When you aren’t someone particularly conscious of their pillows, you might want to pause and think about how long you’ve been using the same old pillow. How old is it? Is it as fluffy as before? If all your answers indicate that your pillows are in need of attention, perhaps it’s time to replace them.
If you’re doing a room makeover with the goal of imitating a luxury hotel room, then that’s another reason you should get new pillows. If you’re taking the hotel design route, check out the bedding shops where you can buy hotel quality pillows.
If you’re clueless about what to look for in pillows, here are the things you should put in your checklist:
Pillow Fill Type
There are actually several more types of pillow fills other than the famous feather. But if you’re loyal to the feather, search for high-quality ones in which the feathers are very small and highly curled. Feather pillows remain a good choice because they offer comfort and support, and they’re incredibly soft.
Down pillows are similar to feather pillows, minus the quill. If you want the softest and the gentlest pillow, then this should be your pick. They are known for being a luxurious type, but they aren’t designed to give support.
Memory foam pillows are the ones that take on the shape of your head, neck, and shoulders as you lay on them. They self-adjust as you move. Memory foam pillows can make you sleep comfortably because they distribute the weight of your head, neck, and shoulders evenly.
Latex is also comfortable pillow type, and they’re often the ones with contours to restrict movements during sleep. The contours are made to provide extra support to the head and neck.
Thread Count
A high thread count doesn’t always mean that the pillow is more plush and durable. A 300-thread count standard 20″ by 26″ pillow is found to be cost-efficient and comfortable. Luxury pillows, however, would have a thread count of 500-800, so opt for those if you want a 5-star hotel sleeping experience. There also pillows with a thousand thread counts, but expect them to be quite expensive.
Size
It’s important to choose a pillow with a thickness or thinness that aligns your head, neck, and shoulders with your spine. If you need additional or special support, consider cervical and contour pillows. Both help ease the pain felt in the neck and/or back. Contoured body pillows offer support, stability, and pressure point relief.
Make sure that your pillows fit in their cases well. Don’t force an oversize pillow into a small pillowcase, or dress a standard pillow with an extra-large pillowcase.
Your Sleeping Position
You also need to consider how you sleep for you to determine which kind of pillow suits you best. This can be tricky because many of us tend to move around during sleep, but you should know which position you find yourself most comfortable in.
If you sleep on your back, get a fluffier pillow that lifts your head and chin because it helps with breathing and prevents snoring. On the other hand, you may also be more comfortable with a flatter pillow to keep your head and neck aligned. For side-sleepers, a thick and firmer pillow may be needed; the thickness should enable the pillow to fit perfectly between your ear and shoulder as you lie down. Stomach sleepers can do without a pillow, but if you prefer to have one, try adding more to place under your stomach and pelvis to prevent back pain.
You may discover that you’ve been sleeping uncomfortably all this time, only you just got used to it. Stop compromising your sleep because of the wrong pillow choice. Assess your comfort, support, softness, and other special needs. With the wide range of available pillows on the market, you can surely find what best suits your body.
