The Avenue Bedroom Set from Parts of a Bedroom Set

When you think of it, the bedroom is not made by the room design or the facilities available; it’s made up of the bedroom set. Your bedroom set is different from the bed set- the latter refers to the components that make up a bed such as the mattress, the frame, the headboard and the foot board. A bedroom set on the other hand, is an alternative reference to bedroom furniture. So what are the parts of a bedroom set?

First there is the bed. It’s the most important furniture piece in the bedroom, with all other pieces being arranged around it. A bed works best when it’s centrally placed in a room, as opposed to being set against a corner wall. The bed could be metallic or wooden. Metal beds are often the cheaper of the two, and they’re available in more designs that you can sufficiently sample. Wooden beds are the more common, and they’re bulkier and often have more sophisticated, more contemporary designs.

Another component of a bedroom set is the dresser. It’s a storage solution, albeit not the only one used in the bedroom. There are drawers, wardrobes and armoires that all serve a related purpose. They don’t all need to be free standing pieces of furniture. Some of them can be fitted into the wall. They free up more floor space and still providing a very versatile storage solution.

Other parts of a bedroom set include nightstands, vanities and trunks. These are not a necessity, though a nightstand is exempt from that bunch. It provides some space for setting up a bedside lamp, a book, or even a mobile phone. Vanities are often a part of the bathroom set, and need not be part of bedroom furniture, though in most cases it is.

Bedroom sets are usually sold together. That’s because the importance of having matching pieces of furniture is well understood. It simply works magic for the d’cor, and provides a sense of uniformity that makes the bedroom more attractive and inviting.

If it’s not possible to find a set that uses the same wood and finish, try to find one that at the very least, offers a uniform color scheme, or has a consistent style- such as contemporary, traditional, transitional and so on. And whenever possible, try purchasing your bedroom set together, as individual pieces of it are likely to be more expensive, as compared to when they are part of one package.

Saffron Platform Bed from Types of Beds

In the post Platform Bed Vs. Box Spring Which Is Better? and Beds A Style Primer: From Box Spring & Mattress to Canopy, Platform Beds and More the importance of the bedroom is well understood. For a room that’s meant for resting, we spend more time in it than we are aware of. Besides the obvious sleeping, it’s a room one finds solace in after the end of a long day. It’s the room we sometimes use to read a book in, drink some wine, or even watch TV. But what makes a bedroom the room that we come to know it as is the furniture. Think of it, without the furnishings, it would be just another room in the house.

There are different kinds of beds- Box Spring and mattress  a stylish canopy beds or contemporary platform bed. The kind you go for will be dependent on what your tastes are, though they each have their pros and cons. For instance canopy beds such as the Ibiza Canopy bed introduces a European style into your bedroom, while a bedstead such as the Avenue bed enhance a contemporary d’cor, essentially transforming your bedroom into something awesome. Make sure you go for something with the right color scheme and finish to match the rest of your bedroom.

There are so many different kinds of furniture meant for the bedroom. They each serve a unique function. The pieces that can be accommodated depend entirely on the size of the room (and to some degree your preferences as well). Armoires, dressers, chest of drawers, chair, desk (for the home office) night stands, vanities, and so on.

Each of these furniture pieces plays a functional role, and their arrangement really matters. It is sometimes not possible to have all of them, perhaps in a bid to keep the bedroom tidy and free up a lot more floor space. Ultimately, your need for them will determine whether you bring them in or not. The one last piece of bedroom furniture not previously mentioned, the one that is the centrepiece, is the bed.

It is important to have a budget when shopping for your bed, but spending more on a good one is forgivable. The bed has to be comfortable, and there’s just no two ways about that. For a place that is supposed to keep you warm and rested throughout every night, it has to be everything you want it to be. Bed sizes are different, and so are the designs and styles. If there’s a d’cor pattern you’re trying to retain in your entire home (perhaps going for a contemporary home), you can buy a bed that retains this consistency.

6 Tips For Decorating Your Living Room

You stressed and planned and measured and analyzed and agonized about your new living room furniture but you did it. You bought that brand new sofa you have always wanted and it is utterly perfect. The right color, the right shape, the right size, the right everything. Unfortunately, you can’t stop there. You are not even close to being done.

Why, you ask? Why can’t you just quit while you’re ahead? Well, for one, where will you set your drink when you are relaxing on your fabulous new couch? You can’t spend your time on the edge of the seat cushion clutching your drink in your hands. Well, you could, but it wouldn’t be very comfortable.

