Sometimes deciding on what bed to buy can be daunting, especially when there are many designs, sizes and options available! Wooden storage beds from Carpetright have a large area underneath the mattress that provides a seemingly unlimited storage space for your linen, clothes and forgotten treasures. Be it an Ottoman bed or a bed with drawers,  your bed will bring you happiness both through providing a heavenly night’s sleep and a place to hide away your belongings, which keeps your bedroom neat and tidy.

Large Storage Beds.

Finding a place for everything in your home can be a constant struggle and the bedroom is no exception. Striving for a calm sleeping zone with absolutely no clutter on show is the ultimate dream, but the reality is often overflowing drawers, heavy wardrobes and untidy surfaces and floors. Rather than spending money on more closets, cabinets and bedside chests, consider all-in-one solution – a large storage bed.

Did you know that some beds with storage have a side-opening mechanism that can prove handy if your bed needs to be located against a wall or in an alcove? Be sure to measure the bed frame though, to ensure it will fit into your bedroom comfortably and that it leaves enough space for accessing the storage. Ottomans may have a slightly larger frame to accommodate the lifting mechanism so bear this in mind. Storage beds come in a variety of sizes; from single to king size bed frames and even super kingsizes and each model will vary with the amount of storage it offers.

Headboard Storage.

A place that nobody thinks about storing their items is within a bed’s headboard. Like Carpetright’s Vantage headboard, it gives you the advantage to secretly store away linen, towels and more without anybody realising. You can use the space for your books, perfume or even your jewellery. This will ensure that your belongings are kept safe behind your head throughout the night.

Headboards for king size beds will therefore provide the ultimate space to keep your bedroom tidy. Plus, you will have heavenly comfort for your head, making it a pleasure to lounge and read in bed. Consider this bed so that you are kept comfortable; your things are kept safe and your home uncluttered!

Your chosen model needs to not only provide lots of hiding space, but it also has to be strong enough to hold your items. Avoid beds with thin, unsupported bases and frames with flimsy drawers that won’t take much weight. It’s definitely worth paying extra for a high-quality construction.

A pelmet is framework placed above a window and it’s also called a cornice board. It is used to conceal curtain fixtures and they can also have decorative value. Moreover, they also help insulate the window. They give the window a distinctive look and they come in various designs. A simple way of categorizing them would be into stiff pelmets and pelmet valances.

A stiff pelmet is made from the pelmet board with fabric and there are no frills or pleats in this case. In the case of the valance pelmet, the fabric has pleats that fall downwards. There are also cases where the curtain pelmet can be used alone without curtains. The color of the pelmet can match that of the furniture or other decorative elements in the room.

As for the design, a very common type of curtain pelmets would be the wooden ones. They are custom made and they can vary in length. You can also choose the color and have beautifully carved details on their surface. They can be both traditional and contemporary. Contemporary curtain pelmets in general are very different from traditional ones. They are light and soft and tend to be very simple. They are often covered by swags.

The original design of curtain pelmets was made of wood and had carved details on them. There are also other versions, such as the molded ceiling cornice or the scalloped curtain pelmets. The molded versions don’t stand out much and seem to be a part of the ceiling.

Aside from their decorative purposes, curtain pelmets also have other defining features. For example, they are sometimes used to block the light from the upper portion of the window. Also, depending on their design and type, they can make a room seem taller or, on the contrary, they can create balance in a room with high ceilings.

Tiles.

Most bathrooms have tiling, even if just to provide a splash back surround, but there is no good reason to stick to simple white squares which can create a cold atmosphere. Glass tiles afford sparkle, light reflection and a certain amount of depth by comparison with regular ceramic tiles. This can be particularly warranted if your bathroom does not benefit from any natural light. They are available in a range of colors and finishes which will compliment the rest of your bathrooms décor. Consider using glass tiles made from recycled material since these tiles have improved in quality in recent years.

Go Vintage.

There is something inescapably heart-warming about a bathroom vanity that takes its design cues from that early part of the last century. Even if your home does not date back to the 1920’s a bathroom design that harks back to that period will give a sense of timeless vogue. Increasingly popular design elements of a vintage bathroom include stand alone bath tubs with clawed feet, porcelain pedestal hand basins and frosted glass light fittings. Remember to use elements that come from similar periods. A bath design dating from the thirties will never look good if you set it against a faucet from the sixties. There is a lot to be said for refurbishing old fittings, but plenty of manufacturers produce brand new ‘vintage’ bathroom hardware.

Shower Power.

