What kind of pillows are there?
The pillow is an important item that must be chosen very carefully. There are many varieties of these products. In today's article, we will find out exactly what pillows are, and also understand their main features.
Origin story
Nowadays, a pillow is not unusual or rare. A similar thing is present in every home and is far from being the only one. Both adults and children use high-quality and comfortable pillows. Moreover, modern manufacturers produce such specimens that are designed specifically for pets.
Everyone uses pillows, but few people know where these bedding came from. It is believed that the first pillows appeared in ancient Egypt. Today these things are used for added convenience, but in those days they were used to preserve hairstyles. The pillows were used exclusively by representatives of the noble classes. These things were inaccessible to ordinary people.
The first models of pillows were made not from fabrics and soft fillers, as today, but from stone, metal, wood or porcelain. From such materials, not plump and cozy products were obtained, but special boards. They were characterized by a slightly curved shape. Such "hard" pillows had small supports in their design. In addition, various deities were depicted on the surface of such accessories.In those days, it was believed that, using such an object, a person protects himself from dark forces. Pillows of the considered type were constantly used in Japan until the 19th century.
The first varieties of soft pillows appeared in Greece. The Greeks always prioritized comfort and a high level of convenience, so they filled these things with bird feathers, wool or dried herbs. Most often, dense types of fabrics or high-quality tanned leather served as the outer fabric.
The first soft bedding was decorated in a variety of ways. Pillows were often complemented with beautiful beads, fringes, bright embroidery and even expensive stones. Such items were not cheap, but since the pillow in Greece was presented as a symbol of material wealth, rich people never skimp on expensive decorations. After some time, pillows appeared on the territory of Ancient Rome. At first, people reacted to these products with distrust, but over time they were able to appreciate all their positive qualities.
The moment has come when downy products became famous in Russia. For noble persons, these things were stuffed with feathers and down, and among representatives of the peasantry, with horsehair or hay.
Types of sleep pillows
Nowadays, pillows are no longer rare and prohibitively expensive things that only a very wealthy person can afford. On sale you can find a great variety of high quality and most comfortable models made from practical and attractive materials.
In the widest assortment, quality sleep pillows are presented today. Such products are indispensable bedding accessories that are found in every home. Let's get acquainted with several types of modern sleep pillows.
All sleep pillows are divided into the following subspecies:
- classic;
- anatomical;
- orthopedic.
The classic category includes standard types of pillows, which most often have a simple rectangular or square structure. There is a wide range of similar beddings. A lot of high-quality and inexpensive classic products are presented to the choice of buyers.
Anatomical and orthopedic sleep pillows imply a special configuration that leads to the correct and optimal anatomical position of the human body during sleep. In the center, there can be a special recess for the head with comfortable rollers located on the sides.
The most basic difference between an anatomical pillow and an orthopedic pillow is that it adapts very well to the structure of the user's body. Orthopedic specimens are characterized by the fact that they reliably fix the position of the sleeping person in the most comfortable position for him.
Sleeping on a high-quality orthopedic model is a real preventive measure of a therapeutic nature. The use of such products is recommended for the following ailments, from which many people suffer in our time:
- scoliosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- too high muscle tone;
- injuries associated with the musculoskeletal system.
Currently, there are not only classic sleep pillows on sale, but also more modern heated ones. It is especially pleasant to sleep on such products in the cold season. There are many well-known brands that produce quality heated sleep pillows. For example, the world famous manufacturer Xiaomi has developed a very original model of a "smart" pillow, not only with heating, but also with bone conduction.
The model can be controlled using a smartphone.
Many major manufacturers produce original pillows for pregnant women or single users. For the latter, special varieties with hands are being developed.Products such as two large palms with four fingers look. Similar pillows from different companies are complemented by different fillings and made from different materials.
In specialty stores, customers can find many cool sleeping pillows in different designs. You can find a great option for both adults and children. Many companies produce very beautiful options especially for girls and boys.
Body and custom pillows
The current manufacturers produce not only high-quality sleep pillows, but also more original pieces for the body and non-standard purposes. Such products are presented in a wide range. They vary in many ways - from design to structure and size.