So, we start the process all over again. The hunt. The search for the rest of your living room furniture, that needs to be as good as, if not better than, your lovely new sofa. It won’t be too difficult. There are a number of options to round out your seating arrangement.

1. The Coffee Table: Averaging 16-18 inches in height, standard coffee tables sit directly in front of your new sofa and should be in proportion to it. You do not need to choose the typical wood one; however, there are a variety of different shapes, styles and materials to choose from. Grouping several smaller tables together creates a modern vibe while mixing either wood tones or styles creates an eclectic look.
2. The Sofa Table: Traditionally, the sofa table or console table sits directly behind a sofa to give you and your guests another option for your resting you glass. In these busy modern times, however, a sofa table is often pulled into service as office space with the addition of a chair and a laptop. When selecting your new sofa table, make sure that the height is just slightly lower than the back of the sofa. Some modern couches have a lower profile and the height of the sofa table needs to be adjusted accordingly.
3. The Side Table: Side tables can be placed around your living room, near living room chairs or next to a chaise. They are small in comparison to the rest of the pieces in your room. You could choose traditional nesting side tables or you can take the opportunity to add a little flair to the room, a little surprise by selecting an end table that is more of a conversation piece. Have fun with it.
4. The Ottoman: Think of the ottoman as the ‘do anything’ piece of living room furniture. It works great at the foot of living room chairs when you want to settle down with a good book in front of the fire. Hidden under a sofa table, ottomans can be pulled into service for extra seating when needed at parties. You can even choose to use an ottoman as your coffee table. The sky’s the limit.

Any decorator or designer will tell you that it’s the accessories that make the room. Your seating is certainly a core part of the personality of your living room, but the right accessories are what can give the room real character. The tables you select are a key part of that character, so give them the thought they deserve.

Once you decide what is best for you and your family, write it down and take it with you when you shop to stay focused. There will always be a pretty table, showing off a little leg and trying to distract you from your goal. Staying focused on what you really need and what will work in the room is key. Happy hunting.

Platform Bed Vs. Box Spring and Mattress

Some folks, who are particular about bedroom furniture, insist that an inner spring mattress with a box spring is the only way to sleep comfortably while others vehemently prefer a platform bed. In fact, the debate over whether platform beds are better or worse than a mattress and box spring combination has plagued generations of sleepers since 1865 when the first patent was issued for the precursor to the modern mattress set. If you want to determine which is better for you and your new furniture purchase, you need to know what the key components are.

The Metal Bed Frame

For modern day Americans, the most common bed on the market and in their homes is the one that uses a metal bed frame in conjunction with a supporting box spring and inner spring mattress. The manufacturers of this sleep system purport that they provide superior support and an increased quality of sleep. Introduced with a patent application in 1865, the mattress-box spring combo became popular in the 1920’s and 30’s and continues to remain the bed of choice today.

Most metal bed frames only work with this type of mattress, which
does limit its use. They do not have slats, so need the box spring to perform this chore. Price can also be a consideration, partly because you are buying two pieces, the mattress and the box spring. In fact, some companies offer finely made mattress sets that have been hand-made and hand-sewn using silk, cashmere, mohair and fine lambswool.

The Platform Bed

A great way to keep costs down is to purchase a platform bed instead. At first glance the sleek, modern lines of a platform bed give it the appearance of being a newcomer to the
bedroom furniture game, but the truth of the matter is that platform beds have been around for centuries. In fact, ancient Romans, in their quest for comfort, created a system of woven metal slats within a metal bed frame to raise their mattresses off the ground while offering support. They just placed a mattress filled with feathers or straw on top and were quite happy to be away from the bugs, dirt and rodents.

The Vikings had a similar idea with wooden slats and the Egyptians used woven reeds and grasses. Some cultures even created an elaborate system of ropes as their support system. The same concept is used today; slats, usually wood, are used to support just a mattress. The box spring is not needed with this system. The slats are placed close enough together to prevent the mattress from sagging under the occupant's weight. And, of course, eliminating the need to buy a box spring can save a bit of money on the purchase.

The Mattress

Platform beds have no favorites; they are equal opportunity beds. Their low side-rails and lack of a metal bed frame allow them to accommodate virtually any mattress imaginable. If you prefer an inner spring mattress, the slats are built to support one but what if you want something different? People have produced mattresses made of various types of foam, including memory foam, air, feathers and even water, which was thankfully short-lived.

