Pillow Cover Design Trends 2022

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Decorative pillows have blown up. They offer so much personality in a home. A couch is given new life with a plethora of throw pillows. Seating is extended with floor pillows. The bedroom becomes a cozy-chic escape with natural textiles wrapped around feathered inserts.

A pillow can be one of the best gift options that is both useful and adds color to your loved ones’ lives. If you own an online gift store, you can always offer pillow covers to your customers. Umpteen types of pillow covers are available nowadays in the market.

If you’re ready to dive into 2022 with your best decor foot forward, check out these pillow trends that will be huge.

What Are Some Pillow Cover Design Trends 2022
What Are Decorative Pillow Covers Called?
10 Decorative Pillow Trends to Expect in 2021
How do You Make a Professional Pillow Cover?
How to Improve The Quality of You Pillows
How to Start a Decorative Pillow Business
How do You Make a Simple Pillow?
Should Cushion Covers be Lined
How do You Make a Pillow Look Expensive?
How Much Does it Cost to Sew a Pillow?
How do You Make a Spherical Pillow?
What Materials do You Need to Make a Pillow?
How do You Stuff a Pillow?
Best Designer Throw Pillows For Your Living Room
Which Hotel Pillow Sizes Are Available?
How to Choose a Good Hotel Pillow

What Are Some Pillow Cover Design Trends 2022

Let’s have a look at the latest design trends you can adopt to boost your sales of pillow covers.

Bold Designs

A pillow with bold designs and patterns is an ideal decor item for a living room. You can use a combination of trending colors to grab a fashion seeker’s attention. You can further print various patterns ranging from stripes, polka dots to checks and more that can help your customers brighten up their living room or bedroom.

Custom Quotations

Imagine offering Shakespeare or William Wordsworth on pillows. Wondering how?

Okay, let’s understand this in a little more detail. Famous quotations from famous authors or poets have always been a rage. Besides, there are endless possibilities like poetries, bible verses, or two-liners, and whatnot.

Offering such custom pillows is sure to win customers’ hearts and they would surely consider buying one for themselves or as a gift.

Pet Pillows

Animal lovers love seeing images of their pets or animals in general on their pillows. You can print images of endangered species to help your customers support a cause. You can also include images of domestic animals like dogs or horses and combine a beautiful relevant quote to invoke a strong emotional response from customers. And animal lovers are sure to buy them for themselves or their friends.

They can use these pillows for themselves, or as a perfect pet bed accessory for their pets.

Patriotic Designs

How about invoking patriotism in your customers through something as simple as pillows? Yes, it is possible. You can offer pillows with images of the national flags of various nations. Or you can also paint the pillow cover in the colors of national flags.

This concept will definitely work as both an emotional trigger for your customers and selling factor for your business. As people love their country, they will surely love the patriotic pillow designs too.

Moreover, this approach will expand your outreach to international customers as they might also buy such designs.

Vacation Locations

People often fantasize about going to exotic locations for holidays. Imagine how exhilarated they would be on seeing their dream holiday locations in their bedrooms or living rooms. Right on pillows and cushions!

Beautiful beaches, sceneries, hills, countryside, or sites like monuments with their names will help customers escape from their monotonous routine into their dream locations. So, printing vacation locations on pillows may work well and benefit your store.

Zodiac Signs

Zodiac signs hold a great importance in lives of people who have great faith in astrology.

They also like to display the same faith in several ways. Then why not pillows?

You can create a pillow cover with a zodiac sign printed on it. In addition to it, you can include a strong personality trait or an eccentric quote that fits that zodiac sign.

People won’t only love to buy such zodiac sign pillows but also may recommend them ahead.

Movie/Comic/Cartoon Characters’ Images or Themes

Don’t say you don’t love DC, Marvel, or Disney comics and characters. The same is with your customers. Very few would be there who don’t love any of them. Then why not display a Mjolnir or a Captain America shield on pillows? You can also tie up with Marvel, DC or Disney studios to get the rights of printing movies’ characters on your pillows.

Or you can use DC or Marvel themes to attract all such Disney, Marvel or DC fans.

Custom Arts/Designs/Quotes/Images

Custom pillow designs are one of the best products to offer. You can integrate a gift/product designer tool in the backend of your store and give your customers full freedom to customize products as per their requirements. You can also let customers upload their own art images, designs, write quotes, or any other custom images that they want to see on pillows.

Sports

Sports fans would love to see sketches of their favorite sports on pillows. They may also love to see Roger Federer, Ricky Ponting, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams or any other popular sportspersons they like. Printing such sketches showing sports or sketches of famous sports personalities may work wonders for your business.