Models for non-standard purposes include the following types of modern pillows.
- Automotive products. Such accessories are most often used by people during long trips. These copies are made in the form of a convenient roller or horseshoe. The described soft or hard accessory, correctly fixed on the cervical spine of a person, prevents the appearance of unpleasant sensations and fatigue in the cervical-collar region.
- For pregnant. Insanely popular today are high-quality comfortable pillow models that are designed specifically for pregnant women. The main task of these products is to minimize the loads applied to the spine and lower back of a woman during sleep and when feeding a baby.
- For the back. No less popular types of pillows. They are designed to relieve tension in the lumbar region during a long stay of a person in a sitting position.
- For legs. These accessories are produced by many well-known brands today. Foot pillows provide an opportunity to prevent feelings of fatigue. In addition, these types of accessories can significantly alleviate conditions for diseases associated with knee joints.
They are used for arthritis, varicose veins, arthrosis, muscle cramps.
A separate category includes those types of pillows that are created for the entire human body. Usually these are large-sized products in the full height of the user. The accessories in question are made from soft and tactile materials. The shape of such a product can be u-shaped, elongated.
Variety and design of decorative pillows
Modern decorative pillows belong to a separate class. These accessories are not used for a comfortable sleep, however, they can be used to create a very interesting and attractive design for any interior composition. With the help of such decorative details, it is possible to balance the situation, to add the necessary bright accents to it or to balance all the colors used.
Beautiful pillows of this type can be designed to be placed on a sofa, armchairs, headboard, chairs, and so on. Many people use them not only to decorate the interior, but also to make reading or watching TV more convenient, because you can lean on or lean on them. Sometimes decorative products are used to close the access of drafts entering the room.
Decorative pillows are also available for floor and wall. These products can take many forms. Not only classic square ones look beautiful, but also triangular, round, oval and curly specimens. Decorative pillows of different sizes look harmonious in different interiors. For example, against the background of a large and solid sofa, large pillows will look more aesthetically pleasing than small varieties.
Today you can find a very interesting transforming pillow on store shelves. Such products can be laid out and divided into separate elements. Often, convertible copies are more expensive than standard ones.
The design of modern decorative pillows is very different. Consider products with what external design are the most popular and fashionable today.
- The decorative model of the pillow can be plain or decorated with contrasting stripes., patterns, lines, patterns, prints and other similar elements.
Often such options are used to add a little missing expressive details to boring interiors.
- Products made in the form of various animals and flowers are popular. These decorative pillows come in different sizes and shapes. Often these views are made very realistic, therefore, the most original and bright interior decorations come out of them.
- Decorative pillows decorated with sequins, bows, voluminous stripes and inscriptions look interesting. Such products fit perfectly into interiors of a wide variety of styles.
- Pillows in the form of croissants, donuts, cakes, fruits, vegetables and other food products look funny. If you want to dilute the interior with funny and creative details, these accessories are perfect.
Fabrics and fillings
Pillows for sleeping or decorating interiors are poured not only in their structure and shape, but also in the filling material. On sale, specimens with such fillers are most often found.
- Natural fillers of animal origin, such as wool, down, silk or feathers, have many beneficial properties. Pillows with such filling materials are distinguished by a high level of comfort and convenience. However, it should be borne in mind that such products can sometimes provoke allergic reactions.
- There are also special vegetable fillers. They are also often used in sleeping pillows. The fibers of bamboo, eucalyptus and various algae can be both natural and artificial. Products with such fillings are also very convenient. They perfectly wick moisture away and are breathable. As for possible allergic reactions, it all depends on the properties of the plant.
- The most popular today are high quality sleep pillows, in the filling of which there are artificial bulk materials. We are talking about ecofiber, holofiber, silicone fiber. Pillows containing these fillers can be washed. They dry quickly and do not lose their shape.
- Modern orthopedic fillers can boast of the highest quality. We are talking about polyurethane foam, gel, natural latex, memorix.
The listed materials are most often used for filling high-quality anatomical and orthopedic pillows.
