Pillow Inserts 101

 

While it might not be the most exciting part of the design process, choosing the best pillow inserts will have a HUGE impact on the look and feel of your space.

When you pick up a pillow - at a store or a friend's house - do you feel like you just know if it's cheap or $$$$? Pillow covers are a design tool whose powers can't be underestimated, but that luxurious feel is likely the result of what's hidden on the inside. 

So, what's important when you're shopping for pillow inserts?

1. The size of the pillow insert

2. The type of fill used in the pillow inserts

Pillow Insert SIZE

Size should be completely straightforward, but it's not. Why? Because it's actually the combination of the size of the pillow insert AND the amount of fill in the pillow insert that will affect how full your pillows look.

Manufacturers are conservative with the amount of fill they use in inserts to control costs, which means that pillows tend to feel a little under-filled and wimpy if you purchase a pillow cover and pillow insert that are the same size (e.g. 20x20" pillow insert for a 20"x20" pillow cover).

The solution? Read the fine print and defer to what the manufacturer recommends. If that detail is not provided - size UP.

The best rule of thumb: For pillows 20"x20" or larger, INCREASE the insert size by TWO INCHES (e.g. purchase a 22"x22" pillow insert for a 20x20" pillow cover).

 

 

Pillow Insert FIBER FILL

Now jumping to the type of fill - which will have the biggest impact on the feel and performance of your pillows. The fill fibers will affect:

1. Weight. You know how beanie babies or those Jellycat stuffed animals have a certain weightiness to them? There's just something about that added weight that is comforting. You want the same thing with your pillow inserts. If they're too light, they'll feel cheap. If they have a little heft to them, they'll feel luxe and expensive.
2. Malleability. You don't want "springy" pillow inserts. You want a pillow that holds its shape (e.g. the infamous "karate chop") and responds to your direction.
3. Durability/longevity. Pillow inserts are an investment. If you need 3-5 inserts for your sofa or bed, you're looking at spending at least $100-$200 just for those foundation pieces. You want pillow inserts that will hold up no matter what you (your kids, your pets) do to them and how often you need to wash them. 

There are three main materials used in pillow inserts: (1) down, (2) feathers, and (3) down alternative or synthetic (manmade) fibers.

 

The fanciest of the natural fibers, down comes from clusters of quill-less feathers found on the chest and underbelly of ducks and geese. Although they are in fact feathers, down clusters look more like the fluffy white tops of a dandelion.

Pros: Down provides superior warmth without weight - it’s what helps the duck or goose remain warm and buoyant. It’s fantastic for items like winter coats that benefit from that unique combination. 

Cons: Down is expensive. It’s a relatively scarce natural material (there is a lot less down on a bird than feathers) and it requires an extensive cleaning process. Care is a little more time-intensive, and down inserts should only be washed occasionally to prevent the down from clumping and breaking down over time.

The verdict? Down has a lot of fantastic qualities, but I think it’s an unnecessarily pricey option for pillow inserts. 

 

A much more cost-effective natural fiber, feathers are from the wings and backs of ducks and geese and are often used in pillow inserts combined with down.

Pros: Feathers are significantly less expensive than down if natural fibers are important to you. They have a little more weight to them, so - when combined with down - they make pillow inserts that have a nice weight and malleability to them.

Cons: Feathers have rigid quills that tend to stick through the fabric pillow shell, poking you and/or causing your inserts to “leak” feathers. Feathers also tend to stick together and flatten out over time, leading to lumpy, misshapen pillows. Care is a little more time-intensive, and feathers should only be washed occasionally to prevent the feathers from breaking down over time.

The final verdict? Avoid pillow inserts that are 100% feathers, but - if you don't mind the price tag - blends that include at least 10% down are a fine option.

 

“Down Alternative” is just a nice name (uh-hem, marketing tactic) used for synthetic or man-made fibers designed specifically to imitate down. 

Pros: As a product of science, these synthetic fibers are designed to mimic the best qualities of down without the price constraints forced by scarcity and cleaning requirements. That means you can get the feeling of down for a fraction of the cost of down or down/feather blend inserts - with better performance qualities. Completely free of dust and the other natural materials that are inherent in down and feathers, Down Alternative inserts are hypoallergenic and (the good ones - read the details!) will be completely machine washable. Unlike down and feathers, Down Alternative fill will maintain it's loft and malleability when it's natural counterparts will start to clump and break down over time.

Cons: There’s a broad range of different synthetic inserts with high- to low-quality fiber fill, which require reading the fine print and often a feel test to determine how well they actually mimic down. 

The final verdict? A premium Down Alternative pillow insert will always be my top choice. 

 

That's a Wrap.

Now you are armed with all the information you need to purchase pillow inserts with confidence.