10 Ways To Keep A Pillow From Falling Off Your Bed 🛏️

There is possibly nothing so annoying as a pillow falling off your bed and onto the floor. The floor is always covered in bacteria, no matter how many times you might clean it, given that people are constantly walking across it. And now, your pillow, the thing you put your face on at night, has just touched the last place you want it to. 

So, while there are a number of reasons your pillow is falling off your bed, thankfully, there are just as many ways you can avoid letting it fall. Read on to learn more!

At Safe Sleep Systems, we’re supported by our audience, and we thank you. We may receive compensation if you purchase products or services through the links provided at no additional cost to you.

Use a Wedge Pillow 

Do you know that space between the headboard and your mattress? That can sometimes cause your pillow to slip down, only to wind up on the floor, under your bed.

This can be so frustrating that it may seem as if the headboard gap is just there to annoy you. The truth is, the headboard gap is there to help you refit the sheets more easily. When you’re putting the sheets on a mattress, your hands have to go around the edges, and a headboard that’s too close to the mattress will prevent you from doing so, which is why there is a gap there.

If you’re a person who sleeps with their head close to the headboard, this can result in your pillow getting pushed down the gap and onto the floor. But there are solutions to this problem.

A wedge pillow is a pillow that is explicitly designed to prevent your pillow from sliding down the dreaded headboard gap and to the floor. It can be removed and replaced when refitting the sheets, meaning that you get to keep the convenience of the headboard gap while avoiding its inconveniences. 

Here are some great wedge pillows from Amazon to check out:

• SnugStop the Bed Wedge Pillow Stopper: This wedge pillow comes complete with a removable, machine washable pillowcase, or you can buy a custom pillowcase so that it matches your sheets. It also comes in many sizes, from twin to king, so there’s a decent selection for all your gap-filling needs.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Kolb’s Bed Wedge Pillow: This is a memory foam wedge pillow that you can both sleep on and block the headboard gap so that things aside from your pillows won’t slip to the floor. It also aids people who have trouble sleeping, acid reflux, and even heartburn.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Sunyrisy Bed Wedge Pillow Gap Filler: This wedge pillow comes with a little pocket on the side, so not only will it keep your pillows from falling, but you can also store things in it, such as a remote control, a smartphone, or lip balm. Who can say no to extra and convenient storage? This one comes in king size, so you may want to buy a converter kit if you’re buying it for a different bed.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Get More Pillows

This one sounds strange, but if you don’t want to buy a wedge stop pillow, just buy another regular pillow and cram it down in the headboard gap. Then put your other regular pillows on top of it.

Beckham Hotel Collection pillows are reasonably priced and come two to a set. You could cram them down into the headboard gap side-by-side, creating a blockage that prevents your pillow from slipping through and falling to the floor. 

These pillows are available for both king-size and queen-size mattresses.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

You could even use other types of pillows, such as body pillows. A body pillow is elongated to support the entire body during sleep. In this instance, a body pillow would be ideal for blocking a headboard gap given its long, thin shape.

The Snuggle-Pedic Body Pillow is a memory foam body pillow designed to support the body in multiple positions. But what’s important in this context is stopping up the headboard gap. When turned sideways, the body pillow is about long enough to fill the entire gap.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Instead of using pillows, you could also do this with clothes, old blankets, or small throw pillows. Just cram them down in the headboard gap to stop the pillows from falling, and then cover the crammed items with a sheet and pillows.

Anti-Slip Mats

As the name suggests, an anti-slip mat is a mat that you would put under your pillow to keep it from slipping and is ideal for people who sleep on satin pillowcases. As comfortable as it is, satin is a very slippery fabric. 

The anti-slip mat will provide some grip to keep the satin from constantly sending your pillow to the floor. 

