Pillows

The right pillow can make a big difference to how comfortable your bed feels. Start with how you sleep, as back sleepers, side sleepers and anyone who changes position through the night may need different levels of height, firmness and support.

Firmness is a good place to narrow things down. Soft and soft medium pillows feel more cushioned, while medium, medium firm and firm pillows give a steadier feel. Support pillows, orthopaedic pillows and contour designs can help if you prefer more structure around your head and neck.

In terms of filling, microfibre and hollowfibre pillows are lightweight and easy to care for, while memory foam moulds more closely around you. Goose feather and down pillows feel fuller and more traditional, and box pillows can give a plumper hotel-style look at the head of the bed.

If allergies are a concern, look for anti-allergy or hypoallergenic pillows. Washable pillows and removable pillowcases can also help keep your bedding fresher, especially in busy bedrooms, guest rooms or children’s rooms.

Finally, think about how many you need as well. A single pillow can suit a specific sleep need, while pairs, sets of four or sets of six are handy when you’re refreshing the whole bed.