You may have noticed, Gentle Readers, that your bed is the biggest piece of visual real estate in your bedroom. Let us not neglect it! While we generally give some thought to the bed covering — duvet, quilt, coverlet — sometimes we run out of steam by the time we get to decorative pillows. It’s understandable.
But we must persist! Your bedroom won’t look finished without a pillow or 2. Or 7. (Btw, I’m lazy and use #s for numbers lower than 10 even though I know I should spell them out.)
Here’s how to arrange decorative pillows on your bed. (Next time, because this post got too long :) , my ideas about what to DO with these pillows when it’s time to go to sleep.)
Sleeping pillows.
I usually have 2 sleeping pillows per person per bed.* In the olden days, it was de rigueur to stand your sleeping pillows up nice and tall against the headboard. Alas, this works only if those pillows are nice and full. If you prefer your pillows to have about 3 feathers in them, as I do, this looks pathetic.
Partly for that reason and partly because sleeping pillows aren’t important visually, I prefer to lay my pillows flat, 2 over 2. As for “sheeting” style, I like my pillowcases to be crisp white or another light color, with or without a decorative trim on the edge; or a teeny tiny pattern. Large patterns are fun for kids, but they can be distracting on a grown-up bed.
Now. Let’s discuss our decorative pillow options.
Minimalist: 0-1 row
Not to gender stereotype, but I’ve found that many people of the male persuasion prefer few to no decorative pillows. At the very least, I beg you to consider:
– Shams. These are decorative covers for 1 set of sleeping pillows that match the coverlet, sheets, or duvet cover. Shams must be filled with firm, full inserts, and you may lay them on top of the sleeping pillows or stand them in front. You don’t sleep directly on pillows in shams.
For a minimalist, shams can be the only “decoration” on the bed, because they make the bed look tidy and finished.
– With or without shams, a single, long lumbar pillow in front of the sleeping pillows is enough for a minimalist look. Lumbars are short and long; the dachshund version of a pillow. They come in many different sizes, so if this is the only decorative pillow on your bed, you must go long. 48″ is not excessive. I do recommend a pattern on the lumbar — any colors, any scale — when you’re only doing one.
– Alternatively, you can place 2 18″ or 20″ pillows in front of the sleeping pillows. Smush them together in the middle of the bed or line each one up in front of the sleeping pillows. I prefer these pillows to be patterned, but I’ll hold my nose and approve solid colors for these if you just. Can’t. Sigh.
Tailored: 2 rows of decorative pillows
This is where Euro pillows come in. These are the extra-large pillows — 26″ square — that are a terrific backdrop for others. I recommend 1 on a twin bed, 2 on a double or queen, and 3 on a king. (Warning: these can be heavy if the feather-to-down ratio is high, so you may want to consider “down alternative” inserts.)
I suggest that you keep Euro pillows simple, pattern-wise. Since they’re the back row of your “pillowscape” (ugh; it’s a word, but I say it tongue in cheek), I like using a solid color with trim or the same fabric as something else in the room (e.g. the window treatments or an upholstered chair).
Then place one other row of something in front of the Euros — and this is where you can go nuts with pattern if you like:
– 1 lumbar — doesn’t have to be as long as in the minimalist scenario
– 2 20″ pillows
– 3 18″ pillows
You can see that I’m a lumbar fan. They just look so custom. (Well, because they usually are.)
Abundant: 3 or more rows
You get the idea by now, Gentle Readers: just keep adding rows of pillows, getting smaller and smaller as you go.
3 rows of pillows isn’t too much; it can look quite tidy, as you see. I’m not a fan of over-pillowing.
You can put one more pillow — small, whimsical — in front of that third row if you like. That can be fun.
Scattered: 0 rows
Under the right circs, this can be fun. What distinguishes “scattered” from “messy,” you ask? Intentionality. If the pillows are the same type (possibly even the same size)…
…or if there’s a color throughline, scattered pillows can make a room fun.
Excessive: Unlimited rows
You excessive types are bold! I’m not a fan, but it’s your bedroom — go nuts!
I shouldn’t even have to say this, but no karate chops. Unless your color palette is mauve and gray, your wallpaper AND bedding are from Waverly, and it’s 1984, please refrain.
I hope this is helpful, Gentle Readers. I realize that I focused on pillow sizes more than colors and patterns, so please see this blog post about pattern mixing if you like. I just reviewed it, and the advice still holds :)
Next time, we’ll talk about where all of your beautiful pillows live at night. Sleep well!
Annie Elliott Design works in the Washington, D.C. area and other fun places, such as Nantucket, Park City, Tahoe, and New York. We’re now scheduling projects for winter. Please contact us to discuss.
