Determining the Right Size for Your Bolster Pillow
The quality of bedding accessories directly affects the quality of sleep. So, to sleep well in bed, it’s essential to buy a bolster of the right size. But a bolster can serve various purposes. Moreover, no two beds or sleepers are alike.
So, how do you determine the right size for your bolster? What do you need to know before choosing the size of your bolster? Does your sleeping position matter? Should you consider the bedroom’s decor? Let’s find out the answers to these questions and get some tips for choosing the right size bolster.
Choose the right size bolster based on your sleeping position
Your sleeping position is the first factor to consider when choosing the right size for your bolster. In fact, a bolster is one of the bedding accessories that can improve your sleep comfort.
What size bolster should you choose based on your sleeping position?
It's common to change positions several times during the same night. However, as a general rule, there's one position in which you sleep longer and more comfortably:
- on the back;
- on their stomachs;
- on the side;
- etc.
Depending on your sleeping position, it’s important to choose the right size body pillow. For example, sleeping on your side is much more comfortable with a body pillow that you hold close to your body. The body pillow helps support your abdomen and lower back. To get comfortable in bed, it’s a good idea to rest one leg on the body pillow.
But for this, the bolster must not be too small; it also needs to be the right size for the person using it. Taller people can purchase a 160-cm bolster, while shorter people may want to choose a shorter one.
What length should you choose for your bolster if you sleep alone or with a partner?
Here's another question to ask yourself when choosing the size of your bolster: Is the bed for one or two people? While a bolster can provide a comfortable sleeping experience for two, it must be the right size.
A person sleeping alone in a bed can choose a small, large, or medium bolster. Two people sleeping in the same bed should opt for larger bolsters so that both can enjoy the same level of comfort at night. It is therefore common to recommend a bolster that is at least 140 cm long for two people.
Determine the dimensions of the bolster in relation to the bed and pillows
Because bolsters are placed on beds—sometimes alongside pillows—it is both useful and necessary to adjust the size of each item to ensure optimal comfort.
The ideal size of a bolster based on the size of the bed
The first thing that comes to mind when calculating the ideal dimensions for a bolster is to consider the size of the bed. Indeed, the dimensions of the bolster should be proportional to those of the bed, for several reasons:
- provide good-quality sleep;
- support any pillows evenly;
- respect each other's personal space in bed.
Whether it is made of cotton percale, down, or feathers, a bolster should be the same length as the width of the bed. For a 160-cm bed, the bolster should therefore be 160 cm long.
The Role of Pillows in Choosing the Right Size for a Bolster
There are many different options for sleeping in a bed:
- sleep flat on the fitted sheet;
- sleeping with a regular pillow or a memory foam pillow;
- sleeping with a bolster;
- sleep with a pillow and a bolster;
- etc.
The size of the bolster should therefore take these possibilities into account. In fact, if the bolster is used with pillows, you must ensure that its length is appropriate. This prevents the bolster from being too small and failing to support all the pillows. If that were the case, the pillows would not lie flat and would throw the sleeper’s posture off balance, which could cause pain in the neck, lower back, etc.
Determine the purpose of the bolster to find the right size
The intended use of the bolster is important for choosing the right size. Not everyone uses a bolster in the same way, and not everyone needs a bolster of the same length.
A bolster that's the right size for sitting comfortably in bed
The primary use of a bolster is to help you sit up in bed. In fact, it isn't always easy to sit up on a mattress without feeling pain. However, this position is very common for a variety of activities, such as:
- read magazines or novels;
- watch TV;
- have breakfast in bed;
- talk before going to sleep;
- do relaxation or breathing exercises;
- etc.
With a bolster of the right size, you can sit up in bed for long periods of time. The bolster is then folded behind your back. If it’s too small, it provides no support, and you’ll quickly feel uncomfortable. If it’s too large, it can become bulky and interfere with proper neck support.
Customize Your Bedroom Decor Based on the Dimensions of the Bolster Pillow
Bolster pillows are used to improve sleep quality, but also to personalize a bedroom’s decor. To do this, they are placed between the fitted sheet and the pillowcases. When the comforter or bedspread is tucked in, the pillows appear to be raised. This visual effect is often very popular.
Bolster pillows can also serve as decorative elements thanks to their pillowcases. In fact, bolster pillowcases are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. For the bolster pillow to serve this purpose, its dimensions must match those of the bed.
Leg Pain and Pregnancy: When the Size of Your Pillow Helps You Sleep Better
Bolster pillows can be used to help you sleep better when you have heavy legs. In this case, the bolster pillow should be placed under your knees. This type of bolster pillow doesn't need to be too large. Otherwise, it might get in the way of the other person sleeping in the bed.
In addition to people with heavy legs, pregnant women also find bolsters helpful. For them, it is a valuable aid that helps prevent back problems and supports the belly. They position the bolster along their body and wrap one leg around it. To be effective in this position, the bolster must be sized appropriately for the expectant mother.
In conclusion, the bolster is a versatile bedding accessory. However, to provide sleepers with the full comfort it can offer, it must be the right size. So, before purchasing a bolster, it’s a good idea to ask yourself a few questions to determine its ideal dimensions.
We recommend these other pages:
- How does a bolster pillow contribute to comfort?
- What type of bolster pillow should you choose?
- How do you choose between a soft and a firm bolster?
- Why choose an ergonomic bolster pillow?
- Should you choose a memory foam bolster pillow?
- What kind of filling should you choose for a bolster?
- Bolster or pillow: how do you choose?