Pillows can be used for much more than simply resting your head, but with so many different pillow types for beds, it can be tricky to know where to start. Think of pillows as the jewelry of your bed—essential pieces for styling, accenting, and layering. When it comes to bedding design ideas and pillow layering, it all comes down to utilizing different shapes, sizes, and covers to bring a trendy, stylish look to your bed.

Standard Pillows: For Sleep or For Decoration? 

Standard pillows are what we typically think of first when we hear the word “pillow.” These are rectangular-shaped pillows that we either sleep on or use as decoration on a bed. These pillows typically come in four different sizes: Standard, Jumbo, Queen, and King. While the exact dimensions of these pillows may vary based on specific design, these are some of the most common dimensions for each:

• Standard: 26” x 20”
• Jumbo (or Super Standard): 28” x 20”
• Queen: 30” x 20”
• King: 36” x 20” 

One of the best parts about “standard” pillow types is that they can be used in a wide variety of ways. While premium pillows can be used nightly to sleep on with a pillow protector and pillowcase, they are also great for adding decorative layers. Depending on the size of the bed and the types of layers you would like to achieve, you can mix and match different sizes to add depth, texture, and sophistication to your bed. Utilizing stylish pillow shams is a great way to layer your pillows with a combination of different colors, patterns, and designs. 

Using Euro Pillows for Height and Elegance

Euro Pillows (sometimes known as Euro Sham Pillows) are most often used as a decorative pillow but can also provide additional support or elevation in bed. Unlike many other types of pillows, Euro pillows are square instead of rectangular at 26” x 26” and are great at adding height when layered with other pillows. Because their main use is to add style to your bed, swapping out matching or accenting pillow shams is a great way to add texture, color, or patterns to your bedding. 

Lumbar Pillows: Decorative and Functional Layering

While a lumbar pillow may look similar to a body pillow in shape, its size and use are quite different. Lumbar Pillows are rectangular in shape and are usually smaller than a body pillow (however specific sizes can range from around 20 inches to 60 inches long). The long, narrow design is another way to add depth and a variety of height to your pillow layering options at the head of your bed. Lumbar pillows can also be used for added back support when sitting up in bed but are most often used as a statement or decorative piece. Like other pillows, you can easily swap out pillow covers to complement or accent the rest of your bedding by adding colors and textures.

Easy Pillow Layering for a Perfectly Styled Bed

As with most bedding, the way you choose to layer your pillows is entirely up to your personal preference. But if you’re looking for some general guidelines on how to layer and style your pillows, here are some helpful tips:

• Layer largest to smallest: Placing the tallest pillows in the back and the shortest in the front will help add that depth while being able to highlight the specific style of each pillow.
• Place shams in front of pillowcases: Pillow Shams are specifically made to be decorative, so placing the pillows that have decorative shams in front of your daily use pillows with pillowcases will add style and sophistication.
• Stand your pillows up: If you have more than two layers of pillows, in order to achieve depth and style, it’s typically best to stand your pillows up, leaning them against the headboard.
• Add textures/patterns in the front or back: If your pillow shams have a specific texture or pattern you want to highlight, placing those in the front or the back (typically with solid colors then placed in front) will help the design not get lost in the middle of your layers.

Save on All Your Bedding Layers

Want to try our mixing and matching your pillow layers? With Purecare’s Mix, Match, & Save discount, you can stock up on every kind of pillow (with stylish pillow shams, of course) while saving up to 40% off.