I used to prefer firm pillows but recently we got our first memory foam pillows and it's great. I had tried one before that I didn't like but it's because it was too flat and small. So size does matter!

I also agree with the neutral lounge to be jazzed up with coloured pillows and such. It won't be too much with your feature walls plus, if your taste changes, you paint or you move down the track, the beige will be a lot easier to work with :)

I have saved pillow cases from sets now gone, purchased pillow cases from opshops or even new, usually in a white colour and I use at least three to maintain the freshness of all my bed pillows and I then put the cover on matching the sheets for the week. You could instead use pillow protectors but I find you need at least three if you want to keep the pillow looking original, especially if you have a partner that snores or drawls, gosh that sounds grose doesn't it but no one can control what they do when they're asleep!! The extra cases can always be bleach washed or washed in napisan when doing the usual change. It's a method my mother taught me over 40 years ago and it's a cheap alternative to having to replace expensive pillows or having manky looking pillows in a short space of time. I also have a contoured pillow for good neck support and they are over $100 so protecting them for as long as possible is imperative. I don't buy cheap twin pack pillows, I try to buy good quality med density pillows for my guests, although most people who regularly sleep away from home tend to take their own favourite pillow anyway. I only change or replace our pilows if all my protection fails.

Gioenne, I go to sleep on my left, semi-foetal, hands either under my cheek or under my pillow. Soon after we married, hubby was curled up to my back with one arm underneath my pillow. Half-asleep, I stretched my hands up under the pillow and touched his hand. I thought there was a dismembered hand under my pillow and screamed! Next year will be our 30th anniversary - I don't scream at him anymore.