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Silk Throw Pillows, Cushion Covers & Table Runners: How to Choose & Style Them

July 5, 2026 Harjot Kaur, Founder

Silk Throw Pillows, Cushion Covers & Table Runners: How to Choose & Style Them

July 5, 2026 Harjot Kaur, Founder

Quick answer: Choose silk throw pillows, cushion covers, and table runners by three things: the weave (Banarasi, Tanchoi, Gyasar, or Ikat), the size (square 18 to 22 inches, or a 12 by 20 inch lumbar), and the palette you want to anchor. Layer in odd numbers, mix one patterned piece with quieter tones, dry-clean only, and they last for years. They also make heirloom gifts for housewarmings, weddings, and hosts.

What is the difference between a throw pillow, a cushion cover, and a table runner?

A throw pillow is the finished, filled cushion you rest against; a cushion cover is the woven outer case that slips over an insert; a table runner is a long, narrow textile that dresses the centre of a table. In practice, most of our silk pieces are sold as covers, because the cover is where the craft lives: the handwoven Banarasi, Tanchoi, Gyasar, or Ikat silk. A cover lets you refresh a room, or launder the textile, without replacing the insert underneath. A runner does the same work horizontally, turning an everyday table into something considered.

Across all three, the same principle holds: the object is woven, not printed, so the pattern lives in the thread and reads on close inspection. That is what separates a heritage silk piece from a mass-market cushion, and it is why these textiles are worth choosing carefully.

How do you choose the right silk cushion cover?

Start with the weave and the palette, then match the size to your sofa or bed. Pick one silk tradition to lead the room, choose a scale (square for depth, lumbar for support and length), and confirm the cover fits a slightly larger insert so it sits full, not flat.

Which silk weave is right for you?

Home and the World works in four Varanasi and Pochampally traditions, each with a different character:

Banarasi is the classic gold or silver zari brocade: formal, luminous, ceremonial. Best for a room you want to feel rich and finished.
Tanchoi is a fine, nearly reversible satin weave patterned in coloured silk with no metal thread: understated, tonal, versatile. Read the full guide to Tanchoi silk.
Gyasar is the heaviest, most ornate brocade, gold-threaded with Tibetan and Buddhist motifs: a statement piece, best used singly. See what Gyasar silk is.
Ikat is resist-dyed before weaving, so its motifs carry a soft, feathered edge and each piece is unique. See how Ikat is made, or the overview of all three Varanasi weaves.

Pochampally Ikat carries a Geographical Indication, registered in 2004 as India's first handloom GI; the Banarasi brocade tradition holds its own GI, registered on 4 September 2009. Provenance like this is part of what makes the textile an heirloom rather than a trend. These are matters of public record: the Geographical Indications Registry (Government of India) lists Pochampally Ikat as registered in 2004 — India's first handloom GI — and the Banaras Brocades and Sarees GI in 2009.

What size cushion cover should you buy?

For a sofa, a square cover of 18 to 22 inches works for most seats; a 12 by 20 inch lumbar adds back support and visual length. For a bed, layer larger squares behind smaller lumbars. A square cushion gives a room depth and softness, while a lumbar is the piece that actually supports the lower back on a deep sofa or reading chair. If you want one shape to start with, a lumbar is the most useful, because it is both decorative and functional.

Do silk cushion covers come with inserts?

Most heritage silk covers are sold as covers only, so you supply or reuse an insert. Buy an insert one to two inches larger than the cover (a 20 inch insert in an 18 inch cover), which gives the plump, tailored look designers prefer and prevents the sad, half-empty droop of a same-size fill. Down or down-alternative inserts hold their shape best. Keeping the cover separate also means you can rotate textiles by season and clean them without replacing the fill.

How do you choose a silk table runner?

Choose a runner long enough to leave an equal drop at each end of the table, in a weave that suits the occasion: Ikat for everyday character, Banarasi or Tanchoi for a dressed table. Our runners are handwoven silk, made to sit as the centrepiece of the table rather than compete with it. Explore the full table runners collection.

How long should a table runner be?

A runner should be longer than the tabletop is deep, ideally leaving a drop of about 6 to 12 inches at each end, or sitting flush if you prefer no overhang. Measure your table's length before choosing. For a runner used as a bureau or console dressing rather than dining, a flush or minimal drop looks tidiest. On a dining table, the classic overhang frames a centrepiece and signals that the table has been set with intention.

How do you style silk pillows, cushions, and runners?

Layer in odd numbers, let one patterned piece lead and support it with quieter tones, keep to a restrained palette, and vary scale. One statement Gyasar or Banarasi cushion against two calmer solids reads more considered than five competing prints.

How many cushions should you put on a sofa?

