I think I prefer the look of slanted, but often that method covers up the majority of the headboard which may be worth displaying.

I usually do the slanted method because I don't have a headboard. It creates the illusion of one. But I like both methods.

Slanted--only to keep the cat from sleeping on them.

When I was a kid pillows were always flat on the bed, preferable tucked under one of those floor-length bedspreads...

I now have a huge headboard - and I lean the pillows from largest to smallest...
...its so much more attractive and comfortable to lean against when you're reading in bed.

Off topic, but... that globe is so low. Don't you hit your head on it all the time?

I always stack - I think it looks neater for whatever reason. I wish we could get down to just one pillow each (which I think is the nicest, most minimal look) , but the Mr. and I each use two --

I've always leaned. It's what my mother did... kind of like always cutting off the end of the roast (until the daughter asks her why, which prompts the mother to ask HER mother why SHE did it - and gets the same reply... only to learn that the grandmother did it because she didn't have a big enough roasting pan).

I'm rather intrigued by the stacking aesthetic, though... might have to give it a try and see what the wife thinks.

Ditto with Pixie.

bepsf, you just reminded me of my avocado green, shiny polyester bedspread. Yes, I pulled that thing up and tucked it under and over my pillow.

Stack 'em

Stack! ... And sometimes then lean in front of those. Depends on the pillows I'm using at the time.

I like to do both stacking and slanting. Sometimes one or the other and sometimes both at the same time.

I stack and lean. Who says you can't have it both ways! I have 3 large euro sham style pillows that I lean against my headboard. In front of those I stack 4 pillows. Very comfy.

another stack AND lean here! the 4 sleeping pillows get stacked, then the decorative ones get leaned against them.

I'm a leaner, but this is really making me stop and think. Should I be stacking instead??? I think I'm gonna lose sleep over this.

I've always stacked and still do, it looks nice.

http://flickr.com/photos/shilobyrd/3075684902/

Leaner... great for reading in bed.

I like the quilt on your wall

Pixie and les1queen , you should see my cat... I always find him in my bed asleep with his head on the leaned pillows and he sometimes manages to get the comforter over him. He sleeps like a human. It's funny because he enjoys my bed more than I do. I feel bad that I have to move him when it's time to sleep.

Leaner. I have an odd number of pillows, so unless I want a weird-looking pyramid, I lean the two big ones against the bedhead and the other one against the two of them.

Also, it stops the cat from sleeping on them! (Mm, nothing like inhaling cat hair in to your sinuses.)

A mean lean here. I have a bed rest pillow for reading which stays on the bed and all of the others are leaned against it or around it.

Lean. Mostly because I like to collapse into my bed with a good book, and having pillows propped up makes it a bit easier and faster to get cozy.

I only use one pillow and it's horizontal while I sleep, and during the day when the bed is made. I only lean it onto the headboard if I read in bed and like to prop myself a little.

What boggles me is why do people put so many pillows on a bed - like stacks of 6 or more!? Who needs more than one pillow under the head? And what do you do with the rest during the night? Isn't it bothersome having to move all the pillows somewhere else before going to bed?

I've been seeing it for awhile. I like both looks, for different reasons. Stacking, with pillows all the same size, can show off beautiful textiles that might not otherwise be seen. If you've got pillows of different sizes, it's all a matter of taste. Lately I've been stacking, but I'm not married to either of these styles.

Emily

Here's an example of a combo stack and lean! From Design Sponge: http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/abs6.jpg

Emily

I prefer slanted. It makes me think "home, restful, peaceful, welcoming".

When I see them stacked I think "cold, sterile, uptight, designer".

Having tried it for a few days now, I'm completely with Maureen. Our bedroom is definitely pleasing to the eye (most importantly ours), but it's no showroom (and thankfully so).

I noticed in quit a few bedrooms in Italy and Spain where they use the cover or duvet to cover/drape over the entire bed showing no pillows in a very plain cloth maybe a folded blanket at the foot of the bed.

I am a three tiered pillow from large to small slanted.

i'm a leaner, and i agree that that globe is looooww

Stack 'n Lean....I have six pillows. Stack two on each side, lean the others against the stack.

Kyle......why is your bed so close to the wall?

Oh, ewww... you let your dog 'nest' in your pillows...? Well, each to his own, but I guess I'm not as much as a dog person as I thought I was!