You can find an anti-slip mat for pretty cheap depending on the size of the roll. Thankfully, you don’t need a large roll of material for this. The Veken Non-Slip Rug will provide you with the grip you need at a reasonable price and with just enough material.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Slide Your Mattress Closer to the Headboard

Another solution to the headboard conundrum is to slide your mattress closer to the headboard. The downside to this solution is that it might prove strenuous to keep sliding a mattress back and forth every time you change the sheets. 

The wedge pillow solution will cost you a little money, but it might be the more straightforward solution in the long run.

Reposition the Furniture

This idea is sort of tricky, but you can arrange the furniture to block the pillow from falling off the bed. If you have a bedside table or a dresser, these can be used to block in your pillows by positioning them on either side of the bed.

Of course, this solution has its downsides. You could turn over in your sleep and hit your hand on the furniture because it’s too close to the bed, which can be painful and disrupt your sleep. Also, if the pillow slides against a bedside table, it can knock items off the surface, including glasses filled with fluids. 

Again, a tricky and risky solution, so it’s best to use this method with caution. 

If you’re going to use this solution, it’s best to have a nightstand that can actually block your pillow from falling. A square nightstand with drawers is ideal. 

Here are a few nightstands from Amazon that can get the job done:

• Walker Edison Ella: This nightstand set is made of beautiful pine wood and comes two to a set with two “smooth opening” drawers each. The set is sturdy, aesthetically pleasing, and has many positive reviews.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Prepac Salt Spring Tall Night Stand: This wooden nightstand is ideal for blocking pillows because it’s so tall. It stands at 28” (71.12 cm) in height and comes in a beautiful variety of colors.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Prepac Milo Mid Century Modern Nightstand: Of course, if you’re looking for something a little more modern, there’s Prepac’s more modern two-drawer model. While it looks squat, it stands at 25” (7.62 cm) in height, which is still good enough to keep those pillows on the bed.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Put the Pillow Under the Sheets

This one is probably the more straightforward solution on the entire list, but you can put the pillow under the sheets. Then pull the sheets taut and tuck them under the mattress. Now your pillow is trapped in a web of fabric, unable to slide off onto the dirty floor. And the best part is that there is no downside.

Guard Rails

Guardrails are commonly known for children and can be attached to the sides of the bed as restraints. They’re designed to keep children from rolling onto the floor, but if you’re serious about preventing your pillows from sliding off the bed, there are guard rails for adults that might prove helpful. 

Here are some great guard rails from Amazon to keep those pillows in place:

• Vive Bed Rail: This guardrail can be attached to any bed frame, is an affordable price, and will keep your pillow from falling to the floor. All you have to do is slide it under the mattress, no attachments are needed.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Stander EZ Adjust Bed Rail: This guard rail has a grab bar that is designed to help the elderly get up from the bed, and comes with an organizer pouch. You can put magazines, important papers, or just small devices like smartphones and tablets in your pockets. It’s meant to be used with traditional platform beds of any size, from twin to king-size, but it is not intended for use on beds with soft mattresses.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• RMS Single Hand Bed Rail: This guard rail fits any size bed and is designed to make sitting up and lying back down easier. It can also be assembled with no tools required. But more importantly, it can block your pillows from falling. The sidebars are retractable and can be lowered to block pillows. Even if that wasn’t the intention of the design, it’s still pretty nifty.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Stander BedCane Adult Bed Rail and Support: This guard rail fits thick mattresses. Like a few of the other guard rails, it has convenient pockets for holding your remote or smartphone and is easy to assemble. What makes it different from the others is the aesthetic design, as it doesn’t make your bed look like a child’s daybed.  

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The downside to using a guard rail, however, is having to remove it from the bed every day. If you don’t want to accidentally roll into the guardrail while sleeping, it can be annoying to have it there at night as well. 

In the end, it may come down to what is most annoying: bumping into a guard rail or your pillow falling on the floor?

Use Adjustable Headrest Support

Since the headboard gap is the most common reason for falling pillows, resorting to an adjustable base could end all your problems for good. 

