How to Fill a Moroccan Floor Cushion

There’s something about a Moroccan floor cushion that instantly makes a space feel more relaxed. Thrown beside a coffee table, layered in a reading corner or pulled out when friends drop in unexpectedly, they have a way of making a room feel lived in without trying too hard.

One of the questions we get asked most often is how to actually fill them.

Because most Moroccan floor cushions are sold unfilled, you can shape them to suit your home and how you want them to feel. Some people like them soft and slouchy. Others prefer a firmer, structured look that works more like a Moroccan ottoman.

The good news is they’re surprisingly easy to fill using things you may already have at home.

What Can You Use to Fill a Moroccan Floor Cushion?

The beauty of a Moroccan floor cushion is that it doesn’t need expensive inserts or perfectly matching foam pieces. In fact, the slightly relaxed, layered feel is part of the charm.

Some of the best filling options include:

Old towels
Bed linen
Blankets
Old clothes
Cushion inserts
Foam offcuts
Pillows
Quilt batting
Fabric scraps

This makes Moroccan cushions a practical choice too. Rather than throwing textiles away, you can give them another life inside your cushion.

If you prefer a firmer Moroccan ottoman feel, adding dense foam pieces or tightly folded blankets through the centre helps the cushion hold its shape.

For a softer, more lounge-style look, stick with lighter fabrics and looser filling.

How Full Should a Moroccan Cushion Be?

More full than you probably think.

A common mistake is underfilling. Moroccan floor cushions look best when they feel generous and slightly overstuffed. The leather or textile softens and settles over time, so starting fuller helps them keep their shape.

You want the cushion to feel supportive enough to sit on comfortably while still having that relaxed, sink-in quality Moroccan homewares are known for.

Once filled, give it a few days to settle before deciding if it needs more.

How to Fill Your Moroccan Floor Cushion

Most Moroccan floor cushions have a zip opening on the underside.

Start with larger items first, like folded blankets or pillows, to create structure through the middle. Then layer smaller pieces around them to smooth out the shape.

Try to distribute the filling evenly into the corners and edges. This helps the cushion sit properly on the floor and gives it that full, rounded appearance.

A good trick is to occasionally stand the cushion upright and shake it gently as you fill. It helps everything settle more evenly.

Then zip it closed and give it a quick fluff.

Done.

Why We Love Moroccan Floor Cushions

Aside from being practical extra seating, Moroccan floor cushions bring warmth, texture and colour into a room in a very unfussy way.

They work beautifully layered with linen sofas, timber furniture, woven rugs and relaxed spaces that don’t feel overly styled.

And because every cushion is slightly different, they add that collected feel people often try very hard to create.

Whether you use yours as a Moroccan ottoman, extra seating, a footrest or simply as part of a cosy corner, they’re the kind of homeware piece that tends to move around the house and get used far more than expected