Modern bathroom designers make a great deal from selecting the right shower for the project. Cramped and functional shower cubicles are no longer welcome in most homes. Of course, your room may not have sufficient space to accommodate anything other than a small shower cubicle. In such cases, it is well worth considering removing your bath entirely and giving the capacity over to a larger shower enclosure. A multi-head shower, in a spacious cubicle or even a wet room, can be used by more than one person at a time and will allow you luxuriate without feeling constrained.

Ventilate.

A common reason for an old bathroom to look dated is because it has been exposed to too much moisture, which can lead to mold. If you are updating your bathroom, it is time to improve the ventilation. Powerful modern ventilation systems work with increased efficiency and more quietly than before. The air flow system is rarely overlooked in professional contemporary bathroom design. Not only will good ventilation allow you to keep your bathroom looking fresh, by removing unwanted humidity, it can reduce your heating bill, since dry air is less costly to heat up.

Reflect On Making the Most of Your Space.

Internal glazing is often used nowadays to create a sense of visual continuity within bathroom design. If your bathroom requires an internal division of space, the best approach is to use glazing, if possible, so the eye can see through to the adjoining area. Mirrors have been used for many years to create a sense of space, even in the smallest of bathrooms. Consider floor to ceiling mirrors that cover the entire surface of one wall. This will give the illusion that your bathroom is twice the size that it actually is. Using large mirrors in this way will give your bathroom a spa like feel.

It’s nice to make your dining area stand out within the context of your home. If yours blends in with the kitchen, then you’ll recognize the importance of making sure that each space retains its own aesthetic. After all, you don’t want to feel as though you’re eating at the cooker! Indeed, the ideal dining room should represent a refuge; a safe haven, separate from the rest of the home, where you can eat, drink and socialise in complete comfort.

Switching from faux leather to real leather dining chairs can make an enormous difference. There’s simply nothing like the sensuality of genuine leather furniture. Smart and lavish yet strong and practical, they exude a sense of power and will add instant gravity to your surroundings.

Similarly, a change of colour can influence the mood of an entire room. Greens and purples have undergone a surge in popularity over the last couple of years and can be trusted to introduce a funky touch to an otherwise neutral environment. Similarly, pairing a distinctive frame with an otherwise conservative seat is sure to make heads turn and hearts swell. Cantilever designs are defined by their edgy z-shaped metalwork, while hand worked brushed steel dining chairs monotise your surroundings for a magnificently smooth look.

If you’ve already plumped for wood in the past, why not consider switching to a different finish? One of the great advantages of the grain is that it’s so adaptable, and this is why it’s possible to make this kind of change without disrupting the overall theme of your decor. Solid oak is elegantly airy while walnut conjures an extraordinary sense of depth. Both finishes create a delightful contrast when paired with neutral colours like cream or chocolate brown.

If you simply cannot bear to part with your existing chairs, you could always consider introducing a couple of contrasting models to the mix. Blending traditional designs with more modern alternatives will help to create a beautifully timeless look. Another good idea is to introduce a couple of carver chairs to your space. These dining chairs with arms can add a sense of grandeur to a room, and harken back to the days where feasting was synonymous with revelry and indulgence. Carver chairs encourage you to relax – and who can resist that?

You don’t have to splash out on anything elaborate in order to give your home a lift; simply try a couple of new dining chairs and allow yourself to indulge as they breathe a new lease of life into your surroundings.

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4.

This is a 38 square meter apartment located in a Harry Seidler Building in Potts Point. Its owners are a young couple and their daughter. A small family like this one doesn’t need a lot of space. However, they have to be able to feel comfortable in there and to also be able to receive guests. It’s why the couple wanted to redesign this apartment. The wanted it to be brighter and more airy. As a result, this apartment from Sydney, Australia got a very interesting makeover. The first thing that anyone notices about the new décor is that it’s very organized.

The rooms are not delimitated and this creates continuity inside the apartment while also providing more usable floor space. During the renovation, the joinery was demolished and only the bathroom remained untouched. The whole apartment was then reconfigured by Anthony Gill Architects. The result was a space that manages perfectly the concepts of privacy and storage.

The living room shares a large space with the dining area and one of the bedrooms. An almost entire wall is covered with a wall unit and many compartments that hold books. In between what would be the living room and bedroom there’s a small door that leads to a private space, the couple’s daughter’s bedroom. Then there’s also the kitchen, a very well organized space. The whole apartment was remodeled according to its owners’ wishes and needs and the results are very inspiring. It seems that the architects put a lot of thought into this project.