What Are Decorative Pillow Covers Called?

The term “pillow sham” means a pillow with a “false front”, stemming from the notion of “a trick”. In the 1700s, specially made pillowcases were made to create decorative pillows with removable covers. These “false front” pillow covers became known as pillow shams!

A sham is a decorative pillowcase that transforms normal-sized pillow fills into useful accessories for one’s bedding set. Pillow shams normally come in traditional pillow sizes: Standard Sham (26″ x 20″), King Sham (36″ x 20″), and Euro Sham (26″ x 26″).

Unlike the typical pillowcase, the pillow sham is often open in the middle of the back, with slightly overlapped fabric (or sometimes is closed with a hidden zipper). Pillow shams are usually sold in pairs made out of fabric from a matching duvet cover.

Although they can definitely be slept on like normal pillowcases, pillow shams are usually used as support when sitting in bed and as decoration during the day. Sham pillows can be placed behind normal pillows when sleeping or just removed from the bed completely. Unlike throw pillows, cotton shams can be easily removed from their fills to be washed or replaced.

10 Decorative Pillow Trends to Expect in 2021

1. Grandmillennial Style

With mid-century modern ever so popular, it only makes sense to see other nostalgic styles make a comeback. Grandmillennial is your grandmother’s style with an updated twist, like these traditional florals contrasting against a modern gray backdrop.

2. Tropical Influence

Once a tricky trend to pull off, tropical influence has veered away from tacky florals and moved in a direction of minimalism. Check out this set of four tropical plant leaf throw pillows. The muted yellow and gray hues give the typical tropical look a toned-down vibe.

3. Mudcloth Prints

Authenticity in home decor will be popular in 2021 as people search for one-of-a-kind decor pieces made of natural materials. Mudcloth prints lend a hand in that desire, and will be especially popular for those looking to ignite a global feel within the home. These hand-painted mudcloth pillows are made in a fair-trade environment by a group of master artisans in Segou.

4. Art-Deco

Adding a touch of glam to your home without fully committing to the 1920s modernized style can best be achieved with small decor pieces. Add richness to your living room couch by placing graphic symmetrical designs that pay homage to the art-deco trend, like these white and gold pillows.

5. Moody Blues

The resurgence of blue in the home will look a little moodier in 2022. Sophisticated, muted navy will make a statement in small doses, like blue throw pillows on a bright white couch. This velvet option will add a little luxury, too.

6. Wildlife Designs

Animal print is bigger than ever right now. Fulfilling your love for the trend while not outwardly covering furniture or pillows in animal print can be achieved with funky-chic wildlife designs on throw pillows. Make a toned-down statement with faded cheetahs taking over a cream-color lumbar pillow.

7. Arts and Crafts

The arts and crafts trend will take center stage in 2022, thanks to the growing desire to support small businesses and their emphasis on handmade over mass-produced goods. This throw pillow feels equally minimal as much as it does crafty. The Mackintosh Rose, a well-known design of the American Arts and Crafts era, contrasts with a modern gray backdrop.

8. Floor Seating

From square cushions to poufs, floor pillows extend our idea of comfort throughout the home. With more time spent indoors and in small groups, they allow for intimate gatherings in a laid-back environment. This beige design will transfer easily from room to room.

9. Orb-Shaped

Statement pieces don’t have to be big or bold in color. An orb-shape is the perfect addition to a mid-century home that’s begging for a final addition to the contemporary decor. These off-white orb pillows are sure to be a talking point.

10. Color Blocking

Modern, bold, and yet still minimal in design, this retro-inspired style will make a big comeback in 2022. Go one step further and combine different textures for the ultimate statement, like this linen and velvet throw pillow featuring a dark horseradish hue.

How do You Make a Professional Pillow Cover?

Tip #1–Use a good quality home decor fabric. We would suggest using a cotton sateen or home decor weight fabric. If you do choose a quilting cotton fabric, you will need to also use a lightweight (or featherweight) interfacing to get the weight of fabric that you need to make a great envelope pillow.

Tip #2–Cut your pillow fronts and back to the SAME SIZE as your pillow insert. This is one of those mistakes that some make early on. By the time you stitch up your pillow cover, it is actually going to be smaller than the pillow…..but it will look so much better! Another tip is to be sure to make sure the corners of your pillow cover fit super tightly in the corners to make them crisp and clean-looking.

