How Many Bed Pillows Is Too Many? Designers Weigh In

There are two types of people in this world: those who prefer a simple pillow arrangement with just a few sleeping pillows and those who like to dress up their beds with decorative pillows. 

While the pillows you sleep on are crucial for comfort, decorative pillows also play a significant role in a bed’s overall look and feel. More than just pretty accents, they add layers of texture, color, and personality in the bedroom—plus provide added body support when you’re lounging in bed. 

Most of all, decorative pillows can transform a bare bed into a cozy, cloud-like haven (if you don’t go overboard, of course). 

Is there even such a thing as too many pillows? We spoke to three designers to find out and discovered the best pillow setups for different scenarios.

Start With the Essentials

“I always start with confirming how many pillows the client actually sleeps with at night and advise from there,” says Grey Joyner, founder of Grey Joyner Interiors. 

Many people use just one pillow for optimal comfort. However, upon further research (aka diving into loads of discussion forums), it turns out it’s more common to sleep with two to three pillows per person. The ideal sleeping pillow formula seems to be: one for under the head, one for under the knees, and another for snuggling. 

Regardless of how many pillows you sleep with, these should remain on the bed and serve as a base layer for the purely decorative ones.

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Consider Your Bed Size

The next thing you want to consider is how big your bed is. This is a no-brainer, but the larger the bed, the more pillows you can pile up. But also remember: the more pillows, the less bed space.

“There is more flexibility with a king-sized bed, as you simply have more room to add additional decorative and bolster pillows, versus with a twin, for example,” Joyner points out. 

She continues, adding that it’s best to keep it simple if you have a twin bed. One sleeping pillow, one sham, and maybe one smaller decorative pillow in front should be just fine.

For a king or queen, Joyner suggests incorporating euro-size pillows, sticking to stacked king or standard pillows (two on each side), or really layering them on using an assortment of patterns and sizes.

Stay on Theme

What works for one bedroom style might not suit another—so it’s also a good idea to base the number of pillows on your room’s overall design. 

As an example, Joyner recommends keeping the pillows simpler if there’s a lot happening design-wise in a bedroom. However, if the room is pretty neutral and the bedding is the focal point, that’s when she would opt for more pillows and really use them to accessorize the room—have some fun with it.

On a similar note, Jodi Peterman, the creative powerhouse behind Elizabeth Erin Designs, shared: if you want to achieve a clean look on your bed, you might want to add two more decorative pillows in front of your sleeping stacks. For a maximalist approach, feel free to add more.

“A useful guideline is leaving about two-thirds of the bed without pillows, allowing enough space to create an inviting and well-balanced look,” she tells us.

Styling Pillows, the Convenient Way

Another important (perhaps the most important) point to keep in mind is how much effort you want to put into making the bed each morning and taking it apart every night.

“Aesthetically, we appreciate the layered look with different textures on a bed, and pillows are an excellent way to achieve this,” Lauren Williams, founder of Lauren Jayne Design weighs in. “However, if you love decorative pillows but dread removing them each night, compromise by adding a simple lumbar pillow with layered bed linens.”

Alternatively, she suggests a guest bedroom with less frequent use could be a place where you use more pillows. If you opt for no decorative pillows but still want your bed to look inviting, Williams has a trick for you.

“You can still create visual interest by using a textured throw blanket over the duvet and folding the flat sheet back over it.”

So, How Many Pillows Do You Really Need?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. But, to give you an idea of what’s common, many of Peterman’s clients (and designers) typically use:

• Two pillows for sleeping
• Two to four decorative pillows
• One or two throw pillows for added texture and color

“As for me, I LOVE pillows! I collect accent pillows like stray puppies,” she jokes. “On my personal bed, I have four king pillows, three euro pillows, and three accent pillows of varying sizes.”

Ultimately, it’s not about sticking to a specific number but creating a harmonious arrangement that meets practical needs and personal tastes, she explains. Whether you prefer simplicity or a plush, pillow-filled bed, the goal is to make your bedroom as cozy as you desire.