A bolster pillow is a long, cylindrical pillow or cushion, usually made to span the width of a bed. It's firmer and rounder than a standard pillow, and it's used for support as much as for sleep. The word goes back to Old English, and Merriam-Webster dates its first use to before the 12th century. This guide covers what a bolster is, 5 ways to use one, where to put it, whether it's good to sleep with, and which size fits your bed.
| Bolster | Length | Fits | Pillow and case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 3 ft | Single bed | £17.99 |
| Small double | 4 ft | Small double bed | £17.99 |
| Double | 4 ft 6 in | Double bed | £18.99 |
| King | 5 ft | King bed | £19.99 |
| Super king | 6 ft | Super king bed | £20.99 |
Each length matches the width of the UK bed it's named after, from a 3 ft single to a 6 ft super king.
What is a bolster pillow used for?
A bolster pillow is used for support: behind your back when you sit up in bed, along your body when you sleep on your side, and in the small of your back on a sofa. It also finishes a made bed, lying across the headboard in front of or behind the pillows.
In Southeast Asia, long bolsters have a long history as pillows to hug while sleeping.
What are 5 ways to use a bolster pillow?
Here are 5 ways to use a bolster pillow, from the most common to the most decorative:
- Sit up to read. Lay the bolster across the headboard behind your pillows. One firm bolster replaces the 2 or 3 pillows you'd otherwise stack, and holds a straight line behind your back.
- Support side sleeping. Lie the bolster along your front or back, or hug it, so your top arm and leg rest on it instead of rolling forward.
- Support pregnancy sleep. The NHS advises going to sleep on your side from 28 weeks of pregnancy, and suggests pillows to support the bump and between the knees. A bolster behind your back helps keep you on your side.
- Support your lower back. A bolster across a sofa or armchair fills the gap behind the small of the back.
- Finish the bed. A bolster in a case that matches the duvet cover sits across the pillows and gives the bed a neat, tailored edge.
Where do you put a bolster pillow?
Put a bed bolster across the head of the bed, either against the headboard behind your pillows, or in front of them for a made-bed look. For sleep support, take it off the headboard and lay it lengthways along your body. On a sofa, lay it across the back cushions where your lower back rests.
A full-width bolster on the headboard is the most practical spot. It's in reach when you sit up and out of the way when you lie down.
Is it good to sleep with a bolster?
Yes, sleeping with a bolster is good for side sleepers who want something to rest an arm or leg on, and in later pregnancy, when the NHS advises going to sleep on your side. An NHS trust leaflet suggests pillows behind you to stop you rolling onto your back, and a bolster does that job along its full length. Pick a bolster that's firm enough to hold its shape through the night.
For a pregnancy, a U-shaped or full-length body pillow supports the back and front at once. Our maternity pillows run from 9 ft to 12 ft.
Are bolster pillows good for your neck?
A bed bolster isn't made to go under your neck when you lie down. It sits behind your back or pillows for sitting up, or along your body for side sleeping. The pillow under your head does the neck support, and its height should match how you sleep. Our guide on how to choose a pillow covers pillow height by sleeping position.
Small round neck rolls, also called bolsters, are a different product. They're short and sized for the curve of the neck.
What's the difference between a bolster and a body pillow?
A bolster is a firm, straight cylinder sized to the width of a bed, and a body pillow is a longer, softer pillow made to wrap around your body. A body pillow can be straight, U-shaped or C-shaped, and a U-shaped one supports your back and front at the same time. A bolster does one side at a time, but it also works across the headboard and on a sofa, which a body pillow doesn't.
Our 9 ft U body pillow and 12 ft maternity pillows are the body-pillow side of the range. Our guide to sleeping with a body pillow covers the benefits and the shapes.
What size bolster do you need?
Choose the bolster that matches your bed's width: 3 ft for a single, 4 ft for a small double, 4 ft 6 in for a double, 5 ft for a king and 6 ft for a super king. A matching bolster spans the bed edge to edge. For sleep support along your body, any length from 3 ft up works.
Our chart of UK bed sizes in cm lists every mattress width if you're not sure of your bed size. For each length in centimetres, see our bolster pillow size chart.
What should a bolster be filled with?
A bolster needs a medium-firm filling that holds a cylinder shape all night, so it can take your weight when you lean on it. Our bolster gives medium-firm support and keeps its cylinder shape through machine washing. Its cover is breathable microfibre that resists pilling.
How do you wash a bolster pillow?
Wash our bolster pillow on a cold machine wash and tumble dry it low, washing dark-coloured cases separately. Take the case off first and wash it with the rest of the bedding. Dry the bolster fully before putting the case back on.
Which bolsters do we sell?
Our bolster pillow with case comes in 5 lengths and 6 case colours: beige, black, charcoal, grey, navy and white. It's also sold as a bare white bolster, from £12.99, or a quilted white bolster, from £14.99, for use in your own case. See all our bolster pillows.
Written by the Adam Home team in the UK.
