2 min readDesigning, decorating, and styling a bedroom is a very different exercise from doing the same in a living room. After all, bedrooms aren’t high-traffic spaces, so you have more freedom to focus more on what you like than what you need. That said, designers consistently point to one guiding principle that applies to every bedroom—and it all comes down to the bed itself, specifically the pillows.
Fortunately, it’s an easy rule to follow. While it involves numbers, there’s almost no math required. No matter the size of your bed, designers agree that the number of pillows should stay the same. Curious as to what it is? Before we reveal that “magic number,” just one important note: we’re talking strictly about decorative pillows, not the ones you sleep on. Now, without further ado, let’s dive in.
What’s the Magic Number of Bed Pillows?
Designers generally agree that three pillows is the magic number for making a bed look and feel truly luxe.
“Three pillows is the golden number,” insists designer Barbara Glass. “My favorite size bed pillow for a king bed is one 52-by-14-inch and two beautiful king-size shams.”
This amount in these sizes (if you have a queen or king bed) is the sweet spot because they don’t overwhelm the bed, but they fill up the width of the headboard.
Don’t Do Any Fewer…
While most design “rules” tend to be more like flexible guidelines, this one is fairly definitive. Unless you’re styling a twin bed, aim for no fewer than three decorative pillows.
“For me, it’s about the rule of odds. Things just look better in a group of three,” says designer Kristen Peña. “With one or two pillows, you’re missing an opportunity to make a design statement.” These decorative details don’t have to be dramatic, but they go a long way in making the space look complete.
…And Don’t Do More
In his own home, designer Blake Funston is a three-pillow stan, as he, like most designers, agrees that it’s the perfect number.
“Four pillows feels crowded, too laborious to remove, and optically mainstream,” he notes. “When hosting at home, guests should feel the calm elegance that a three-pillow arrangement gives. The scheme uses symmetry that is centered on a focal point. A visual trinity, so to speak.”
Choose a Complementary Color Scheme
Once you have your pillow quantity sorted, make sure you are selecting sham covers that are complementary to the rest of your bedroom’s design scheme. If you want to take a timeless approach, designer Maggie Cruz suggests subtlety.
“I tend to keep the foundation of the bed very neutral, with crisp whites or soft ivories, and I typically use shams from the same bedding set as the functional layer,” she says. “From there, I come in with a trio of decorative pillows. My go-to is two 22-inch square pillows paired with one elongated lumbar because it’s a balanced composition that feels tailored but still relaxed.”