- Pillow models in which bamboo fiber plays the role of filler are in great demand. The raw materials for its production are young shoots of this plant. They are subjected to special processing, as a result of which the material acquires its basic performance characteristics. Bamboo products are attractive because they are elastic, soft, hygroscopic, and breathable. Moreover, they are antibacterial and completely safe.
- Today in stores you can find pillows with fillers such as comfortel. It is a material of synthetic origin. It is made in the form of small balls with a hollow structure. These small parts are usually less than 7 mm in size.
- The juniper pillow can boast of good quality characteristics. With such a product, people fall asleep faster and sleep more calmly. Juniper products accelerate blood circulation and have a beneficial effect.
- Sintepon is one of the most popular pillow filling materials. With such a filling, the products are very light and soft. The synthetic winterizer is a non-woven material based on polyester fiber.Such filler is cheap, so pillows with it are quite inexpensive.
- Fiberlon is another synthetic material. It is made in the form of plates, which easily allow air to pass through and quickly restore their correct shape.
Various types of woven fabrics are used to make quality pillow covers. Here is some of them.
- Satin. High density material, soft to the touch. Satin is lightweight and is based on natural cotton.
- Jacquard. Popular fabric. It contains both natural and artificial fibers. Jacquard is elastic, breathable and does not require complex maintenance.
- Batiste. This fabric is lightweight and thin. It perfectly holds the desired shape.
Its base is both linen and cotton, or exclusively synthetic.
- Percale. Cotton material with high wear resistance.
- Lyocell. Textiles made on the basis of cellulose fibers. The material holds its shape well, is breathable and hygroscopic.
- Teak. This fabric is based on natural cotton. Teak is durable, practical and dense.
Popular manufacturers
Today, many well-known manufacturers produce a huge number of first-class pillows of all kinds and categories. We find out the names of some of the most popular brands.
- Askona. A very popular manufacturer of high quality accessories for healthy and comfortable sleep. In the assortment of the brand, you can find many excellent anatomical and orthopedic pillows of different sizes. In the manufacture of products Askona uses only environmentally friendly and practical materials.
- Hilding. A well-known brand from Sweden that produces excellent models of anatomical and orthopedic type. In the Hilding assortment, you can find many inexpensive, but very comfortable and durable items with high quality fillers and covers.
- SSY. A well-known Chinese brand that produces high-quality and practical pillow models. There are many great neck support products in the SSY range for long journeys. Very convenient polyurethane foam specimens are relatively inexpensive and in high demand.
- Espera Home (Espera Factory LLC). This manufacturer offers many convenient products, some of which are excellent for pregnant and lactating women. The positions are made exclusively from environmentally friendly and safe materials and have tactilely pleasant surfaces. The pillows are made not only in white, but also in other colors. Many models are not cheap, but they are of impeccable quality.
- Children Textiles. A Russian brand that produces very practical, high-quality and durable products. The assortment of the company includes chic pillows for a baby cot. The products are characterized by charming design, made from natural hypoallergenic materials.
- Peach. A large Japanese manufacturer, whose assortment contains only the best and natural products of amazing quality. Comfortable products are presented not only in white, but also in golden, cream and beige colors.
Silicone fiber, camel, sheep wool, bamboo fiber are selected as fillers.
Nuances of care
Any pillows need to be cared for properly. For example, decorative models must be regularly cleaned of dust and washed, or sent every six months or a year to dry cleaning. As for products for sleeping, here the features of care will be as follows.
- Be sure to beat and turn the pillows in the morning.
- Periodically (at least once a week) it is recommended to dry them directly in the fresh air.
- You should not make the bed right after sleep. Allow all accessories to be well ventilated.
- In the room where the pillows are located, it is advisable to maintain an optimal level of humidity. The ideal value is 65%.
- To prevent a dangerous dust mite from appearing in natural fillers, you will need to regularly carry out thorough cleaning, as well as airing the bedroom in the house.
- The pillow should be replaced annually, especially when it comes to a down and feather pillow.
- The items in question will need to be washed. In order for this process to bring only positive results and not spoil the quality of the pillow, it is very important to wash it in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
It is very important to keep track of the condition and cleanliness of any pillow. You cannot neglect the care of such items.