Surfaces

One way to make your home quicker to clean (and therefore more likely to clean) is to choose your home surfaces wisely.  Make life easier for yourself when redecorating your place and opt for smooth surfaces which only need a quick wipe to remove dirt. But what about those hard to reach places? Tilt and turn windows are a great alternative to regular ones as then are far more accessible and easier to clean. What’s more, they come in a wide range of designs, so would fit perfectly in your new neat and tidy home. Or for the kitchen, why not consider glass backsplashes, as these are both manageable and a stylish; lovely!

Charity bags

That’s right, a great way to cut corners is to grab a charity bag, run round the house, and to just get rid of any objects which you don’t need anymore. It won’t take much time, but it does take a lot of discipline. Having a quick de-clutter is an excellent means of making your house seem cleaner, so help others, as well as yourself, and get those charity bags filled! Other places you may like to get rid of your clutter are Ebay, Amazon and Music Magpie. Music Magpie take DVDs, CDs and games which can be recycled by visiting www.musicmagpie.com.

Storage

So if you’re a bit of a hoarder or just too lazy to stick some clothes in a charity bag, then storage could be the option you’re searching for. Look at it this way; it’s not a case of prolonging the untidiness, it just becomes ‘organised mess.’ If people can’t see it then it doesn’t exist, and what’s even better, with storage you aren’t limited to one particular type. You can get a storage seat or a storage table; the world is your oyster! Although, there is a danger that you could overdo it. Remember, storage is good, but it isn’t the solution to everything.

Or if all else fails, get a cleaner.

he designers have been meticulous in ensuring that all modern comforts and fixtures are in unison throughout to create both a sense of comfort and luxury in this unique waterside location. If you are looking for a home to show off to guests at dinner parties and larger gatherings, the eye-catching, open-plan living dining area that opens out onto a south-west facing terrace should do just the trick. From here, you can also gain access to a lower decked area that comes complete with an inset Jacuzzi hot tub, in addition to a huge, perfectly landscaped rear garden.

Currently on the market through Savills, Katanga’s entertaining spaces are not merely confined to the exterior of the property. Inside, you will find a state-of-the-art cinema, as well as a gymnasium and sauna. The modern conveniences do not end there though, with a Home Technology System allowing digital control of curtains, blinds, lighting, temperature and the zoned sound system – complete with iPod docks in each room – throughout the property.

The home also features concrete suspended flooring throughout, powder-coated-aluminium double-glazed ‘Smart System’ windows and luxuriously appointed cloakrooms, shower rooms and bathrooms. The whole property is draped in neutral colours throughout – making the most of the spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows at the rear.

All this can be a bit of a headache when buying standalone furnishings, particularly if your bedroom doesn’t offer enough convenient right angles. However, there is one approach that solves all these problems, and also gives your room an enviably unique appearance – fitted bedroom furniture.

The main advantage of fitted bedroom furniture is that it makes the best use of the space available. You’ll have use of a personal designer, who’ll usually visit your home to take a detailed note of the available space. Maybe you have one or more inconvenient recesses in your bedroom walls, which have always defied tidy placement of standalone furnishings. In this case, you can be sure that your designer will be able to come up with a fitting that makes comprehensive use of the space, however oddly shaped it is. Furnishings will usually be set into the wall wherever possible, which capitalises on the shape of your room to create as much storage space as possible. On top of that, your room will be free of the dust traps that always come with standalone furnishings, making it much easier to keep your bedroom clean and tidy.

On top of the functional benefits, fitted furnishings also lend your bedroom a consistent, stylish look. As furnishings are designed to fit seamlessly into the available space, they’re much more subtle in appearance, and don’t impose themselves into a room like large standalone units. This not only gives you more floor space, but also offers multiple storage options without making your room claustrophobic, which is vital for effective relaxation.

If you’re interested in the latest fitted bedroom furniture designs, the internet is a great place to scout for suppliers. Companies like Neville Johnson have a wide variety of styles available that you can browse through online, although you’ll need to contact them directly for a full picture of what’s on offer.

The upgrade package is available for the 2.0i Mazda Mk3/Mk3.5 MX-5 and it features a brand new stainless steel exhaust manifold, a 2.5” stainless steel exhaust center section with a high flow metallic sports cat and center silencer, a high performance panel air filter and a stainless steel rear silencer with 3.5” tailpipes that can be adjusted by the client.

Next, a special StarChip ECU upgrade was done under the hood and thanks to all these upgrades, the power of this Mazda MX-5, was increased from the standard 158 horsepower and 193 Nm of torque to a pretty impressive 180 horsepower (hence the name of this upgrade kit) and 215 Nm of torque at 4,250, a maximum torque that’s achieved at a lower rev than the standard model.

So, if you’re the lucky owner of a Mazda MX-5 and would like to make it stand out of the pack and make it a bit faster, you could get this kit from BBR for just 1,995 GBP.