Genius Pillow Tips From HGTV Stars That You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

Your favorite HGTV stars know a thing or two about pillow buying, styling, and maintenance. With thousands of home remodels under their belts, they're wise to the fact that accessories can really make or break the overall look of a room. And the best part is that pillows aren't typically too expensive. So whether you want to totally update the look of your living room for under $100, test out a new color scheme before fully committing, or add a little bit of holiday cheer to your home, pillows have you covered. 

Yet if you want things to fall within budget and still actually look good, you can't just grab random pillows off the shelf. There is a strategy. You might be surprised to know that your favorite HGTV stars have some pretty solid guidelines about the best colors to use for a classic look, the right size of pillow for a space, and even the firmness to reach for to make sure you sleep well. And if you've messed up and purchased the wrong size pillowcase, there is a still a way around it that doesn't compromise on style, thanks to a secret shared by Nate Berkus. These are the genius pillow-related tips from HGTV's hosts that you'll wish you had known about sooner.

Couches can be expensive, but they take up a lot of space in our living rooms and make a big visual statement. They often anchor the room's entire look. If you feel like you want to change things up, but don't have a lot to spend, Jasmine Roth of "HELP! I Wrecked My House" has the perfect solution: Fresh throw pillows. "If buying a new couch isn't within your budget right now, choosing some vibrant new pillows is the most cost-effective way to freshen up your living room," she shared with readers on her website.

This way, you can change the color palette, or even the overall décor style of the entire room without shelling out thousands of dollars for new furniture. You are just sprucing up what you already have. "Incorporate new, brighter colors into your home or tie in existing colors with a few new throw pillows," she wrote in another blog. "Play around with different color combos and patterns until you find the perfect pairing for your style." You can even purchase different pillow shams for the same pillows to switch things up and save even more money. Don't forget that when swapping out the look of the pillows, it's also a great time to make other small tweaks, like a new rug or blanket, too.

When building a look with decorative pillows, Joanna Gaines knows the right order to get the perfect effect every time. "Start with the largest pillow first, which is usually the one in the back," she told Livingetc. Then, she likes to try something "textured and neutral that I can then build on with other colors and patterns." For a bed, these might be the pillows you actually use to sleep, then adding smaller throw pillows that complement the rest of the room's style. In the living room, buying more than one size of throw pillow can create a touch of contrast, which is more interesting to look at than if all the cushions are the same.

If you are holding a bigger pillow at the store and don't know where to go from there, Gaines also told the outlet she likes to start neutral and build color, texture, and pattern around that. However, she is quick to point out that this is just what she likes to do. If you can't find a look that works within these guidelines, don't be afraid to branch out. "It's more about what speaks to you," she continued. "As long as there's a unifying color or texture style that pulls it all together."

When selecting pillows for your bedroom, you have to consider more than just style. The key to a restful night's sleep is typically inside the pillows you choose. In fact, depending on your most comfortable sleeping position, you might need a different type of cushion entirely. "Side sleepers need a firm pillow, back sleepers need a medium pillow, and stomach sleepers need a thinner, softer pillow," shared everyone's favorite homemaker, Martha Stewart, via the AOL YouTube channel. The different firmness and thickness of each type of pillow allow the spine to relax and the neck to rest at a neutral angle. With the right pillow and a little bit of luck, you won't wake up sore and more tired than the night before.

Yet Stewart's advice doesn't stop there, as she also has tips for the best material. "A memory foam pillow gently molds to the shape of your head and neck for great support and cushioning. A pillow filled with synthetic fibers also cushions and is a great comforter option for people with allergies." Some people might be allergic to the down and feathers inside pillows, in which case memory foam can be a good alternative. The material also comes in cooling options, which is perfect for those who run hot while sleeping.

Most of us likely only pay attention to the look and feel of pillows when shopping, but Drew and Jonathan Scott advised their fans that there is another category to think about: The material. The twins told Today that anybody looking to have a more eco-friendly home should consider buying pillows constructed from biodegradable, sustainable resources, such as soy, hemp, cotton, wool, bamboo, and natural latex. Given that the average person can inhale around 7,000 microplastic particles per day, and synthetic bedding products can contribute to the number of microplastics hovering in your home's air — going natural can be a smart option. As a bonus, lots of natural bedding products are often soft to the touch, high-quality, and just as firm, fluffy, and comfortable as pillows constructed from man-made materials.

In addition to better materials, if you are concerned about any harmful chemicals being present in your pillows, there is an easy way to make sure the items you purchase are non-toxic. According to the Property Brothers, pillow products that have the Oeko-Tex symbol have undergone a certification process to ensure they do not contain harmful chemicals or toxic substances. 