Tip #3–Use a feather/down insert in your pillows. Some absolute favorite are the 20″ by 20″ feather pillow inserts from IKEA. They are inexpensive but are great quality and will last you a long time. If the feathers start to fall to the bottom…just give them a couple of shakes and then you are good to go again. (And they make that perfect karate chopped pillow on your couch!)

Tip #4–CLIP YOUR CORNERS! The difference between a homemade pillow cover and a professional one is sometimes the little details in the sewing. Clipping the excess fabric on the inside of your pillow will make your corners crisp and clean and look like a million bucks.

Tip #5–Match your fabrics at the seams. We know that this takes a little more time and a little more fabric but I promise that the results are worth it. Having the fabric match at the side seams and across the pillow back is much more professional-looking!

And now that you have all the tips…..you are ready to get to your envelope pillow-making!

Here’s what you will need to make one envelope pillow cover:

1 20″ by 20″ feather down pillow insert

3/4-1 yards of fabric per pillow cover (depending on matching prints)

Matching thread

Rotary Cutter

Quilting Ruler

Quilting Mat

How to Improve The Quality of You Pillows

Whether it’s decorative pillows on the bed or cushions on the sofa, following these 4 guidelines will really improve the quality of your pillows, allowing your home to look even more polished and put together than ever.

1. Use BIG pillows

These large turquoise pillows provide a wonderful pop of color to an otherwise mostly-white room in the Savennières apartment! The blue also provides a nice contrast to the gold frames on the wall.

Too many little pillows can often come across as cluttered and messy, so stick to pillows on the larger side. With less visual noise, your room will look larger and cleaner;

Plus, it’ll take less time to make the bed every morning, with less pillows to stack! Another good idea is to keep your pillows symmetrical – it really makes a statement and elevates a room from bland to chic.

2. Overstuff your pillows

3. Use feather fillers, if you can

Since the rest of the Cremant apartment is so light and bright, we went for dark brown velvet pillows on the bed and sofa to anchor the room and give it even more character.

As long as you’re not allergic to bird feathers, we would definitely recommend using down and feather fillers as opposed to synthetic. While they both look good at first, the synthetic fillers start to go flat pretty quickly. It seems the more you try to plump them up, the more squished and pancake-like they become!

4. The Same Tips Apply to Armchair and Sofa Cushions

If your armchair or sofa is looking a little worn, a great way to give it new life is to simply add new fillers! Recently, this was done with a new armchair in gray velvet at La Place Dauphine. It was looking a little deflated at first, but stuffing it with two big feather fillers made a huge difference!

It looks a little overfilled at first, but after sitting on it a few times, it found its natural shape and looks perfect in the space.

How to Start a Decorative Pillow Business

So you want to start a decorative pillow business. Sounds like fun! Swapping out cushions is a great way to give a room a facelift without spending a fortune, so depending on where you’re located, there might be quite a local market to tap into. And, if not, there’s always the power of the internet to bring customers and makers a little closer together.

But where do you get started? How do you decide what types of cushions to offer? What supplies and equipment will you need? There’s a lot to consider, but we’ve broken it down so you can get started.

Planning Ahead

Before you sit down at your sewing machine, there are a few preliminary points you should decide, from how much you’re willing to invest to where you’re going to sell your finished pillows.

Investing Time and Money

We’re not going to spend too much time going over the basics here (we’ve got a whole other post for that), but you should put a bit of thought into what you want your business to look like once it’s up and running, and how much time and money you’re willing to invest to get it there. A great way to do this is to create a business plan.

This is a document that can help you if you decide to apply for loans or grants to get your business off the ground, but it’s also really helpful from a personal perspective, because it lays out all the things you’re going to need to do and gives you a chance to decide how much you’re ready to commit to before you’ve already committed.

Where Will You Sell?

This is one of the most important considerations, and it can have a big impact on everything else, from what kind of business licensure you need to what types of products you offer. You have lots of options, from selling quirky cushions direct to customers from an online shop, to working with local interior designers to create made-to-order pieces specifically for the spaces they’re working on, and everything in between.

Do some research to determine what options are available to you locally as well as online, and decide what most closely matches your vision for your business. Keep in mind, this isn’t an all-or-nothing choice. Maybe you start online, but later decide to work with local businesses.

Maybe you start by placing items on consignment in local boutiques, and add online sales when you’re ready. It’s an important consideration, sure, but it’s also one that can evolve when you’re ready.