Three to five cushions suit most sofas; odd numbers look more natural than even. On a standard three-seat sofa, a pair of squares in the corners with a single lumbar in the centre is a reliable, balanced arrangement. On a bed, work in layers from back to front: larger squares against the headboard, then a lumbar in front. The goal is fullness without crowding, so leave room to actually sit.

How do you mix patterns without clashing?

Anchor the group with one dominant patterned piece, then pull a single colour from it into the quieter cushions. Vary the scale of the motifs, and keep the palette tight. A large Gyasar or Banarasi motif pairs happily with a small Ikat diamond and a plain tonal solid, because the eye reads a clear hierarchy. What clashes is not pattern itself but competing patterns at the same scale and saturation. When in doubt, let one piece be the hero and treat the rest as its supporting cast.

How do you style a table runner?

Centre the runner down the table's length, keep the surface around it uncluttered, and let a low centrepiece sit on top. A silk runner does most of the work on its own, so resist over-styling. A few candles, a low bowl, or a single stem is enough. For a layered look, a plain linen tablecloth underneath lets a patterned silk runner read as the focal point without the table feeling busy.

How do you care for silk cushions and table runners?

Dry-clean only, and keep handwoven silk out of prolonged direct sunlight to protect the dyes and the fibre. Spot issues should go to a professional cleaner rather than a home wash, which can pull threads or dull the zari. Rotate cushions occasionally so they wear and fade evenly, and store runners rolled rather than sharply folded to avoid creasing the silk. Treated gently, a handwoven silk piece holds its lustre for decades, which is exactly what makes it worth the care.

Silk pillows, cushions, and runners as gifts: by occasion

Because they are beautiful, useful, and built to last, silk textiles make some of the most considered gifts in the home category. Here is how to match them to the moment. (Prices below are in USD.)

Housewarming gifts

For a new home, give a piece that helps make it feel finished. A pair of silk cushions or a single statement Gyasar pillow adds warmth to a fresh space without dictating the owner's style. Browse housewarming gifts, or read the considered housewarming gift for the fuller case for heirloom textiles.

Wedding gifts

For a wedding, lean toward heirloom pieces a couple will build a home around: a set of handwoven silk cushions, or a Banarasi silk table runner for the table they will host at for years. See wedding gifts. Silk is also the traditional gift for milestone anniversaries, which our anniversary gifts by year guide maps out.

Host and hostess gifts

Bringing something to a dinner or a weekend stay? A silk table runner or a single cushion cover reads as generous and is ready to use the same evening. See the full host and hostess gifts edit, or our considered guide to host and hostess gifts.

Corporate gifts

For a client or a milestone, a handwoven silk cushion or runner carries provenance and craft that a generic gift cannot. Each piece comes with a story of Varanasi or Pochampally weavers, which makes the gesture feel personal at scale. Explore corporate gifts.

Silk gifts by budget

A considered gift is measured by fit and longevity, not price. If it helps to shop by spend, here is a guide in USD, using pieces that are in stock now.

Under $120: a handwoven Silver Brocade cushion, or a Blush Diamond Ikat lumbar: a warm, everyday gift.
$120 to $200: a Sage & Ivory Banarasi lumbar, a Deer's Fable Tanchoi pillow, or an Indigo Ikat table runner: a generous piece for a host or a new home.
Statement ($200 and up): a Forest Green Gyasar pillow, a Midnight Garden Banarasi runner, or the Rose & Charcoal wool throw: for weddings and milestones.

For more on giving well at any level, see how to give a luxury gift on any budget and what makes a gift an heirloom.

A note from our founder

I started sourcing these textiles because a single handwoven cushion changed how a room felt to me: not decorated, but considered. Every piece we carry is woven by weavers in Varanasi or Pochampally whose families have kept these traditions alive for generations, and I choose each one the way I would for my own home. That is the test, and it is the only one that matters to me.

Bring handwoven silk into the home

Our cushions, covers, and runners are handwoven in Varanasi and Pochampally, in small batches, so each piece is its own. Explore the silk pillows and cushions collection, the table runners, the Gyasar silk pillows, or the full gift collection. Ships free to the US & Canada, duties covered.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a throw pillow and a cushion cover?

A throw pillow is the finished, filled cushion you rest against; a cushion cover is the woven outer case that slips over a separate insert. Most heritage silk pieces are sold as covers, because the cover is where the handwoven craft lives: the Banarasi, Tanchoi, Gyasar, or Ikat silk itself. Buying the cover separately means you can reuse one insert, rotate textiles by season, and clean the silk without replacing the fill. It is also why a single well-chosen silk cover can transform a sofa for far less cost and bulk than buying a whole new filled cushion.

What size silk cushion cover should I buy, and do they include inserts?

