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Benefits of a Japanese Futon

3/30/2020

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Futon in Japan is the key source for a good night’s sleep. Futon means mattress or something to lie down on.  Ever since the traditional existence of Futon, the Japanese have used them for centuries and benefited from the sleep and health-driven from these firm mattresses. Though, Futon beds have become famous in America and are being used by various people - the thought of futons still brings an image of a futon sofa or a thick mattress that can lie flat on a wooden frame. However, a futon mattress in Japanese life is a firm mattress spread directly on the floor.

The Japanese futon set consists of three main components that complete its picture; Shikibuton (a mat), kakebuton (the quilt), and makura (the pillow). Let’s first discuss the parts briefly and then talk about the advantages of using this futon bed.

Shikibuton– The start of this word means to lay (Shiki) and when attached with buton or futon, it simply becomes shikbuton. You can complete a shikibuton by adding two mattresses or just a single one. Traditional Japanese futon is a single and standard size futon, but the eastern-western fusion is making thicker futons. Authentic Japanese futons are filled with 100% cotton which keeps them lightweight, easy and comfortable.

If the same cotton is added in more quantity to achieve a thicker version then the futon will become heavy. This is not ideal for Japanese lifestyle but since comfort of a mattress is subject, therefore Americans choose the thickness according to their liking. The latest futon come in variety of fillings and costs.

Kakebuton- The Japanese quilt or the blanket is cotton filled as well. It is lightweight and provides the feather like feeling during summers and hug like warm feeling during winters. It matches the Japanese form of living and their climate conditions.

Makura– Japanese pillow is traditionally smaller in size and stuffed with beans or buckwheat. If you transitioning from the softer kind of pillow to this Japanese pillow then remember that you will need a while to adjust with the difference.

Now, let’s get to the advantages and disadvantages of using authentic Japanese futon:
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Advantages of Futon:
  • You achieve a multi-purpose space with a futon, as it can be rolled and tucked away.
  • Futons are lightweight and thin and can be easily rolled. Moreover, your kids cannot roll off a futon and fall
  • It provides enough cushioning to enjoy a good night’s sleep.
  • You can always choose the place to spread your futon.
  • It gives a spacious look to the room since it only takes a small amount of space.
  • Kids will love the futons since they cannot be broken with jumps.
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Futons are great for limited space housing and can even be used for attics. Futons do offer deeper sleep and you rest well. 

Make sure to buy a good quality futon from a reputable bed shop like Bed King to ensure you’re getting the real deal.






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Article source: https://gloriousbedrooms.postach.io/post/benefits-of-a-japanese-futon
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How to Choose the Best Kids Mattress

3/30/2020

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When you first had your baby, choosing a crib mattress was probably fairly easy, as most of them have a standard size and firmness level. However, by the age of two to three, most children should be moving from their cribs to standard beds with single bed mattresses. Most parents stick to one of three sizes of mattresses: twin, twin XL, full, and full XL but deciding on what type of mattress can be a different story.

Firm or Plush?
When you first feel a mattress, it usually feels firm or plush. If the top-cushioning layer is thicker, a mattress is usually considered plusher. This has no bearing on support, and most times, a mattress’ firmness is a personal preference. Go to the mattress store and try several mattresses out. A mattress that feels comfortable for you will most likely suit your child.

Firm: Firm mattresses offer a stable, floating feeling. Younger kids transitioning from a crib mattress often enjoy a firmer single bed mattress. Also, kids that sleep on their stomach usually prefer a firm sleeping surface so that they can keep their spine in proper alignment and prevent their back from bowing in too much.

Plush: Plush mattresses offer a pillow-top feel that kids can sink into. Older kids typically like the thick cushioning of this comfort level. If your little one is a side-sleeper or likes to sleep on their back, a plush mattress could be for them.

What type of support?
There are several different types of mattresses and they all use different technologies to support your kid while they sleep. Depending on your child’s needs, a certain mattress type can help them get adequate snooze time. Denver Mattress offers custom fittings, where an experienced professional will figure out which type of mattress will put your kid in neutral spine alignment, relaxing the muscles, and allowing a better night’s rest. Schedule an appointment at your local store to find the best mattress for your little one.

Innerspring: This type of long-lasting support is the best value. Using tempered steel that locks in the shape of the coil to increase longevity and comfort, traditional interlaced innersprings are the most widely used and trusted support units in mattresses. Offering in-line body support, these mattresses offer years of durability at an affordable price. Find great hourglass innerspring single mattresses at Bed King.

Individual Coil: Sometimes referred to as marshal or pocketed coils, individually wrapped coils are just that – coils that are wrapped inside their own individual pockets. Offering true body conforming comfort and unprecedented motion separation, this support type is one step up from an innerspring mattress. 