Develop a Marketing Plan

So now you’ve got an idea of what you’re selling and where, but how are you going to tell everyone about it? Marketing, of course! And, as with everything else about small businesses, exactly what’s going to work best for you will depend on what your needs are, what kind of investments you’re able to make, and other factors, but here are some of the options to consider:

Social Media Marketing Your social platforms are a great way to market your business, even if you’re not directly paying for ads (though that’s definitely an option, too!). Most of the marketing you’ll be doing on social media is what’s known as content marketing which is different from traditional marketing in that you’re giving customers value-added content (like helpful blogs or funny product videos) without them having to purchase it. This builds a relationship with customers that starts before they’ve even become customers and is a great option for getting the word out.
Business Website This is a slightly more passive form of marketing, because instead of reaching out to find customers, it requires customers to find you. But today more than ever, customers are looking. It’s common for customers to hear about a brand or company that interests them, whip out a smartphone and start Googling. So it’s up to you to make sure there’s something for them to find!
Email Marketing Email marketing is a super powerful tool, that, unlike other forms of marketing, can reach out to customers directly. But with great power comes great responsibility! Spamming your customers can get your email address blacklisted, which makes it much harder to reach customers—all your emails will get caught in spam filters! So be thoughtful in what you send, to whom, and when.
Blogging You don’t necessarily need your own blog to talk up your company! Reach out to learn about the possibilities of doing interviews or guest blog posts with your favorite handmade blogs. Just as an example, check out some of the awesome customer features we’ve done right here on the Wunderlabel blog!
Print Materials Think business cards, pamphlets, catalogs—you name it! Not everything will make sense for your business—no need for a branded tablecloth if you’re not doing in-person events!—but have a chat with a local printer and browse through some of the products available through online print companies and see what’s most cost effective and valuable for you.
Paid Print Ads Running an ad in the local newspaper may not be terribly effective in this day and age, but if you’re planning to work with decorators or do custom work for homeowners, it might be a great idea to have your business in a decorating magazine or catalog. Look at your options to see what makes sense in terms of reach and cost.
Television and Radio Again, not for everyone, but don’t rule it out just because it seems unusual for a handmade business. A quick email to local television and radio stations is usually all you need to get some information about what kinds of ad packages are available and the costs involved.

Show Off Your Designs with a Pillow Mockups

Showing off your pillow designs is easier than ever with this online tool! In order to avoid making a stock that may or may not sell, designers can always use pillow mockups to display their designs without making an actual pillow!

This is a great help when selling online, making your own online shop, posting on social media. It’s just the smart way to get your shop going without spending more time than needed when marketing your brand.

Selling t-shirt designs on POD websites is a great business opportunity for creatives and artists. You can expand your customers by offering pillow designs too! The business logic is the same as with POD t-shirt businesses, but you get the odds on your side by increasing your offerings!

How do You Make a Simple Pillow?

Materials Needed:

fabric
pillow inserts
brown paper
square or yardstick
tape measure
pencil
thread
needle
scissors
straight pins
sewing machine

Measure Pillow Insert

Measure dimensions of pillow insert.

Measure Height and Width

If using a rectangle insert, measure both height and width.

Create Pattern

Using pillow insert measurements, add two inches to both height and width. Mark measurements on brown paper with a square to create pattern. Cut out pattern.

Choose Pattern Placement

If using a patterned fabric, determine print placement by outlining finished shape of pillow on fabric.

Cut Pillow Fronts

Place pattern on fabric, lining up pattern to fabric grain. Cut around edges of pattern.

Cut Pillow Back

Place same pattern on fabric selected for pillow backs, lining up pattern to fabric grain. Cut around edges of pattern. Tip: Use coordinating fabrics for pillow front and back for an interesting design.

Pin Fabric Edges

Lay fabric front over fabric back, right sides together. Pin edges.

Sew Pillow Pieces Together

Sew pillow pieces together using one-inch seam allowance. Leave approximately five-inch opening to insert pillow on bottom edge.

Trim Edges

Trim fabric edges to 1/2 inch, trimming first layer slightly more than second. Trim close to corners for a clean turned corner. Tip: Trimming seams to varying widths will help make seams less noticeable on turned pillow.

Turn Fabric and Press Edges

Turn fabric right side out and press edges.

Insert Pillow

Push pillow insert into pillow casing and adjust placement.

Stitch Opening Closed

Sew opening closed using needle and thread.

Should Cushion Covers be Lined

We recommend that you prewash both fabrics to make sure that your lining doesn’t shrink less or more than the fashion fabric when you wash the pillow case.

Construction

Step 1: Use the formulas shown below to calculate how much fashion fabric and lining fabric you need to cut.