There is nothing like dressing up your home for the holidays. Including both the big ones like Christmas, and the smaller ones like President's Day, too. David Bromstad of "My Lottery Dream Home" is a fan of keeping your space up to date and loves to use pillows as a great way to save money on seasonal décor. "All you need is a few hundred bucks, make your way over to Target, buy some pillows, some matching accessories, and some art," Bromstad told OK! Magazine, talking about his seasonal switch-up routine.

By following Bromstad's lead, you can be ready for the change in atmosphere without spending hours stringing lights or making wreaths. "Sprinkle those around your room and you're already going to have a pulled-together room. You can do that from season to season or month to month. It's not going to cost you a bunch." the HGTV star reassured readers. You can make your living room feel like fall with brown and orange pillows, but when Christmas comes around, you are ready with the red and green. Most textile stores also offer pillowcases with holiday-specific imagery, too — like embroidered flags for the 4th of July. You can save money by using the same pillows over and over, just change the outside for a mini makeover. 

Sometimes you just need to stick with the basics. While there are so many possibilities for how to decorate with pillows, Hilary Farr of "Love It or List It" thinks the best way to approach it is by sticking with what works. "Blue and white never gets old, and neither does a long lumbar. It decorates the blank space mid-sofa and makes a big impact — just one and you're done," she told HGTV when describing her ideal couch configuration.

Lumbar pillows are long and skinny and named after the part of the back you can typically use them to support. Having these pillows around can make lounging on the couch way more comfortable. So the cushion is both fashionable because it fills a blank space, but functional, too. Tassels are another classic decoration choice that Farr likes. "The tassels on the corner pillows may seem like a small thing, but they really catch the eye," remarked the designer. They offer just enough detail without being overwhelming or hard to take care of.

Whether you've accidentally purchased the wrong size, or have bought new pillows and the cases you have don't fit — don't panic. Nate Berkus has a simple pillow hack to make sure you can still use what you have. He advised his followers on Instagram to "gather the middle, just like this," showing himself pulling the two bottom sides of the pillow in and leaving a short triangle of material free on the top. It's a similar motion as when you are folding the end of a book with wrapping paper.

Next, simply "tuck all of this in and flatten it out," Berkus continued, holding up the finished pillow to show off. "There you go guys." Now, instead of a lumpy, uneven pillow sagging within a case that is too large, everything looks like it fits. "You can make the bed now, perfectly. With the wrong size pillowcase," Berkus said, proudly. While the pillows might need a bit of touching up after a restless night's sleep, the whole process takes less than 15 seconds, making it something you could achievably do during a bed-making routine.

Even the cleanest of folks have one very dirty thing in their bedrooms: Their pillows! While it's common to wash the cases on a weekly (or even bi-weekly) basis, the pillows themselves are often neglected. Enter pillow stripping. In an Instagram reel, Bobby Berk asked his followers, "Ever heard of stripping your pillows? If not then you're gonna wanna watch this and add this to your to-do list this weekend." On his blog, Bobby Berk also states that sweat, dust, dead skin cells, and even detergent can accumulate inside pillows, which is why he's such a fan of stripping them.

This technique is more involved than just popping your pillows in the washing machine. Instead, Berk advises those who want the best results to fill their bathtub with hot water. Then, add ¼ cup of borax, ¼ cup of baking soda, and some laundry soap to the steaming water. Place the pillows you want clean into the tub. Be sure to get them all the way under the water. If you are worried about burning yourself, push them in with a broom handle or umbrella so you don't touch the hot water. Leave them there at least overnight, but up to 24 hours is ideal. Once finished, you can run your pillows through a wash cycle on delicate, although some pillow materials are best left to be air-dried. You'll likely notice a layer of grime on the bottom of your tub. You used to be sleeping on that!

As avid HGTV watchers, we love mimicking the style of our favorite stars' homes, which is why fans were quick to point out the pillowcase that Erin Napier had on her sofa in a recent Instagram post. It was a silly photo of husband Ben crashing on the couch, but the couple's pillowcases are front and center in the shot. While it appears to be an heirloom pillowcase, it's actually from Pottery Barn and weathered on purpose for a more distinguished look. It's also reversible, which fans loved.

While the exact case the star featured is no longer available, the idea still stands: paying for one case and getting two options is great value. You can purchase a similar case from the new line at Pottery Barn, or DIY a reversible pillowcase to save even more money. If you were more drawn to the cushion's weathered look, you might be able to find genuinely (but gently) aged options at a flea market or by using Facebook Marketplace as a furniture shopping tool.