Pillow Insert

A pillow insert is the inner cushion component that fills a decorative pillow cover, providing the shape, loft, and plumpness that determine how the finished pillow looks and feels. Often overlooked in favor of the more visually exciting covers, the quality of the insert is actually the most important factor in how a decorative pillow presents itself. A premium insert makes even an inexpensive cover look luxurious, while a flat, cheap insert undermines the appearance of the most beautiful cover. Understanding insert sizing, fill types, and firmness options is essential to achieving a professional-looking pillow arrangement. The golden rule of pillow inserts is to choose an insert that is two inches larger than the cover in both dimensions. A 20-inch square cover should be filled with a 22-inch insert, creating the full, rounded appearance that designers achieve in magazine-worthy rooms. This slight overfilling eliminates the sad, flat corners and deflated appearance that occur when the insert matches the cover size exactly. Insert fill materials range from natural down and down-feather blends that offer the most luxurious feel and excellent shape recovery, to hypoallergenic synthetic alternatives that provide consistent loft at a lower price point.