Bolster pillows are long narrow pillows or cushions. The good thing about these pillows is that they can be used for a variety of purposes. You can use them for supporting your head during sleep like regular pillows. The advantage of using bolster pillow in place of regular pillows is that it runs the entire width of your bed, which ensures uniform support to your head irrespective of your sleeping posture. In case of regular pillows, however, your head tends to dip in the gap between the pillows. Bolster pillows are also used for providing support to your back during sleep. Especially people having bad backs and pregnant women can use these pillows for support.
Bolster pillows can be bent to V-shape to support your back while you sit up in the bed for reading a book or watching TV.
Bolster pillows are used all over the world. In some countries like China, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. these pillows have been in use for centuries. Bolster pillows are always long and narrow. In western countries, they are usually flat and people use them to support their heads when sleeping. In Southeast Asian countries, however, they are mostly tubular in shape. In these countries, people use these pillows for the purpose of hugging while they sleep. In tropical countries like Singapore and Thailand, people usually do not cover themselves with blankets while sleeping. Hugging bolster pillows provides them warmth during the early morning hours, when the temperature dips.
Bolster pillows are usually stuffed with duck feather or down. At times, they contain fiber or foam also. Some of these pillows are designed to mold according to your body shape. This helps release the strain on your neck and upper back. The casings of bolster pillows are also made out of different kind of fabrics. Usually soft and washable fabrics are used.
With the passage of time, like other forms of pillows, bolster pillows have also come to be used for decorative purposes. Especially tubular shaped pillows are used for adornment of beds or couches. Decorative bolster pillows usually have casings made of silk, satin, or velvet. Available in a variety of colors, you can buy the ones that go with the color of other furniture items, hangings, or walls of your rooms.
Bolster pillows are designed to serve you in many ways. Next time, you plan to buy some new furniture items, include bolster pillows in your list.
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