What Are Euro Pillows?

Euro pillows are different in size and shape from standard American pillows. In the United States, they are primarily used as a decorative accent alongside standard American pillows, rather than for sleeping.

In recent years, they have gained in popularity with the emergence of shabby chic and continental style home decor that both draw on European style and tradition. Euro pillows have also become quite common in hotels, especially those with continental decor, which has also influenced home decorating. You can likely find these in your local area for store pickup or order them online with fast or even same-day delivery.

A Euro pillow is a square, measuring approximately 26 inches by 26 inches. In contrast, a standard American pillow usually measures 26 inches by 20 inches. Euro square pillows are also usually overstuffed to give them a full appearance. This makes them easy to fluff and also helps them to stay standing on edge, as they are normally placed.

From budget to luxury, many hotels are now using Euro pillows. They add an extra touch of class to the bedding. A Euro pillow is comfortable to lean against and, in better hotels, will have a high-quality pillow case or sham.

Many people find that once they sleep at a fine hotel surrounded by overstuffed and oversized Euro pillows, they want to recreate the look with their bed pillows at home. Simple, sleek hotel-style bedding is now popular and can sometimes even be purchased directly from the hotel with a credit card.

For your own master bed, a Euro pillow is a vertical accent that adds depth and richness to the bedding ensemble. It is usually in a contrasting fabric to the standard American-sized pillows. If you don't have a headboard, stacking a few Euro pillows against a wedge pillow will give you the support you need to read comfortably in bed.

Since Euro pillows in the United States are used primarily as decorative pillows or throw pillows in your living room or bedroom, they are usually stuffed with inexpensive polyester fiberfill or feathers. This is acceptable if you won't be using the pillow for anything other than decoration.

For comfort, find a pillow that is a feather and down euro pillow and make sure the covering is woven tightly enough to keep the stuffing of the feather pillow from poking through. A good guide is to look for a 230-thread count covering.

If you have allergies, try to find a pillow filled with Primaloft, which is hypoallergenic but has the same feel as a down pillow. Other Euro pillow insert materials may include organic cotton, memory foam or a down alternative.

Euro pillow shams are decorative covers used on Euro pillows. Traditionally, they have flanged edges on all four sides. Fabrics vary from lightweight to heavy upholstery materials.

Vintage Euro shams are usually made out of cotton or linen. Look for an antique dealer specializing in European linens to find vintage Euro shams.

When selecting a pillow protector for your European pillow, consider not only the appearance and fabric and how it works with your duvet cover and bedding but also factors like whether it is washable in the washing machine. You may even be able to find reversible European square shams. If you plan to sleep on the pillow, make sure the fabric is comfortable. Sateen, for example, is an option with a soft, satin weave.