Finding the Perfect Down Pillow

A fine down pillow consists of high quality down and natural feathers, mixed together at various ratios depending on the desired firmness of the pillow. Feathers are heavier and firmer, while down is softer and lighter. Therefore, a pillow filled mostly with down will be light and airy while one with a greater proportion of feathers will be more supportive.

Pillows are used to support muscles in the neck and spine, and the right pillow aids in optimal nocturnal regeneration of these muscles. With the wrong pillow, tension in the back and neck as well as headaches become more likely. Owning the perfect pillow will help you sleep more soundly and make you feel better in the morning.

No pillow is perfect for everyone. The quality of the feathers, down and fabric are important factors in a premium pillow, but they don’t tell the whole story. The way you sleep is a central factor in determining which pillow is ideal for you. We offer pillows tailored to every sleeping position. Continue reading to learn more about how your sleeping style relates to your perfect pillow.

Explore our full range of luxury down pillows, or if you have unique needs or just want something truly special, read below about how our complete custom pillow service can create a pillow to your exact specifications of size and composition.

Choose Your Pillow Size

Just like duvets, luxurious down pillows come in different sizes. The three main sizes are Standard, King (or Super King) and Square. The Dickenbergh and Falkenreck workshops also take orders for custom designs, creating incredibly comfortable pillows in whatever size and shape specifications you desire.

Standard (50 x 75cm)

The standard pillow fits double and single beds. As the name suggests, our standard size pillows are the shape and size with which you are probably most familiar. However the standard varies by country: in the UK it is 50 x 75 cm or 20 x 30 in, but in Sweden it is 50 cm x 60 cm. In Australia, the standard pillow is 48 cm x 73 cm.

Explore our range of Standard Pillows.

King or Super King (50 x 90 cm)

These pillows are made for beds larger than doubles, such as King, Super King or Emperor size beds. They are a little wider to ensure there are no large gaps at the head of your bed. Our king size down pillow range has been designed exactly for this purpose and can be customised with your choice of down and feather filling.

Explore our range of King Size Pillows.

Square (65 x 65 cm)

Gorgeous, distinctive and elegant, our square pillows will bring a decorative touch to your bedroom. Designed for use while sitting or relaxing, these bold pieces are the perfect finishing touch for your bed. Though not specifically designed for sleeping, a luxurious bed is incomplete without square pillows.

Explore our range of Square Pillows.

What kind of sleeper are you?

It is essential to choose a pillow tailored to your sleeping position. Regardless of its quality, sleeping on the wrong type of pillow can result in discomfort. The link between sleeping style and pillows may not be obvious at first, but rest assured that the right pillow pays off in the form of healthier joints and better rest. For each sleeping position there is an ideal type of pillow. A pillow properly matched to your sleeping posture will promote head-neck alignment, ensuring that the neck and vertebrae form a straight line. Proper alignment relieves pressure and tension from the neck, leading you to better and healthier sleep.

The ratio of down to feathers is what differentiates our various styles of pillow. Some people will sleep better atop a pillow filled mostly with feathers, while others need a high proportion of down. It all depends on your sleeping profile.

The Stomach Sleeper

The stomach sleeper needs a thin and flexible pillow. Those who sleep on their stomach generally hold a pillow in their arms, sleeping partially on their arms and partially on the pillow itself. To get the most comfort from their pillows, we advise stomach sleepers to choose pillows with a high percentage of down filling. A stomach sleeper should use a pillow which is at least 70% down. We recommend pillows with 80% or 90% down.

The Side Sleeper

The side sleeper needs the thickest and and firmest pillows to sleep comfortably. This is because those who sleep on their side keep the greatest distance between their head and the mattress –the entire width of their shoulder. Side sleepers need a pillow with a lower ratio of down to feathers to provide much-needed support. We recommend pillows with at least 60% feathers and no more than 40% down.

