How to Style Kilim Pillows: Mixing, Matching & Care

Arsh's Rug Library · Rooms, Color & Styling

Blue and rust handwoven Turkish kilim pillow with a geometric pattern — Shown: Boho Chic Rasmusse Kilim Pillow

A kilim pillow is the easiest way to bring the color and pattern of a handwoven rug into a room, one cushion at a time.

What is a kilim pillow?

A kilim is a flat-woven textile with no pile: colored wool threads are woven tightly through the warp to make crisp geometric patterns. Our kilim pillows are handwoven in Turkey from hand-spun wool, as pillow covers, with a cotton back. They come filled with hypoallergenic polyfill, ready to use. Because each one is woven by hand, no two are exactly alike.

How to mix kilim pillows

Pick one shared color. Choose two or three pillows that all contain the same color, such as rust or navy, even if the patterns are different.
Vary the scale. Pair one bold, large-scale pattern with a smaller, busier one, so they don't compete.
Add a solid. A plain linen or velvet pillow between two kilims gives the eye a place to rest.
Repeat the rug. Pick up a color from your rug so the floor and the sofa feel connected.
Use odd numbers. Three or five pillows on a sofa usually look more relaxed than two or four.

Gray and rust Southwestern kilim pillow — Two moods: earthy Southwestern rust and gray, and a softer boho purple.

Purple and gray boho kilim pillow — Two moods: earthy Southwestern rust and gray, and a softer boho purple.

Kilim pillows by decorating style

Boho and eclectic: mix several bright patterns freely, with plants and woven baskets.
Modern and Scandinavian: one or two kilims in muted colors on a white or gray sofa.
Farmhouse and rustic: rust, brown and cream kilims with linen and leather.
Southwestern: terracotta, turquoise and black diamond patterns.

For color ideas, see our rug and sofa color combinations.

Caring for kilim pillows

Fluff and rotate the pillows often. Vacuum the front gently with an upholstery brush, and blot spills right away. Wool naturally resists stains, so most marks lift with a damp cloth. Keep pillows out of strong direct sun for long periods to protect the colors. For a deep clean, use a professional who cleans wool textiles.

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