Memory Foam: Known by many brand names, Viscoelastic memory foam is a unique formulation of polyurethane foam that offers amazing body conforming properties. Usually used in the comfort layers of a mattress, memory foam can conform to every curve of the body to give your child a supportive yet comfortable night’s sleep. This type of mattress is also hypoallergenic, resistant to dust mites, fungus, and bacteria, so if your kid struggles with allergies, memory foam is a good option.

Latex: Direct from the Hevea Brasiliensis, or rubber tree, latex is one of the most amazing components used in mattresses today. After being formed into a comfort layer using either the Talalay or Dunlop process, latex produces a weightless feel and is one of the most durable comfort layers used in bedding.


Article source: https://frontdoor.furniturerow.com/wellness/sleep-guidelines-best-mattresses-kids-age
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8 Reasons Your Kids Should Sleep in Bunk Beds

1/17/2020

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​The King of kids’ beds - double bunk beds - has fascinated children from all generations for decades. The adventure it represents to kids always delights and helps make bedtime fun for any little sleeper. If you’re not yet convinced, keep reading for our 8 reasons your kids should sleep in a bunk bed.

​1. Spacing Saving
The biggest benefit of a bunk bed is the ability to save on space.  Perfect for apartments or smaller homes/spaces, a bunk bed allows siblings to share a room while using the same floor space twice! This leaves plenty of room for a study desk, wardrobe and most importantly, expansive playing area.

However, Bunk-beds aren’t just for those with two (or more) kids – if you have one child, then the second bed is ready-made for visitors making sleepovers hassle-free.

2. More Affordable and Convenient
A bunk bed from Bed King often can be a better deal than needing to source two singles, King Singles or double beds. Not to mention the potential added cost of a headboard or safety side rails. Bunk beds mean one-stop shopping and will usually have safety rails already installed on the top bunk for safety.
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3. They’re fun
Most children are delighted at the prospect of a bunk bed of their very own for their bedroom. The climbing of ladders, being up high or bunking down below and opportunity for friends to stay over brings a sense of adventure to the bedtime routine. This fun quality aids in reducing the hassle of getting kids into bed of a night. Instead, they’ll be eager to sleep in their own bunk come bedtime.

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4. Defined Spaces
Within a shared bedroom, creating independent spaces can be hard. A Bunk bed can help you with this by providing children with private spaces of their own. This defined space can be emphasised further by attaching a curtain within each bunk in order to create privacy and/or adding floating shelves or shadow boxes for a little night-time storage that children can personalise themselves.

5. Promotes Bonding
Bunk Beds are a great way for siblings and friends to share and bond during the day and night. This is important for growth and social skills and can help with little ones who have sleep issues.

6. Light Options
Siblings sharing a room can have its pitfalls and one of these can be who is ruler of the light. If an older child likes to read before bed but a younger child needs an earlier bedtime, then wars over if the light is on or off can be avoided by adding some personal clip-on lamps to a bunk bed or wall. That way each child has a light they can use without disturbing the other.​
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7. Design Opportunities
Having a bunk bed can free up a lot more space providing more room for your inner designer to have fun with. Use the new space to create designated study sections or get that Kids Teepee you have had your eye on.

If the lower bunk is only used when friends and family visit, take a few well-chosen cushions and transform the bottom bunk into a sofa – a perfect reading and lounging nook for use during the day and night.

8. Fort Haven
Lastly (and we think most importantly!), bunk beds make the best forts on a rainy day. No need to round up the house furniture and broomsticks for structure. A bunk bed is just waiting for a sheet to be thrown over it to transform into a fun fort for imaginative play (not to mention one that won’t take up half the lounge room!).


Article source: https://bedscapetown.wordpress.com/2020/01/17/8-reasons-your-kids-should-sleep-in-bunk-beds/​
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The Sleigh Bed – What It Is And What It Offers

