How to Make Your Bed Like a Designer |

Alina Orozco

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Every few years it feels like our bedroom needs an update. Style and taste change and it’s always amazing to see how small changes, like decorative pillows for a bed make a huge impact. If you’re looking for decorative pillows for bedroom here is your ultimate guide for how to layer pillows on a bed of any size to get that ultimate luxury bedroom vibe we all want.

How to Arrange Pillows on a Bed

When we first upgraded from a queen size to a California king size bed, I had trouble figuring out the accent pillows for bed situation.

Specifically, how to layer pillows on a bed? Do I need European shams? Should I have standard, queen or king size pillows? How many pillows do I need? Are there pillow rules?!

So I searched the internet and put together everything I learned below. In this post you’ll find how to arrange pillows, the right size of pillows you need for queen or king size bed.

How to Arrange Sleeping Pillows on King Size Bed

I found this very handy guide via Pottery Barn, on how to layer pillows on a bed. The diagrams above offer ideas for how to style sleeping pillows and also how to arrange decorative pillows.

These are of course just suggestions, but I found these guidelines really helpful.

After looking at these charts, I realized I had too many standard pillows that are too small and got lost on the bed.

Euro shams help anchor the bed and bring a sophisticated, effortless look without a ton of decorative pillows.

However, I didn’t want to add euro shams. Instead, I opted to add four king size pillows and then two standard size pillows (which I hide behind the king size pillows when styling my bed).

Euro shams might be the classic approach, but I prefer a more modern take on bed making. Here is my guide for king size sleeping pillow arrangements.

As I mention, I have the first configuration for my king size bed and it works well for us.

Sleeping Pillows Sizing Chart for King Bed

These are the pillows that I use for my king size bed. You can also shop my Amazon Storefront for all Coastal Modern Bedroom items. Look below to find a sleeping pillow configuration for your king size bed.

Click on Image To Shop My Favorite Sleeping Pillows

How to Arrange Decorative Pillows on a King Size Bed

Once you have your sleeping pillows sorted, it’s time to add decorative pillows. Below is my modern take on decorative pillow styling for king size bedroom.

At the moment, I am using four king size sleeping pillows, two queen size pillows and I added three velvet green decorative pillows covers.

I used these pillow fillers to make them look even more luxe and they also give the perfect “chop” if that’s your thing. Personally, I love a little chop on my decorative pillows.

I may also add a lumbar pillow for a more completed look.

Click on Images Below to Shop My Favorite Affordable Pillow Shams

Did you know you can also find customizable sets that include all of the shams for you. This is a little pricey but it instantly creates an expert designed bedding.

I really love how the lumbar pillow pulls it all together.

How to Find the Correct Insert for Decorative Pillows

If you are looking for that custom pillow look, and you want the chop. The insert you purchase is almost more important than the pillow sham.

Also important to get the sizing correct. You want the sham to be a few inches smaller than the insert to create that overfilled luxurious custom decorative pillow look.

Here is a handy guide to help you make the right insert purchase for your cushions and bed pillows.

Shop My Favorite Decorative Pillow Inserts Below

How to Make Your Bed Like a Designer

I love a luxurious, white bed, a lush rope with slippers and a beautiful view. Some people are hotel people and others are not. I’m a hotel person, so I always wanted my bed at home to resemble a beautiful hotel suite.

My sheets and bedding have been white for a few years now, and although I add pops of color here and there, I don’t think I will ever tire of the white.

Currently, my king size bedding is all white, including the duvet cover but I have a grey throw and moss green decorative pillows for a modern coastal style home aesthetic.

I’m a pillow hoarder. I want several pillows that we use to actually sleep, and then a few decorative bed pillows to create that serene bedroom look.

If you’re in the market for the perfect pillows, these are my favorite gel filled and stay cool when you sleep. Find my bedroom essentials in my amazon storefront.

My favorite purchase that truly elevated our sleep is the memory foam mattress topper. It feels incredibly luxurious I would recommend adding this to your bed for ultimate hotel like vibes.

Ideas for Arranging Pillows on a Queen Size Bed

how to layer pillows on a queen size bed

You can also use euro shams to create that luxurious look for a queen or full size bed, as well as decorative pillows.

Creating a Luxurious Designer Style Bed at Home

I finally purchased some luxurious bedding for our king size bed. One of the best investments I’ve made was in purchasing this comforter. It’s a down alternative, but it feels heavy and it also has lots of volume. It totally has that “wow” cloud effect because of how soft and pillowy it is. There is also a great Amazon version that I’m using in our guest bedroom.

I also updated our sheets. I splurged on Brooklinen sheets as they are known for their luxe sateen combination, but then I also found these Target sheets to be quite competative and way less expensive. I am very impressed by the quality and the price.

I finally got the hotel-like look for my primary bedroom, and it’s everything I ever dreamed it would be. I have a few more finishing touches like this mirror. I read that each room has to have at least seven textures to feel completely designed like a professional, so I love how this mirror adds that coastal look and brings additional texture to the space.