When you think about it, our lives revolve around the bedroom. Our day starts when we get up from our beds and ends when we get back in it to sleep. We do the most personal, everyday rituals within the confines of our bedroom—not only sleeping and resting, but also dressing up and making ourselves ready and presentable to face a brand new day ahead. Our room is also our personal haven and sanctuary—a special space of our own where we can relax and pamper ourselves. It is only second nature that we give our own bedroom the importance and sanctity that it deserves. And this is seen in the way that we present, design, style, and furnish our bedrooms. What a person’s bedroom looks like can say much about his own personality. It can also affect his mood. So in styling your bedroom, you should take your own needs and preferences into consideration.
Here are some ideas for bedroom design and furnishing that you might find useful.
- Build on a theme. Designing a bedroom starts with a vision—a theme. If you have a particular theme in mind or an overall look and mood you would like your bedroom to project, you can easily gather other ideas as you go along. Explore your preferred theme, mood, design, or style first. There are so many to choose from—Traditional, Modern, French-style, Asian-inspired, English garden, Classic American, Country, Whimsical, etc. You can flip through books, magazines or catalogues, browse through interior design websites, watch lifestyle or home TV shows to get tips and ideas as you plan and customize your own bedroom look.
- Buy and install the basics. Remember to procure the basics first. A bed, a cabinet and some drawers for your clothes and other stuff, a nightstand, lighting fixtures, a lamp, a lounge seat or comfortable chairs, are just some of the essentials. You need not buy expensive ones, what’s important is to stick to your budget and scout all kinds of furniture and department stores, even flea markets and boutiques until you find the pieces that would go very well with the theme and overall look you have in mind. Make sure that you never sacrifice comfort, durability, and quality too.
- Add the extras and complementing pieces. Are you an avid reader of books and can’t call it a night until you finish a chapter before you turn in? You can put a slim bookcase in a cozy corner, with a relaxing lounge seat or sofa to complete your own reading space. However if you’ve got quite a limited space, a night table that can hold a book or two and some stuff you keep within reach would do. If watching TV can effectively lull you to sleep, get a decorative and functional cabinet with a space that could hold not just your stuff, but also your TV and hide it from view when not in use. This is also an effective space-saving technique. If you want to keep all your clothes and fashionable items nearby, it’s better to invest in a huge and beautiful armoire or cabinets with lots of drawers and storage space. If your goal is to keep your bedroom as a haven purely for rest and relaxation, free from all kinds of distractions, include items for this sole purpose. You might want to place a small Zen fountain on a corner table, a vase of fresh flowers, some aromatherapy candles, incense burner and sticks, potpourri, some decorative elements…you get the idea. Aim for balance, harmony, and beauty but don’t overdo it. These things will not only help you to relax but it could also create a romantic and dreamy vibe that would surely make your room the best part of your home.
What do you do to protect your priceless dining table or living room table? We all know that eventually, somebody is going to spill their drink or scratch the finish of your table. You won't just leave it at that, will you? The most plausible solution is table pads. These multi-layered materials are mostly topped with a layer of vinyl coating just like what McKay Custom Table Pad is making. And although this description is the most popular one, there are other types with their different materials.
- First is the vinyl table pad. According to Guardian Custom Products, the pioneer manufacturer of these product, their vinyl table pads are composed this way to prevent the moisture, of any source, from penetrating and affecting the finish or your table. They use nylon flock laminated to their secret backing material that they have been using for decades. With the use of their own water-based adhesive material, they are able to construct their multi-layered vinyl pads. They are also assuring their customers that all their materials can withstand the test of time plus they are also safe to use. What they meant by safe to use was that their materials are built from safe chemicals.
- Other than the infamous vinyl table protector, there are also others that are made of cloth only. The idea is to have a dining table cover that can withstand any elements. If you prefer the cloth, the advantage to this is it can be washed easily and it is absorbent. On the other hand, if you are the type of person who hates washing and you are very messy around the table, then this is not right for you. Cloth might be absorbent but only with small amounts of fluid. It doesn't offer enough protective capacity.
- Then we have the waterproofed weave. The best thing about this is that it is flexible enough to even serve as chair pads. They act pretty much like the cloth but instead of absorbing the fluid, they rely on their intricate weaves to increase surface tension and trap the fluid on the upper portion of the pad.
- Another type of table pad is the soft felt table pad. It serves as a table protector when you might need to protect your table from elbows and scratches like when everyone is playing board games or something. Other than that, it is also comfortable for your guests to lean on. Like a cloth table cover, its disadvantage is that it provides little protection from the fluids that might stain the table.
