How to Fill a Moroccan Pouf

You've seen them in the shop. In some of your favorite magazine interiors. Or if you've been lucky enough to visit Morocco, you've seen them in stores, homes, hotels, and overflowing from market stalls. Traditionally made of goat leather, these versatile pieces make amazing footstools, extra seating, and playroom additions.

What no one often explains, however, is that Moroccan poufs (the good ones, anyway) are often sold unstuffed. In the shop, we sometimes stuff them with packing material for display, but for daily use, you'll definitely want something more substantial inside. Here are some of our favorite ideas for filling one up.

1. Old clothing, linens, and towels 
This is the method mostly used by Moroccan families, and it’s our favorite! It creates a super comfortable, heavy and structured feel to your cushion—ideal if you plan to sit on it occasionally—not to mention it’s eco-friendly. Try filling it with outgrown clothing, old duvets or comforters, or even down jackets. Your closets will thank you.

2. Pillows and cushion inserts
If you have some on hand, you can absolutely reuse old pillows or new cushion inserts to stuff your pouf. We have found that four or five Ikea Fjadrar 26” feather pillow inserts do the job nicely, but don’t fret about the exact size. Just stuff the pouf with as many as you need to make it look and feel full. The more filling material you use, the firmer and more structured it will be.

3. Upholstery supplies. 
This option is more expensive, but gives a nice, even fill and weight. Look online for DIY upholstery suppliers and craft shops that stock cuts of upholstery foam or shredded memory foam.

4. Bean bag balls. 
This isn’t our favorite pouf-filling method for environmental reasons, but if your pouf is purely for looks and/or you prefer a lighter weight, EPS polystyrene balls are cheap and easy to find online. Beware: The bean bag balls have a tendency to escape, so tie them up in an old pillow case before stuffing them into your pouf.