When shopping for the bedroom, you probably spend most of your time on the big-ticket items: a chic platform bed, a comfortable new mattress, or a luxurious set of sheets. The piece you may be overlooking, however, is the one thing you can’t sleep without – your pillow.
We’ll give you all the information you need to choose your next set of bed pillows, from the proper size for your bed to the optimal loft and density, plus a list of the most popular fillings. Keep reading to find the type that’s right for you …
Standard Pillow Sizes
The first step in making a new pillow purchase is choosing the size that best suits your bed. Your mattress size can serve as a guideline for which bed pillows you should choose, and how many. However, you can always add or subtract depending on your preferences.
You’ll most commonly see standard bed pillows in non-specialty stores. Any standard case will be able to accommodate these pillows. The standard size might seem too small for mattresses larger than a full or queen, however.
For pillows that look a little more at home on large mattresses, turn to queen or king sizes. The extra several inches of length fill the space more evenly and keep the bed looking proportional.
For a bed with a little more dimension, consider layering a few Euro pillows in with your rectangular pillows. Euro pillows require square pillowcases or shams, usually in a color or pattern that coordinates with the duvet, quilt, or bedspread. Euro pillows are the more practical answer to decorative throw pillows, as they can actually be comfortably slept on.
The Best Pillows for Your Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position can help inform your decision when purchasing pillows. Depending on whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, you’ll need a pillow that best facilitates spinal alignment and supports your head and neck.
Pillows for Side Sleepers
Side-sleepers require slightly thicker pillows than those who sleep on their backs. Look for a pillow that’s thick enough for your spine to maintain a straight, natural horizontal line. Bending your legs and sleeping with a pillow between the knees also helps keep the spine in a neutral position – a firm pillow usually maintains this position better than a soft one.
Pillows for Back Sleepers
If you sleep on your back most nights, you need a pillow that supports the natural curvature of your spine. The pillow should adequately support your head, neck, and shoulders, but it doesn’t need to be ultra-thick. Choose a pillow that only elevates the head until it’s level with the rest of the body, and don’t use a pillow that makes you feel like you’re straining your neck.
Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach-sleepers will want to look for relatively flat pillows that prevent the head and neck from being strained. Placing another relatively flat pillow under the abdomen or pelvis may also help keep the lower back properly aligned.
Pillow Filling Types
The stuffing of a pillow greatly impacts its comfort and performance. Whether you’re considering an ultra-supportive memory foam pillow or one filled with luxuriously soft goose down, you should explore various materials and fillings to determine which is best for you.
Popular Filling Options
Whether you’re seeking a high-tech contour pillow that offers premium support, an ultra-soft pillow just for cuddling, or a set of chic Euro pillows to keep your bed looking stylish, Hayneedle has hundreds of pillows in every style and at every price point.
