Beauty is only skin deep. That familiar phrase applies to decorative pillows as much as it does to people. The perfect pillow has an inner "ahhh" that comes from the pillow insert. Yep, it really is what's inside that counts.

Decorative pillows are also known as accent pillows, throw or toss pillows, and cushions. When you sit down next to a pillow, and you just want to put the annoying thing on the floor... that's a poor insert. Pillow inserts are what lets a pillow do its job, whether it's support or cushy comfort.

Decorative Pillows

Decorative pillows make a statement in almost every room of the house. They can be switched by season or whenever you want a change of color in the room. People have been using them in their homes for centuries for the comfort, color and interest they add. Decorative pillows consist of a cover that can be removed for cleaning, and an insert.

What is a Pillow Insert?

It's what gives your pillow its plump shape. A pillow insert, also known as a pillow form, is an uncovered or plainly covered pillow designed to be used with a decorative pillow cover. The cover is just a little outfit for your pillow insert. When you're ready to shop for pillow inserts, you'll find dozens of shapes and sizes as well as an abundance of materials from which to choose.

Standard Shapes

In making pillows, most people prefer to create the pillow cover and use a pre-made pillow insert. Square, round, rectangular, oblong and bolster shapes are the most common. Pillows can be as small as a ring-bearer's pillow and as large as a floor cushion. The most common size throw pillows are 16-inch and 18-inch squares.

When selecting the pillow insert size, keep in mind that the insert should always be a bit larger than the finished cover size. This keeps your cover taut. How much larger is a matter of personal preference. I would use, for example, an 18-inch insert with a 17-inch cover.

Odd Shapes

Pillow shape is limited only by your imagination. Some odd-shaped pillows are stuffed with a loose non-clumping polyfill without using an insert. You can also make your own odd-shaped inserts by making a muslin form and filling it with polyester fiberfill. I made a cat-shaped pillow this way and it turned out great. Use the same pattern to create the odd-shaped insert using a slightly smaller seam allowance.

What's on the Inside Does Count

How you fill your pillow is as important as the cover, because what goes inside your pillow determines not only how your pillow looks, but how it feels.

Down Inserts

The down and feathers used in pillow inserts comes from waterfowl such as geese and ducks. Down is the most expensive insert, but it give pillows a lovely loft and a soft, luxurious feeling that conforms to your shape. Down is perfect with rich cover fabrics like silk. You can add a designer touch to down pillows with a little karate chop to the top of the pillow that gives it a chic "earred" look. You can buy either pure down pillow inserts or a less-costly blend of down and feathers. Not all down pillow inserts are equal. Feel the insert to be sure it has adequate fill and that it's soft and fluffy.

The down side to down or feathers is that some people are allergic. It also tends to packs and has to be fluffed from time to time.

Polyester Inserts

Polyester (often called polyfill) pillow forms are the most economical choice. Polyfill pillows retain their shape well and require little maintenance. They're a good choice for anyone allergic to down and feathers. You can find variations of polyester inserts that have been upscaled to more closely resemble the feel of down. They cost a little more than ordinary polyfill, but are still significantly less than a down pillow insert.

Foam Forms

Polyurethane foam is a very affordable choice, but has downsides. While it does provide firm support, foam will flatten over time. Unless treated with a chemical fire retardant, it is flammable. Why use foam inserts when you can buy polyfill inserts that have a very dense fill and are just as supportive, longer lasting and safer than foam. Fairfield, for example, makes an insert called NU Foam that is great for chair cushions and other projects where you might have considered using foam.

Bamboo Inserts

Long-lasting bamboo inserts are newer to the market. Bamboo has a silky soft texture and a down-like feel. While less expensive than down, they are more expensive than polyfill and foam. The great thing about bamboo is that it's naturally antibacterial, and made from annually renewable resources.

Other Pillow Fills

There are many specialty fills including wool, cotton, kapok, buckwheat hulls and more. Most of your decorative pillows won't require being so adventuresome, but keep them in mind for special needs. Wool inserts, for example, are said to remain cooler to the touch.

Where to Buy

Larger fabric stores generally have a decent selection of polyfill and bamboo inserts. Fairfield makes quality polyfill and bamboo inserts, and they're readily available at larger fabric stores and online. Down inserts are a little more tricky to find. I have had excellent luck with down inserts from The Company Store. Amazon also offers pillow inserts, and some have been rated so you can see what others think about the product.

Pillow Conservation

Pillows are often paired or grouped to create a rich layered look. It's common to have five or more pillows on one sofa. When you add them up room-by-room, it's easy to end up with a boat load of decorative pillows. I counted more than twenty in various locations in my house.

In the same way a person can have many outfits, a pillow can have many covers. Use your inserts are used over and over, and switch only the covers when you want to add a new look and feel to a room. This is great for two reasons: 1) more than half the cost of a pillow is the pillow insert, and 2) storing just the pillow cover takes up little space compared to storing the whole pillow.

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