Kilim-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home Decor

Kilim-inspired patterns have become a popular trend lately in home décor of any style. It’s no wonder! Beautiful colors and intricate designs of the kilims are appealing, warm and original. They seem to tell a story – story about cultures so rich and old, they have roots that are centuries deep. There is something very intriguing about that! The kilim-inspired accents meet the most sought after requirement for any home décor: after all, don’t you want every piece in your home to tell a story? The most traditional way of bringing the rich and vivid colors and designs of the kilims is by using a kilim rug.

Figure 1.Kilim rugs in modern setting (Source Stern McCafferty)

Beautiful Kilim rugs may be found in many American households. They can be used as a floor covering as well as a unique piece of wall art. But rugs are not the only shape and form in which kilims have found their ways to our homes. Kilim fabric is so versatile it lands itself for any upholstery project or for creating accent pieces, such as throw pillows, blankets, table runners, etc. I have seen it being used for making beautiful bags, purses and other accessories.

So what is Kilim and why is it so popular?

Kilim is a word of Turkish origin. It means a certain type of textile that is produced using a special flat-weaving technique.

Figure 2. Kilim Weaving Technique (credit of Kilim Studio)

Traditionally, kilims were made in Anatolia, Turkey. Kilims are considered to be a form of self-expression for women who make them: each piece exemplifies designer’s dreams and feelings. The motifs used in kilims can vary but the most popular one is a geometric motif which almost always has a symmetrical design with a pattern creating a mirror image of itself. Kilims were always considered to be practical because of their lighter weight, and were perfect for nomadic lifestyle. Today, kilim inspired tribal patterns are a popular trend in the interior design which complements any style.

Figure 3. Eclectic Room with Kilim Poufs (credit of Deborah French Designs)

Figure 4. Rustic Style Room and Kilim Pillows (Source Canadian Log Homes)

Ethnic pillows, inspired by Anatolian/Turkish kilims, are a great way to add the bohemian and eclectic style to any home décor.

Made with a heavy weight upholstery fabric from Turkey, these kilim-inspired pillows make any space feel warm and inviting. They come in a variety of vibrant colors. The kilim-inspired accent pillows can be a perfect match for a rustic style as well as an eye catching focal point in a modern setting. And while the colors and patterns of these kilim-inspired pillows are different, don’t be afraid to mix and match and they all complement each other well. Try combining shapes (square and lumbar) and sizes as well to create even more diversity and interest.

Another way to bring this classic into your home is by using ottomans covered with kilim inspired fabric.

Figure 5.Kilim Ottoman (Source Country Living)

This kilim ottoman is used as a bedroom bench. It adds extra seating space and a feeling of comfort to the room. Can you picture the room without it? Definitely not the same, right?

 The Wonders of Kilim

Adding kilim to any living space is beneficial and creative. From rugs, to ottomans, to pillows, the effect kilim has on its surroundings is the same. The patterns lift the entire room, which may have been looked at as “dull” before the kilim was there. Kilim comes in many different forms and patterns. The number one rule about searching for kilim is to find what speaks to you! Your home is where you can express your own personality and imagination. Kilim emphasizes the authentic, warm, and unique feeling of your living space, which makes having a beautiful home a whole lot easier!