Metric formula fashion fabric: (pillow width + 2 cm seam allowance) x (2x pillow height + 10 cm overlap + 3 cm seam allowance)

Metric formula lining fabric: (pillow width + 2 cm seam allowance) x (2x pillow height + 10 cm overlap + 1 cm seam allowance)

Imperial formula fashion fabric: (pillow width + 6/8’’ seam allowance) x (2x pillow height + 4’’ overlap + 1 1/8’’ seam allowance)

Imperial formula lining fabric: (pillow width + 6/8’’ seam allowance) x (2x pillow height + 4’’ overlap + 3/8’’ seam allowance)

Fashion fabric was cut (40 + 2 = 42 cm) x (2 x 40 + 10 + 3 = 93 cm)

Lining fabric was cut (40 + 2 = 42 cm) x (2 x 40 + 10 + 1 = 91 cm)

Step 2: Cut fashion fabric and lining fabric according to your measurements from step 1. You can use a cutting mat, rotary cutter and a quilting ruler because I find this much more accurate than scissors.

Step 3: Place the fashion fabric and lining right sides together and pin the short edges. The lining is shorter than the fashion fabric but this will be solved later on.

Step 4: Sew both short edges with a 1 cm (3/8’’) seam allowance and press the seams open.

Step 3 & 4

Step 5: Turn the fabrics right sides out and on one short edge press the seam as shown in the picture below.

Step 6: Now we are ready to solve the issue of the lining being shorter than the fashion fabric. On the short edge that isn’t yet pressed a small strip of the fashion fabric will be pressed towards the lining side (see picture below). The easiest way to do this is to start at the short edge that is already pressed and to use your hands to smooth the lining and fashion fabric so that any wrinkles disappear.

Work your way up towards the unpressed edge and use some pins to secure the long edges as you go. When you reach the end about 1 cm (3/8”) of the fashion fabric will want to be on the lining side. First use your fingers to create a small crease and then press the fold with your iron.

Step 7: Pin both long sides and finish the edges with a zig zag stitch or overlock stitch.

Step 8: Place the pillow case with the fashion fabric side upwards.

Step 9: Measure 15 cm (6”) down from the short edge that has the fashion fabric pressed towards the lining. Make a mark on both long edges. From these marks, measure 40 cm (16”) down (pillow height, if you’re making a different size pillow) and make another mark on both sides.

Step 10: First fold back the short edge that has the fashion fabric continue into the lining on the first mark and pin in place.

Step 11: Fold back the other short edge on the second mark so that it overlaps the other folded back edge and pin in place.

Step 12: Sew along the long sides with a 1 cm (3/8”) seam allowance and press the seams.

Step 12

Step 13: Turn pillow case right side out, stuff with a pillow form and put on your couch. Do you notice how presssing a small amount of the fashion fabric to the lining side ensured that you can’t see the lining from the outside of the pillow?

If the corners of your pillow are very bulky you can trim them down somewhat.

How do You Make a Pillow Look Expensive?

Tip #1: Don’t use the pillows your couch comes with!

It can physically hurt to throw those pillows away, but the pillows that come with your couch are made in the cheapest way possible. It will look like you just picked up the couch from Ashleys, which you probably did and doesn’t have a custom look to it.

Also, 95% of the time these pillows have the ugliest patterns on them which also doesn’t help (aka the pillows that came with my couch above hah!).

Tip #2: Get pillows that are choppable.

Chopped pillows are a hot topic. some people love them and some people hate them.

If you look at professional interior designers, 95% of the time the pillows are chopped.

You can decide for yourself if you like it or not, but I am fully on Team Chopped and think that it makes the space look much more put together.

Some pillows just aren’t made for chopping like the my free couch pillows. I have a little hack that I use to purchase pillows that are choppable without spending a fortune.

A tip for finding inexpensive choppable pillows is to go to HomeGoods, Marshalls or TjMaxx and go back to the clearance section. The most expensive part of a pillow is the actual pillow. So what I do is find the pillow size that I’m looking for and make sure that it has a removable pillow cover. I’ll buy the pillow cover for super cheap, and then find a cute cover on Amazon for like $5.

Tip #3: Mix and match pillows.

There’s a time and a place for matching pillows. On my bed, I love having a row of matching pillows. Usually, bedrooms stick to matching pillows by layer. So, the back layer would have all matching pillows, then there’s a middle layer with matching pillows, and then usually there’s a single pillow in front so that can be any pattern.

Tip #4: Vary the pillow heights.

On a bed, there are all different ways that you can style pillows but some like to have three large pillows across the back with a long pillow up in front. They like this for one reason and that’s because it’s really easy to make my bed in the morning while still looking really put together.