The Back Sleeper

For those who sleep on their backs, the ideal pillow maintains a balance between softness and support. We recommend a pillow which is equal parts down and feathers. If you prefer a softer pillow, try one with 60% down and 40% feather. If you prefer a bit more support, reverse the ratio and opt for a pillow which is 60% feather and 40% down.

Follow your preferences and trust your body

As we offer our professional advice we also suggest that you trust your own instincts. Knowing that a higher proportion of feathers makes for a firmer, more supportive pillow, and that a higher percentage of down makes a pillow softer, we invite you to choose a pillow which matches your personal preference as well as your sleeping style. Physical differences between people such as shoulder width, spinal alignment and head size can also play a role in determining what kind of pillow is best for each person.

Anti-Allergy Pillows

We understand that many individuals suffer from a dust mite allergy. To help these people, we offer a large selection of anti-allergy pillows that carry the NOMITE quality mark. Our shop hosts certified pillows filled with all varieties of down and crafted for every kind of sleeper. If you have another kind of allergy, please consult a specialist and reach out to our customer service team and we will provide you with a tailored recommendation.

What makes a better pillow, down or feathers?

A premium down pillow consists of high quality down and natural feathers, mixed together at various ratios depending on the desired firmness of the pillow. The question is not which is better, but what combination of filling is best for you. For a soft and responsive pillow, a greater percentage of down is used. For a firm pillow, a high ratio of feathers provides support and thickness. Thus, with regard to pillows, there is no clear answer as to whether down or feathers are better. It varies based on individual preference and habit.

Bespoke Pillows – Choose Your Size and Filling

If you are looking for a truly unique pillow created specifically for your needs, you will be pleased to learn that Dickenbergh and Falkenreck offer custom made-to-order pillows according to your personal wishes. You can select the size, shape, down variety, and down to feather ratio, and they will produce the pillow of your dreams. All technically feasible shapes and sizes are available to you. Simply contact our customer service team to begin the process.

Costs for special sizes

There are no standard additional costs associated with special requests. However please note that the price of the pillow will be calculated based on the additional material required (filling and cover) and will be communicated to you in advance.

Delivery times for special sizes

A custom down pillow is an individually manufactured product, therefore the delivery time may differ from the standard delivery time. We will inform you of the delivery time directly after we have received your order.

Ordering a special size

Since a special size is made to order, we would like to advise you personally. Contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 020 3129 5731.

The lifespan of a down pillow

The lifespan of a down pillow depends on several factors, namely the ratio of down to feathers and your standard sleeping position. We offer our advice on how best to care for and maintain your down pillow.

Stress on the pillow

Pillows are designed for supporting your head during sleep. Heavier loads apply more pressure on the filling and thus degrade the integrity of the down and feathers over time. This leads to the flattening of the pillow. This is arguably less of an issue than with a down duvet. Because they are not meant to keep you warm, the weakening of the filling merely means that the pillow will offer less support.

Longevity of feathers and down

The ratio of down to feathers affects the degradation of the filling over time when exposed to pressure. Due to their firmer structure, feathers can withstand pressure for a longer period. Thus pillows with a higher percentage of feathers will maintain their initial level of support longer than those with a greater proportion of down.

Wash & Care

To maintain a fresh pillow, please refer to our care tips for goose and duck down pillows.

Support level

The purpose of a down pillow is to provide your neck with enough support to assure restful, regenerating sleep. For this reason, it is essential to choose a pillow which best supports your sleeping position. The natural deterioration of a pillow’s filling under pressure will, over time, reduce the level of support it offers. If you notice a significant decrease in the quality of your sleep, we recommend swapping your old pillow for a new one. Side sleepers should especially pay close attention to the condition of the pillow as they require the most support.

For more information on any of the products featured on our website, get in touch with our customer care team at [email protected] or 020 3129 5731.

Pillow Collection

Our extensive collection includes pillows from Dickenbergh, Falkenreck, Kauffmann and Otto Keller.

Or you can explore our full range of duck and goose down pillows!