1/17/2020

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Most homes have regular, standard beds but every once in a while we come across a space that’s different. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are more types of beds that you’re probably aware of. Some varieties are not exactly popular or have some very specific design characteristics which don’t really allow them to be very versatile. For example, how often do you see a bedroom with a sleigh bed? Actually, what is a sleigh bed anyway? Well, it’s simple: as the name suggests, it’s a bed that looks similar to a sled or sleigh. Its most notable design features are the curved or scrolled foot and headboard.
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Most often than not sleigh beds are made of wood and are quite heavy. This one is a very good example. This is a kid’s bedroom and the sleigh bed has this lovely canopy which matches the drapes.
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A sleigh bed from Bed King also tends to have a delicate, feminine appearance in spite of its robust and heavy structure. That makes a good candidate for the master bedroom or for guest rooms. This is a space which has traditional-style decor. It’s not just the bed that has curves but also the vanity, the lamps, the armchairs and even the walls.
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It’s possible for a sleigh bed to have an upholstered frame, as showcased in this elegant bedroom interior. The fabric softens the curves of the frame and highlights.
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The sleigh bed looks great in this rustic bedroom. The space has a cozy fireplace with a stone surround and light brown floor carpeting, which creates a warm and welcoming ambience and a decor that’s a mixture of traditional, rustic and modern.
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Curious how a sleigh bed would look like in a contemporary bedroom? Check out this beautiful example. It has a refined and breezy look but at the same time, it’s furnished with heavy pieces, including the bed, the armchair and the nightstands.​
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Even though the sleigh bed is definitely robust and heavy, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as this bedroom shows us here. We love the monochromatic palette and the choice of a warm neutral and very subtle pastel accents.
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There are all sorts of design variations when it comes to sleigh beds. Some have prominent curves while others are simpler in this sense. The master bedroom designed here definitely features the first option. The bed is the focal point of the room and not just because of its size but also because of its design, in particular, the tufted headboard and footboard panels.
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Let’s also check out a simplified version of the sleigh bed. Unlike a lot of other sleigh beds, this one actually looks quite lightweight and slender while still maintaining the defining characteristics of the design and highlighting them in an elegant manner.
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Some designs seem to be a sort of hybrids, combinations of elements from two or more styles. For example, this bedroom features a type of sleigh bed with this unusual canopy-like structure attached to its headboard.



This boldly-coloured sleigh bed in this kids’ bedroom is quite interesting and it doesn’t all have to do with the colour or the curved frame. One of the coolest things about it is the built-in storage system. There’s this big pull-out drawer which lets you store pillows, blankets and other stuff under the bed.

Article source: https://www.homedit.com/the-sleigh-bed/
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The quality of sleep you get matters…

1/7/2020

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It’s been tagged as the most amazing remedy—sleep. Scientific findings tell you it helps you live longer and boosts your immune system. It puts you in a great mood, reduces your risk of everything from heart disease to diabetes—and it’s completely free.
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It has no side-effects and is available to everyone. “Taking steps to get a better night’s sleep could be the most important decision you would ever make,” says an expert, “Maybe you live with a world champion snorer or a sheet huger; perhaps you toss and turn until the wee hours. Now is the time to get things sorted out because recent research has found that the right amount of sleep can have an enormous effect on your long-term health—not just on how you feel the next morning.” 


Without regular sex, women risk mental disorder – Psychiatrist


According to a sleep expert, Dr Neil Stanley: “A good night’s sleep every night is just as important as diet and exercise. If you get a poor diet every day, that has long-term consequences. Exactly the same is true of sleep, but these days we know that it’s not just a matter of getting eight hours sleep. Avoiding health risks is about getting the right amount of sleep for you. Having less sleep than you need—or more—is the problem.


Back in the 1990s, a team of American researchers studied the sleep patterns of 459 female subjects aged between 50 and 81. Then they tracked them down 14 years later to see how many of them were still in good health. They found out that those who slept for five to six and a half hours a night had the best survival rate. Those who had less than five hours sleep or more than six and a half hours had the worst. The lesson? Too little sleep won’t increase your life’s span—but neither will too much.


The expert advises it’s time to throw out everything you thought you knew about sleep— that you need eight hours every single night just to function; that those who need more sleep are lazy or boring; and that sticking a lavender bag under your pillow or listening to a CD of whale sounds will somehow magically give you a solid 12 hours of sleep from now on, you could make the biggest and best lifestyle change ever—and all you need to do is lie still and relax. 


You don’t need eight hours:
Worried because you’re not getting the amount of sleep your mum insisted on? Don’t panic, says Dr Stanley. “The media says everyone needs eight hours, but that’s just not true. The amount of sleep people require varies a great deal—it can be from three to 11 hours, though most of us find that we need seven to eight hours. If you’re a three-hours-a night person, and you believe the hype and try to get eight, you’ll be spending five hours a night trying to have something you’re never going to get. 


So how do you work out the amount of sleep that’s right for you? “Scientifically,” says Dr Stanley: it is very complex to work out your actual biological sleep need. But there’s a simple technique—do you feel awake during the day? If you do, you’re getting enough sleep. If you don’t, you’re not,” Dr Stanley then tries to punch holes in some sleep myths:


Bin the lavender and ditch the chamomile:
We all know the standard advice for getting a good night’s sleep—Milky hot drinks, herbal preparations such as chamomile tea, lavender pillows, and getting rid of the TV in the bedroom. But Dr Stanley says there’s only one thing that will work being relaxed in mind and body. And how you achieve that state is up to you. “I hate the taste of chamomile,” he says, “I don’t like the smell of lavender, and listening to relaxing whale music just make me laugh, I’ve heard people eating bananas late at night because they’re supposed to help you sleep, or that a milky drink helps you. Well, milk, bananas, turkey and bread, all contain tryptophan, a chemical that helps your body produce melatonin, a hormone that tells your body it is night time.


