How to Style Turkish Rug Pillow Covers on a Sofa and Bed

A pair of rug pillow covers can change a sofa more than a new throw or a new lamp. Because they are cut from real rugs, they bring colour, pattern and texture all at once. That also means a little care is needed so the room does not feel busy. A few simple guidelines help.

1. Start with one pair

If your sofa is plain, a single pair of rug covers at each end may be all you need. Turkish rugs carry a lot of visual information, so one pair often does the work of four ordinary cushions. Add more only if the sofa still feels empty.

2. Pick a colour, not a pattern

The easiest way to mix covers is to choose one colour and let everything else vary. If your rug has rose in it, choose a soft rose Oushak pair and a kilim with rose in its stripes. The colours tie the room together, and the different patterns keep it from looking matched.

3. Mix textures

A flat kilim, a velvety pile rug and a shaggy Tulu next to each other look richer than three of the same. If you have not met the three types yet, see Kilim vs Rug vs Tulu Pillow Covers.

4. Balance bold with quiet

Pair a bold kilim with something calmer: a plain linen cushion, or a softly faded rug cover. Two bold kilims side by side can work too, if they share colours.

5. Connect the cushions to the floor

Pillow covers look most at home when they echo the rug in the room. They do not need to match. A cover cut from an Oushak rug will sit naturally over any rug with similar soft tones, and a kilim cover pairs well with kilim and flatwoven rugs. For bigger ideas on combining rugs, see how to layer rugs like an interior designer and decorating with kilim and Turkish rugs.

6. On the bed

On a bed, rug covers work best in front of plain pillows, not instead of them. Two rug covers in front of two white sleeping pillows look clean and deliberate. A Tulu cover is especially good here because it is so soft.

Which insert to choose

Our covers are sold without inserts, so you can pick your own. A few tips:

• For a full, plump look, choose an insert one size up: an 18 x 18 inch insert in a 16 x 16 inch cover.
• For a neat, tailored look, use the same size as the cover.
• Feather or down inserts give the classic soft "chop" on top and suit rug covers well.
• Polyester fill is lighter and holds its shape, which suits kilim covers on a firm sofa.

Where to start

Browse our rug pillow covers for soft, classic colour, our kilim pillow covers for bold geometry, or our Tulu pillow covers for texture. Or see them all together in all cushion covers.