What Is a Kilim Pillow? Materials, Sizes and How to Use One
Quick answer: A kilim pillow is a cushion cover made from a flat-woven kilim, a pile-free wool textile from Anatolia. Ours are cut from real vintage kilims, so each one is unique. They have a cotton back, concealed zipper and no insert, and come in square (16 x 16 in) or lumbar (12 x 20 in) sizes.
What Is a Kilim Pillow?
A kilim pillow is a cushion cover made from a piece of kilim, the flat-woven textile of Anatolia and the wider region. Unlike a knotted rug, a kilim has no pile. The coloured wool wefts are woven tightly across the warp threads to form the pattern, so the surface is flat, firm and the same on both sides of the design.
At TurkishRug, our kilim pillow covers are cut from real vintage kilims. They are not printed copies. That means every cover has its own pattern, colours and small marks of age, and no two are identical.
How Is a Kilim Pillow Made?
- The kilim is chosen. We pick a vintage or older kilim that has areas of good colour and pattern, often from a larger piece that is too worn or damaged to be sold as a rug.
- It is cleaned and cut. The best sections are cut to the cushion size. The design is positioned so the strongest motif sits in the centre.
- It is finished. The kilim face is joined to a cotton back with a concealed zipper, so the cover looks clean from the front and opens easily for washing.
The inserts are not included, so you choose the filling you prefer. If you want to know how a pillow cover relates to a full rug, our guide to how vintage Turkish rugs become cushions explains the process step by step.
What Does a Kilim Pillow Look Like?
Kilim designs are geometric. Typical motifs include diamonds, stripes, zigzags, hooked shapes and stepped medallions. Many carry meanings: the ram's horn for strength, the hands-on-hips shape for a mother or fertility, the eye for protection. You can read more in kilim and rug symbols and understanding Anatolian rug symbols.
The colours come from wool dyed in the traditional way, and on older pieces they have softened with time into earthy reds, indigo blues, ochres and faded pinks. This gentle fade is why vintage kilim pillows sit so easily next to modern furniture.
How Is a Kilim Pillow Different From a Rug Pillow or Tulu Pillow?
| Type | Made from | Feel | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilim pillow | Flat-woven kilim | Smooth, firm, slightly textured | Geometric, graphic |
| Rug pillow | Knotted pile rug | Soft, dense, short pile | Floral, medallion, traditional |
| Tulu pillow | Long-pile tulu rug | Shaggy, deep | Cosy, textured, often plain |
If you are comparing the three, kilim vs rug vs tulu pillow covers goes into detail on which one suits a sofa, chair or bed. For the weaving itself, see what a kilim is, and how it is woven.
What Sizes Do Kilim Pillows Come In?
- Square, 16 x 16 inches (40 x 40 cm): the usual sofa and bed size.
- Lumbar, 12 x 20 inches (30 x 50 cm): a long, narrow cushion for the back of a chair or the front of a bed.
Sizes vary slightly because each cover is cut from a hand-woven textile. Check the measurements on each product page before you buy an insert. A common tip is to choose an insert 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) larger than the cover so the cushion looks full.
How Do You Use Kilim Pillows at Home?
Because kilim is flat and firm, the cover holds its shape well. Here are a few ways we use them:
- On a plain neutral sofa, where one or two kilim pillows add pattern without overpowering the room.
- On a bed, with a lumbar kilim cushion at the front and plain linen behind it.
- On a window seat or reading chair, as a firm back support.
- Matching a kilim rug on the floor, with the same palette repeating at cushion height.
For more ideas, read how to style Turkish rug pillow covers on a sofa and bed. To look at what is available, browse our kilim pillow covers, or the full range of cushion covers.
Why Choose a Vintage Kilim Instead of a New One?
A new, machine-made cushion can be printed with a kilim pattern, but it will not have the weight, texture or character of a woven cover. A vintage kilim carries the marks of real use: slight variations in the weave, colours that shift from one stripe to the next, and wool that has softened over decades of handling.
There is also a practical benefit. Cutting a cover from an older kilim gives a worn textile a second life, and the tight flat weave is hard-wearing enough for everyday seating. Because each piece is cut from a different kilim, you can mix covers of different patterns on one sofa as long as they share a colour or two. A pair makes a calm, matching start, while three or four different covers feel collected.
How Do You Care for a Kilim Pillow?
Vacuum lightly with a brush attachment, spot-clean with a damp cloth and let the cover dry flat, away from direct sun. Because the cover is made from real wool, avoid hot washing and harsh detergents. Our guide to caring for kilim and rug pillow covers has the full routine.
Where Can You Buy a Real Kilim Pillow Cover?
Our covers come from Heritage Nomadic Art Gallery in Sultanahmet, Istanbul. They are sold singly or as a pair, with free worldwide shipping, pre-paid duties for the US, UK, EU and Canada, and a 14-day return window. Two good places to start are this pair of vintage Turkish kilim pillow covers in pink and yellow and this lumbar kilim pillow cover, 12 x 20 in.
Pieces from our collection
Every piece below is one of a kind and in stock today:
- Aizania — Vintage Turkish Kilim Pillow Covers, Set of 2
- Xanthia — Vintage Turkish Kilim Pillow Covers, Set of 2
- Cariye — Vintage Kilim Pillow Cover
- Hipsia — Vintage Kilim Pillow Cover
Frequently asked questions
Is a kilim pillow the same as a kilim cushion?
Yes. Pillow is the term most often used in the US and cushion in the UK, but both mean a cover made from kilim fabric. In our shop the cover is sold without the insert, so you add your own filling.
Are kilim pillows comfortable?
Kilim is flat and firm rather than plush, so the cover feels smooth and supportive. With a soft feather or down-alternative insert, it is comfortable for sofas and beds. A cotton back keeps the underside gentle against skin and upholstery.
Does a kilim pillow come with an insert?
No. Our covers are sold without inserts. They have a concealed zipper and a cotton back so you can fit your own. We suggest choosing an insert about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) larger than the cover for a fuller look.
Can I buy kilim pillow covers as a pair?
Yes. Many of our covers are sold singly, and some are listed as a pair cut from the same textile. Because every cover is made from a real hand-woven kilim, pairs may be matching or complementary, not identical.
Written by the team at Heritage Nomadic Art Gallery in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, the gallery behind TurkishRug.com, where every rug and pillow is chosen, washed and photographed by hand. Last updated October 21, 2026.