But there is no evidence whatsoever that eating a small amount of tryptophan will help you sleep. The value of making a milky drink is that it’s a wind-down ritual—nobody ever did the vacuuming while boiling up some milk. You need to find your own ritual that helps you and nothing should be off-limits. If having the TV on when you go to sleep helps you, that’s fine.” 


Sleep is sexy—” Let’s face it,” says Stanley. “In today’s 24-hour society, sleeping is not regarded as a valuable way to spend your time. Margaret Thatcher famously only got four hours a night—and this is somehow good? There’s no implication that getting a good night’s sleep is a desirable, sexy thing. It’s negative. I personally need nine and a half hours’ sleep, I go to bed at nine every night and get up at half-past six. 


If you stand up and say that in front of an audience, they look at you as though you’re a friendless boring person. But if you say you eat your five a day or do your 10,000 steps, they all applaud and say, ‘Well done!’ We need to change the way we think about sleep, it’s been scientifically proved that getting the right amount of sleep won’t just make you feel better —it’s great for your skin and can even help you diet successfully.” 


Be a selfish sleeper: 
Fed up with your snoring partner? You’re not alone. A new survey discovered that one in four couples sleep in separate beds because one of them has an ‘unbearable’ night-time habit—and snoring was top on the list. Another problem which affected six out of 10 couples, was hugging the duvet, followed by restlessness. According to Dr Stanley: “A standard double bed is 135cm  wide. A standard child’s single bed is 90cm wide, so each of you sharing a double bed has nine inches less to sleep in than a child has! And when you’re both snoring and dreaming and hogging the duvet, no wonder you’re not sleeping well. 


Of course, some people like the feeling of safety and security that co-sleeping brings. But separate beds or bedrooms shouldn’t be off-limits as a discussion. A lot of people say they ‘Banish’ their partners to the back bedroom. Well, my wife and I don’t sleep together—she has her own bedroom. But she’s not ‘banished.’ That’s where she goes to sleep. It’s perfectly possible to have your own sleeping space and still have your intimacy. But sleep is the most selfish thing you can do. You can’t share your sleep with anyone. So don’t be scared of sleeping separately.” 


Bed King says that you need to be sure you’re sleeping on a suitable mattress - perfectly chosen for your sleep needs - find a bed shop that will be able to offer you the best bed advice.


Article source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/the-quality-of-sleep-you-get-matters/

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How To Fit a Headboard To Your Bed

1/7/2020

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Fitting a headboard to your bed couldn’t be simpler. There are three main ways in which to do this: you can either use a headboard with struts, a floor standing headboard or a wall-mounted headboard.

​Headboards with struts
Headboards with struts are the most common form of fitting a headboard to your bed. The struts (wooden thin plank-like objects) are usually sold with your headboard at Bed King. These are shown below on the Vienna headboard.
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These struts simply screw into the back of your headboard, whilst the other end will neatly fit onto the back of most standard divan beds. The size of your bed will dictate the size of the headboard you will need to purchase: so a king size 5ft bed will only fit a king-size 5ft headboard. This may seem like obvious information but you would be surprised at the number of people who don’t realise this!
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Your divan bed should have two bolts on the back on the back of the divan (most divans include the bolts on both sides so you can decide which way to face your divan). These bolts unscrew, you can then put the headboard in place and then screw the bolts back in place. Some divans hide the screw holes for the bolts underneath the cloth and may not include the bolts.
If there are no bolts in place on the divan, the best thing to do is run your hand across the fabric at the top of the divan base to find the screw holes (usually situated 3 or 4 inches from the end of the divan base and towards the top of the base). If you have misplaced the divan headboard bolts for the headboard, don’t panic, we sell them in our shop.
The struts supplied with most headboards will allow you to slide the headboard up and down the back of the divan depending on how thick your mattress is and how high up you want the headboard to go. Once you’ve found the perfect height you just tighten the bolts on the divan and Ta da! the headboard will hold in place. Take a look at our Skye headboard with struts:
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Floor standing headboards
Floor standing headboards are similar to those with struts but operate and look slightly different. Rather than including separate struts, the struts are part of the headboard which will reach down to the floor; this allows the headboard to stand in place behind the bed. In most cases the headboard will include a gap on the standing frame which is where the bolts can be screwed in allowing for a sturdy head end which won’t move about – like the Esher headboard below.
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Wall-mounted headboards
Wall-mounted headboards or wall hung headboards are usually used for larger headboards which cannot be supported by struts or to make a visual statement. As you can see in the image below, mounting a headboard on your bedroom wall can really make a huge impact in your bedroom.
Wall hung headboards are popular in boutique hotels and should include wall mounting fixings. We always recommend you use a professional DIY expert when fixing your wall hung headboard to the wall, they will ensure the correct tools are used and that your wall will support the headboard you choose.
Top Tips For Fitting Your Headboard
1.)    If your headboard is missing either struts or bolts, don’t panic you can buy them in our headboard accessories shop.
2.)    If you are buying a new divan and plan to fix a headboard to it, ensure it has the screw holes to fit the headboard in place (if you are purchasing a headboard with struts or a floor standing headboard).
3.)    Always use a DIY expert if you plan to wall mount your headboard.
4.)    Get the right fabric and colour before ordering a headboard, use our free fabric sample service.