How Much Does it Cost to Sew a Pillow?

When you are good at sewing, it would be a great way to earn some money. You have invested your money, time, and effort to learn the process, and now you can gain money from it.

Figuring out the amount you will earn from sewing will help you streamline the profit margin. With that, you can decide how many pillows you should make.

Custom-made cushions are great ways of adding some touch and uniqueness to your home. While taking the order, the amount of time and money is involved in preparing the entire pillow is also vital.

On average, a seamstress charges around $15 to $50. However, it is just a rough value as the price will vary depending on the size and design.

If the design is standard and no special details are required, the experts cannot ask any extra penny from you. In case the customers tell the seamstress to buy the fabric, the price will go up as he or she will always prefer the best quality.

How do You Make a Spherical Pillow?

SUPPLIES

fabric
sewing machine (or a needle and thread to stitch by hand)
scissors
sharpie marker
polyfill
straight pins
needle & thread

Step 1 // Prep your pattern. You can everything on the computer because that’s how I’m used to working, but you could easily use pattern paper for this. Create a “slice of a sphere” pattern, depending on the size of cushion you’d like.

Step 2 // Assemble your pattern. Cut out your pattern and tape the two sides together so it looks like the above image.

Step 3 // Choose your fabric.

Step 4 // Trace your pattern and cut. Trace eight shapes onto your fabric, then cut each shape out.

Step 5 // Pin the patterns. Once all eight of your pieces have been cut out, pin two together with the pretty sides facing inward. You only need to pin one side!

Step 6 // Start sewing. Next, sew the pinned side of the pattern. You only need to sew one side of the pattern and it will create a shape like the picture below…

Step 7 // Repeat and keep sewing. Once you have all the pairs joined together, you can begin sewing them together into a sphere shape. Below, you’ll see half of my finished sphere.

Step 8 // Sew the last seam. When attaching the very last panel to complete the sphere, leave around 6″, which creates a hole for stuffing the pillow.

Turn your sphere inside out, and it should look like the image below. The top has the 6″ opening you left, which will be handy for stuffing the cushion.

Step 9 // Stuff the cushion. Using Polyfill or your preferred pillow filler, stuff the cushion until it reaches your desired firmness. Don’t let this small ball pillow deceive you, it actually takes quite a bit of stuffing.

Step 10 // Hand stitch and finish. After your pillow is stuffed to your liking, using a needle and thread, hand stitch the opening together to finish the cushion.

That’s it! In ten easy steps, you can make your own ball pillow.

What Materials do You Need to Make a Pillow?

The batting, or filling, itself is the most important part of the pillow. The most expensive filling is down. This is the light, fluffy undercoating of waterfowl, consisting of clusters of filaments growing from a central quill point. Down has a quill point but no quill shaft and is more resilient as a result. It is three-dimensional and therefore has more loft.

Thousands of clusters are found in down that trap warm air to prevent heat loss. Duck down is smaller, more plentiful, and less expensive. It is important to note that not all down is the same. Down is rated by fill power, which is the volume of space in a calibrated cylinder that 1 oz (28 g) measures. The higher the number, the better the fill power.

Feathers are the principal covering of birds. They are flat and two-dimensional with a hard, tubular quill shaft that runs from one end to the other. Because they are flat, they are unable to effectively trap air and warmth.

Feathers are strong, but not terribly soft. Duck feathers are the most common type of feather used in American pillows. Many manufacturers combine down and feather to make an affordable, comfortable pillow.

An other type of filling is polyester, a synthetic material. The cheapest polyester used for pillows is a continuous solid filament polyester which has good initial shape but loses loft fairly shortly. A better grade of polyester is called hollofill, which is also a continuous filament fiber but has a hollow core that gives the pillow more loft for a greater period of time than cheaper grade polyester.

The pillow filling determines the fabric chosen for the pillow casing. While the casing is generally cotton or cotton-polyester, the weight and closeness of the weave varies according to filling.

The feather and down filling require a more expensive, very dense, tightly woven fabric that will keep the feather shafts from poking the sleeper and keep the fine down from working its way through the cloth. Polyester batts do not require such closely woven fabrics.

These fabrics may have a starch placed on them during their manufacture to make them stiffer and more resistant to penetration. The only other material required for pillow manufacture is a sturdy thread for sewing the pillow itself.

How do You Stuff a Pillow?