An adjustable bed base is a headrest that can be, you got it, adjusted so that the mattress will tilt up, blocking your pillow from falling. Of course, this is probably the most expensive solution on the list, so you may want to test other solutions before resorting to this.

Just in case you want to go the adjustable base route, here are some adjustable bed bases from Amazon to try out:

• iDealDed 3i Adjustable Bed: This one is an adjustable bed base that is programmable for comfort and convenience. It costs half the month’s rent for the average person, so it’s more of a luxury than anything.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Blissful Nights e3 Adjustable Bed Base: This one is pretty pricey, but that’s because it’s a king-size bed base with a remote. So it’s large and comfortable and can be adjusted at your convenience, without having to get up. And of course, it comes in many sizes, so you could with a more affordable twin size or queen size depending on your needs.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Sven & Son Essential Adjustable Bed Base: This is another bed base that comes in many sizes and is designed to use memory foam, latex, and air mattresses. It will also work with all mattress types.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Lucid L150 Bed Base: Last but not least, the L150 is a split base, meaning that you can have two people in the same bed with different adjustments. So say your spouse was on one side and you were on the other. You could lift your side of the bed while your spouse could leave their side down, which makes it pretty convenient for couples.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Heavier Pillows

If the pillows are sliding everywhere, get heavier pillows. Ideally, a flat-bottomed pillow would be the way to go here. For your pillow wrangling needs, here are some heavy pillows from Amazon that won’t slide off the bed:

• Pillow Cube Side Sleeper Pro: This is a memory foam support pillow designed for pain relief in the neck and back. So even while staying firmly in place on your bed, it will also prevent back and neck pain.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

• Dlight Bedding Memory Foam Pillow: This pillow is meant for back and stomach sleepers. It comes in three sizes of thickness, but since we’re trying to keep the pillow from sliding off the bed, we’re going to want to go with the thickest size. Much like the Pillow Cube, which is a memory foam pillow, your neck and back would be supported as well.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Or, if you’d rather not spend the cash, you can always make your regular pillow heavier. Fold up a pair of jeans and slide them inside the bottom side of your pillowcase. This provides an instant weight system that keeps your pillow on the bed where it’s supposed to be.

Elevate the Mattress Foundation

This is yet another way to solve the headboard gap issue. If your mattress doesn’t properly fit your bed frame and is too small, it leaves a large space between the headboard and the mattress. 

A little space is intentional to make fitting the sheets easier, but too much space results in your pillows falling, which can be solved with a taller foundation.

How To Raise a Box Spring

A box spring is a type of base for a bed. To close the gap between the mattress and the headboard, you can simply make the box spring higher:

• Make a platform yourself: The cheapest way to raise your box spring is probably to make a platform yourself. Of course, you will need to know how to work with the tools required to create a plywood platform. If you didn’t take Woodshop in high school, it might be a good idea to skip this one.
• Use a mattress topper: This method requires no knowledge of power tools. A mattress topper is like a mini mattress. It’s thin and light and can add an extra layer of comfort, so in this instance, it can add an extra layer of height.
• Add planks: Find some wooden planks and simply place them across the foundation. 
• Use a Bunkie Board: A Bunkie Board is a foundation that can be used as a box spring or to make a box spring higher. 

Extra Amazon Resources

The Zinus Gulzar Easy Assembly Quick Lock is a Bunkie Board made of steel and designed for a queen-sized bed. It may even be a better option than wooden planks because steel is sturdier and more durable.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a memory foam mattress topper that comes in multiple sizes, from twin to king. It’s affordable, has great reviews, and is an extremely easy way to make your foundation taller, no power tools are required.

Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sources

• Furniture Fair: Why Does My Pillow Keep Falling Off My Bed?
• The Daily Bed: Nine Ways to Keep Pillows From Falling Off the Bed
• Krostrade: How to Keep Pillows From Falling Between Mattress and Headboard
• The Sleep Judge: Types of Pillows: Your Guide to Pillow Comfort
• Mattress Nut: How to Raise a Box Spring – 3 Simple Methods