As a bedding expert, this is the firm pillow I now recommend to all my friends. It’s transformed my sleep experience

by Furnishly | Aug 23, 2025 | Design Inspiration

I’m a sleep product reviewer, which means I’ve tested dozens and dozens of pillows. However, as someone who alternates between side and back sleeping, runs hot at night, and can’t stand a pillow that’s too soft or flimsy, I’ve still struggled to find the best pillow for my needs.

That is, until I tested this pillow, which I instantly fell in love with. And if you, too, are a fan of a firm pillow, I think this is an option you’ll want on your radar.

Yes, of the many pillows I’ve tested, the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow is the only one that I’ve stuck with, night after night. Why do I think it’s so good? Firstly, as the name might suggest, it’s a firm pillow. Those who want marshmallow softness are best looking elsewhere.

Secondly, you can adjust its height. In my opinion, this makes it one of the best pillows for a side sleeper like me, as I could tweak its loft until I found my perfect sweet spot.

That’s because there are three pillow inserts inside its cover. Two are made of a fibre that’s made from recycled plastic bottles, which mimics the soft feeling of down. The third insert is made from flexible springs that adjust as you move to provide firmer support.

Wait, a pillow with springs inside?! Yup. I was sceptical at first. When it comes to how to choose a pillow, springs probably don’t offer the soft and squishy vibe you may be expecting. In reality, the springs give the pillow a kind of ‘responsive firmness’ that I haven’t found in other pillows, even those billed as firm.

Other so-called ‘firm’ pillows I’ve tested have relied on dense memory foam – but I often find even the best memory foam pillows can feel hot and too solid for me.

I’ve even found memory foam akin to sleeping with a pillow made out of wet sand sometimes. The Hybrid Firm is the only pillow I’ve come across that utilises springs, and I find it a completely different sleep experience. In a good way.

This trinity of fillings can be adjusted to suit your needs. You can remove some inserts completely to lower its height, or juggle the order of the inserts until you’ve created your perfect pillow.

I’ve tried every combo, and I find I like sleeping with the spring layer on top because I like a sleep surface that gently pushes back – it supports my neck without ever feeling rigid or blocky, and gives me the firm, structured top I like, with just a touch of sink underneath.

This pillow may not be for everyone. Some of my fellow side sleeping co-testers have described it as so firm it hurt their ears. But for me, it’s the firm, structured feel that makes this pillow so satisfying and reassuring.

Below are a few other options I tried that didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but may be right up your street.

Alternatives

For me, Simba‘s firmest pillow is the closest I’ve come to finding a pillow that feels like it was made bespoke to me – and it took me all of two nights of experimenting with its interchangeable layers to find the right mix of support.

I really miss this pillow when I go on holiday and I’m forced to use other pillows – but I draw the line at packing the pillow to take with me.

Plus, not only is it comfortable, but it’s also plump enough to look inviting on the bed (so many pillows fall down in this area). And, it doesn’t make my head hot at night.

As I mentioned, I’m a somewhat hot sleeper. There’s nothing that ruins my sleep more (with the notable exception of having newborn twins a few years ago) than waking up hot and sweaty. But I’ve found that this pillow keeps me just right all night long, temperature-wise.

As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one downside to this pillow, and – sadly – that’s it’s price. No, I never thought I’d become someone who raves about a £159 pillow. Yikes.

However, after testing so many other options and finding them lacking, I’m convinced it’s worth it – especially with Simba’s 30-night sleep trial.

To my mind, that sleep trial means there’s no harm in trying this Goldilocks solution to the perfect-pillow quest – you might find it’s just right for you too if you’re hunting for a firm pillow.

I’ve found a secret way to kit out a new home for less, and it’s all thanks to M&S and DUSK’s summer uni bundles

by Furnishly | Aug 19, 2025 | Design Inspiration

Whether you’re a student heading off to uni, you’re looking to furnish your first home, or you want to kit out a holiday home or Airbnb, DUSK has just launched a budget-friendly homeware bundle that you’ll *definitely* want on your radar.

Best known for its affordable yet luxe-look bedding, the brand’s new Back to Uni Complete Bundle offers a staggering amount of ‘first home’ essentials bundled up into one great value package.

This bundle might be aimed at students moving into university accommodation for the first time. But it’s also a savvy solution if you’re setting up any kind of home from scratch.

Yep, if you’re considering where to buy bedding on a budget, then right now, I think this is one of the best bedding deals to shop. Included in the bundle are:

• 1 x Cambridge Single / Double Duvet Cover – White
• 2 x Cambridge Standard Pillowcases – White
• 1 x 200TC Single / Double Fitted Sheet – White
• 2 x Feels Like Down Pillows – Medium Standard
• 1 x Feels Like Down Single / Double Duvet – 9 Tog
• 1 x Single / Double Quilted Cotton Mattress Protector
• 2 x Quilted Cotton Pillow Protectors

But that’s not all. Unlike most bedding bundles, which do just include bedding, DUSK’s set also includes all of the linens you need for the bathroom. That means you get:

• 2 x Monaco Hand Towels – White
• 2 x Monaco Bath Towels – White
• 1 x Monaco Bath Mat – White

Plus, a whole host of other homeware essentials you might not have thought of, including:

• 1 x Rhea Rechargeable Desk Lamp – Gold
• 4 x Margalo Dinner Plates
• 4 x Margalo Pasta Bowls
• 4 x Margalo Cereal Bowls
• 4 x Margalo Mugs

Personally, I love the inclusion of the rechargeable lamp as the one thing I think you can guarantee when moving into either student halls or a new home is that there’s never a plug socket where you want one!

This cable-free lamp means you can add illumination wherever you need it, so it’s a super practical addition to any room, as well as being extremely stylish and looking far more expensive than it is.

In fact, that’s true of all the items in this bundle. I’ve always been impressed by the quality of DUSK’s products, especially considering their budget-friendly price tags.

The brand says that it manages to keep its prices low because it’s an online-only retailer with no brick-and-mortar stores, but it also does a great job of emulating designer pieces in its collections.

The items in this all-white homeware bundle wouldn’t look out of place in any of The White Company’s stores, and they cost *considerably* less.

Plus, not only is the DUSK Back to Uni Complete Bundle incredibly good value, but buying so many essentials at once is also a stress-free way to shop. There’s only one item to ‘add to basket’, one delivery to navigate, and no traipsing round multiple shops to source items from multiple retailers.

However, DUSK isn’t the only place to shop for budget-friendly essentials all in one go. I’ve totted up the numbers, and M&S’s University Essentials give DUSK a run for its money.

The bonus is that the M&S bed linen and towels also come in multiple colour options, in contrast to DUSK’s white-only options. Perfect if you want to put more of your own stamp on your first pad.

If I were looking to kit out a new home from scratch, I’d definitely be considering one of these two options. How about you?