Throw Pillow FAQ
Everything you need to know about our decorative throw pillows — fill options, fabric construction, care instructions, and styling advice. Whether you're furnishing a living room, specifying for a hospitality project, or coordinating with our fabric-by-the-yard line, these answers will help you choose with confidence.
Fill Options & Care
What's the difference between down fill, poly fill, and cover only?
Every pillow is available in three options. Down fill uses a 100% duck feather insert in a 200-thread-count cotton cover for a luxurious, sink-in feel with natural loft — ideal for living rooms and bedrooms where comfort is the priority. Poly fill uses a 100% polyester fiberfill insert in a polypropylene cover for consistent shape retention, hypoallergenic properties, and durability — excellent for commercial spaces, hospitality, and allergy-sensitive homes. The option to purchase the cover only, without an insert, is for those who can supply their own inserts. The cover comes finished with a hidden zipper.
How do down throw pillows compare to poly fill?
Down fill offers a softer, more luxurious feel with natural loft that compresses and recovers — it's the preferred choice for residential spaces where comfort and aesthetic refinement matter. Poly fill provides firmer, more consistent shape retention with hypoallergenic properties — ideal for commercial settings, hospitality, high-traffic spaces, and anyone with feather allergies. Both fills use the same performance-rated jacquard cover. The choice comes down to feel preference and use case, not durability.
What type of down fill do you use?
Our down throw pillows are filled with a 100% duck feather insert in a 200-thread-count cotton cover. Down fill provides natural loft and softness with excellent temperature regulation — it breathes better than synthetic fills, making it comfortable year-round. Down also compresses and recovers naturally, giving the pillow that distinctive luxurious sink when you lean into it. The fill is encased inside the jacquard cover with a hidden zipper closure.
Can I wash a down throw pillow?
The jacquard cover is cleaning code W (water-based cleaning only — no solvents). Do not machine wash or submerge. For the down insert itself, professional cleaning is recommended. Between cleanings, you can fluff down pillows by hand to redistribute the fill and maintain loft. If the cover needs more than spot cleaning, unzip and remove the insert, then have the cover professionally cleaned separately.
Material & Construction
Is this pillow woven or printed?
Our pillows are made with jacquard woven fabric. The pattern is created during the weaving process on a loom so that the design is built into the fabric structure as opposed to being printed on the surface. These woven patterns are durable and a substantial weight with a soft hand-feel.
What is a jacquard throw pillow?
Jacquard refers to the weaving technique used to create the fabric. A jacquard loom controls each warp thread independently, allowing complex patterns to be woven directly into the fabric — as opposed to printing a pattern onto the surface. Jacquard throw pillows have a textured, dimensional quality that printed pillows cannot replicate. The weaving process also makes the pattern integral to the fabric structure, so it won't rub off, peel, or degrade over time. All of our throw pillows are woven on jacquard looms in the USA.
What is the best fabric for throw pillows?
For decorative throw pillows that see daily use, look for woven fabrics rated at 30,000+ double rubs — this ensures the pillow holds up to regular contact without pilling or wearing through. Our jacquard pillows are rated at 63,000 double rubs, more than double the commercial threshold. Beyond abrasion resistance, consider cleaning ease (our code W fabric resists stains and cleans with water-based products), fiber content (our jacquard blends resist UV fading), and construction method (woven patterns last longer than printed). Avoid delicate fabrics like silk or loosely woven linens for everyday throw pillows.
Is this pillow durable for everyday use?
Yes. Every pillow is made from stain resistant, performance-rated jacquard fabrics rated at 63,000 double rubs — more than double the 30,000 double rub threshold for commercial applications. The fabric covers both sides with a clean knife edge.
Size & Styling
What size is this throw pillow?
All of our throw pillows are 20 x 20 inches — a versatile square size that works on sofas, armchairs, beds, and benches. The 20-inch size is considered a standard throw pillow dimension, large enough to make a visual impact but proportional for most seating. Filled pillows (down or poly) will measure slightly larger than 20 inches when stuffed, giving the pillow its full, plump appearance.
How many throw pillows should I put on my sofa?
A common approach is the 2-2-1 arrangement: two larger pillows in the back corners, two medium pillows in front of those, and one accent pillow in the center or off to one side. For a standard 3-seat sofa or couch, 3 to 5 pillows is typical. The key is mixing scales, patterns, and textures — pair a bold geometric like our Checker with a softer floral like Olivar, then add a coordinating solid. Our matching fabric-by-the-yard line makes it easy to coordinate custom pillows with upholstery on your couch or chairs.
How do I mix throw pillow patterns?
Start with one dominant pattern in a larger scale — like our Ra abstract or Checker geometric — and pair it with a complementary pattern in a different scale, such as the Olivar floral damask. Use one or two solid-colored pillows as visual rest between patterns. Stick to a shared color palette across all pillows (our jacquard colorways are designed to coordinate within and across design families). The general rule: vary the pattern scale and type, but keep the color family consistent.
Ordering & Returns
Can I return a filled pillow?
Cover-only orders are returnable within 14 days of delivery in unused, original condition, and a 25% restocking fee is applied. Filled pillows (both down fill and poly fill) are final sale and non-returnable for hygiene reasons. If you receive a pillow with manufacturing defects, contact us within 7 days at sales@poppyprintstudio.com with photos and we will replace or refund the affected item. You may order fabric samples of any of our pillows before purchasing.
How long does shipping take for throw pillows?
All throw pillows are stocked inventory — no production lead time. Orders ship within 1-3 business days via UPS or FedEx. Standard and expedited shipping options are available at checkout. Pillows ship via ground carrier due to package size. For large commercial orders or trade projects, contact us at sales@poppyprintstudio.com for shipping quotes and timeline estimates.
Are these pillows suitable for commercial and hospitality use?
Yes. Every pillow in our line uses fabric rated at 63,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs — well above the 30,000 minimum for contract and commercial applications. The fabric is stain resistant (cleaning code W), and the poly fill option is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for hotels, restaurants, healthcare waiting areas, and corporate lounges. For commercial projects requiring volume, contact us at sales@poppyprintstudio.com for trade pricing and project support.
Is matching fabric available by the yard?
Yes. Every throw pillow design is also available as fabric by the yard in the same colorway. This allows you to coordinate pillows with upholstery, drapery, headboards, or other custom applications using the same engineered woven jacquard. Visit the matching fabric product page (linked on each pillow page) to order yardage. Fabric and pillow orders can ship together.
Can I wash this throw pillow?
These pillows cannot be machine washed. The jacquard fabric is cleaning code W, which means clean with water-based cleaners only — do not use solvent-based products on the fabric. For routine care, vacuum or brush gently to remove dust. For spills, blot immediately with a dry cloth and use a water-based upholstery cleaner on the affected area. Down and poly fill inserts should not be machine washed. Professional cleaning is recommended for deep cleaning. Always test any cleaner on a hidden area of the pillow first.