Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Furniture
Enough restless nights and cramped necks in the morning! We've got expert tips for buying the best pillows for all you tummy, side and back sleepers -- and yes, snorers and sweat-ers too.I spend a lot of nights in hotel rooms when traveling for work, but even with all the pillows I've slept with, I have no clue what to buy for my own bed. From plushy down to foam inserts, I'm completely stuck. So I turned to the experts to find out what pillows are best and what are some dos and don'ts when shopping for the perfect pillow.
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"Looking for pillows sounds fun on the one hand, but it's also annoying and aggravating," says Sherry Solomon, of 22 Bond St. in Los Angeles, which is where celebrities like Sheryl Crow turn for bedroom-focused design advice.
There are some general rules to consider when buying a pillow. For one, shop at a store with a bed that's set up. Then you can try out pillows on an actual bed, says Kristi Witt, an interior decorator in San Francisco. Jeffrey Gornstein, founder of ComfortHouse.com in Newark, N.J, suggests that you don't buy a pillow that someone else recommends since he predicts you'll be disappointed. "Pillows are a very personal preference," he says.
Be wary of latex coverings. Low-quality latex often omits an odor and clumps up very quickly, cautions Lauri Ward, an eco-focused designer in Manhattan. She suggests investing in your pillows like you do bedding. (A pillowcase with a smooth feel also helps; those with a 300-thread-count or higher, she says, help decrease the appearance of facial wrinkles in the morning.)
Best Pillows for... Side Sleepers
What to Look For: Pillows that are firm, not soft. A memory-foam pillow accommodates for twists and turns throughout the night (common with side sleepers) and also protects the neck and shoulders from cramping.
Tips: If memory-foam isn't for you, try a pillow with a high quality latex cover. Don't pass over body pillows too. "A body pillow is a good idea," says Witt, "and it is also okay to sleep with a couple of pillows if you are a side sleeper, such as hugging a pillow or placing one between your legs."
Best Pillows for... Back Sleepers
What to Look For: The danger for those who sleep on their back is that the neck can easily be too high or too low. Pillows that allow the back of the head to comfortably sink into the pillow are perfect. It's even better if there is a defined indentation. "Something that's really lofty and firm," says Witt, will suffice. Wedge a bolster or pillow underneath the knees, advises Gornstein, to improve circulation.
Tips: Pillows made from contoured-memory foam allow the neck to comfortably rest under a raised portion of the pillow. "They're good for a back sleeper because they need the neck support," says Ward. Or, they say, go with a down pillow that has lots of down filling (more than the average down pillow; while in the store, if you can quickly reshape the pillow, then you have found one with lots of down). This gives you a lot to play with in terms of reaching your ideal comfort.
Best Pillows for... Stomach Sleepers
What to Look For: A flat pillow, or any pillow that does not have defined elevation, so that you are not forced to sleep at odd, uncomfortable angles.
Best Pillows: This is the most versatile sleeping position when it comes to pillows. That said, Ward advises her clients who sleep on their stomachs to go with the flattest pillow they can find, so that the body remains comfortable all night long. Lying on an upward angle, the result of sleeping on an elevated pillow, may result in pain. Ward particularly likes Pacific Coast pillows for their quality feather and down inserts.
Tips: "I can just imagine somebody's head sinking into the pillow in comfort," says Witt. Just be careful, she says, not to buy a pillow that is too lofty. It will likely cause neck discomfort.
Best Pillows for... Sweaty Sleepers
What to Look For: Outside of sleeping positions, there are sleeping quirks. If you tend to perspire while you sleep, seek out a temperature-regulated pillow, which Gornstein calls the hottest aspect in pillows right now (no pun intended).
Tips: ISO-Cool pillows -- offered in a variety of designs and fillings -- are one such option. Ward likes pillows featuring Cool Max fabric (from a variety of manufacturers); they wick moisture away from the pillow very quickly.
Best Pillows for... Readers
What to Look For: For reading in bed, Ward suggests buckwheat neckrolls (filled with buckwheat hulls), perfect for tucking under your lower back while sitting up. (Because buckwheat pillows tend to make noise when shifted around, they aren't a preferred option while sleeping, especially for light sleepers, says Witt.)
Tips: Wedge pillows or lumbar pillows also provide extra back support while reading in bed.
Best Pillows for... Snorers (And Those That Live With Them!)
What to Look For: If you have a partner who snores - or doesn't like the fact that you do - did you know there are actually pillows that can give you a better night's rest?
Best Pillows: Brookstone offers the Anti-Snore pillow, which has been clinically tested and is essentially a supportive memory-foam pillow that is adaptable to all sleeping positions. Otherwise, a firm pillow that enables the throat to fully open while asleep will often put an end to the snoring, says Ward.
Don't Forget the Cover
All of the experts we spoke with recommend using a pillow cover underneath the pillowcase. It provides a buffer against dirt and dust mites and gives the pillow a longer life. However, don't choose a heavy cover to go over a down pillow because it can crush the filling sooner.
For more on the ins and outs of creating a cozy, comfy bedroom read:
How to Green and Detox Your Bedroom
Tips from Ice Hotels: How to Warm Up A Cold Bedroom
A Grown-Up Bedroom Makeover
If the thought of new pillows gets you in the mood for a full bedroom makeover, check out our video: