form contrasts beautifully with the straight lines of beds, sofas, or chairs, creating a more balanced, inviting look.
Bolster pillows are both stylish and functional with their long and cylindrical shape. These pillows are often used to for pieces like benches, daybeds, or deep sofas. Using a bolster adds structure and a supportive shape.
Hearts, letters, numbers, and any unique symbol can add the perfect personal touch to a room. Whether it’s the initials of someone special, a favorite number, or a meaningful shape, these custom designs go beyond decoration, they tell a story. Personalized shapes are also a thoughtful gift as they are symbolic and meaningful.
Where Custom Shapes Shine
Custom pillows aren’t just a design statement, they’re practical solutions for spaces that don’t follow the rules. No matter what the space is, there’s a place for uniquely shaped soft goods in every type of home. Below are just a few scenarios where custom shapes bring both beauty and function.
In modern living rooms, clean lines and neutral colors are often the main part of the design, but that can sometimes leave the space feeling a bit dull or impersonal. Enter the custom bolster pillow. Sleek and sculptural, a bolster can run the length of a modular sectional or sit solo on a chair, adding softness and support.
In vintage or antique furniture, custom shapes are often essential to fit the pieces as they tend to have unique dimensions. Standard sized pillows can often look awkward or unintentional rather than ehance the unique piece of furniture. A custom-sized cushion or seatback may be necessary in order to bring function and beauty into a space while keeping the pieces looking timeless.
Kids' spaces and nurseries are another ideal spot for custom-shaped pillows. In these rooms, function and imagination go hand-in-hand. A sun or moon-shaped pillow can make a reading nook feel magical. A set of initial pillows can add a personalized touch to the room. Even a simple heart or cloud shape can offer a soft and comforting touch. No matter the shape, our high-quality custom pillows, are designed to be snuggled, squeezed, and loved, without compromising on durability.
Make It Yours
Square is safe but custom is unforgettable. With Grand and Humble's products, you can create something that fits not just your furniture, but your lifestyle and design vision. Whether you need better proportion, more support, or something totally one-of-a-kind, a custom-shaped pillow is a powerful and stylish solution.
Explore our wide range of custom pillow options and if you don't see exactly what you're looking for, feel free to contact us. We're always happy to bring your unique designs to life!
Have you always been intrigued by marbling and want to learn the ancient technique yourself? Now you can and with a modern twist!
Join me on Saturday, March 6 at 12 p.m. EST for a special presentation “The Art of a Marbler & Maker.” In this two-hour Skill Swap Webinar, renowned author, designer, and marbler, Jill Seale guides me step by step as I marble my own design. Then, we will turn the tables and I will instruct Jill as she creates a flanged lumbar pillow – complete with an invisible zipper.
There will be a special appearance by the TrimQueen, Jana Platina Phipps, who discusses trims as an embellishment. Finally, Renee Rizzi from American Down & Feather joins us to share what sets them apart from other pillow companies.
There will be multiple giveaways, so register today to save your spot and be entered for the giveaways.
Sign up HERE
Free! Join us for this very special event