How To Arrange Pillows on a Bed: Easy Tips and Tricks

There are no specific rules you should follow when it comes to arranging pillows on a bed, but certain arrangements undoubtedly look better than others and can elevate the visual aesthetic of your bedroom when implemented correctly.

When selecting the perfect pillow arrangement for your bedroom, you should make sure it complements the rest of your decor for the best results. Some of the key aspects to consider include:

• The headboard: The number of pillows you should include in your arrangement depends on the height of your headboard. Ensure the headboard is high enough to accommodate all of your pillows if you want to achieve a stand-out effect. If you don't have a headboard, a minimalist and straightforward arrangement is often a better choice.
• The mattress: The amount of pillows you use should be directly proportionate to the size of your mattress. You don't want to overcrowd the bed with too many pillows, instead ensuring you leave some space untouched for a more elegant result.
• Room decor and colour scheme: To achieve a cohesive look, consider the existing aesthetic of your bedroom. If you have a set colour palette or a feature wall in your bedroom, matching your pillow covers to this is an easy way to bring the space together.
• Lifestyle: Consider factors such as how long you want to spend making the bed every day, how much space you want on the bed, and how many pillows you're comfortable with. A more straightforward layout might be appropriate if you don't want to spend a long time arranging your pillows in the morning.

How many pillows should you put on your bed?

Some people prefer to sleep with many pillows on their bed, while others only need one pillow to feel comfortable. But did you know that pillows are not only meant for support? When arranged properly, decorative pillows have the power to transform your bedroom from basic to chic.

Before we dive into the number of pillows needed for different bed sizes, it's important that you understand the difference between the various types of pillow sizes:

• Standard pillows (51 x 66cm): These are the most commonly used pillow type as they will fit beds of any size. If you need quality standard pillows for your bed that offer the perfect blend of comfort and support, our Essential Pillow Pair could be the best option for you.
• Queen pillows (51 x 76cm): Queen pillows are designed to perfectly fit on a queen bed, but can still fit into a standard pillowcase.
• King pillows (51 x 92cm): Just like king beds, king pillows are extra long. You can arrange two king pillows side by side on a king bed. Christy's Luxury King Size Pillows are lovingly crafted by our experts to help you get a good night's sleep, every single night.
• Accent pillows: These pillows are much smaller than the rest and can vary widely in terms of shape and size. They are purely decorative pillows and will usually be removed from the bed when it's time to go to sleep.
• Euro pillows: Also known as European pillows, these square pillows are available in many different sizes. They are usually used for decorative purposes.

Think about the overall space you have when selecting the type and number of pillows for your bed to make sure your headboard and mattress can accommodate them. Be sure to properly fluff your pillows as you're arranging them to make them look fuller.

Perfect pillow arrangements for king beds

King-sized beds are the easiest to style because of how spacious they are. There's plenty of room for you to play about with the arrangement of your pillows, and you can mix colours and patterns without it looking overcrowded.

For a classy and luxurious look

What you'll need: 1 accent pillow, 2 king pillows, 1 bolster and 3 euro pillows

1. Place the 3 euro pillows on the headboard
2. Place the 2 king pillows horizontally in front of the euro pillows
3. Add the accent pillow, then the bolster pillow

Top tip: Avoid going overboard with colours. Stick with two at most, depending on the theme of your room.

For a quirky and playful look

What you'll need: 4 accent pillows, 3 euro pillows and 2 king pillows

1. Place the 3 euro pillows on the headboard
2. Place the 2 king pillows horizontally in front of the euro pillows
3. EITHER scatter the accent pillows on one side OR place two on each side

Top tip: Match the colour of the king pillow covers to the bedding, but choose patterned or colourful accent and euro pillows that complement the king pillows and the rest of the room decor.

For a chic and stylish look

What you'll need: 2 accent pillows, 2 king pillows and 3 euro pillows

1. Place the 2 king pillows against the headboard
2. Place the euro pillows - one to the left, one to the right, and one on the middle
3. Place the accent pillows at the very front, between the euro pillows

Top tip: The colour of the accent pillows and king pillow covers should complement the bed cover.

For an easy and minimalist look

What you'll need: 1 accent pillow and 2 king pillows

1. Place the king pillows against the headboard
2. Place the accent pillow in the centre

Top tip: Choose this refined layout if you prefer a low-maintenance, simple pillow arrangement. This layout also looks great if you have a low headboard or no headboard.