Article source: https://bedsmattressesjohannesburg.blogspot.com/2020/01/how-to-fit-headboard-to-your-bed.html​
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What to Look for in a Daybed

11/3/2019

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The top reason so many people buy daybeds is the functionality it offers. It can be used as both a sofa and a bed. The space underneath can house a storage drawer or an extra trundle bed for even more functionality. It sometimes even acts as a space filler when people don't know what to do with a spare room.

Since daybeds come in a variety of ​styles, configurations, materials, and price points, you might find it helpful to look at some of their different features and aspects before making a decision on which type is right for you.
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Uses The most common use for a daybed is in a spare room or home office. While it can be used as a sofa or chaise lounge in these rooms, it is often added to accommodate guests. It can transform a home office or sewing room when there is no separate guest room when overnight visitors arrive.

Daybeds are also often used in a child's room for sleeping, and the trundle can be conveniently pulled out from under the bed for a sleepover. The trundle effectively hides an extra bed underneath, opening up space to be used for play.

Material Choices Daybeds come in wood, metal, or a combination of wood and metal. You can also find daybeds in wicker or upholstered in leather, although these are not as common as wood or metal.
The material you choose has a lot to do with your own needs and preferences. Metal daybeds tend to be used more for sleeping, while wood daybeds are thought to look more like sofas and may also be used for sitting and lounging.

Metal daybeds are also generally considered to be a more traditional style than wood ones, which are often thought to be more contemporary.

However, it is possible to find contemporary-looking metal daybeds at Bed King and traditional wood ones. The important thing to consider is your own preference for a material or a style and what feels comfortable to you.

Styles Choose a style that complements the rest of your interior decor. Just to give you an idea, daybeds are available in the Mission style, sleigh style, or Victorian. And you can find as many choices in contemporary styles as traditional ones.

Choices include daybeds with small, simple profiles; larger and more elaborate ones; or styles with intricate carving, which complements a formal and traditional look.

Along with style, you have plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a color. Light, dark or painted wood is available, along with choices in metal, too. Choose from chrome, silver, or brass and non-traditional colors.

Quality Issues You will find daybeds in a range of different levels of quality and price points. You should always go for the best quality you can afford. You might have to assemble the furniture yourself, but consider the quality of the material and look at the finish.

The material will give you some clues, too. For instance, an iron daybed is superior in quality to many other metal daybeds. There is a difference in the quality of different woods, too. You probably will find quality differences reflected in the price. 

Trundles Trundles are pull-out beds on casters that can be stored under a daybed. Not all daybeds come with trundles, but it is a good option to explore because you get two beds that use the space of a single one most of the time. The hidden bed can be pulled out when needed and put back when not in use.

A trundle can be left low to the ground or lifted up to the same level as the daybed. An advantage to this feature is that you can roll it up to the daybed so that the two together form a large bed that is only slightly smaller than a king-size bed.


Mattress Daybeds usually come in twin-size and use regular twin-size mattresses. The daybed mattresses are supported on wood slats or link spring.
Select a mattress type and firmness that you find comfortable. If the daybed will get heavy use, it makes sense to buy a good-quality mattress.

Bedding While you can easily use regular twin-size sheets and pillows with a daybed, you might want to pay extra attention to the cover and add extra pillows if it is to be used for sitting and lounging as well as sleeping.

You could opt for just a fitted cover for the mattress if the bed will primarily be used for sitting. A cover with a tailored look is a good option for this purpose.


Article source: https://bedscapetown.wordpress.com/2019/11/03/what-to-look-for-in-a-daybed/​
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6 Mistakes People Make When Buying Furniture

11/3/2019

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Before purchasing that new couch, consider how it'll fit in with the rest of your furniture and whether it matches your lifestyle.
 
If you have a house, that's probably your most valuable possession, with a car following closely behind. After that, you've probably spent the most on your furniture/ bedroom furniture.

The stakes may not be as high if you buy an uncomfortable chair as if you buy a subpar house or a lemon car, but you're likely spending thousands of dollars on furniture as the years go by. So the next time you're buying bedroom furniture, keep these guidelines in mind.

You can never measure enough. It isn't enough to measure the furniture to see if it'll fit where you want it, though that's a good start. If it's an oversized or unusually shaped piece, you'll want to examine the doorway, and perhaps multiple doorways – especially if you live in a building.

