German pillow sizes

[nysponjevic 3]

I am moving from nyc to germany and buying my bedding over here. Since I have an american size bed I am not worried about the sheats but what about the pillows? Can anyone tell me what are the sizes in pillows over there. Do they fit american standard pillow cases? What about the ones that they call them European pillow shames in usa?

Thank you

[Ruthie 216]

Hi, the pillows here are about twice the size of US pillows, square instead of rectangular. But I believe you can also buy American size...However, if you want to use the pillow cases you have, it will probably be cheaper for you to buy nice pillows in the US and bring them here with you -- vaccuum pack them and they will take up hardly any space.

[mere 76]

although the pillow (At least ones i encountered) in Germany were a different size they weren't as fluffy so often you can fold it on half and then it fits nicely into a US pillow case)\

[Fromageball 0]

i would buy pillows before coming here, they are sometimes bigger but they are not nearly as fluffy. i hate them actually, i was coming here for a year so i didnt worry about it but if i came over here again for an extended period i would mail my pillows here.

[NOFXmike 18]

I've gone through a few different pillows here...hate'em all. The last few I've had (the best of what i've used here) have been about 3/4 the size of an american pillow (rectangular like an american one), so you end up with all kinds of extra cloth on the massive german pillow cases. I haven't found pillow cases to fit these smaller ones...yet they're just as common as the massive ones (which are comically big, unusable imo) in stores (I've done a fair bit of pillow shopping...as well as bed shopping, etc. here).

[dolfan 35]

Yep, bring or ship some from the states. The pillows here are horrible. Its a top 10 "most hated differences" for me.

[Kay 4,137]

Another vote for BYOP*

 

^{*bring your own pillows}

[Marshal 3]

Pillows in Germany are basically 2 sizes. The 'normal' ones are 80 x 80 cm. You can also get 'half' pillows which are 40 x 80 cm. These are similar to US/UK pillows but a bit smaller width. You can find pillow cases in both sizes at IKEA. We have a few US pillows but they are too large for the smaller cases and too small for the large cases. I am still searching for the perfect pillow.

[iain 141]

I actually like german pillows. I know, I know call me a freak, however I just got used to them over the last couple of years. My mom went out to the store to pick up some new pillows after I had the surgery so that I could put my leg up and such forth and she came back with the half size pillows?!? What the hell am I supposed to do with them? Ah well the girlfriend will probably take them over when she gets back out.

[SleeplessInMunich 406]

Pillows in Germany are cr*p. Huge bags of nothing. Don't expect any support for you head from them so if you can bring decent ones then do it.

[jester 53]

I'll also recommend bringing your own! I don't like the big square pillows at all, way too soft and not enough filling. When you put your head on one it swallows you up and you end up having a load of pillow all round your face and not being able to breathe, no exaggeration! If you fold them in two and stick them in a rectangular pillow case they are not too bad.

[lazybum 64]

I agree... German pillows are shit!

[osmachar 324]

German sized pillows are GREAT! At least there is enough space for your head on it - and my cat who occasionally sleeps on top of my head. You'd never get that sort of space with UK-style pillows. You just need to buy good quality ones and they will be supportive.

[iain 141]

I agree with you osmachar, if you by the cheap ones you will get what you pay for. I always have a hard time going back to 'american' pillows. I also find they krink my neck. :(

[SleeplessInMunich 406]

How big is your head?

I find there is plenty of room for my head on a normal english style pillow and it actually supports your head as well.

German pillows are just a waste of space.

[Brummie in the Sauerland 105]

You can also sleep under a German pillow when the weather is good

[Elfenstar 1,676]

i have settled on the 80x40 pillows as a compromise. they're usually fuller than the flat German ones, but not as full as the American ones. back home recently, i had to sleep a few nights without the hotel pillows cause they were too full and even on my back, i felt like i was in half-sitting position.i got my pillows at IKEA, but every now and again Tchibo has them on sale. they also sell the 80x40 pillow cases too. otherwise i just tuck in the extra material.

[Allershausen 6,414]

I really like the big German style pillows and hate those silly little things they use in UK and USA. I guess it's just what your used to and how easily you can adapt.

[TE610 0]

Pillows isnt the problem,

but where do you get a Kingsize Duvet cover

[iain 141]

just get a 2 meter by 2 meter german bed cover that will do the trick nicely I would say.