When it comes to creating the perfect bed, there’s one thing people tend to overlook – the pillows! But your pillows are an essential part of getting a goodnight’s rest and creating a polished bedroom. With all the different types of pillows available, it can be a challenge to know how to pick the perfect one. Today I want to dive into how to pick the perfect pillow. There’s a little more to it than you might think!

How to Pick the Perfect Pillow

The goal of a sleeping pillow is to keep your head neutrally aligned. You don’t want your head too far back or forward. There are three things to keep in mind when you’re selecting your perfect pillow: the type of sleeper you are, the type of fill in the pillow, and the size of the pillow.

Pillows for Every Sleeping Style

Back Sleeper

If you sleep on your back, you want to select a pillow that offers extra support for your neck. A thinner pillow that’s thicker at the bottom helps cradle your neck and keeps your body in alignment. Memory foam pillows are great for back sleepers since they mold to the shape of your head and neck.

Side Sleeper

Firm pillows with extra wide panels around the edge are the best bed pillows for side sleepers. These large side panels add thickness to the pillows. This additional thickness reduces the distance between your shoulders and ear which adds support for your neck.

Stomach Sleeper

It might come as a surprise, but if you sleep on your stomach the bed best pillow might be no pillow at all! Sleeping on your stomach puts stress on your lower back. Instead of sleeping a pillow under your head, consider using a body pillow.

Types of Pillow Fill

Another thing to consider when choosing your perfect bed pillow is the fill. Down, memory foam, and down alternatives are the three most popular types of pillow fill. Down pillows retain heat and cradle your head when you lay down. Memory foam pillows distribute the weight evenly which is beneficial for restless sleepers. Down alternative pillows tend to be firmer and hold their shape. The important thing to remember is to try out different pillows to see which one works best for you.

Pillow Size

Standard, queen, and king pillows are all 20″ wide. The difference is in the length. A standard pillow is 26″ long, a queen pillow is 30″ long, and a king pillow is 36″. Standard size pillows can be used on any bed, but I recommend using pillows that are proportional to the bed size. A larger pillow on a larger bed looks more proportional.

How to Pick the Perfect Decor Pillow

I love decor pillows and like to think of them as eye candy for the bedroom. They add a pop of color or print which instantly polishes and elevates the look of the bed. I don’t think any bed is complete without them! Some of my favorite decorative pillows are square pillows, rectangular lumbars, Euro shams, and bolster pillows.

Tips for Using Decorative Pillows

If you’re looking for decorative pillows for a twin or queen size bed, square or lumbar pillows are great options. Because of the larger size of the best, I love using Euro shams and bolster pillows for a king bed. The larger width of the bed can accommodate the larger pillows without the end result looking out of proportion. Here are the typical sizes of common decorative pillow styles:

• Square pillows: 20 in x 20 in or 24 in x 24 in
• Lumbar pillows: 12 in x 20 in or 16 in x 20 in
• Euro pillows: 26 in x 26 in
• Bolster pillows: 3 in x 42 in or 9 in x 32 in

Let’s jump into how you can use decorative pillows to create an inviting bed.

Think in Threes

Because of the size of a king bed, three lumbar or three Euro pillows spaced across the bed works best. The size of the pillows is proportional to the size of the bed and the odd number catches your eye. Fewer larger pillows look cleaner than more smaller pillows. In this guest bedroom, the window treatments, pendant lights, and artwork are the perfect backdrop for the bed. The three bed pillows create a focal point in the room and add a bit of visual contrast to the vertical lines of symmetry.

Use Complementing Colors

Using pillows in complementary colors is fabulous way to tie a room together. Solid colors work great for the shams and decorative lumbars are perfect for adding a splash of print. In this master bedroom, we used pillows in cool blues, crisp whites, and soft textures to complement the soothing color palette. A set of neutral print lumbars and three pretty blue Euro shams are a perfect way to tie the room together. The pillows pick up the colors in the rug and create a cohesive look.

Go Bright and Bold

For a bold and daring look, use your pillows to add accents of vibrant color to the bedroom. Add a printed fabric bolster pillow to pop against solid shams or lumbar pillows. Paired with a neutral color palette, these accent pieces are the best bed pillows to pull the space together. The graceful curves of this Moroccan inspired bed frame get a feminine touch with these pink square pillows. They tie in the pink border on the duvet cover and the bouquet of fresh blooms on the night stand. The bold printed lumbar pillow adds a splash of pattern and brings an exotic vibe to the bedroom.

Compare and Contrast

If you don’t want to use pillows in a bold color, you can use varying hues of the same color. You can add visual interest through textured pillows or pillows in different shapes. This monochromatic look is perfect for a modern and sleek space. For this chic bedroom, we chose two lumbar pillows in hues that were similar to the head board and bedding. We selected a deeper brown color for the bolster pillow to compliment the bedroom’s natural color palette. The long bolster pillow paired with the two king-size shams balances out the panels in the custom headboard. Talk about a bed that’s pleasing to the eye!

In this bedroom, we wanted to let the playful wood chevron wall do the talking. We chose a fabric to compliment the brown, navy and cream color palette we used in the room. We selected a cool, unique Brentano fabric for the lumbar shams. It picks up the wood tones of the wall and the navy on the night stands. It’s a beautiful match for the navy bolster pillow. The combination is subtle, but very statement-making!

Perfect Bed Pillows

Pillows are the perfect way to tie a room together. You can use complementary color pillows to create a relaxing bedroom. Or bold colors and prints are perfect for designing a more dramatic bedroom. The important thing to remember as you’re selecting bed pillows is to keep things proportional. A few larger pillows look more collected than a big collection of smaller pillows. For more perfect pillow ideas and inspiration, follow me on Instagram.