"A lot of people, and even design professionals, have dealt with a piece of furniture not fitting in an elevator," says Alena Capra, an interior designer based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "Height, width and depth of the furniture piece are important to note when checking to see if it will fit in your elevator."
Jeffrey Weldler agrees. Welder is the marketing director and interior decorating expert at Vänt Wall Panels, a wall panel company headquartered in Spring Valley, New York. He says many people forget to measure furniture, which can cost you a ridiculous amount of money if you have to return a piece to the store.

"Shipping furniture back to the retailer is usually on the customer's bill," he says.
Think about how the furniture will look with the rest of your furniture. No matter how well you think you know your home, it can sometimes be hard to be in a store and visualize how an item will work in a room.

"A furnishing's color may look gorgeous in the showroom, but may not look that way in your living room," Weldler says.

He recommends asking the store clerk for a color swatch and bringing it home "to see how the color looks in your own home surrounded by your own furniture."

Your furniture should fit your lifestyle. Cheryl Chase Mackenna, who has her own interior design firm in New York City, says many people don't think about the fact that maybe the furniture they want isn't right for the people and possibly pets using it.

"Children and pets on silk chairs – not so great," she says.

But you also need to be thinking about how your furniture will fit your lifestyle, not only now but in the foreseeable future. Mackenna has a client who is buying a lot of new furniture because when she furnished her home three years ago – including some chairs with silk on them – she didn't have kids or pets. Now the client has twin boys, a boxer and a bulldog.

"She would have saved thousands of dollars if she knew prior to choosing her furniture what was going to stand the test of time with sticky fingers and muddy dog paws," Mackenna says. 

Don't rush. People typically spend months looking for a house and weeks searching for the right car. Don't spend minutes buying furniture.

And this isn't the time for an impulse purchase. "Walk away for at least a day, and then decide if you still want it before you buy it," Weldler advises.

But you may be rushing without even realizing it. When Kimberly and Jim Donahue, owners of the Inn at Round Barn Farm, a bed and breakfast in Waitsfield, Vermont, bought furniture for their first home, they scoured Manhattan, looking for the right pieces. They finally found a sofa and three chairs that they loved.

But when the furniture was delivered, everything not only seemed too small for the rooms, but worse, "they were the most uncomfortable seating known to mankind," Kimberly says. "They were even more uncomfortable than a subway seat."

So what went wrong? After all, it isn't as if they purchased these pieces online or didn't look at plenty of shops. They didn't rush the process at all.

Except at the very end, when it really mattered.

"We were so weary from our march through the city that we obviously didn't do the 'sit test' for long enough," Kimberly says.

Visit Bed King and take your time browsing and testing all their available bedroom furniture.

Think about maintenance. Some high-end pieces of furniture may require more care than you would suspect.

If there's wood involved – maybe you're buying a table – ask about the wood finish's durability, Capra suggests.

"Know how it can be cleaned, and with what products and most importantly, what not to clean it with. A lot of the time, some cleaning products ruin wood finishes," she says.

Stay within your price range. That's harder than it sounds. Weldler points out that a lot of consumers get lured into applying for a store credit card.

"You may go into a store only wanting to spend R10,000, but if you're approved for R30,000, you're probably going to spend much more than you anticipated," he says. "Many stores get people with interest-free financing, but that's only applicable if the entire amount is paid within the time allotted ... This could potentially end up costing you hundreds more than you originally paid at 20 to 30 percent interest rates."

And remember that more costs could be coming, like a delivery charge or maybe the store will offer you the chance to pay for an extended warranty. Either scenario could mean you're spending more than you intended. Knowing that you spent far more than you planned could really make your head hurt – especially if your oversized sofa jams your doorway, and you have to rent power tools to chop it into smaller pieces. At least ibuprofen is relatively cheap.


Article source: https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2016-09-02/6-mistakes-people-make-when-buying-furniture
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Reasons why a sleeper couch is better than a couch

8/26/2019

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Considering buying a sleeper couch, but wondering if a plain old couch might be wiser? In case you needed convincing, we've come up with the best reasons to buy a sleeper couch not a couch
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If you're looking for reasons to buy a sleeper couch rather than a couch, search no further: this feature will tell you all you need to know. Most of the reasons why a sleeper couch is better than a couch are lifestyle-related, but there are a few things about modern sleeper couches that you might not know, and which might just swing you in their favour.

1. A SLEEPER COUCH IS AS COMFORTABLE TO SIT ON AS A COUCH
Approach buying a sleeper couch just like you would a couch, checking its frame and fillings for both quality of construction and how it matches your personal preferences. sleeper couch fillings include foam (for a firmer, smart-looking seat); fibre (for soft support); or plump feathers (for a soft, squashy looking couch). Sleeper couches do tend to feel firmer than couches, so picking one with a combination of softer cushion types – fibre seat cushions and feather back cushions, for example – will give you the best balance.

As for the frame, look for a sleeper couch with (ideally) a hardwood frame that's screwed and glued. 