Luxurious queen bed pillow arrangements

Queen beds also offer ample space for pillow arrangement, allowing you to play around with various sizes and colours.

For a sophisticated look

What you'll need: 2 euro pillows, 2 standard pillows and 4 accent pillows

1. Place 2 standard pillows against the headboard
2. Place 2 euro pillow in front, preferably at the centre
3. Scatter the accent pillows at the front, either at the centre or to the sides

Top tip: Play with colours and textures to match your bedroom theme.

For a simple, classy look

What you'll need: 2 accent pillows, 2 bolsters and 4 standard pillows

1. Place 2 standard pillows against the headboard and the remaining 2 in front
2. Place the accent pillows in front of the standard pillows
3. Place the bolsters at the front to finish

Top tip: Choose this layout to elevate the appearance of your space in less than a minute.

For an elegant, minimalist look

What you'll need: 2 queen pillows, 2 accent pillows and 2 euro pillows

1. Place the 2 euro pillows leaning on the headboard
2. Leave a gap between them, then place the queen pillows in front
3. Place the accent pillows at the forefront

Top tip: Try using accent pillows of different sizes for a simple yet beautiful look, placing one in front of the other.

The best pillow arrangements for twin beds

Twin beds might not be the biggest of beds, but they still boast enough space for a range of stylish and fun pillow arrangements. These beds do not require many pillows, making the arrangement super quick and easy.

For a sleek, minimalist look

What you'll need: 1 euro pillow, 1 bolster and 1 standard pillow

1. Place the euro pillow at the centre of the bed, resting against the headboard
2. Place the standard pillow horizontally in front of the euro pillow
3. Place the bolster at the front

Top tip: Opt for a plain coloured standard pillowcase and choose a patterned bolster for a pop of colour.

For a unique and quirky look

What you'll need: 4 accent pillows and 1 bolster

1. Place the bolster horizontally against the headboard
2. Add the accent pillows in front, preferably off-centre

Top tip: Use different sized accent pillows to add variety and create a more fun and playful look. Place the pillows in front of each other from biggest to smallest for the best effect.

For a fun and stylish look

What you'll need: 3 accent pillows and 1 euro pillow

1. Place the euro pillow against the headboard
2. Add 2 of the accent pillows in front
3. Add the third accent pillow in front - this should be a different size or shape

Top tip: A round-shaped accent pillow would work perfectly for the final pillow in this arrangement.

Eye-catching arrangements for single beds

Single beds are quite small, so you'll only need a few pillows to put the perfect arrangement together. Overcrowding the bed with pillows will do more harm than good, so keep things simple for the best effect.

For a beautiful minimalist look

What you'll need: 2 euro pillows, 1 accent pillow and 1 king pillow

1. Place the 2 euro pillows at the centre of the headboard
2. Place the king pillow horizontally in front of the euro pillows
3. Finish with the accent pillow for a playful finish

Top tip: Choose an eye-catching accent pillow to truly elevate your space.

For a sophisticated playful look

What you'll need: 1 bolster, 3 euro pillows and 5 accent pillows

1. Place 2 euro pillows vertically against the headboard
2. Place the third euro pillow in front
3. Scatter the 5 accent pillows depending on your preference
4. Place the bolster at the forefront

Top tip: Play around with the colours and textures of the pillows for a fun and quirky result.

For a simple but stylish look

What you'll need: 2 accent pillows and 2 standard pillows

1. Place the standard pillows against the headboard
2. Place the accent pillows central at the front

Top tip: This super easy and minimalist layout is perfect for busy people who don't want to spend much time arranging their pillows in the mornings.

Create the perfect pillow arrangement with luxurious pillows from Christy

Now that you know how to arrange the pillows on your bed, the only thing left to do is invest in sumptuous, high-quality pillows from Christy.

Our luxurious bedroom products are crafted using the finest fabrics to ensure you get a restful night's sleep, every single night. With 170 years of experience under our belts, you can count on us to transform your bedroom into the ultimate sleep sanctuary.

Discover our exquisite collection of high thread count bed linen, thick and fluffy throws and cushions, ultra-soft duvets and pillows, and crisp, plain dye bed sheetsto create your very own hotel luxury at home.