Bed Pillow Sizes: A Guide to Choosing the Best Pillow for the Way You Sleep

Sleep hygiene, environmental factors, and bed setting can all affect a good night’s rest. But when it comes to improving sleep, many people tend to use new mattresses and ignore sheets and pillows. These ingredients play an equally important role in achieving undisturbed sleep.

If you’re trying to find the right pillow to sleep on, our guide will walk you through the types, sizes, and materials of each pillow. We’ve also included some helpful tips to help you find the best pillow based on your body mechanics and sleeping position.

Bedroom Pillow Size

Standard Pillow: 20″ x 26″

Standard pillows are perfect for full-size mattresses or single mattresses. Since the full-size mattress is 53 inches wide, you can fit two standard pillows. However, a single mattress can only accommodate one.

Super Standard Pillow: 20″ x 28″

The ultra-standard pillow is a size in between, just two inches wider than a standard pillow. These pillows can accommodate a queen-size mattress, a single mattress, or a full-size mattress.

Large Pillow: 20″ x 30″

As the name suggests, queen pillows are designed to work with queen mattresses. The standard width of a queen mattress is 60 inches, so you can easily add two queen pillows for a perfect fit. You can even use a queen pillow on a single mattress for a fuller look.

King-Size Pillow: 20″ x 36″

King-size pillows are best suited for king-size mattresses or California king-size mattresses. Although you can place a king-size pillow on a single mattress, it leaves only 1 inch of space on each side. So, if you want a fuller look, then this exchange can do a great job for your needs. Keep in mind that king-size pillows require an extra-large pillowcase and cannot fit inside a standard pillowcase.

Body Pillow: 20″ x 54″

Body pillows are the longest pillow size and can only be placed directly on a king or queen bed.

Types of pillows by function

Body Pillows

Body pillows are great sleeping tools that promote the correct alignment of the spine and reduce pressure on the hips and back. When sleeping on your side, consider placing a throw pillow between your legs to reap its benefits. Keep in mind that throw pillows come in a variety of shapes, from cylindrical to rectangular and even U-shaped, so it’s worth researching the type that best suits you and your comfort needs.

Wedge-Shaped Pillows

Wedge-shaped pillows can be used to elevate your upper body or legs while you sleep to improve circulation or help you breathe more easily. You can also use a wedge pillow to support you in bed while you’re reading or watching TV.

Orthopedic Pillows

Similar to body pillows, this option conforms to the contours of your body and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, each orthopedic pillow has a specific ergonomic design that also helps to reduce pressure on specific areas of the body. For example, some products will conform to the contours of your neck to support your spine; If you’re sleeping on your side, there are products that follow your curves and provide room for your shoulders.

Pregnancy Pillows

To help pregnant women avoid sleeping on their backs, pregnant women sleep on their side with pillows. These pillows completely surround your body and provide a supportive cushion between your legs.

Travel Pillows

Travel pillows are designed to be easy to carry without sacrificing comfort. Whether you’re traveling by car, train, or plane, you can choose the travel pillow that best suits your shape, size, and material. The horseshoe shape is one of the most widely used shapes. This travel pillow fits snugly around your neck, and some styles are even inflatable for easy carrying.

Pillow Material

Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam is a soft, supple material that conforms to your body structure and helps keep your head and neck aligned. Most memory foam pillows are made from polyurethane (a type of plastic) foam mixed with chemicals to guarantee their elasticity and viscosity.

Warning: If you’re sensitive to exhaust, memory foam may not be the best pillow material. When you open your pillow for the first time, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emit a pungent odor (a concept called exhaust). If you are sensitive to odors, memory foam may cause problems such as nausea, asthma, headaches, breathing, and/or eye and throat irritation. If you leave your pillow in a well-ventilated area for a few days or weeks, the smell may go away. Some brands now also offer low-VOC options.

Natural Latex

As an alternative to memory foam, natural latex pillows can mimic the comfort of foam but give up its chemical composition. Take the JUVEA pillow, for example, which is made of 100% rubber tree natural latex. The result is a buoyant foam that retains its density, is easy to recover, and provides superior breathable support.

Wool

Wool pillows offer another alternative to memory foam. Wool is naturally flame retardant, hypoallergenic, anti-mould and dust mite. The wool pillow is perfect for sleepers looking for high-quality support backed by an eco-friendly mission. The wool room has a wide selection of wool pillows to choose from, some of which are even machine washable.

Down

Down simply refers to feathers extracted from the underbelly of a swan, goose, or duck. Feather pillows are different because the part is taken from the wings of these birds (not their underbelly).

Down Alternatives

As a feather substitute, down alternative fibers are designed to replicate the look and feel of a down pillow. This can be an easy option for allergy sufferers or people who don’t like down filling, as down can fall off and puncture pillows. Typically, down replacement fibers can be made from synthetic or natural materials such as polyester, microfiber, cotton, wool, or silk.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants, so it’s a sustainable pillow material. It also naturally absorbs heat and wicks away moisture, which makes it a top choice for hot sleepers who need a pillow to keep dry and cool.

Pillow Cleaning Precautions

When it comes to cleaning pillows, there are a variety of options depending on the pillow material and size you choose. Some pillows may require a commercial-sized washing machine, while others can be washed at home. Some can’t be washed off at all.

Your pillow material will also determine your care instructions. Some materials, such as wool and silk, require the use of fine or material-specific cleaners, while others can only be dry cleaned.

Tip: It is important to avoid using regular household detergents to wash delicate fabrics. Materials such as wool and silk require special care. For example, this high-performance fine laundry detergent is enzyme-free and contains lanolin oil to protect delicate material fibers, which can darken, become rough or tarnished if not properly cared for.

Pillow Design Style

Throw pillows and European pillows (26″ x 26″) are not typically used for functional purposes and add to the visual appearance of the bed. Many times, you will see a king size bed with three European pillows arranged at the back and two European pillows at the back of a queen bed. There are a variety of ways to place pillows and Euro pillowcases. How you find the look that works best for you depends on your design style, bed setup, and overall preferences.

The Best Temperature Controlled Pillows

Some pillow varieties are designed for hot sleepers and can help you stay cool at night, while some synthetic fibers lock in heat, which is a possible option in colder climates. Cotton is a safe choice for both hot and cold sleepers, but this may vary depending on your needs.

Pillow Loft

The loft degree of a pillow refers to the height at which it is laid flat. A lower attic is equivalent to a thinner pillow, and a higher attic equals a thicker pillow. Choosing the right loft depends on your sleeping position and comfort. Most of the time, low-rise pillows are best for people who sleep on their stomachs, while mid- or high-rise pillows are suitable for people who sleep on their sides or backs. Skipping this part of the pillow study can cause pain, so it’s necessary to test your pillow to determine which one is right for you and your sleeping position.

Pillow Price

The price varies depending on the filling of the pillow and the pillowcase. For example, natural materials such as silk, wool, and cotton are often more expensive than synthetic fibers such as polyester. Prioritizing your pillow type and materials can point you in the right direction for how much money you need to spend. Keep in mind that price doesn’t always determine the best quality. You may not need a high-end pillow for your sleeping needs, or vice versa; You may need specific cooling fibers or orthopedic supports, which can increase your costs.

Choose the Best Pillows

Reading online reviews and information about pillow types can only guide you so far. The best way to find the right pillow for you is to narrow down your options by:

• Your sleeping position
• Material preference
• Sizing requirements

Then, look for a pillow that offers a recovery period or sleep trial so you can test your pillow over a few nights. This will increase the likelihood that you will buy a pillow that is right for you.