Just looking at them brings a delightful, carefree feeling. They may be put together in artistic groupings on a sofa or plopped nonchalantly in pairs over several chairs. An assortment of shapes, colors and prints never fails to bring a smile. Touching and hugging are inevitable. Custom pillows are absolutely fun to see and touch.

Like other fun, colorful stuff (think candy or bags), one can easily go overboard when buying or ordering custom pillows. Here’s a guide to prevent you from breaking your budget to get a hold of these soft, pretty, bringers-of-comfort.

Shapes and Sizes:

·         Squares are common shapes and come in different sizes. Large ones work well to lessen the depth of a large sofa. Smaller sizes can be accent pieces taking the front row of assorted pillows. Firmer and thicker square pillows that usually come in corded box edging can be used as bottom cushions on dining chairs.

·         Rectangular lumbar pillows are both aesthetic and functional. Providing lower back support, they go well on most sofas, single-seating arm chairs, and beds, and may be set either horizontally or vertically.

·         Bolster pillows may be laid on either end of a long sofa or running the length of a short but deep sofa. In neutral colors, they can cover gaps at the lower edge of bed headboards or of uneven coloring in sofa corners. In shorter form with bright stripes and prints, bolster pillows make effective eye-candy accents.

·         Round throw pillows are not as common. They are most effective in giving softness and romance to a room. One or two in smooth, shiny material with deep color and embellishments can eliminate the need for much room décor. They also seamlessly complement a circular ottoman chair or foot stool in the room.

Colors and Prints:

·         Majority of your custom pillow colors should not be in very stark contrast with curtains, carpets, and sofa upholstery. Monochromatic shading where the pillows are a brighter or darker hue of the same sofa color is calming to the eye.

·         Some pillows with contrasting bright colors or stripes will break the monotony. Bolster pillows will serve this purpose.

·         Two or three small square pillows can be dressed with exotic prints and textures such as embroidery, sequins, small mirrors, beads, and tassels. These will be your accent pieces. They should however not clash or compete with colorful printed carpets, lamp shades, or vases.

·         In the bedroom, personalized designs on pillows can be limitless: monograms, portraits, cartoon characters, quotes, etc.

Indeed, custom pillows delight the senses. You can behold (and read), touch, and smell them.  You want to listen to musical pillows that could lull you to sleep? Yes, they also do exist.

DESIGNER PILLOWS: COMFORT AND STYLE FOR YOUR SPECIFIC TASTE

The history of pillows dates back to the early twelfth century when the methods of sewing and the different types of textiles were not as developed as they are nowadays. As such, the ownership of pillows during the old times was primarily associated with the wealthy classes of the society. In several cultures, earlier versions of pillows were made of wood, metal, stone and other hard materials instead of the common soft stuffing.

It was only during the early part of the eighteenth century when pillows were mass produced and made available to almost all walks of life. Over time, pillows have become a staple in every household; importantly, more and more homemakers are becoming discerning in their choice of pillows and cushions. Because of the need for pillows which deliver the comfort needed and at the same time, are personalized according to the taste of the user, the home furnishing industry saw an increased appetite for custom pillows.

Designer Pillows for a Discerning Taste

Custom pillows vary in terms of the size, basic style and type of pillow stuffing. Primarily used for the purpose of providing support and comfort for the neck and back when sleeping or sitting, cushions should be aptly designed depending on the needs of the user. The following are some of the custom pillow types available in the market:

1.       Bolster pillows – are distinct for their narrow, elongated and sausage-like appearance. Bolster pillows are perfectly designed to be hugged when sleeping. They can also be used to provide cushion on cribs or on children’s beds.

2.       Boudoir pillows – are small, rectangular pillows which are intentionally decorated to match the bed sheets or sofa sets. Also called breakfast pillows, boudoir pillows are used to supplement the primary bed pillows and add accent to the whole bedroom set.

3.       Lumbar pillows – are spine and back support pillows custom-designed with a protruding side. The contoured side is intended to provide comfort to the user when sitting.

4.       Throw pillows – are square-shaped cushions used to adorn couches or sitting areas. Cylindrical, round and rectangular are also among the common shapes of these decorative pillows.

5.       Wedge pillows – are functional pillows distinct for its wedge shape. Primarily made of intact foam blocks, this elevated type of pillow is used to correct problems on and provide support to the neck, shoulders and upper torso.

Custom pillow types likewise vary in terms of the inside stuffing. Polyester, feather, latex, cotton and foam are some of the common fillings used by custom pillow makers. Designer pillows allow homemakers to design their own cushions according to their specific choice of style and intended use. As they are used every day and are primarily as a source of comfort, pillows are increasingly becoming customized to reflect even the personality of the user.