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They add just the right pop of personality.
Very rarely does one type of pillow tick one of two boxes, fashion and function. The exception? Bolster pillows, the long cylindrical cushions that either decorate a made bed or offer support to relieve sore joints. In either case, a bolster pillow is worth adding to your home, especially because it will never be the most expensive element in the room. In fact, we made a concerted effort to pick ones that are either very attractive, very cozy, or both, that come with a relatively budget-friendly price tag. The one exception may be the one that belongs to one of our shopping editors, who, in a moment of desperation to make her bed look more "done," spent a pretty penny on her alpaca fur-covered bolster.
Otherwise, enjoy any of these six bolster pillows, two of which the House Beautiful editors have, love, and highly recommend. Additionally, after sharing our product recommendations, we outline how we selected these six, what to look for when purchasing a bolster pillow, and why we are a trustworthy source for shopping for home goods, particularly bedding. No matter what you end up snagging to make your space feel more complete, you really can't go wrong—and you'll find out why when you click "add to cart."
For plenty of people, a bolster pillow is more decorative than it is functional (keep in mind: a bolster pillow is not necessarily a pregnancy pillow), so if you're using one to spruce up your bed without having to make too much of an investment, allow us to introduce you to the Contigo from The Citizenry. "My bed, even when it was made, didn't look quite done," admits Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner. "It just looked like it was missing something, but I didn't know what—until I snagged this extremely cozy bolster pillow and laid it across the width of my bed. Now it's absolutely finished!"
Material: wool, baby alpaca, and polyamide | Cushion included: yes | Dimensions: 30" W x 12" H
Unlike the previous pick, this one is both functional and beautiful. It's designed to offer back support when you lean against it, hence the wedge shape. Contributing writer Kelsey Mulvey tested it out for three months to see if it does, indeed, keep your back from getting sore after lounging in bed for a few hours. "Whether I'm engrossed in whatever's on the screen or casually catching up on work, I need to be propped up during streaming sessions. Otherwise, you better believe I'll fall asleep in 20 minutes and miss the entire plot of whatever movie I'm watching," she notes. "So when I had the opportunity to test out this wedge pillow, I was optimistic it could be a complete game-changer to my lazy day hangs...and it was."
Material: Velvet | Cushion included: yes | Dimensions: 54" W x 20" H
We've all seen that now-iconic Scalamandré zebra pattern, and this tiger rendition from designer Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu and Georgia is on its way to icon status. There's something about an animal motif on home decor (not in the form of taxidermy or authentic hides) that puts us in a glamorous and 1940s frame of mind, and we're not mad about it. One thing to note about this pillow is that it's not gigantic, so don't expect it to cover the entire width of your bed. Rather, pop it in front of your pillows for a little pop of personality.
Material: polyester | Cushion included: yes | Dimensions: 6" W x 20" L
Of course, Quince has a beautiful bolster pillow cover in the most soothing color. Plus, because it's so simple in terms of design, so you can use it decoratively or functionally, depending on how you need it. Opt for one or snag a set of two (and save $10 in the process). The best part is that it's made from 100 percent European heavyweight linen that's pre-washed for a soft feel. Full disclosure: The insert is not included, but we found one that's worthy of this cover here.
Material: linen | Cushion included: no | Dimensions: 48" W x 12" H
If your style skews more cottagecore, you may need to add this bolster pillow cover to your cart. Sadly, there's no insert included, but rest assured, GreenRow sells the right size, so feel free to buy both the cover and the insert in one foul swoop. It's also so incredibly soft, courtesy of the linen-cotton blend.
Material: linen and cotton | Cushion included: no | Dimensions: 39" W x 9" H
We'll admit that this is not the cutest option on the list. In fact, you may not even want it on the bed if you're not ready to go to sleep, but what it lacks in aesthetic vibes it makes up for in extreme comfort. Not only does it feel cool-to-the-touch but it also stays uniformly squishy, courtesy of the CloudFiber fill and foam. It's ideal for anyone who likes to snuggle in the middle of the night, but it works best for side-sleepers, pregnant women, and those with sore hips. Pro tip: Tuck this between your knees to keep your hips square, giving whichever hip is facing the ceiling a breather when it comes to pressure.
Material: FreshBody pillow cover | Cushion included: yes | Dimensions: 52" W x 10" L x 10" H
Generally speaking, we like to test all the products we are recommending to House Beautiful readers, but doing so can sometimes be tricky, especially when the items are large like a platform bed frame or sofa. Such is not the case for bolster pillows, though. Admittedly, not everyone has one, but the people who do tend to love them. So, I looked into my own pillow collection and that of my fellow editors to curate this list of incredibly cozy pillows. The ones I didn't test directly, I added to the list based on the trustworthiness of the brand and how the pillow and its insert looked. After all, most bolster pillows are decorative, so you don't need to put as much thought into buying them as you would a pillow you'd sleep on. You can rest assured (pun intended) that a couple of the pillows on this list is in a House Beautiful editor's home and, in some cases, is our go-to accessorizing essential. (If you want to see more bedroom must-haves, check out the winners of our most recent Sleep Awards). Before recommending it, I asked my colleagues to use their pillows for at least a month. Some editors, including myself, have had our pillows for over a year, so you know we really love them.
Like I said earlier, a bolster pillow—while it can be used for extra support—is there for decorative purposes, so there's no need to spend too much time researching it to make sure it will improve your sleep tenfold. That said, there are a few things worth noting before clicking "add to cart."
The first is size: Whether you're buying a bolster pillow to add the finishing touch to your bed or you want to stick it between your knees to give your hips some needed relief, you want to make sure your bolster is the right size. Anything too small, and you're buying a throw pillow. Anything too big may be more of a pregnancy or body pillow. In my opinion, a decorative bolster pillow should span nearly the width of your mattress (it's okay if it's a few inches shorter on either end) so that it looks proportional. If you're buying it for comfort and joint support, make sure that it's deep enough (at least 10 inches) to keep your knees from touching when you sleep on your side. The second thing to look out for is whether or not the insert is included. Beware: There are some options on our list that include just the cover (the insert is sold separately). Nothing is more disappointing than unboxing a pillow to realize the pillow wasn't actually included in the purchase.
When it comes to picking out the best (and affordable) pieces for any bedroom, including my own, I have been reviewing home products, especially bedding, for eight years. In fact, I currently have six pillows and counting. I have worked with countless interior designers and product designers on what makes something worthy in the home. Not to mention, I've been on a never-ending quest to maximize the comfort and look of my own bed, so you can trust that I've done my homework to find the best and most beloved pieces on the market. Plus, as a shopping editor, I've covered everything you could possibly need for your bed, including the best cooling mattress toppers, the softest sheets, the best linen sheets, and even dedicated brand bedding reviews.
9 Cooling Mattress Toppers for Better Sleep
These Are the Best Luxury Mattresses to Buy ASAP
The Softest Sheets We’ve Ever Slept On
How to Buy The Best Murphy Bed for Your Home