So…. Which is Better?

The choice is really personal; after all, it is your bed. If you have a bad back, you may want to invest in an inner spring mattress system. If you like feather beds, by all means, use one with your platform bed. Try them out when you go to the store and see which you prefer. The decision is personal; purchase whichever style suits you and your budget, except for a water bed – nobody needs to go there again.

Beds A Style Primer

Bed Styles: A Primer

So, you are buying a new bed. Yea! Have you decided on what style of bed? Do you know all your options? Once you start looking, you begin to realize that the world of bedroom furniture has many groups and sub-groups. Do you like modern or traditional? Wood or metal? High or low? Confused yet? Here is a brief primer on your options:

Four-Poster Bed

Just like the name implies, a four poster bed has four columns, one at each corner of the bed. They are usually made in a dark, traditional cherry or mahogany-stained wood with carved features and lend themselves to that time-honored style. The clean lines of a Shaker-style four-poster bed, however, can work well in both a country as well as a modern setting, especially if the wood is stained a rich red or black.

Canopy Bed

Not just for a little girl’s room, canopy beds are quite popular with adults as well. This style uses a four-poster bed as its base and builds upon the design with fabric. Sometimes fabric panels are minimal and simply draped along the column while other designs feature miles of lush fabric, drapes that close and a sheltering cover on the overhead canopy rails. Traditional in style and nature, this bed can also work in a more modern setting if the lines are kept clean and simple. Both the four-poster bed and the canopy bed typically sit higher than the average bed. In fact, a small step-stool is customary for both design aesthetic and for climbing up and in at night.

Platform Bed

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the platform bed generally sits low to the ground and appeals to lovers of modern design. The sleek design utilizes a system of bed slats to support your mattress directly, eliminating the need for a box spring. This helps keep the profile of the bed low while reducing overall cost to the consumer. Wood, particularly exotic woods, is the material of choice but platform beds also look fabulous when upholstered in neutral tones.

Sleigh Bed

This transitional bed is designed with both a curving head board and footboard and meant to resemble an actual sleigh. While the look has been around for centuries, in one form or another, sleigh beds fit well in almost any setting. The main consideration you need to keep in mind before you fall in love with one is space. Typically, a sleigh bed can take up more space, both physically and visually, in a small bedroom. There are, however, versions that keep the curve to a minimum to allow the bed to sit as snug to the wall as possible.

Metal Beds

If you are not partial to wood beds, a metal bed may be a better choice for you. A shiny brass bed can liven up a dark guest bedroom while a black wrought-iron bed may be the starting point for an eclectic bedroom re-design. Metal beds can work in many style settings, from cottage to traditional, modern to country.

Day Bed

Typically, a day bed is available in a twin and used in a guest bedroom or office to accommodate overnight guests when space is tight. They often come with a second twin Trundle bed that slides underneath and out of the way when not in use. A unique twist on this bed is that many designers are bringing day beds out of the bedroom and proudly displaying them in the living room for a unique twist on a utilitarian sofa.

There you have it – a rundown on the basic bed styles to choose from for your new purchase. Knowing what material and style you like can make the hunt easier and more enjoyable. Good luck.

Bedroom Furniture Tips

Let’s face it – buying bedroom furniture is not something you do every day. In fact, more than any other piece of furniture in any other room in the house, bedroom furniture is an investment that we keep for years. Ok, decades. Some people may buy a bedroom set when they get married and not even replace it until their 25^th wedding anniversary. That said, you want to make smart decisions about our purchase so that it not only lasts through the years but so it also still appeals to you over time.

