What size pillow goes in a 20x20 cover?

Styling pillows can sometimes be a little tricky. Finding the perfect combination of pillow inserts and pillow covers that fit each other the way you want it to look is important so we are here to help. There are a few things you need to know about pillow inserts to get the desired look you prefer. One important note on pillow styling is knowing the difference in the pillow insert fill types. The size pillow insert you need for your pillow cover depends on the fill material. See our instructional video on "How to fit Pillow Covers". There are many different types of pillow-fill materials. We sell five different types: 10/90 down feather, 25/75 down feather, synthetic down alternative (great for a feather look and form but hypoallergenic), indoor polyester, and indoor/outdoor polyester non-woven. To help you choose the best combination of pillow insert size and pillow cover size, we created these helpful charts in our Pillow Insert Fit Guide.

DOWN FEATHER & DOWN FEATHER ALTERNATIVE INSERT GUIDE

We sell two different types of down feather inserts. These different types will give you different looks. The 10/90 down feather insert is plumper and stiffer. This is the best type to choose if you want a fuller look without stressing the seams. The 25/75 down feather insert is softer, but still a good choice for a decorative pillow. These inserts look more relaxed and boho. Both types of down feather inserts look best with a pillow cover one size smaller than the pillow insert for a full look. Example: A pillow cover size 20"x20" should have a pillow insert size 22"x22" for the fullest look.  

We recommend down feather inserts for the combination of firmness, weight, body and support, softness, and comfort. 

Allergy note: If you have allergies and like a down feather look and shape you will love our synthetic down alternative pillow inserts. They are hypoallergenic and chop 'V' like a down feather pillow insert. Shop our synthetic down alternative pillow inserts for the best look and feel of comfort as a down feather insert alternative. 

CRAFT POLYESTER INSERT GUIDE

Polyester inserts are another good choice if you suffer from allergies or asthma. To achieve a full look, you will want to choose a pillow cover that is 2 to 4 inches smaller than your insert. For example, if you have a pillow cover size 18x18 inches purchase a polyester pillow insert size 20x20 inches for a full look with a little give. Want a very full-firm look? If your pillow cover is size 20x20 inches you need a polyester pillow insert size 22x22 inches. Don't know what size your pillow cover is? See our instructional video on how to measure pillows on YouTube. 

Note: You can stuff a larger insert into your pillow cover with craft polyester inserts because they are less full than down feather inserts. The same size insert and pillow cover naturally give you a relaxed bohemian look, choose a pillow cover that is the same size as the insert for a loose fit. 

The right insert or filler is essential to a great looking decorative pillow.  Read on to learn everything you need to know to choose the right one for you. 

What size insert should I get for my pillow cover?

• We generally recommend using inserts that are 2" larger all around than your finished pillow size.  For example if you have an 18x18 pillow cover, you'll want to use a 20x20 insert. This will ensure that your pillow is filled out fully and looks luxuriously plump. If the insert is too small, the pillow cover will look saggy. The exceptions to this rule:
• pillows smaller than 18x18 and most lumbars- these work best with inserts that are 1" larger (instead of 2" larger)
• extra large pillows (24x24 and larger)- these will also work well with inserts that are 3" larger than the cover
• extra dense inserts - this is rare - they're usually not dense enough, however sometimes small rectangular inserts (such as 10x18) are full enough to use with covers of the same size (for example a 10x18 insert for a 10x18 cover)
• see our Insert Size Guide for size specific recommendations

What fill type should I get?

We recommend going with feather down inserts. Feathers provide firmness, weight, body and support, while down provides softness and comfort.

What specific feather/down ratio should I choose?

A higher percentage of down tends to be considered more luxurious, however depending on the use of the pillow, you'll want to be careful not to go too high on the down percentage as it will make it overly soft and unsupportive. Below is a summary of the pros and cons of the various ratios: 

• 95% feather / 5% down (95/5)
• standard feather-down ratio for decorative throw pillows
• lowest priced and most readily available feather-down blend option
• firm density
• due to the small percentage of down, some people may find it to be too stiff
• due to the majority of the fill being feathers, can sometimes be a bit prickly since the quills are more likely to poke out

• 90% feather / 10% down (90/10)
• an ideal feather-down ratio for designer pillows
• not too soft and not too firm - provides support and flexibility
• softer and more luxurious than 95/5 inserts due to higher down percentage
• firmer than 75/25 inserts
• 75% feather / 25% down (75/25) or 80% feather / 20% down (80/20)
• considered a luxury option for designer pillows
• softer than the 90/10 pillows
• usually higher priced due to higher percentage of down
• quills unlikely to poke out due to higher percentage of down
• not as readily available as other options
• 50% feather / 50% down (50/50)
• soft-density and lightweight
• doesn't provide as much support as inserts with a higher percentage of feathers
• not ideal for decorative pillows as it will require constant fluffing to keep it from looking flat
• better suited for pillows that are used for sleeping

What kind of insert should I get if I want to "karate chop" my pillows?

• Feather down pillow fillers will hold a chop. 

Why are some inserts pricier than others?

• The majority of inserts you'll see available for sale are 95% feather and 5% down and these will be lower priced because the cost of feathers is lower than the cost of down.  As the percentage of down increases, so will the price of the insert.  
• Other things that affect price include: where the insert is made, where the feather/down is sourced from, and how full the insert is. 

What if I'm allergic to down or feathers?

• If allergies are a concern, good quality alternative down inserts that mimic the softness of down are the next best thing. 

Where's the best place to buy inserts for my designer pillow covers?

• As a small business that specializes in luxury pillow covers, we've researched, tried and tested inserts from several different companies. Click here for a list of our current designer-approved favorites. 

What's the easiest way to get the insert inside the pillow cover?

• Watch the video below for a quick tutorial on how to quickly and easily stuff an insert into a pillow cover. 

Pillow cover shown in video is our Leopard Velvet