How And Where To Store Pillows? [12 Great Suggestions]

depostiPillow storage isn't something that most people are thinking about on a day-to-day basis. However, if you're someone who uses a lot of pillows on your bed or sofa, or you are planning a long trip and want to make sure to keep them fresh, you may wonder what the best ways to store them may be. In this post, we are going to answer this question for you.

There are several ways to store pillows in your home. Here are a few of the most common ones:

  1. Moving boxes
  2. Baskets
  3. Fabric bags
  4. Bed frame with under-storage section
  5. Storage headboard
  6. Sections of old drawers
  7. Plastic bins
  8. Vacuum bags
  9. Storage bench
  10. Cedar chests
  11. Living room ottoman
  12. Shelves

You'll be surprised at some of the creative ways places that you can store pillows. We'll also discuss what you can do with extra pillows, how to freshen up your stored pillows, how to store pillows in the attic, and more. So be sure to keep reading. 

A modern dark themed bedroom with blue bedding sets with a nightstand on the side, How And Where To Store Pillows? [12 Great Suggestions]

How And Where To Store Pillows

Five different colored pillows on a pink background

Storing your pillows properly will help them maintain their shape and freshness (depending on how long they're stored, of course). Different types of pillow materials can be stored relatively the same way, except for memory foam. The great thing about memory foam is that it can be compressed for an extended period of time and it'll still return to its original shape.

However, this is not the case for cotton, down, and polyester fiberfill (aka "synthetic fibers") pillows. So, it's important that when you store pillows made with these particular fabrics, you do not compress them too much or they may permanently lose their fluffiness.

Moving Boxes

Moving boxes can offer a quick way to neatly store your pillows. However, it's important to make sure that the boxes are not located near water, so in the event of a leak, they don't get wet. Also, it's best to use blocks or racks inside the boxes to allow for air circulation within the boxes (and on the sides).

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Baskets

Oversized baskets can make pillow storage options due to their ability to store multiple pillows. You can find these baskets fairly easily online for under $10 or $15. They also work great because they allow you to store your pillows right in your bedroom, adding to the decor.

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Fabric Bags

Canvas and cotton bags are especially great for pillows. They are fairly inexpensive, only requiring a dry and well-ventilated area to provide optimal storage.

Bed Frame With Under-Storage Section

Today, many bed frames come with an option of a small storage cubby beneath the bed, making for a great space-saver. This makes for a perfect space for extra pillows. Many of them can fit one to two pillows in each drawer (most come with two drawers).

Storage Headboard

Another great hidden storage option is the built-in headboard storage space. These headboards have become way more popular over the last 5 years and are easier to find--and you don't have to get out of bed to use them. They can also be custom-made for your specific bed frame.

Sections Of Old Drawers

If you have any empty rooms in your home or old dressers that aren't being used, you just may have a pillow storage option that you were unaware of. By taking one or two drawer sections out of a dresser you can create a convenient area to place your unused pillows. And if you're especially handy, you can even build this yourself.

Plastic Bins

Large plastic bins are usually the go-to option for pillow storage, as they offer both protection and a sufficient amount of space. They're also effective at minimizing contaminants. However, be sure to check that the bins are clean and free of dust and debris (and even dead bugs) before tossing your pillows in.

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Vacuum Bags

If saving space is of the utmost importance to you, vacuum bags are the way to go. But be careful when sucking the air out of the bag, as you can end up flattening your pillows way more than you intend to-- especially if they are not memory foam pillows. Note: You'll want to be especially careful with down-filled pillows.

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Storage Bench

Storage benches are another popular option for storing bed and couch pillows. You can place the bench in your room at the foot of your bed or in the closet. Pillows can also be left right on top of the bench to help minimize clutter.

Cedar Chests

A lot of people utilize chests for storage purposes because it contains natural oils that repel certain pests and insects, such as moths. If you can find a decent chest that's lined with all-natural cedar, it may be worth grabbing. Note: You can also lightly sand the chest with a little sandpaper to help release the oils for maximum effect.

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Living Room Ottoman

Do you have extra space in the ottoman in your living room or entertainment room? Well, why not toss a few pillows in there? If you need more space, you can simply move any throws or blankets from the ottoman to a nearby bedroom closet or your linen closet.

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Shelves

Everyday wooden shelves can provide a great space for stored pillows. Whether it's a bookshelf in your living room or an empty shelf in your guest bedroom, you could probably find the space to fit a pillow or two by moving a few things around (or even creating a new shelf).