2. MODERN SLEEPER COUCHES ARE JUST AS GOOD LOOKING AS COUCHES
Gone are the days when sleeper couches were lumpy, heavy pieces of furniture you felt you had to reinforce the floor for. Many, particularly contemporary sleeper couches , are as chic and svelte as they're non-bed couch counterparts. Just look at this Mid-century modern style sleeper couch (below) for proof of our point.

3. SLEEPER COUCHES COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
Sleeper couches used to be narrow two-seaters at best. Now, there are beds in a box, loveseats, two-seaters, three-seaters and L-shaped, all of which can be easily converted into sleep surfaces to suit your space and guest numbers. 

Function-wise, there's plenty of choice, too, from pull-out sleep surfaces to sleeper couches with backs that fold backwards to provide an instant double bed. Choose one that suits you best: pull outwards and you'll need plenty of floor space in front of the sleeper couch; fold backwards, and you'll need to pull out the entire couch before you can push the back down.

Looking for space-saving options? Look for armless sleeper couches: doing so will allow you to gain extra sleep space if you sacrifice space-stealing arms. 

4. SLEEPER COUCHES CAN MIMIC TRADITIONAL COUCHES
If yours is a traditional home, you'll want to be browsing traditional sleeper couches to complement it (jump to our guide to see our pick of the best around). Well, the good news is that all your favourite traditional couch styles, including the mighty Chesterfield, are now available as sleeper couches, too. Genius.

5. SLEEPER COUCHES COME WITH CLEVER, SPACE-SAVING FEATURES
We know what you're thinking: if you've got a sleeper couch, you'll need somewhere to stash all that extra bedding. Well, the good news is that many sleeper couches come with hidden storage. And if you don't want to keep bedding in there, they may great places to stick all that household clutter you've gathered and don't have a place for. 

Storage in a sleeper couch doesn't stop there: some now come with pull-out tables to hold food and drink, too. 

6. SLEEPER COUCHES ARE AS COMFORTABLE AS A REAL BED
We've all slept on a terrible sleeper couch, right? They're never quite big enough, the mattresses are terrible and you can feel the bed frame beneath. That's old sleeper couches. Those days have gone.

Now, thanks to advances in manufacturing technologies and, no doubt, consumer demand, sleeper couches are made for comfortable sleep, and the best are made for permanent sleep, so should provide you with as much support as a proper bed. 

What to look for? Other than a well-made frame and base, a sprung or foam – and in particular a memory foam – mattress of a decent depth will be a real bonus. Don't just consider what your guests (or you) will be lying on; the size of the sleep space is vital to comfort, too, so ensure the sleeper couch that you're considering for two sleepers has a big enough mattress to comfortably contain them.

7. SLEEPER COUCHES ARE GREAT FOR KIDS' SLEEPOVERS
If your child's bedroom is small, a single armchair sleeper couch or bed in a box in the corner is a useful buy; failing that, a double sleeper couch in the living room will accommodate them, especially as they get older and want to stay up all night watching Game of Thrones.

8. SLEEPER COUCHES ARE BETTER THAN couchS BECAUSE THEY SAVE SPACE
In a small house, flat or flat/house-share, sleeper couches for small living rooms will be invaluable, giving you a spare bedroom when you need it at the drop of a hat.

Having a sleeper couch in the living room, snug, TV room or in a bedroom makes perfect sense for families in larger homes, too, where guests might be frequent, but a guest bedroom not worth the space sacrifice. 

9. SLEEPER COUCHES MEAN YOU DON'T NEED TO STORE A GUEST BED
A sleeper couch isn't as cheap as a blow up bed or a fold-out bed, agreed. However, having one as a usable couch does mean that you won't have to store away bulky sleep surfaces in a cupboard or loft space that could be more usefully employed. 

10. SLEEPER COUCHES ARE A GOOD INVESTMENT IF YOU'RE ON A BUDGET
If yours is a small furniture buying budget, buying a sleeper couch can save you money because you can use one single piece of furniture for two purposes: seating and sleeping. And, you needn't spend a fortune on a good quality sleeper couch, either. Bed King offers delivery on their great range of sleeper couches, Johannesburg to Cape Town and all around!

11. SLEEPER COUCHES AREN'T JUST FOR GUESTS EITHER 
Hear us out, we are sure you and your other half are very happy together and we aren't suggesting that a sleeper couch basically becomes the dog house, but if you live in a one bed flat it is useful to have the extra sleeping space just in case. Maybe one of you is sick and gross, or someone's coming in late and doesn't want to disturb, it's much comfier sleeping on sleeper couch than it would be just a couch. 

Article source: https://bedscapetown.wordpress.com/2019/08/26/reasons-why-a-sleeper-couch-is-better-than-a-couch/​
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Can a weighted blanket help you sleep better?

8/26/2019

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Judging by social media and other chatter, one of the impactful talks at TED 2019—held in Vancouver in April—was Matthew Walker’s “You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep—and it’s Killing You.”