- One other excellent option to protect your table from scratches is wool padding. It provides that casino feeling when you touch the table while protecting it from sharp edges. Moreover, because of its hairy surface, very little or no liquid will seep through your table if dealt with quickly. Although it depends on where you buy it, this might be expensive because they are made out of animal hides.
Although these table pads differ in function and capacity, they are effective in protecting your precious table so that your future visitors can feast their eyes on it.
Blinds are window shields or coverings that act as a curtain. There are different types of vertical blinds that are available in the market today. They are made from different materials and colors to fit almost anyone's taste. Vertical blinds have slats and a cord that will enable you to pull up the blinds and put them back down. Vertical blinds are ideal for places which are prone to strong winds. Vertical blinds are able to withstand strong winds and are able to last for a long time under these conditions, compared to the other types of blinds.
Here's how to compare some of the types of vertical blinds:
- Wooden Blinds. Wooden blinds were the original design for vertical blinds. They are easy to clean and maintain and they also provide protection from the sun and strong winds. Wooden blinds are ideal for rustic style homes but they are not too elegant to look at. This type of vertical blinds tends to be cheap.
- Paper Blinds. Paper blinds come in different colors. Paper blinds are ideal for keeping out the sunlight. They are very cheap compared to other types of blinds. Paper blinds are prone to damage, as the thin material can easily tear apart. You cannot repair paper blinds as easy as the other types of vertical blinds but they are easy to clean and maintain. Paper blinds are mostly used together with sheer or solid color curtains to add an elegant effect to a room or space.
- Venetian Blinds. Venetian blinds are blinds with rotatable slats. They are capable of controlling the amount of sunlight that enters the room. You can rotate the slats by using a cord, so that the sunlight is partially or fully blocked. Typically, Venetian blinds are made out of plastic or thin metal but there are also Venetian blinds which are made from bamboo. Venetian blinds may be harder to clean because of the slats, but they are durable and can last for a long time.
- Roller Blinds. Roller blinds are made from light cloth. The other parts of roller blinds are the two frames on the top and the bottom. This type of blinds can be controlled by pulling a cord that pulls up the bottom of the cloth. With this roller blinds, you only have the option of pulling it up or taking it down. You are not really able to control the amount of light that enters the room.
- Blackout Blinds. Blackout blinds work much like roller blinds. The only difference is that blackout blinds can completely block out sunlight when they are put down. The material that is used for blackout blinds is much thicker so that sunlight is not be able to penetrate through the material.
These are the major types of vertical blinds that are available. Before choosing vertical blinds for your home, consider the uses of each one and also consider the maintenance of the blinds. These blinds basically have the same purpose but, as you can see, they differ in their styles.
Staying outdoors is one of the things most families like doing during sunny weather. It could be more fun and entertaining if there is nice outdoor furniture to use. Outdoor furniture is expensive but it will definitely bring comfort and happiness to your family. Outdoor furniture is offered in a wide range of materials such as aluminum, fabric, resin, steel, wicker, wood and wrought iron. Some examples of outdoor furniture are garden furniture, modern furniture and patio furniture. Outdoor furniture is one thing that you do not want to replace since the outlay is quite pricey. With proper care and maintenance, you will be able to get pleasure from your outdoor furniture for several years. Each type of outdoor furniture material needs special care and maintenance. Here are some helpful tips on how to care for your outdoor furniture:
- When you are not using your outdoor furniture, for instance your patio sets, wrap them using outdoor furniture covers.
- Do not let your outdoor furniture get drenched in water for a long period of time.
- If you are using wooden outdoor furniture, you can maintain its look and quality by cleaning it with soap and water. During the winter season, do not forget to lace your outdoor furniture inside your garage.
- Clean your wicker outdoor furniture with running water. If there is too much dirt, clean it with soap, sponge and water. Gently remove the dirt and apply a special kind of wax to make it look new and polished. Do not forget to take out the pads before cleaning your wicker outdoor furniture. When not in use, keep the pads inside your house then cover the casings all through the winter season.
- Fabric outdoor furniture like fabric chairs are required to be lightly cleansed using a washing machine. White fabric chairs should be washed with peroxide to remove dirt and stains. Before the winter season starts, keep your fabric furniture inside.
- Aluminum and wrought iron types of outdoor furniture should be cleaned with soap and water. Modern aluminum and wrought iron outdoor furniture are resistant to any corrosion. If you are unsure whether your aluminum or wrought iron outdoor furniture is rust-resistant, you can use a special wax to keep it from getting oxidized.
- Resin outdoor furniture is the easiest to maintain. Just spray it with water to remove the dirt.
