Throw Pillow Covers for Sofas and Beds

How to choose a throw pillow cover

Start with the size of your insert. Most covers here fit 18 x 18 in (45 x 45 cm) pillows, which is the common square accent size for a sofa or armchair. If you want a fuller look, choose a cover that matches your insert exactly. If you prefer a plush, overstuffed shape, size up slightly when your insert allows it.

Next, think about the feel you want. Velvet gives a smooth, cozy surface. Faux fur and plush bring warmth and texture. Silk and imitation silk give a cool, glossy sheen. Cotton and polyester blends are easy to live with and clean well.

Finally, match the cover to the room. Solid colors like blue, white, pink and gray work in most spaces. Raised patterns such as diamond cable knit, ribbed grid, tufted trees, 3D bubbles and embroidered horses add detail without changing your color scheme.

Sizes and measuring

Measure your pillow insert from seam to seam, not the cover. Covers are cut to fit specific insert sizes, so the insert measurement is the one that matters.

Square covers here come in three sizes:

• 16 x 16 in (40 x 40 cm): The Solid Velvet Pillow Cover
• 18 x 18 in (45 x 45 cm): The Solid Velvet Cushion Cover, The Fringe Edge Pillow Cover, The Embroidered Horse Pillow Cover, The Ribbed Grid Faux Fur Pillow Cover, The Tufted Tree Plush Pillow Cover, The 3D Bubble Plush Pillow Cover, The Embroidered Plush Pumpkin Pillow Cover, The Teddy Faux Fur Pillow Cover and The Solid Velvet Pillow Cover
• 20 x 20 in (50 x 50 cm): The Ribbed Corduroy Pillow Cover and The Solid Velvet Pillow Cover

Rectangular covers fit longer pillows:

• 19 x 29 in (48 x 74 cm): The Cooling Bean Textured Pillowcase and The Diamond Cable Knit Velvet Pillow Cover
• 20 x 26 in (51 x 66 cm): The Silk Sheen Tatting Pillow Cover and The Silk Satin Pillow Cover

A cover that is too small will strain at the seams. A cover that is too large will look loose. When in doubt, measure twice and pick the size that matches your insert.

Materials and textures

Velvet covers, such as The Solid Velvet Cushion Cover and The Solid Velvet Pillow Cover, use a woven velvet with a soft pile and a slight sheen. They suit a living room sofa or a reading chair.

Faux fur and plush covers bring the most texture. The Ribbed Grid Faux Fur Pillow Cover uses 100 percent polyester knit faux fur with a raised grid of ribbed stripes. The Teddy Faux Fur Pillow Cover uses woven plush teddy faux fur at about 300 gsm with a soft, fluffy sherpa pile. The Tufted Tree Plush Pillow Cover and The 3D Bubble Plush Pillow Cover are both 100 percent polyester knits with raised shapes. The Embroidered Plush Pumpkin Pillow Cover adds an embroidered raised pattern on faux wool plush.

Silk covers give a smooth, glossy finish. The Mulberry Silk Pillow Cover is 100 percent mulberry silk in a tatting weave. The Silk Satin Pillow Cover is 100 percent silk in a knit weave. The Silk Sheen Tatting Pillow Cover is imitation silk with a tatting weave and a smooth sheen.

Cotton and polyester blends cover the middle ground. The Cooling Bean Textured Pillowcase uses polyester and cotton in a non-woven weave with a cooling bean-textured surface. The Diamond Cable Knit Velvet Pillow Cover uses a polyester and cotton knit at about 180 gsm with a raised diamond cable pattern. The Fringe Edge Pillow Cover uses a woven polyester and cotton blend with fringed edges. The Embroidered Horse Pillow Cover uses a polyester and cotton jacquard weave with a soft velvet touch and a slight sheen. The Ribbed Corduroy Pillow Cover uses a polyester and cotton knit corduroy with a raised striped surface.

Care and washing

Most covers here are machine washable at 30°C (86°F) on a gentle cycle. That includes The Diamond Cable Knit Velvet Pillow Cover, The Fringe Edge Pillow Cover, The Embroidered Horse Pillow Cover, The Ribbed Grid Faux Fur Pillow Cover, The Tufted Tree Plush Pillow Cover, The 3D Bubble Plush Pillow Cover, The Embroidered Plush Pumpkin Pillow Cover, The Mulberry Silk Pillow Cover, The Silk Satin Pillow Cover, The Teddy Faux Fur Pillow Cover and The Ribbed Corduroy Pillow Cover.

Drying varies by fabric. The Diamond Cable Knit Velvet Pillow Cover and The Ribbed Corduroy Pillow Cover can go in the dryer on low. The Teddy Faux Fur Pillow Cover can be tumble dried low or air dried. The Fringe Edge Pillow Cover, The Embroidered Horse Pillow Cover, The Ribbed Grid Faux Fur Pillow Cover, The Tufted Tree Plush Pillow Cover, The 3D Bubble Plush Pillow Cover, The Embroidered Plush Pumpkin Pillow Cover, The Mulberry Silk Pillow Cover and The Silk Satin Pillow Cover should be air dried. The Solid Velvet Pillow Cover can be machine washed or hand washed. The Cooling Bean Textured Pillowcase is machine washable.

A few habits keep covers looking good. Close any zipper before washing. Wash similar colors together. Skip fabric softener on plush and faux fur so the pile stays fluffy. Air dry when you can, and shake plush covers back into shape while they are damp.

What comes in the box

Most covers here come as one cover per pack. The Diamond Cable Knit Velvet Pillow Cover comes as one or two covers, depending on the pack you choose. Inserts are not included, so you will need a pillow insert in the matching size. The Solid Velvet Cushion Cover notes that one cover fits one cushion and the insert is not included.

A quick note on color. The Solid Velvet Cushion Cover comes in blue, white, pink and gray. Other covers use the color shown for each item.