1. What is your style? Your spouse’s? Do you know? Take a look through some design magazines and see what appeals to you. Don’t worry about the fancy names given to each; just think about what you like. It really shouldn’t matter to you that one magazine calls a look
   ‘Shabby Chic’, while another calls it ‘Urban Country’ and a third uses the term
   ‘Island Casual’. If you like a slatted headboard that resembles a weathered shutter, it doesn’t matter what it’s called by the design professionals. You may be uber-trendy in your wardrobe but you may surprise yourself. You could fall in love with a
   ‘traditional’ canopy bed or a four-poster bed.
2. The Space. First and foremost, what will actually fit in your current bedroom? This question may conjure up thoughts of a king vs. a queen bed, which is definitely a point to consider. Don’t forget that certain styles of beds may take up more space than others, either visually or physically. For example, a sleigh bed, due to the curve in the head board, does not sit flush against the wall. In fact, it could jut out six inches or more into the room, wasting valuable real estate in a small bedroom.
3. Footboard or not? Some bedroom sets come with a headboard and a footboard. Think about how you use your bed though. If you are a sit-on-the-end-of-the-bed-and-put-on-your-socks kind of person, a footboard may not be for you.
4. No box spring? Say what? As hard as it may be to believe, a platform bed does not require a box spring. We have been trained to buy both a box spring and a mattress, but new platform beds come with flexible wood slats that allow for support and ventilation. The mattress just sits directly on top of the slats, no need for a metal bed frame. It works. Honest.
5. To match or not to match. Newsflash. You do not have to buy matching bedroom sets. You can, there’s nothing wrong with it but you don’t have to. In fact, if you have your great-grandmother’s armoire, do not stress over finding the perfect bed to match. Buy a bed that you like and do not worry about matching wood tones or style. It will all blend well, for a collected-over-time look.
6. Got pets? Another point to consider before purchasing new bedroom furniture is those furry friends. If you always let Fido sleep with you, a lower platform bed may be better than a high four poster version as he gets older. Likewise, an upholstered headboard may not be the best choice for those with cats.
7. Speaking of critters. The EPA suggests buying new bedroom furniture. That’s right. The Environmental Protection Agency is getting in on this topic. With the recent bed bug infestation, they are recommending that you not purchase used bedroom furniture. Apparently those little bed bugs can hide in miniscule cracks in the wood and live for up to a year without food. Gross!

In the end, it is your bedroom, and you and your spouse are the only ones that need to be comfortable with it. So select what you like, and enjoy it for years to come!

Did you just finish the dream house you’ve always wanted? Did you just got married and moved to your new home? Then, now is the time to think about making your house into a home. Choosing the like paint, arrangement, appliances and furniture could pretty much be a challenge.

Getting your hands on pieces of furniture to fill an entire house can be overwhelming especially when you are to furnish the entire house. You go hopping from one furniture store to the other. Choosing and buying every furniture soothing your preference and everything seemed perfect until you realize that either the living room furniture don’t fit the space or the furniture simply doesn’t go together.

So how do you really make furniture shopping as easy as possible yielding just the right satisfaction you wished?  The first logical step it to know your space, by knowing what you want your home to be on the future, whether elegant, contemporary or traditional will give you the general feel of what furniture to choose. The general ambiance you want to attain will showcase the compatibility of furniture choices that you make avoiding the stress of experimenting on various furnishings.

While walking with a specific ambiance in mind, making a plan for every space of the house won’t hurt. You can even bring with you pictures of each area so that you’ll be able to imagine how the furniture will look thus preventing overcrowding of furnishings. Selecting the right amount of dining room furniture and furnishings for the entire house is imperative.

The most practical tip in choosing the perfect furnishings is making a budget. Here is where the motif of the entire house is again important. The theme is of outmost importance because the entire house furniture, from the living room furniture to the dining room furniture, everything must blend together.

If you don’t feel as much confidence in you choice of furnishings, you can always ask help from the freelance interior designers in your city, for numerous of these new designers don’t charge as much. But surely, you can do it with a little bit of time and effort, only you can make your house as close to your character.

A home is not only a place where you live in, but it’s the place where memories of our live are built. It reflects your inner self and how you see the world. A well furnished home is not lavishness but a justifiable want.  Think of it as a good investment for a comfortable and suitable space which fits you.

When thinking of decorating or upgrading your dining room furniture, one thing that will need proper consideration is the size of dining room table to use. Logically, you cannot use a tiny dining room table in a massive dining room and you cannot use a huge dining table in a small space as it will not fit in any way. However, there is always some flexibility.

Small Dining Room Tables

The surest way to make a small room give the illusion of more open space is by using fitting furniture. As such, when looking for dining room tables for small spaces, ensure the furniture is well scaled down to make the space seem larger. Just think small with your family size in mind. If you have a large family, and the space is very small, you might want to opt for a simple design of the dining room table that will not occupy lots of the space.

