Most people overlook the fact that a pillow, in addition to being the key to a good night’s sleep, can make or break your bedroom decor.
Those who don’t are often spoiled for choice by the variety of pillow types available. This article will help buyers find the best pillow for their bedroom – for sleeping as well as a decorative item.
Also Read: Black Curtains For Bedroom.
How to Pick a Pillow For a Good Night’s Sleep
The primary function of a pillow is to support the head and neck, thereby promoting neutral spinal alignment. While the label on a pillow might claim to provide the most peaceful slumber, you should keep the following factors in mind when purchasing one:
- Your Sleeping Position
- Pillow Fill Material
- The Size and Loft of the Pillow
Sleeping Positions
You could sleep in any of the following positions:
Back Sleeping
Back sleepers lie flat on their backs in a position similar to standing, which supports their natural spinal curvature. They account for 10% of all sleepers.
The best pillows for them are those that allow the head to rest in an optimal position while not allowing it to sink too deeply into the fill material or remain too elevated.
Standard pillows of medium firmness and loft work best for them. They also benefit from specialty pillows such as wedge pillows, cervical pillows, lumbar pillows, and knee pillows.
Memory foam, buckwheat, wool, and latex are the best fill materials for a back sleeper’s pillow. Down is a no-no because it is soft and fluffy.
Side Sleeping
Side sleepers sleep on either their left or right side of the body. As a result, one side of the hip and shoulder touch the bed. Side sleepers constitute 74% of all sleepers.
Use a medium-firm pillow if you sleep on your side. Pillows that are too firm will keep the head elevated, while pillows that are too soft will sink too deeply into the fill material.
The loft should be medium to high so that the head and neck are adequately supported. Aside from standard pillows, a side sleeper can use body pillows, knee pillows, and pillows with an ear hole (to prevent conditions such as “pillow ear”).
Pillows that are too firm will cause the head to remain elevated and those that are too soft will cause it to sink too deep into the fill material. The loft should be medium to high so the head and neck are supported adequately.
Apart from standard pillows, a side sleeper can use body pillows, knee pillows, and pillows with an ear hole to prevent conditions such as a pillow ear.
The best pillow types for them are those filled with memory foam, buckwheat, and latex.
Stomach Sleeping
Stomach sleepers lie flat and face-down on their stomachs while sleeping and constitute 16% of all sleepers. Ideally, they are better off without pillows.
However, if at all a stomach sleeper must use a pillow, it should be soft and of low to very low loft. Down, cotton, and kapok work as the best fill materials. Also, apart from standard pillows, a stomach sleeper can try using body and pelvic pillows.
Pillow Fill Material
As already discussed, your choice of pillow for your bedroom should also depend on the fill material. The most popular materials include memory foam, Down, and latex.
Modern-day buyers are also resorting to buckwheat, millet, wool, kapok, and feather pillows. Yet another option is gel-infused cooling pillows, which attract hot sleepers.
Everything boils down, again, to your sleeping position and preferences. To know what works best for you, it’s important to try out different pillow types.
Pillow Size and Loft
The pillow size and loft will determine the comfort you receive while sleeping. Additionally, these two aspects will also determine how the pillows look on your bed.
We have already discussed the part about comfort. Now let’s discuss the part about aesthetic appeal.
All pillows – standard, king, or queen size usually measure 20″ in width. They only differ in length. Typically, standard pillows measure 26″ in length, queen pillows 30″, and king pillows 36″.
The pillow you choose should be proportionate to the size of your bed. A very large pillow on a very small bed would stick out like a sore thumb. The same pillow on a very large bed, on the other hand, would look splendid.
How to Pick a Pillow For Decor Purposes
A pillow in your bedroom is intended for restful slumber for sure. But what about the way it looks? What about the way it can transform the way your bedroom looks?
We have already discussed how the size of a pillow can make or break the aesthetic appeal of the bedroom overall. Now, let’s discuss the other important design aspects.
Arrangement
For your bedroom to look prim and proper, you must make your bed and arrange the pillows on it in order. For the sake of simplicity, we will consider the four most common bed types and how to arrange pillows on them.
Single Bed
A single bed should ideally have one pillow and one to two standard pillows. You can arrange them in three different ways:
- Place the throw pillow in front of one standard pillow.
- Place two standard pillows side by side and the throw pillow in front of them in the middle.
- Place one standard pillow in front of the other and the throw pillow in the frontmost position.
Queen Bed
A Queen or double bed should have two to three throw pillows, two or four standard pillows, and one bolster pillow. You can arrange them in three different ways:
- Place two standard pillows side by side and two throw pillows in front of them and then the bolster pillow in the frontmost position.
- Place two standard pillows side by size and two more in front of them. Then, place two throw pillows in front of them and a bolster pillow in the frontmost position.
- Place two standard pillows side by size and two more in front of them. Then, place two throw pillows in front of them and one throw pillow front and center. Finally, place a bolster pillow in the frontmost position.
King Bed
A King bed is large enough to have one to three throw pillows, two or four standard pillows, and one to two bolster pillows. You can arrange them in these four ways:
- Place two standard pillows side by side and then two throw pillows in front of them. Place another throw pillow front and center and two bolster pillows on either side.
- Place two standard pillows side by side and then two more in front of them. Place one throw pillow at the center and two bolster pillows on either side.
- Place two standard pillows side by side and then two more in front of them. Place two throw pillows in front of the standard pillows and a bolster pillow in the middle.
- Place two standard pillows side by side and then two more in front of them. Place three throw pillows side by side in front of the standard pillows and a bolster pillow each between two throw pillows.
Color
Use pillows or pillowcases of colors that complement the colors on the bedroom walls. Pastels and neutral colors are great choices.
Modern spaces mostly warrant monochromes. However, you can also experiment with contrasting colors. Self-patterns are pleasing to the eye, but Indian prints and patterns are equally soothing, too.
To perk up the aesthetic appeal of your bedroom, use silk pillowcases.
Last but not least, keep your bedroom and bed linens clean. Declutter often to get rid of any unwanted stuff. Even if you have the best pillows in the world, a dirty, cluttered bedroom is unlikely to promote peaceful slumber, let alone look good.
