Choosing Your Perfect Set of Pillows and Using Them Correctly

With all the different types of pillows available including synthetic or natural, and box or orthopaedic, choosing the right one for you can seem like a daunting task. It’s important to consider a number of different, but central elements that affect the kind of pillow that’s best for you.

1.     Filling

Many people have personal preferences when it comes to pillow fillings; some prefer the squishy sinking of a natural filling, while others prefer a firm synthetic inner that provides support. Although natural fillings such as goose down and duck down have always been seen as luxury pillows, synthetic pillows have been catching up in the luxury department and really aren’t far behind anymore. Osteopaths recommend that the younger you are, the firmer your pillows need to be, and they can soften up as you get older when your spine is fully formed.

2.     Allergies

Although feather pillows may seem like the height of luxury, with their soft squishy and light-weight feel, those who suffer from hay fever, and other respiratory allergies often find that natural pillows make their breathing harder, and opting for a synthetic alternative is likely a good idea.

3.     Amount

It is advised by back experts to lay as flat as possible, to keep vertebrae and neck bones straight. However, this is dependent upon the firmness of your mattress, and the breadth of your shoulders, the curve of your upper back, and finally the position in which you sleep. This makes deciding on the appropriate amount of pillows particularly tricky!

4.     Where

This seems like an obvious point, but where you have your pillow makes a big difference! While most people sleep with their head and neck on the pillow (the correct way) some people sleep with their shoulders on it too, which will force the neck into an uncomfortable position and leave you with an ache in the morning. The aim of your pillow is to fill the space between your shoulders and your neck, whilst raising your head, so remember to adjust your pillow up and down the bed accordingly.

5.     Position

Many people sleep on their front or back, twisted around into positions that, outside of sleeping, would be really uncomfortable! The best way (where your back is concerned) to sleep is on either side, with your head and neck on pillows that are tall enough to keep your spine straight and level when lying down. It is important to not only keep up to your pillows, but also make sure that your mattress doesn’t get too old and saggy as no matter how many pillows you use, your spine will still not be straight.

Pillows are available in all shapes and sizes for your comfort nowadays and even come orthopaedically, designed to complement your sleeping position, so take these five tips into account as well as looking for specifically designed pillows and you’ll find sleeping just got that little bit easier!

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•  Polka dots are an old classic that never goes out of style.  When done properly, they can be classy or fun, enough to spice up a room.
• Florals are in style right now, and they’re perfect for spring redecorating!  My bedspread right now is floral-themed with bright (but not overpowering) colors, and it’s fun and simple.  Try big flowers for a bold feel or tiny floral print that creates a pattern that looks understated and demure.
• I mentioned white space in the previous article, but when it comes to patterns, this can be a great tool.  Try using a white base with a simple, colorful pattern that matches your walls or other accent items.
• Attention to detail is key.  Ornate, looping patterns that are almost Oriental in style are cropping up everywhere now, and they’re gorgeous and exciting.
• Finally, pay attention to the texture of the bedding itself! Whether it’s quilted and bumpy, fringed, scalloped, or woven, an interesting texture can make all the difference between plain and uniquely interesting.

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• Bold, deep colors.  Not neon, but jeweled tones that will make a room look regal and beautiful.  Ocean blues, emerald greens, golden yellows, and royal purples are classy, standout, and beautiful.  Blues and other cool colors have a calming effect.  These spring colors are more  soothing than the warmer equivalents of red and orange, but you can pair them together.
  

  This uses bold colors, a pattern with white space, and gray mixed with blue and gold, a good example of all of the above.

• Don’t forget about white space, though! You don’t want to be visually assaulted with so many deep colors.  If your room is light, try a more solid, deep bedding.  If your room is darker, try a pattern that will pick up on the color cues without overwhelming you.

• Gray and… Several people that I know have gotten married or engaged recently, and of those, two have had the colors of silver and dark blue for their wedding.  Gray, as a more neutral color, balances out another color like blue, purple, or red.

Most of all, though, pick a color that makes you happy, since you’ll be seeing it every day.

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How often should you clean your comforters or blankets, and do you have to give them the special treatment with dry cleaning?  Since dry cleaning can get so expensive, you probably want to clean them only when you really have to.  Here are some tips or quick fixes on dealing with quilts and comforters.

• Sometimes, even bedding that claims to be dry clean only will turn out alright on special settings.  Down, however, can be ruined by water.  If you want to be careful, keep away from the washing machine.
• If dust is your issue, a bout in the dryer should do the trick.  You won’t have to wash the comforter, especially if it’s dry clean only, and it will be warm and allergen-free.
• How often is really up to you.  If it’s the guest bedroom in the corner of your house that’s only used once in a blue moon, it’s probably fine to keep the comforter on the bed for as long as possible.  If it’s your bed, you probably only have to clean it once every few months, or however often you feel comfortable with.  Since there’s probably a sheet between you and the comforter, you don’t have to worry about cleaning it very often.

When in doubt, check the tags and talk to someone who knows their down!

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Quality and safety are also big concerns prompting shoppers to seek American made products.  This is especially true in the home décor and furniture industry where imported products are often made in unregulated processes with possible toxic materials.  Children’s furniture is even a greater safety issue since most youngsters are not particularly gentle on the furniture.  American made furniture is the best option to deliver the craftsmanship and sturdy style to ensure years of play.  Buying “made in the USA” is also a consumer’s best defense against inferior finishes and paints which can release toxic fumes which are inhaled every time you are using the furniture or simply if you are in a room with the furniture. Imported furniture is often made of particleboard and will likely need to be replaced regularly.  Poor foreign manufacturing practices combined with toxic materials can quickly turn into an injury when a bed or chair fails.