Large Dining room Tables

Today, many home owners are going for massive dining room tables, and with all due respect, these tables look amazing in a large dining room. However, just ensure that you are buying them for the right reasons. For one, you shouldn’t just buy a table to fill up space as this will cost you unnecessarily. Consider the number of people who will be sitting on that table and the kinds of meals which you expect to serve.

Adjustable Dining Room Tables

For many homeowners, dining room tables are either too large for one need or too small for another need. Many people are left to wonder whether there is a table that is perfect for all needs. Sure, there is one such table; an adjustable dining room table can be both large and small as per the needs.

The market has many dining room tables that are adjustable which come accompanied by a leaf or more which can be attached at the centre of the table. As such, if you need a large dining table you will simply slide the leaves in place and vice versa.

Even though there are situations that warrant the purchase of bed frames, many a times you will find that buying a bed frame involves buying the whole bed. The purchase of a new mattress most often also includes a new bed frame. But with special and closeout purchases on mattresses and new beds, they generally don’t include bed frames hence the need of buying them separately. Also, you may need to buy a bed frame in case the one you have breaks.

Either way, when buying bed frames, there are some considerations that you have to keep in mind. Generally, there are two common types of bed frames, wooden and metal bed frames. Each is ideal but your main concern should be whether the headboard and footboard will fit properly onto the bed frame. Even though most headboards can be adjusted to fit bed frames of varying height, it is always advisable to measure well in advance so that you can avoid disappointments.

The second consideration to make when buying bed frames is the mattress size. Obviously you will want to buy a bed frame that fits your current mattress, but you might also want to consider whether there is a need to plan ahead. There are some bed frames which can be adjustable in their width i.e. a twin bed frame can adjust to a full and a full can adjust to a queen sized bed frame. A good example of buying bed frames with a future consideration is when buying bed frames for guests and children’s beds. If chances are you may want to use a different sized bed sometimes in the future, you might want to consider purchasing adjustable bed frames.

Thirdly, you should consider whether you need to use the space beneath the bed for storage wherein you can purchase a bed frame high enough to allow storage boxes to be fit under, if not, you can go for a platform storage bed. Instead of buying a traditional bed frame, there are special storage bed frames that have drawers which you can always look for. With these considerations, buying bed frames shouldn’t be a hard task at all.

Even if you have a large home, you might have a few awkward corners or rooms that you’d love to decorate, but due to their small size, you aren’t quite sure how to decorate them to their maximum potential. It can be difficult if the rest of your home is in top condition, but a few small areas keep it from flowing well. If you have small spaces in your home, there are a few easy ways to open them up and have them looking fantastic.

If you feel like the walls are closing in on you when you are in your small space, your first step is to clean out the clutter. Boxes, excess furniture, and knick-knacks all contribute to making a tiny area feel even more cramped. Remove everything from the area and decide which items you’d like to keep and which you’d like to remove permanently.

Color is vital in a small space. If you choose deep, dark tones you are more likely to make the room feel even tinier. Choose light, airy colors for tiny rooms. Creams, pale yellows, light, icy blues: All of these colors contribute to an airy feel that would be perfect in a small room. Keep the colors solid as well. Breaking up a small room with two tone color will make the space feel cramped.

Lighting is important when decorating a small room. It’s vital to maximize the amount of light you can put in your room, so choose an overhead fixture, wall sconces, and a table lamp of some sort. If there is a window, put either a blind or a curtain, but not both. You want the light to flood in and open the room in order for it to feel bigger.

Furniture that is similar in color to your walls can actually make your space feel larger. If you have taupe on your walls, find a taupe chair or sofa. Be sure to keep your couches, chairs, or loveseats on the small side as well. Big, heavy pieces in the room will only serve to make it feel even smaller.

Don’t clutter your walls with photos or art work in a small room. One or two small pieces per wall are enough. Be sure that they are proportionate to the space. You wouldn’t want to add a massive art print to a wall in a small space as it would be the first thing you’d see and it would make the rest of the room look even smaller. Mirrors are great for smaller areas, as they reflect the opposite walls and create the illusion of space.

It is the small areas of your home that truly give it character. Tiny offices, small hallways; they reflect the uniqueness that makes up a big part of the personality of your home. Embrace the small spaces and decorate them in such a way that makes them shine. Your home will flow better, and you will love spending time in your small space.

Expert contributing author Scarlet has extensive knowledge in interior design and decorating. Visit here preferred place for solid color rugs.