Make a pillow at home with two pieces of rectangular fabric sewn together. However, when the time comes to stuff the pillow, stuffing may create a pillow that is irregular and lumpy. Ideally, the stuffing should give the pillow a smooth, regular shape. When stuffing a pillow, you want to ensure that the end result is both attractive and comfortable.

Step 1
Turn the pillow fabric right side out. If you are sewing a pillow, do most of the sewing with the pattern sides facing each other. Leave a few inches open on one side, then turn it right side out.

Step 2
Pull out a small handful of polyester fiberfill.

Step 3
Tease it apart into a fluffy cloud to eliminate clumping.

Step 4
Push the fiberfill into the pillow, shoving it into the far corners of the pilow.

Step 5
Repeat steps 2 through 4, pulling out chunks of fiberfill that are similar size and consistency. Continue until the pillow is stuffed full.

Step 6
Sew up the open edge of the pillow.

Step 7
Squeeze the pillow all over, moving the fiberfill inside until it is distributed evenly.

Best Designer Throw Pillows For Your Living Room

Dior Rectangular Cushion Blue Toile De Jouy

Ever since our colleague styled his avocado green mattress with a Christian Dior pillow, we haven’t been able to stop thinking about Dior pillows. Who knew the French fashion house even made pillows? Now that we know, our lives will never be the same. Although that same pillow is no longer available, this blue toile de Jouy cushion is equally fabulous, and we’d argue, even more versatile.

Etro Palavas Cushion, 24″ x 24″

Etro’s satin pillow has a pretty paisley print on one side and is bright chartreuse on the other. It screams springtime and adds a touch of playfulness to a serious room. Not into this color scheme? Don’t fret. Etro makes a wide variety of paisley print cushions in more muted shades.

Christian Lacroix Premier Rendez Vous Marais Round Pillow

Is it a face? Is it floral print? Or is it both? You decide when you throw this round-shaped pillow by the avant-garde maestro, Christian Lacroix, on your sofa. The cool thing is it’s a reversible pillow with a pink background and a male face on the other side. Flip it to reflect whatever mood you are in.

Donna Karan Home Luna Beaded Pillow

Donna Karan launched her home line 20 years ago, intending to create clean and sophisticated pieces similar to her minimalist but luxurious clothing line. Today, her attention to detail can be seen in a collection of tableware and linens that feature hand embroidery and delicate fabrics. Karan’s luna beaded pillow in platinum reflects this sentiment to a T.

Gucci Floral-Jacquard Velvet Cushion

At first glance, Gucci’s velvet jacquard pillow brings to mind a tapestry you might find in an ancient Russian castle. We love the rich floral print, comfy velvet fabric, and fun poofy tassels. Place it on a leather armchair or make it the centerpiece of an elaborate bedspread.

Preen By Thornton Bregazzi Daphne Floral-Print Jacquard Cushion

We love the super girlie vibes of Preen by Thornton Bregazzi’s pink floral print pillow. From the ruffles to the print, everything about it is feminine. How sweet would it look in a little girl’s bedroom? The best thing about this pillow is that it’s filled with duck feathers making it lightweight yet incredibly cushiony.

The Elder Statesman Super Soft Striped Cashmere Cushion

If purchasing goods made here in the U.S. is a priority to you, consider this striped pillow in blue tones. It’s made by The Elder Statesman, a Los Angeles-based brand known for its sumptuous knits. Resting your head on this pillow is like pulling on one of designer Greg Chait’s plush sweaters. It’s comforting but lavish at the same time.

Vera Wang Lapin Faux Fur Decorative Pillow, 20″ x 20″, White

Minimalists who prefer to keep the color palette in their home muted and neutral will swoon for this faux-fur pillow from Vera Wang. It comes in gray or white—why not get both? Plus it’s super soft to the touch. Layer it on a leather sectional with other pillows in the same tone. Paired with different fabrics, this pillow looks texturally rich, sleek, and cozy.

Johnny Was Decklyn Floral-Print Silk-Blend Pillowcase

Johnny Was is one-part boho, one part 1970s, and one part beachy Californian. All of these styles can be seen in the brand’s colorful printed rectangular silk pillow. Complete the look with a matching Johnny Was blanket in a similar print, and you’ve got a colorful and eye-catching bed.

Which Hotel Pillow Sizes Are Available?

Pillow size options vary between manufacturers, but standard, queen, and king sizes are typically most common.

Standard: Standard size pillows usually measure around 20 inches by 26 inches. This size is commonly used with twin and standard size mattresses, and it can fit into a standard or queen pillowcase.

