A pillow is chosen by three things: the position you sleep in, how high it is, and what it is filled with. Its job is simple — to fill the gap between the head and the mattress so that the neck continues the line of the back rather than bending up or down. The name “orthopaedic” means a class of product, not a therapeutic effect: if your neck or back hurts constantly, see a doctor first, and choose a pillow with their advice.
Start with your sleeping position
The position decides how much space the pillow has to take up.
- On the side. The highest pillow is needed: it fills the distance from the ear to the edge of the shoulder. The broader the shoulders, the higher the pillow.
- On the back. A medium height will do. A guide: the chin neither reaches towards the chest nor tips upwards.
- On the stomach. The lowest and softest, and some people are more comfortable with none at all.
- You turn over often. Take a medium height and a filling that is easy to plump up to suit you.
Height is the main parameter
One and the same pillow feels different on different mattresses. On a soft mattress the shoulder sinks deeper, so a lower pillow is needed. On a firm one the shoulder stays on top — and more height is needed. So it is worth trying a pillow on a mattress like your own.
One more subtlety: a foam pillow hardly gives under the head, while a fibre one compresses noticeably. So 200 mm of fibre and 200 mm of foam are different heights when you sleep.
In Veneto adult pillows where the height is given, it runs from 120 to 215 mm. As a guide:
- Veneto Memory Orthopedic Pillow — 120 mm, the lowest of the adult models;
- Veneto Breeze Pillow — 145 mm;
- Veneto Classic Pillow — 190 mm;
- Veneto Tetris Pillow — 210 mm.
Filling: how each behaves
| Filling | How it feels | What to weigh | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory foam | Slowly takes the shape of the head, holds its height well | It takes a few nights to get used to; in a cool room it is denser | Memory Orthopedic, Breeze — Memoryfoam |
| Latex | Springy, returns to shape at once | Noticeably heavier than fibre | “Lady Fingers” |
| Fibre and synthetic down | A soft, familiar pillow that can be plumped up | In time it mats and loses height | Tetris, Classic |
| Combined | Brings together the properties of several layers | Read the composition carefully | Wellness |
A few clarifications. The Veneto "Lady Fingers" Pillow is filled with sticks of natural latex 20 mm long, and its height is 200 mm. Tetris is filled with synthetic down in a cover of percale (100% cotton), Classic with siliconised SilkFiber fibre. The Veneto Wellness Pillow combines Hemp Vital hemp fibre, the memory-effect material Memory Soft and SilkFiber fibre; its height is 160 mm.
There is no “best” filling. Memory foam appeals to those who sleep quietly and want to feel the pillow hug the head. Those who move a lot in their sleep are often more comfortable with springy latex or fibre.
Shape and size
The most common size of an adult pillow is 500 × 700 mm, and pillowcases are easiest to find for it. There are smaller formats too, such as 400 × 600 mm. Classic comes in five sizes — from 400 × 400 to 500 × 800 mm.
Contoured pillows with a neck roll are designed for sleeping on the back and on the side. If you sleep on your stomach or tuck an arm under the pillow, an ordinary rectangular one will be more comfortable.
Cover and care
Note whether there is a removable cover. On Breeze and Memory Orthopedic the outer cover fastens with a zip, and under it there is an inner one. Take the cover off and wash it as the label says. The foam or latex itself is generally not washed — it is aired. A pillow that has matted and no longer holds its height is due for replacement, however old it is.
A children's pillow
Children's models are lower than adult ones, and the product page of each gives the age. The Veneto Sweet Dreams Pillow is meant for children from 3 years, and its height is 135 mm. The Veneto Sonia NEW pillow is from 6 years, 130 mm high. An adult pillow is too high for a child. For the youngest, consult a paediatrician.
How to check your choice
In the showroom lie down in your usual position and stay for a few minutes, not a few seconds. Ask a companion to look from the side or take a photo of you: the neck should continue the line of the back. At home give yourself a few nights — the body does not get used to a new height at once.
Common mistakes:
- taking the plumpest pillow because it “looks comfortable”;
- buying two identical ones for two people of different build;
- ignoring the firmness of the mattress;
- expecting a pillow to solve a health problem.
All the models are gathered in the pillows category, and you can try them in Veneto stores.
In short
- Sleeping position first: on the side a higher pillow, on the back a medium one, on the stomach the lowest.
- Match the height to the mattress: the softer it is, the lower the pillow.
- Foam holds its height, fibre compresses and mats in time, latex springs back.
- A removable cover makes care simpler.
- For a child, a children's model by the age on the product page.
Frequently asked questions
Will an orthopaedic pillow suit everyone?
No. Some people find foam that hugs the head comfortable, and to others it seems too dense. Go by your own feel in your usual position.
When is it time to replace a pillow?
When it has matted, lost its height or shape and no longer recovers after airing or plumping.
Can a pillow be washed?
It depends on the filling. Follow the label: most often it is the removable cover that is washed, not the pillow itself.
My neck hurts every morning — is it the pillow?
Possibly, but not necessarily. Check the height of the pillow and the condition of the mattress, and if the pain does not pass, see a doctor.
