5 Types of Decorative Throw Pillow Covers and Where to Buy
The best decorative throw pillow covers have a tight weave, a hidden zipper, and a size that matches your insert. For a handmade look, choose hand block printed linen or Indian wool. For tough, low-cost solids that survive kids and pets, buy velvet or cotton basics. For frequent restyling, buy patterned multi-packs. For beds, go with lumbar and oversized covers.
Most shoppers don't struggle to find covers. They struggle to tell a $9.99 cover from a $75 cover in a photo. Fabric, closure, size, and care separate them, and a product photo hides all four. That is why so many people end up with a cover that gapes at the zipper or fades after one wash.
This guide sorts five types of covers by look, fit, price, and where to buy them. We make handmade covers at KOREDECOR, so the first two picks are ours. We rank the rest by who they suit, not by who sells them.
1. Hand block printed linen covers
Look and who it suits
Hand block printing stamps each pattern onto fabric with carved wooden blocks, so no two covers match exactly. KOREDECOR's block print covers pair a pure linen front with an original Kala cotton back. The florals and geometrics come in teal, rosedust, forest green, slate, and neutral tones, colored with eco-friendly dyes.
Many styles print on both sides, and some come with a plain back. These covers suit boho, farmhouse, and modern neutral rooms, and they make easy housewarming gifts.
Small irregularities in a block print are proof that a person made it.
Sizes, zipper, and care
Each cover closes with an invisible YKK zipper, so the face of the pillow stays clean on a sofa. Sizes include 20x20, 22x22, 14x20, and 14x36, though the range varies by design. Check the size list on each product page.
Buy an insert the same size as the cover or one to two inches larger for a full corner. Handmade linen prefers gentle care, so follow the instructions on the product page instead of using a hot wash.
Price and where to buy
Expect to pay from about $50, with some larger or lumbar styles reaching about $95. You buy direct from KOREDECOR, and the brand also sells on Etsy.
Shipping is free within the USA, and you have 7 days to return an order.
2. Indian wool covers with texture
Look and who it suits
Wool covers add texture that a printed cotton can't. KOREDECOR's covers use hand-spun, hand-loomed Indian wool, including Bhujodi wool, with a Kala cotton back. Designs range from vintage motifs to stripes and checks, with tassel or no-tassel options.
They suit buyers who want one statement pillow per seat, especially on leather, linen, or neutral sofas. Examples include cream Alabaster Daksha, orange Marigold Siya, and olive-brown Garnet Maya.
One textured wool cover does more for a plain sofa than three flat prints.
Sizes, zipper, and care
Square covers are the usual choice for a couch, and lumbar versions fit armchairs. An invisible YKK zipper makes swapping inserts easy. Wool is bulkier than cotton, so pick an insert the same size as the cover so the corners fill out.
Wool needs gentler cleaning than polyester. Remove the cover before spot cleaning, and read the care notes on the product page.
Price and where to buy
Prices run from $60 to $100 depending on size and design. Buy direct from KOREDECOR.
| Cover | Look | Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Aadya | Neutral stripes, sage green accents | 20x20 | $60 |
| Marigold Siya | Orange, tassels | 20x20, 22x22 | $85 to $95 |
| Alabaster Daksha | Cream, vintage motifs | 14x20, 20x20, 22x22, 14x36 | $75 to $100 |
| Garnet Maya | Olive brown, tassel option | 14x20, 20x20, 22x22 | $75 to $95 |
3. Solid and velvet basics
Look and who it suits
Solid covers are the easiest way to add color without a pattern clash. They suit renters, families with kids and pets, and anyone building a base layer before adding statement pieces.
For contrast, pick a color opposite your sofa on the color wheel, such as orange on a blue couch. For a calm look, stay in the same color family with a different shade. Velvet adds depth, and plain cotton keeps things casual.
Solids make the base layer, and one patterned pillow on top makes it look designed.
Sizes, zipper, and care
Cotton, cotton blends, and polyester velvet are usually the easiest washable decorative pillow covers. Look for a care label that says machine wash, close the zipper first, and wash cold. Velvet shows crush marks, so smooth the pile after drying.
Check the closure before buying. A concealed zipper keeps a clean edge, while an open envelope back can gap on a busy sofa.
Price and where to buy
IKEA lists 20x20 covers from $4.99 to $19.99, and it also sells 26x26 and 16x23. Home stores and online marketplaces offer similar basics.
Low prices make replacing a worn cover painless. The trade-off is less distinctive design and thinner fabric.
4. Patterned multi-packs for seasonal swaps
Look and who it suits
Stripes, gingham, and florals sold in sets of two or four let you restyle with the seasons. Keep the same inserts and change only the covers. This suits first-time buyers who are still working out a color scheme.
The risk is thin fabric. Hold a cover up to the light, or read reviews with photos, to see whether the insert shows through the weave.
A pack is only a bargain when every cover in it is one you would use.
Sizes, zipper, and care
Packs commonly come in 18x18, and Amazon's best-seller lists feature 18x18 sets of two. Confirm the closure type, because cheap packs often use envelope backs instead of zippers.
Prints on thin polyester can fade or pill, so wash cold and inside out. Store off-season covers folded flat.
Price and where to buy
Judge a pack by cost per cover, not the headline price. Marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay carry the widest range, and specialty home-decor shops sell more curated sets.
Check the return policy before ordering a set. A wrong color is expensive when you buy four at once.
5. Lumbar and oversized covers for beds
Look and who it suits
On a bed, one large square cover plus a long lumbar pillow across the front looks finished. On a sofa, a lumbar fits an armchair or the center of a couch. KOREDECOR offers lumbar sizes in both its block print and wool collections.
Choose these when you want shape variety instead of a row of identical squares. They suit buyers dressing a bed, a bench, or a reading chair.
Mixing one lumbar with two squares looks styled, while a row of identical squares looks like a set.
Sizes, zipper, and care
Match shape to spot, then pair each cover with a matching insert.
| Size | Best spot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20x20 or 22x22 | Sofa corners, bed front | Everyday square |
| 26x26 | Back row of a bed, floor | Oversized |
| 14x20 | Armchair, sofa center | Lumbar |
| 14x36 | Foot or front of a bed | Long lumbar |
Bed covers touch skin and bedding, so choose soft fabrics and expect to clean them more often. Make sure the zipper sits flat and won't snag sheets.
Price and where to buy
Bigger covers cost more because they use more fabric. IKEA's 26x26 covers run from $7.99 to $24.99, while handmade 14x36 covers from KOREDECOR cost more.
Sizes beyond the standard square are easier to find direct from makers than at big retailers, so check the size list before you buy.
Pick the cover that fits your room
Decide first whether you want a handmade statement or an easy basic. Then check three things every time: the fabric, the zipper, and the insert size. Block printed linen and Indian wool reward you with texture and craft. Basics and multi-packs keep costs down. Lumbar and oversized covers finish a bed.
If you want a hand-finished cover with an invisible zipper, start with KOREDECOR's hand block printed pillow covers. If you need help choosing a size or color, email support@koredecor.com before you order.
