The right pillow placement for a queen or full-size bed will make your bedroom cozy and welcoming.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to bring color, texture, and style into a room is by placing pillows on a queen bed. Depending on whether one likes sleek and minimalist or more classic, there is no end to the ways that pillows can be arranged.
If you are going to arrange pillows on your queen bed, you don’t need to be a professional interior designer to get this done in a few simple steps.
1. Queen Bed Pillows Queen Size Pillow Bed Sleeping Pillow
First, you should arrange all your sleeping pillows against the headboard vertically or horizontally depending on your preference. The only thing to remember is that you have to select the right bed dimensions to fit your home decor and comfort.
They come in standard dimensions and the sleep pillows should be 20 inches in height and 30 inches in width for a queen-size mattress. Since a queen mattress is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, these pillows fit right across the bed. One should not use standard or king-size pillows but should use queen-size pillows because they fit well.
Thin sleeping pillows may require the use of two such pillows so that they may gain the necessary height and volume. This will create a good foundation for the display of decorative pillows.
2. Accent Cushions for a Queen Size Bed
Now comes the exciting part: picking the right decorative throw pillows! The variety of options available in picking out these accents is almost endless. However, there are several things that one needs to take into account: quantity, color, size, solid graphic designs and patterns, and finally texture.
We will expand on quantity and size and a basic equation for adding throw pillows later in this guide. Today, let’s talk about color only!
Color
A great way to begin styling throw pillows on a queen bed is by establishing a cohesive color palette. You can approach this in various ways, but one effective method is to select 3-4 colors from other elements in the room, such as a floor rug, curtains, bedding, wall color, or a standout piece of decor.
Developing this color palette will ensure a unified look, even if you opt for a mix of patterns and pillow styles.
3. Mix and Match Queen Bed Pillow Arrangement
Now that you’ve selected your sleeping pillows and established a color palette, it’s time to choose patterns and styles.
Keep in mind that your pillows don’t need to match perfectly. To achieve a sophisticated, designer look, avoid creating a set that appears as if it came from a matching collection at a big-box store. Instead, we love incorporating vintage or handmade pillow styles, as each piece offers its uniqueness. Since these pillows are often aged or hand-dyed, their colors may not be identical, and the stitching might differ from mass-produced options.
We truly appreciate the charm and character these details add—whether on the table or, in this case, the bed!
To successfully mix and match throw pillows, there’s a simple formula you can follow to create harmonious combinations that work well together.
4. Queen Bed Pillow Formula
Using your color palette, narrow down your pillow options with this simple formula:
Solid + Texture + Pattern
Each row in your arrangement can consist of one of these three styles:
- Solid: Solid pillows are just that—single colors. It’s often best to choose colors that reflect the base tones in your bedding, walls, or flooring. Options like white/off-white, pink/blush, blue, or beige work well.
- Texture: Incorporating various textures adds subtle interest and depth to your pillow arrangement. Consider using textiles like velvet, linen, cotton, woven fabrics, faux fur, or even silk.
- Pattern: Choosing patterned pillows is the most fun, as they can introduce vibrant colors or bold graphic elements to your design. Look for patterns like stripes, paisley, polka dots, or any repeating motifs that catch your eye.
By combining these elements, you can create a beautifully layered and visually appealing pillow arrangement for your queen bed!
5. The Classic Look
Formula (from back to front): Two Bed Pillows, Two 26” Pillows, Two 20-22” Pillows, one Small Centered Pillow
The concept of this traditional design is based on the reduction of the size of the pillows from the back to the front. Initially, there should be two sleeping pillows placed vertically against the headboard, and two 26” pillows. Then two standard 20-22 inch throw pillows are added, and one more standard throw pillow is placed in the middle of the other two.
Variations
In essence, you can change the appearance of the whole set by merely changing the small pillow in front. For instance, replacing the existing 18″ navy embroidered leafy medallion pillow with a new one of the same size will bring a new look instantly.
This basic design is very flexible and can be easily adapted to match any of your interior design styles!
6. The Minimalist Look
Formula (from back to front): Two Bed Pillows + Two Standard Shams + Two 26-20″ Pillows + One Smaller Pillow
This arrangement incorporates a more simple and less complex design. Place two-bed pillows placed vertically behind the headboard and two standard shams on top of the bed pillows. Then, include a set of three decorative pillows of different sizes.
You can also change the sizes of the decorative pillows to fit the headboard you have picked. If the headboard is high, then you can use two 26″ decorative pillows with an additional small pillow in front, for example. This look is chic and so easy to pull off!
7. The Practical Look
Formula (from back to front): Four Bed Pillows + Two 20-22″ Pillows + One 18-20″ Pillow
Last but not least, we have the practical look! There are four sleeping pillows in our guest room because some guests like to use two pillows while sleeping. Rather than folding additional pillows and putting them on the shelf, this way is the most comfortable.
Place two pillows in a single pile on top of each other against the headboard and two more pillows on top of the first pile. In front of these place two decorative pillows measuring between 20-22 inches and then place one smaller pillow of 18-20 inches. It also offers a lot of opportunities to sleep and, besides, looks very cozy and comfortable!
8. Pillow Placement in Modern Classic Theme
This is the most classic of all the options, but it can be updated by placing two standard pillow shams in front of the Euro pillows. You can also try mismatching by placing two 20 x 20 accent pillows on the couch, although it is possible to add a few inches by going with a 22 x 22 instead.
Select the colors in such a way that they are opposite to each other and do not choose patterns that are too contrasting to be more coordinated. This balance will not only improve the general appearance of all sorts of designs but will also not restrict creativity!
9. Modern Cool Pillow Placement
This is a more trendy option which as far as we’re concerned is perfect! The sheet is ideal for those who want a simple design for their bedroom and do not want to spend a lot of time putting their beds in order.
For this setting, use two standard contrasting pillows to the bed frame and one 14 x 48 extra-long lumbar pillow. It is standard practice to suggest that the base pillows are plain or have a small repeat or texture while the longer lumbar pillow will have more detail and/or color to lead the eye to the center of the bed. This gives an artistic and relaxed appearance!
FAQs
How Many pillows on a Queen Bed?
It is unclear, but a rule of thumb is to strive for between four and seven pillows on a bed. This range provides beauty and luxury and is great for lounging around the house in bed. From the minimalist or luxurious arrangement, this number offers the freedom of arrangement as you maintain the aesthetic part of it.
What colors and patterns are suitable for each throw pillow?
Choosing the right colors should be based on the overall color scheme of the room where it will be placed, this includes the main color, a secondary neutral color, and the accent color. For patterns, place background and foreground patterns as layers, making them as simple or as complex as each other and in different sizes.
What Fabrics Should I Consider When Choosing Bed Throw Pillows?
The decision of what type of fabric to use will be based on the design of your room, however, it is suggested to avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester, and nylon and opt for fabrics such as cotton, linen, wool, or any fabric you prefer for the style you want to achieve. These options are not only decorative but also help set the mood of the given space at the same time.
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