Outdoor furniture makes family bonding more fun and interesting. While waiting for your barbecue to be grilled, you can sit down and relax in your garden or patio outdoor furniture. Outdoor furniture is expensive and replacing it with a new one if ever it gets damaged is not practical these days. With appropriate care and maintenance, you can enjoy your outdoor furniture for several years. You can also ask some specialists to help you clean your outdoor furniture. If you have plans of buying outdoor furniture for your garden or patio at furniture stores, you need to know what type of material is best for your needs. Find time to look at stores that offer clearance sales.
All parents want the very best for their babies, especially when they’re newly born. Their children’s comfort and safety are always the first priorities. That is why in buying baby furniture, parents should always look for quality products.
Here are some types of baby furniture that you need to consider for your baby’s room.
- Baby crib mattress. Your baby’s safety and comfort begins with a good baby crib mattress. You might think that buying a softer mattress will make your baby more comfortable, but a softer mattress makes it hard for babies to push themselves up and lift their heads when they’re lying on their stomachs. A firm mattress gives your baby the support they need to push themselves up.
- Baby crib. The crib is the most important part of your baby’s room. It is where your baby spends most of their time. It should be a place of safety and comfort for the child. But, at the same time, it should also be favorable to a parent’s needs. Look for cribs with adjustable side railings. Try to look for railings that can be operated single-handedly.
- Baby pillows. In choosing baby pillows, make sure that the pillow is firm so that your baby will not sink into it while sleeping. It should also be much smaller than the average pillow.
- Baby diaper changing table. A diaper changing table is very handy, especially for first-time parents. For parents, its best to specify a space where you can do all the diaper changing. In choosing the right diaper changing table, make sure that it is baby friendly and convenient for you to use. Check the height of the table. Measure the space that it will occupy in your baby’s room. Make sure that it is stable enough to support your baby’s weight. Check for uneven table legs.
- Baby stroller. Baby strollers are your baby’s carriage. This is used when taking your baby on a walk. Choosing the right stroller for your baby and for your needs is important. Make sure that the stroller is stable and safe, with no sharp edges or holes. A best buy would be a stroller that has extra storage for your baby’s accessories. The priority is your baby’s comfort inside the stroller.
Buying baby products is an easy task. You should always keep the safety of your infant in mind, and consider the quality of furniture that you will put in you baby’s nursery. Like any other home furniture, furnishings for your baby should be of good quality, but still fit your budget. You might be tempted into buying expensive furniture for your baby’s room, but keep in mind that not all expensive products are best for your baby. Try to find furniture that you can afford with the features that you need. You can try going to bazaars for discounts. You can also search in warehouse or wholesale furniture outlets that hold furniture sales. Buying baby furniture doesn’t need to be costly. You just need to know what your baby needs.
The warm sun outside is beckoning as a light breeze gently blows. But how can you choose to stay outside your home if all you have is few decrepit & uncomfortable beach chairs lying in the shade? You would rather lie head back inside and linger on your comfortable armchair while the canned air conditioning unit blows on. But then you could go and claim that outside space if you have the right furniture for your deck or patio.
- Cost. There are a lot of possible choices for patio furniture or garden sets. But before choosing any furniture, be sure about how much you are willing to spend for it. A large budget means you can choose any patio furniture that catches your fancy. If your budget is not that large, there are still a lot of options to choose from. There are furniture stores that have discounts on their furniture sets. You may also have to limit your choice to furniture to something made of less expensive material.
- Size. You just can't set out to purchase the furniture set for your patio if you don't know its exact dimensions. Get the size and shape of your yard and note it. When you go to the store, you can double check if your preferred furniture set will fit the patio by measuring it in the store.
- Use. When or for what occasion do you plan on using your outdoor patio furniture? If you are planning to spend quiet summer evenings outdoors, you would want to have patio furniture that is a little bit elegant. Getting furniture covered with fabric, a porch swing for two, or teak furniture for your patio would be a better choice. But if the outdoor furniture is for your kids' barbecue parties, butterfly seats made of less expensive material like tubular aluminum should be just fine.
- Number. When you say you want to have outdoor furniture for your patio and you are planning to have a table, think about how many people will be seated at once. You might be planning to get a table big enough to accommodate the whole family and a few guests. Just be sure that it can fit on your patio.
- Color. Do you want to brighten up your yard by using the modern furniture that you bought for the outdoor patio? Or is it your plan to have everything just blend in with the overall theme and color of the colors in your yard? Be sure you have a clear idea about what color your set will be before you go to the store to make your purchase.
- Maintenance. It would be best if the furniture you choose will just need the occasional dust-up or wipe down. Ask the store about how the furniture needs to be cleaned so that you can be guided. Be sure to ask if there are any materials that may damage your furniture.
A lot more things need to be considered when choosing furniture for your outdoor patio, but these pointers should be enough. Just be sure to try out the chairs first in the store before making that final decision to purchase it.
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