Super Standard: Super standard pillows are less common than other sizes, measuring 20 by 28 inches. This slightly longer pillow may be a good option for those who do not want to leave much of a gap between the end of the pillow and the edge of the bed. They are especially popular for twin size beds, including bunk beds. Most standard and queen size pillowcases should accommodate them.

Queen: Queen size pillows typically measure approximately 20 inches by 30 inches. This extra length better fills the head end of a queen size bed and provides more room for the sleeper to move around and change position. Most queen size pillows should fit into either a standard or a queen pillowcase.

King: Most king size pillows measure 20 inches by 36 inches, making them the largest standard bed pillow size. This pillow size typically makes a king size bed look more polished, but it may also be beneficial for sleepers with broader shoulders.

Specialty: In addition to standard pillow options, there is a wide range of specialty shapes and sizes. While these are seldom labeled “hotel pillows,” they may provide the same luxurious feel customers want from a hotel pillow. Other common pillow types include body pillows, travel pillows, wedge pillows, and neckroll pillows.

How to Choose a Good Hotel Pillow

When buying a hotel pillow, there are certain criteria to take into account. Assessing your priorities and taking a close look at a pillow’s features can help you get the best hotel pillow for your needs and budget.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Hotel Pillow

“Universal comfort” or “for all sleep positions” are common buzzwords for hotel pillows. This typically means that the pillow has a mid-range firmness and loft, so it can accommodate most body types and position preferences. While these pillows may be comfortable for most individuals, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll feel ideal to you.

Paying attention to specific criteria is the most effective way to judge whether a pillow will meet your unique needs and preferences.

Size: Shoppers often select a pillow size that corresponds to their mattress size for a tidy look and convenient fit. However, some individuals may choose a smaller or larger option based on their personal preferences.

Loft: Pillow loft affects how far the pillow lifts the head. For ideal spinal alignment, stomach sleepers usually need a low-loft pillow or no pillow, back sleepers typically require a medium-loft option, and side sleepers generally need a medium- or high-loft pillow. However, these general guidelines can also be affected by firmness. For instance, a soft high-loft pillow may not support the head and neck any more than a firm low-loft option.

Since hotel pillows are typically designed to accommodate as many sleepers as possible, they often have a medium loft.

Shape: Pillows vary in shape based on their intended use. There are u-shaped pillows for travel, wedge-shaped pillows to elevate the head or legs, curved pillows for back support, and so many more options. Hotel pillows are designed for use in bed, so they tend to have the standard rectangular shape.

Weight: The sleeper’s weight often affects how firm of a pillow they need. Heavier individuals often rely on a firmer pillow for support, while lighter people may prefer a softer pillow for more cushioning. Weight also affects how firm a pillow feels, so a firm pillow may feel soft or medium to someone who weighs more, and a soft pillow could feel medium or firm to someone who weighs less.

Firmness Level: A pillow’s firmness influences its supportiveness and plushness. Softer pillows may be ideal for stomach sleepers who don’t need much support, while firmer options are typically better for side sleepers who need to keep their necks aligned. Most standard hotel pillows have a medium to firm feel, but some manufacturers also produce soft hotel-style pillows.

Fill: The fill of a pillow is responsible for its pressure relief, support, and overall comfort. Hotel pillow fill varies, with some using real feathers and/or down and others using polyester or microfiber down alternative. Any type of high-quality material can make a pillow feel luxurious and supportive. While down and feathers often have a stronger association with luxury, they may not be ideal for some allergy sufferers or people concerned with animal welfare. Down alternative pillows are often more affordable and easier to clean.

Cover Material: Most hotel pillows use cotton covers in either a percale or a sateen weave. Cotton is popular for its smooth feel and breathability. Some hotel pillows may use lyocell, polyester, rayon, and/or other materials in their covers, all of which can be comfortable depending on their quality and composition.

Pressure Relief: Hotel pillows are often built for pressure relief, balancing conforming and support to spread out the weight of the head and neck while promoting proper spinal alignment.

Price: Pillow prices vary dramatically, starting at less than $10 and reaching upwards of $1,000. Hotel pillows usually fall closer to the middle of the range, averaging between $60 and $150.

Temperature Regulation: Most hotel pillows use breathable materials so that they do not retain excessive heat during the night. Down alternative models typically allow the most cooling airflow thanks to their breathable fill. Selecting a pillow with strong temperature regulation may be especially important for those who tend to sleep hot.

Finally

Custom pillows are a great tool to engage your audience with your online gift retail store. By embracing the latest pillow cover design trends and integrating a product/gift designer tool, you can level up your e-store and escalate your sales.