For most sofas, an 18 to 22 inch square works well, while a 12 by 20 inch lumbar adds back support and visual length. Heritage silk covers are usually sold as covers only, so plan to supply or reuse an insert. Choose an insert one to two inches larger than the cover, for example a 20 inch insert in an 18 inch cover, which gives the full, tailored look designers prefer rather than a flat, half-empty droop. Down or down-alternative inserts hold their shape best over time, and keeping cover and insert separate makes seasonal changes and cleaning far easier.

How long should a silk table runner be?

A runner should be longer than the depth of your tabletop, ideally leaving an even drop of about 6 to 12 inches at each end, or sitting flush if you prefer no overhang. Always measure your table before buying, since dining tables, consoles, and bureaus differ. On a dining table, the overhang frames a centrepiece and signals a table set with intention; on a console or sideboard, a flush or minimal drop looks tidiest. A single handwoven silk runner does most of the styling work on its own, so keep whatever sits on top low and sparse.

How many cushions should you put on a sofa?

Three to five cushions suit most sofas, and odd numbers almost always look more natural than even ones. On a standard three-seat sofa, a pair of squares in the corners with a single lumbar in the centre is a balanced, reliable arrangement. On a bed, layer from back to front: larger squares against the headboard, then a lumbar in front. Aim for fullness without crowding, and always leave room to actually sit, so the arrangement reads as considered rather than cluttered. When in doubt, start with three and add only if the sofa still looks bare.

How do you mix patterns and prints without clashing?

Anchor the group with one dominant patterned piece, then pull a single colour from it into the quieter cushions, vary the scale of the motifs, and keep the overall palette tight. A large Gyasar or Banarasi motif pairs happily with a small Ikat diamond and a plain tonal solid, because the eye reads a clear hierarchy. What actually clashes is not pattern itself but competing patterns at the same scale and saturation. When in doubt, let one piece be the hero and treat everything else as its supporting cast, and keep the number of distinct patterns to three or fewer.

How do you care for silk cushion covers and table runners?

Dry-clean only, and keep handwoven silk out of prolonged direct sunlight, which fades the dyes and weakens the fibre over time. Take spot issues to a professional cleaner rather than attempting a home wash, which can pull threads or dull the metallic zari. Rotate cushions occasionally so they wear and fade evenly, and store runners rolled rather than sharply folded to avoid pressing permanent creases into the silk. Treated gently, a handwoven silk piece holds its lustre for decades, which is exactly what makes the small amount of care worthwhile and what separates an heirloom textile from a disposable one.

What is the difference between Banarasi, Tanchoi, Gyasar, and Ikat silk?

All four are handwoven, but they differ in method and character. Banarasi is a gold or silver zari brocade, formal and luminous, ideal for dressing a room. Tanchoi is a fine, nearly reversible satin weave in coloured silk with no metal thread, tonal and versatile. Gyasar is the heaviest, most ornate brocade, gold-threaded with Tibetan-Buddhist motifs, best used singly as a statement. Ikat is resist-dyed before weaving, so its motifs carry a soft, feathered edge and no two pieces are identical. Choose Banarasi or Gyasar to make a room feel finished, and Tanchoi or Ikat for everyday, layerable character.

Are silk pillows and table runners good gifts?

Yes. They are beautiful, genuinely useful, and built to last, which makes them ideal for housewarmings, weddings, hosts, and corporate milestones. Unlike consumable gifts such as wine or flowers, a handwoven silk cushion or runner stays in the home and is used for years, and each carries a story of Varanasi or Pochampally weavers that makes the gesture feel personal rather than generic. Silk is also the traditional material for milestone wedding anniversaries, so a silk piece doubles as a meaningful anniversary gift with genuine heritage behind it. They also arrive gift-ready, so there is nothing extra to wrap.

How much do handwoven silk cushions and table runners cost?

At Home and the World, silk cushion covers generally run from around $80 to $220 in USD, and handwoven silk table runners from about $160 to $240, depending on the weave and the amount of gold zari involved. Gyasar and heavy Banarasi brocades sit at the higher end because they use more metallic thread and take considerably longer to weave by hand. Every piece is made in small batches, so stock is limited and each is effectively its own. Orders arrive gift-ready, with free shipping across the US and Canada and all duties covered, so the listed price is the price you pay.

Do you ship silk pillows and runners to the US and Canada?

Yes. Every order ships free across the United States and Canada with all duties covered, so the price you see is the price you pay, with no surprise fees at the border. In-stock items are dispatched the same day when the order is placed before 11am ET, with official dispatch within one to two days, so a considered gift is possible even at short notice. Each piece arrives gift-ready in considered packaging, and a handwritten note can be included on request if you are shipping directly to the recipient.

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