Perhaps you’ve asked yourself this question: “What size is a lumbar pillow?” Of course, pillows are used to support the body and provide comfort, but if so, then what are standard dimensions for, and why does it matter what size they are?
Whether lying on your bed or sitting on your chair, it would be uncomfortable if your pillow is of the wrong size. If it is too small, it cannot support your head or back, and if it is too big, it will take up too much space.
That is the case for lumbar pillows as well. Those are manufactured to provide maximum comfort and support using memory foam, so if the sizes are inappropriate, they cannot properly adjust to the curves of your spine and the weight of your head.
A Closer Look at the Benefits of Using a Lumbar Pillow
While regular pillows are specifically designed to provide much-needed support for your neck and upper back, the lumbar pillow is created to ensure that your lower spine is supported. At the same time, you’re in a seated position. If you’re wondering how this pillow is used, you position it right between your lower back and the chair. Here are some of the best benefits of using a lumbar pillow:
1. It provides excellent spinal support
Working or driving all day isn’t so bad if a lumbar pillow cradles your spine. You won’t have to deal with aches and pains associated with the lack of support on your lower back within extended periods.
2. It prevents or alleviates chronic back pain
If the natural curve of your spine isn’t properly supported, your back muscles will hurt. Using a lumbar pillow means having something that would shield your back muscles and spine from absorbing the downward force of gravity.
3. It doesn’t cost much compared to other types of therapy
Try using a lumbar pillow instead of getting a massage or a series of chiropractic adjustments to address your lower back pain. Your whole body will feel better once your spinal health is addressed.
Standard and Recommended Lumbar Pillow Sizes
Lumbar pillows may not come in one size, but the shape is constant. It is designed to be rectangular so that it can adequately support the arch of your back, nape, or the sides of your neck. Also, how long and wide it is matters much more than you think.
What Size is a Lumbar Pillow?
When talking about the standard size of lumbar pillows, it can refer to the ones used for aesthetic purposes, like decorative pieces, or those serving the original objective, which is to provide body support and comfort.
If you want to use lumbar pillows as accents to the other cushions in your couch or bed, the ideal size would be around 14 inches long and 22 inches wide. You can use it as the finishing touch, centerpiece, or you can also put two on both sides as armrests.
On the other hand, you can get it slightly bigger if you aim to use it to support your back or neck. In those cases, you are recommended to get a 60-inches-long lumbar pillow.
What Determines the Recommended Dimensions?
Before identifying the appropriate size of the lumbar pillow that you will get, determine where you will use it. That can either be your bed, sofa, or chair. Afterward, you also have to specify the size range of your furniture.
For instance, lumbar pillows used in beds significantly differ in size from the standard ones. For a 76 inches wide and 80 inches long king-sized bed, an 18×44-inch lumbar pillow is recommended.
On the other hand, queen-sized beds are known to be slightly slimmer than its counterpart. Specifically, it also has a length of 80 inches, but its length only measures up to 60 inches. So for a bed of that size, get an 18×34 inches lumbar pillow.
For sofas, it depends on how long the sitting area is and the height of its back. If it is for visual interest, you can place one that measures 16×28 inches on the center. However, if the couch is low, station two pillows 14×26 inches in size on both sides.
The width of the regular sofas would range from 72 to 89 inches. If that is the case for your couch, your lumbar pillow should be within the 11 to 14 length range. Also, the width should measure up to a minimum of 19 to a maximum of 20 inches.
If your sofa is not as wide as the regular ones, the lumbar pillow should, quite obviously, be of smaller size as well. Typically, that equates to roughly 10 to 13 inches long. For the width, the recommended size would be 17 to 19 inches.
There are also long sofas, around 90 inches wide or even more, and deep ones, with the back measuring up to more than 25 inches. The recommended proportions for lumbar pillows are 13-15×20-22 inches for couches like such.
Meanwhile, for chairs, lumbar pillows are mainly used to avoid back pain after long periods of sitting down. Therefore, to serve that purpose, it must be as wide as the arm-to-arm measurement and no more than half the back height.
The Bottom Line
All in all, there is no set answer as to what size is a lumbar pillow. After all, the dimensions depend on your chair, sofa, or bed measurements. Nonetheless, following the standards are essential in serving its set purpose, whatever it may be.