Velvet Throw Pillows

Velvet throw pillows in cotton-backed short-pile velvet with a hidden YKK zip and a piped edge — sized 18 × 18 in. and 20 × 20 in., in a palette of Bone, Sable, Ink, Clay, Sage and Fog Grey. Our velvet throw pillows use a woven cotton reverse (not a slippery synthetic backing) so they stay put on a sofa instead of sliding off.

Why velvet on a throw pillow, and where most versions go wrong

Velvet on a throw pillow reads well because the pile catches light differently from every other cloth in the room — a plain velvet cushion in the right colour does what a printed one has to work much harder for. Where most velvet throw pillows go wrong is the backing: a slippery polyester reverse means the pillow migrates every time you sit down, and by evening it is on the floor.

Cotton-backed velvet — the fix that keeps a pillow in place

Ours are backed in woven cotton in the same tone as the velvet face. It sits into the upholstery rather than skating across it, and it turns over cleanly if you want the plain face showing.

Specifications

• Face: Short-pile velvet, cotton-blend base cloth
• Reverse: Woven cotton (matching tone)
• Closure: Hidden YKK zip along one edge
• Edge: Self-piped in matching velvet
• Sizes: 18 × 18 in., 20 × 20 in.
• Colours: Bone, Sable, Ink, Clay, Sage, Fog Grey
• Insert: Sold separately — feather-down or hollowfibre
• Care: Machine wash cool, low tumble

Sizes tuned to sofas and beds

18 × 18 in. is the size for a standard sofa arm; 20 × 20 in. is the size a designer will specify for the back of a deeper sofa or the head end of a made bed. Layered — 20 in. at the back, 18 in. in front — is what makes the arrangement look composed rather than crowded.

Velvet throw pillow size guide

Why size the insert up by one inch

Order the insert one inch larger than the cover — 19 in. for the 18 in. cover, 21 in. for the 20 in. cover — so the cover is filled to the corners rather than sagging in the middle. This is standard trade practice and the difference between a pillow that looks made and one that looks flat.

How to care for your velvet throw pillows

• Machine wash cool on a gentle cycle
• Tumble low or hang — velvet dries in an hour
• Brush the pile in one direction with a soft brush after washing
• Skip fabric softener — flattens the pile
• Zip closed before washing to protect the teeth

Frequently asked questions

Can I wash a velvet throw pillow at home?

Yes — cool wash on gentle, low tumble. Brush the pile back with a soft brush after drying.

What size insert for a velvet throw pillow?

One inch larger than the cover — 19 in. insert for 18 in. cover, 21 in. for 20 in. Fills to the corners rather than sagging.

Do velvet throw pillows slide off the sofa?

Ours don’t — the cotton reverse grips the upholstery. Polyester-backed velvet is the version that migrates.

Does velvet flatten with use?

The pile compresses under weight and comes back when brushed. Avoid fabric softener, which coats the pile permanently.

Complete the room

Layer with cotton throw pillows in matching tones, a quilted throw across the sofa arm, and coordinated pillow covers for the bed.