Different Ways to Arrange Pillows on a Bed
Pillows. You fluff them, put them in their place, and lay your head down on them—seems simple, right? Well, it can be a bit more complex than that. And if you’ve ever wondered where, exactly, your throw pillows are supposed to sit on top of your bed, you’re not alone. How to arrange pillows on a bed all depends on your personal style, your bedding choice, and, of course, the pillows themselves.
Aside from your bedding, pillows are one of the best ways to make your bedroom (and your bed itself) reflect your personal style. You can go for a perfectly neat, all-white hotel look, or you can use a throw pillow bring in an eye-catching color or pattern. The key is balance. And it can take some trial and error to figure out what works for your space!
How to Arrange Pillows On a Bed: Clean & Simple
Don’t particularly want to pile your bed high with pillows? No problem.
How to get the look:
Arrange two sleeping pillows side by side at the head of your bed
Cover them with a linen bed cover, tucking it in slightly at the bottom seam of the pillows
How to Arrange Pillows On a Bed: Stacked & Propped
This bed styling is neat and elevated, but still perfectly fun. Keep your sleeping pillows simply stacked and choose small lumbar pillow or a patterned pillow that brings in a playful pattern, like the one above.
How to get the look:
Lay four sleeping pillows on top of one another in piles of two
Prop a patterned pillow in front
How to Arrange Pillows On a Bed: Layered Neutrals
If pattern mixing or vivid colors aren’t quite your vibe, consider creating dimension with contrasting textures.
How to get the look:
Prop two neutral-colored sleeping pillows against your headboard
Layer a textured lumbar pillow in front of each pillow
How to Arrange Pillows On a Bed: High Contrast
You might typically bring trimmed pillows to the front of your pillow arrangements, but consider propping them up in the back for a cool detail-driven look. The result is cool and refined.
How to get the look:
Prop up two normal-size pillows in contrasting trim pillowcases against your headboard
Prop two neutral sleeping pillows in front of them
Lay a long lumbar pillow in a dark color in front
How to Arrange Pillows On a Bed: Back to Basics
When your bed itself is statement-making, it can feel more natural to keep your pillows as simple as can be. Skip the throws and simply stack your sleeping pillows.
How to get the look:
Arrange four sleeping pillows completely flat, in piles of two, at the head of your bed
How to Arrange Pillows on a Bed: Fancy Layers
If you’re looking for a grand look fit for a main bedroom suite, you can’t go wrong with this layered pillow combination. While it requires roughly nine pillows give or take, it’s timeless and allows for a lot of different color and pattern combinations.
How to get the look:
Stack four standard-sized sleeping pillows on top of one another
Layer two queen or king-sized shams to cover the width of the bed
Add two large 20-inch square pillows in front
Finish with one long lumbar pillow in front
How to Arrange Pillows on a Bed: Effortless Minimalism
If you’re looking for no-fuss, pared back elegance, skip the shams and lean into well-crafted linens for your pillowcases.
How to get the look:
Rest four standard-sized sleeping pillows vertically against your headboard
Add one pattern pillow in the middle
How to Arrange Pillows on a Bed: Peekaboo Color
This bedroom gets inventive when it comes to pillow arrangements. The Euro shams take a backseat to three smaller white pillows. This is a great option for neutral lovers who want to bring just a touch of color into their space—the small peek of green here is just right.
How to get the look:
Start with two 20-inch Euro shams in a bold color or pattern
Arrange three 18-inch Euro shams in front, creating a peekaboo effect
- Raph