Quick Tips

Here are the three most important things to remember when storing any type of pillow:

  1. Always store pillows in dry, cool places - Spaces with stable temperatures can keep the pillows from developing mildew and mold from excess humidity or drastic climate changes.
  2. Cover pillows before storing them - If you plan on storing pillows for several days, weeks, or months, it's best to cover them up to avoid the collection of dust, pet hair, water damage (from unknown leaks), and possible infestation from common household pests.
  3. Store the pillows on smooth surfaces - Storing your pillows on rough surfaces (such as unfinished wood or concrete floors) can cause the fabric of the pillow to snag and tear. It's always best to use either a shelf cover or plastic covering to protect them on these types of surfaces.

Where Do You Put Your Bed Pillows At Night?

For temporary and convenient storage, there are a few places that you can place bed pillows.

Under The Bed

Many people neglect the area beneath their bed as a suitable storage space. Today, it's not hard to find affordable under bed compartments to quickly toss your extra bed pillows. If your bed sits low to the ground, consider a storage basket to place on either side of it.

Stacked On A Chair

If you have any chairs in your bedroom, don't hesitate to use them as temporary storage spaces for the night. It also helps to place the chair near the wall to give the stack of pillows more stability (especially if you're stacking over 3).

In The Nightstand

Nightstands make great overnight pillow storage options. You can either stack pillows on top of the nightstand or place them in the drawer beneath. Nightstands work better with smaller decorative pillows, as they are generally fairly narrow.

In The Closet

The closet offers another convenient location to quickly store a few pillows for the night. You can store pillows on the shelves of the closet or you can place them in baskets and plastic bins nestled around the perimeters of the closet.

Will Vacuum Sealing Pillows Ruin Them?

Vacuum sealing pillows will not necessarily ruin them, though it depends on how much air you suck out of the pillow when sealing it. Down, polyester synthetics and cotton pillows are especially susceptible to permanent deflation as a result of excessive vacuum sealing. You can usually find information regarding it on the instructional care tag for pillows. This will normally be less of an issue with memory foam pillows, however.

What Can You Do With Extra Pillows?

Sometimes it can be hard to throw things away. The good news is, if you have extra pillows lying around the house, you don't have to get rid of them. In fact, here are a few ways that you can repurpose them.

Make Pet Beds

Why spend over $50 for a pet bed, when you can simply make one at home for free? It may take a few hours of work on your part, but it may be worth the savings. All you'll need is a little pillow stuffing, cotton fabric, and a sewing kit to make a homemade pet bed from scratch.

Use It As Kneepads

If you are a DIYer, then you know the importance of good knee protection. Old pillows can work as great kneeling pads for when you're working in the garden, bathing the kids, cleaning floorboards, and completing other household tasks.

Use Them As Moving Or Packing Material

Old pillows can also make for great packing filler when it's time to move or store fragile personal items. It's also helpful to use vacuum storage bags to compress them for convenient storage until you need them.

Seal Up Drafty Doors

You can save money from purchasing weatherstripping and draft stoppers by saving your old pillows and tossing them beneath the doors to keep out the cold air. Long socks work as great containers for the stuffing, and can easily fit at the bottom of a door. This is especially helpful for energy-saving as well.

How Long Can You Keep A Memory Foam Pillow?

Memory foam pillows are said to last anywhere from 18 to 36 months. This range mostly refers to their ability to keep their structural integrity. However, because pillows are constantly collecting various allergens, including dust mites, pet dander, and dead skin cells, replacing your pillow sooner can be beneficial to warding off potential allergy issues.

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Can You Store Pillows In The Attic?

The ideal storage space for pillows of any material is one that is relatively cool and has a constant humidity of 50% or less. Depending on the climate in your attic, it could be a great space to store additional pillows, with the exception that they are kept in plastic containers for protection (i.e. against water, humidity, pests, etc.).

How Do You Freshen Stored Pillows?

Four white pillows with flowers placed on top and the side

Sometimes pillows can become a bit stale from storage or everyday use. Here are a few ways to freshen them up.

Give Them A Wash

Depending on the material of your pillow, you may be able to toss them in for a quick wash. Take a look at the tags on your pillows for care instructions. If you can wash them, toss them in the gentle cycle with hot water, but do not add any detergent. Memory foam pillows typically can't be washed-sorry!

Give Them A Scent

Another great way to add a bit of freshness to your pillows is to place air freshener satchels inside the pillowcases. You can also make your own homemade air freshener by adding your favorite herbs or smells (such as vanilla, lavender, or lemon oil) to a thin mesh satchel and place it under your pillows--if only for a few hours to refreshen them.

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Give Them Air

Take the cover off your pillow and air it out. You can do this by hanging your pillows up on a clothesline outdoors (if you have one), or simply hanging it from a hanger in a room and opening all the windows to let in a bit of fresh air.

In Closing

As you can see, pillows can be stored in a variety of ways, though it may take a bit of ingenuity at times. We hope that this post helps you to find the best ways of storing pillows in your home or apartment.

Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:

3 Reasons For Adding Pillows To Your Accent Chairs

How To Clean Throw Pillows That Have No Zipper?

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