How Many Pillows Should Be on a Bed?

Whether you have a new bed in your bedroom or you are just looking to add a touch of color and style, pillows are the perfect way to pull your bedding together. Stack, prop, mix sizes, add decorative shapes, go asymmetrical or symmetrical, and pile them with abandon—the possibilities are endless.

When it comes to pillow arrangements, there are a few basic rules of thumb: Cover your headboard with pillows edge-to-edge, but never by more than two-thirds vertically. If you have a high-quality, low-profile headboard, this can help to highlight it.

Pillows can be arranged in several different ways, but always keep the colors and patterns consistent. You want your pillow arrangements to match the style of your room and the colors in your curtains, rug, and duvet cover.

You should also be sure to use the same size of pillow in all your arrangements. If you use a large euro pillow, for example, you should use another standard or king pillow to balance it out in size.

There are three standard sizes of sleeping pillows, and there are also many decorative pillow styles available. The best option for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget.

If you are buying a new bed, it is important to measure the height of your mattress and box spring before making your pillow arrangements. This will ensure you can cover your headboard with the desired number of pillows and that they look good when you lay in bed.

A full-size (or “double”) bed is typically the most common bed size. They are longer than twin beds, but shorter than queen beds.

The width of a full-size bed is nearly twice as wide as a twin, so you will need to consider how much space is left on either side of your mattress when you plan your pillow arrangement. This is a great choice for people who love to read in bed, or want to have a lot of extra seating for guests.

For this pillow arrangement, start with a pair of plump European squares in front of a single king sham. Next, layer three standard pillows encased in standard shams on top of the Euro pillows. Finally, add a fourth layer of smaller-sized pillows in boudoir shams.

Decorative euro pillows are often used in home decor magazines because they are a combination of both function and fashion. They provide back support, keep your head and face from getting pressed against the headboard and help to protect your bed’s fabric from natural oils from your skin and hair.

These large, 26-by-26-inch pillows are usually referred to as Euros because they have their roots in Europe as sleeping pillows. They have a slightly raised profile to provide additional back support and they look great on beds with low headboards.

This arrangement features a Euro pillow, two decorative pillows, and one boudoir in playful patterns that tie the look together. The colors and patterns in the pillows are a perfect fit for this bed’s canopy bedding, which is soft and feminine and complements the overall theme of the bedroom.