Walker, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Berkeley, has been encouraging people to take sleep more seriously for a few years now, arguing that, short-term, a lack of sleep messes with our memory, appetite and immune systems, and, long-term, could make us more vulnerable to depression, anxiety, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer. That got people’s attention.

Shouldn’t we already know that sleep is an important thing, though? We all know the joy of a solid, uninterrupted eight hours, right? And, on the flip side, anyone who’s ever experienced a sleep disorder—roughly 40 per cent of Canadians, including me—is keenly aware that it’s not just the frustration in the middle of the night that’s a problem, it’s the fact that the next day’s largely a write-off, thanks to a haze of brain fog.

What is it that keeps people like me up? Anxiety? Stress? Depression? It might be a complex interplay of things, explains Dr. Christine Purdon, Director of Clinical Training of the PhD program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Waterloo and co-director of the Anxiety Studies Division, who says that insomnia is characteristic of a number of mental health problems.

“Some people have trouble sleeping because their thoughts race and they’re worried that they’re not going to be able to manage the challenges of the next day,” says Purdon. “So, they’re trying to problem-solve, but they can’t do anything about it at two in the morning in their bed, so the thoughts keep racing and then they get anxious. And you can’t sleep when you’re anxious because you’ve got cortisol running through your body.”

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that jacks up our blood sugar, suppresses our immune system and gets us ready to run away from predators—a built-in alarm, starting at the amygdala, a part of the brain that sends distress signals to other parts of the brain. Although our modern anxiety is more likely to be about deadlines or office politics than sabre-tooth tigers, we still make cortisol when the amygdala senses danger.

Purdon’s description is exactly how I feel at 5 a.m., hopelessly trying to get back to sleep with Jedi mind tricks. I should say, though, that I’ve been pretty lucky to have fewer (and shorter) bouts of insomnia over the past several years. Whereas, I once had torturous two- or three-week spells a few times a year, it’s down to a sporadic few nights a month. I attribute a lot of that to keeping more regular hours and paying attention to the quality of mattresses and light “noise” in the room.

I’d like to get it down to zero, though, so I’m always on the look-out for new strategies for better sleep. As such, I decided to try out a weighted blanket.

Day One: Apparently, the blanket will “create a feeling of being hugged,” as well as “reduce chronic stress and high levels of anxiety” and “may increase serotonin and melatonin levels and decrease cortisol levels…to promote a better sleep.” The key word here is “may.” There really isn’t a lot of peer-reviewed research confirming the many anecdotal stories circulating that it’s helpful for anxiety and/or sensory processing disorders.

First night: Even if you think you have a pretty good idea as to what roughly 6 kg feels like, picking up this blanket produces cognitive dissonance—it’s way heavier than it looks. It’s also only five feet long, so you have to choose between covering your chest or your feet. Initially, I thought it was a non-starter, since it felt less like “hugging” and more like being trapped. Despite my concerns, I slept well.
Week Two: The weird thing is, you adjust to the weight pretty quickly—for me, I was actually looking forward to the sensation of added weight by the end of the first week. I was sleeping more on my back and moving around less, which is obviously a good thing

Week Three: Insomnia strikes. For me, it’s never about getting to sleep but, rather, staying asleep. I’ll wake up at 4 a.m. and that’s when the thoughts start racing. This generally lasts several hours, but, all four nights that it happened to me that week I was able to get back to sleep in under 15 minutes.
Month’s End: After a month with no insomnia, I’m a convert. I still have some trepidation, since I’ve had a lot of vivid dreams—sometimes too vivid. I’m also worried about whether or not it’ll be too hot in, say, mid-Summer.

I’m also worried it might not last. What if my good sleeps are just a placebo effect? As Dr. Purdon points out, without more studies, we can’t know. She can, however, imagine a theory for how a weighted blanket might work to alleviate some symptoms of anxiety.

“I have heard of people using weighted blankets and enjoying them,” she says. “I think that if it gives a safety signal—like that kind of warm sense of being bundled—I think it’s possible that sensation can make somebody feel safer and down-regulate the amygdala and get rid of the anxiety, which could help you get back to sleep.”

Still, Purdon warns that people shouldn’t get their hopes up that a blanket, no matter how good, will be life-transforming, even if future research does support the theory.

“I do have a fair bit of skepticism about things that come onto the market making big claims,” she says. “I don’t think there are quick fixes for anything. I think it’s great if some people try something and it helps them. But I don’t think something like that is going to cure anybody’s anxiety problems, that’s for sure.”
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Be sure that it’s not your bed that is hindering your sleep, before looking for solutions elsewhere. Make use of the Comfort Solutions Lab at Bed King to help you choose one of the best beds Cape Town to Jozi.

Article source: https://bedssleepscience.tumblr.com/post/187278760396/can-a-weighted-blanket-help-you-sleep-better​
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