Sustainability is another reason more shoppers are demanding American made furnishings. While furniture made in the USA is manufactured from sustainable forests with ecologically sound methods, imported furniture is often made from illegally harvested lumber.  These dangerous environmental practices contribute to the rate of rainforest destruction and also leave local populations without sources of income and hope for the future.  American made Artistic Sensations furniture can last for generations while the imported furniture over-runs our land-fills.

Another American-made advantage allows Artistic Sensations to offer high quality, customizable furniture and décor with the fastest possible delivery times.  Since we do not have to wait many weeks for import containers of foreign furniture to arrive, your orders typically get made much faster than imports.

Made in America is not just a marketing slogan.  It is important to your family and your future.  Did you know these important facts about manufacturing in America?

The United States is the world’s largest manufacturing economy, producing 18.2 percent of global manufactured products, according to the World Bank. China is second with 17.6 percent.

U.S. manufacturing produces $1.8 trillion of value each year, or 12.2 percent of U.S. GDP. For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.48 is added to the economy.

Manufacturing supports an estimated 17.2 million jobs in the U.S.—about one in six private sector jobs. Nearly 12 million Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are employed directly in manufacturing.

These facts reveal America’s greatest strength has always been rooted in the ingenuity of our businesses, the imagination of our entrepreneurs and the productivity of the American worker.  It’s this powerful combination that has built the greatest economy in the world.  Artistic Sensations sells furniture made to last and buying “made in the USA” will help support a nation that’s built to last.

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• Wash it in cold water.  Although most warm settings will be okay, if you want to keep both color and size intact, cold water is gentler on your bedding and cheaper as well.
• Watch out with the dryer!  Cotton and linen will shrink, and so you have to be careful to not over-dry them.  It’s perfectly safe to remove laundry when it’s still damp and let it air-dry the rest of the way, and this method also reduces wrinkling.
• Wool is the most dangerous of all.  I once put a woolen dress into the dryer by accident and removed it hours later, discovering that it had shrunk to the size of a doll’s dress!  Unless you want your woolen blankets to meet a similar fate, I would suggest not putting them in the dryer at all or using a no-heat setting.

If your bedding, however, is too large, I’d suggest the opposite of this article.

For made-in-America bedding of all sizes and materials, check out www.ArtisticSensations.com and each item’s care instructions.

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Does your child hop into bed on a cold winter’s night, make themselves into a giant blanket-swaddled burrito, and still discover that their toes are freezing?  There are several good ways to warm up your kids bedding so that your child can get a good night’s sleep.

• Add an extra blanket to their bed.  You probably won’t need something as drastic as an electric blanket (they can be a bit hazardous).  Even a thin, flannel blanket will keep more heat in, and they’ll be able to notice the difference.  Blankets made of flannel and wool are especially warm, as are layered comforters that are stuffed with down between two layers, or, for our more allergic readers, synthetic or cotton batting.
• Pop your kids blankets into the dryer for a few minutes.  If you have allergies, this will clean them up so that you can snuggle up to your chin, and it gives you a bit of extra warmth.
• Find pajamas that will keep them warm.  Flannel pajama bottoms are comfortable and warm.
• Check their mattress.  If your mattress is worn or old, it might be letting in cool air.  A good mattress pad should fix this, as well as making your bed more comfortable.
• Lastly, their favorite lovey or monogrammed blanket will also help tuck them in and make them feel secure.

Check out http://www.artisticsensations.com/ for made-in-America bedding!

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When done right, dust ruffles can be elegant and stylish.  You can put them onto beds and cribs.  Match the ruffle to the headboard of your bed or to the comforter or walls, tying the color schemes together.  They’re also very handy for covering up unsightly parts of your bed, like plain, metal legs or all of your family’s photo albums from the past fourteen summers.  You can use the space under your bed for storage without worrying that anyone will be able to see your mess.

However, sometimes dust ruffles can be more trouble than they’re worth.  If they aren’t done right in order to match the room, they might seem tacky, garish, or too old-fashioned.  Covering up a beautiful bed might be a shame.  Also, although it’s called a dust ruffle because it is supposed to keep the area beneath your bed cleaner, it might as well be called such to describe the way that it collects that same dust.  You have to clean it regularly, and it can be a pain to remove and replace.  If you have allergies or if you just enjoy a minimalist or modern look, dust ruffles probably aren’t the furniture accessory for you.

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We all make resolutions at the turn of a new year, but keeping them is a different story.  You can feel your resolve falling to the wayside as the year marches on.  What are some ways that you can follow through on the promises of January?

• Set yourself checks.  Instead of just promising to follow through, ask others to hold you accountable for your actions.  Want to lose a few pounds? Find a workout buddy who will heckle you if you don’t show up.  Have a habit you can’t ditch?  Assign someone to call you out whenever you start to do it.  Trying to get off the Internet? Download a program that will kick you offline after a certain amount of time.
• Remind yourself.  Post reminders around your house or in places that you will see them.  Make sure to switch them up every once in a while, though – if you pass the same reminder note every single day, you’ll start to ignore them, too.  Try putting a new and exciting twist on your resolution, coming up with ways to make them interesting.  Redecorating a room? Browse around sites like ArtisticSensations or make it into a fun project.

Above all, spending more time with your family and those that you love is the best resolution of them all.  Next year will come even more quickly than this year, and so we should strive to spend as much of it with others as we can.   I don’t have any time! You may tell yourself.  But there’s always time to do what you love and to spend time with others.  Cut time spent on your iPhone and laptop in order to interact more with your friends and family members.  Once you pull away from your phone and the drudgery of chores, think of all the time you’ll have to adventure!

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