Maximising space in your child’s bedroom

Maximising space in your child's bedroom

One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to use the bedroom space for your child in the right way. You want to be able to maximise the space and use their closets and floor as much as possible, however, creating extra space means getting creative. They don’t have to have a beautifully giant bedroom to be functional, but you do have to think about how to accommodate their things, their needs, and their potential for overnight guests. So, let’s have a closer look at how you can maximise space in your child’s bedroom.

  1. Be clever with the furniture you choose. Storage beds are one of the biggest game changers for your child’s bedroom if you’re looking for extra space. High sleepers, for example, are a great space saver because everything is built beneath them, and you can stow away quite a lot! You can put a desk, toy storage and more under a high sleeper bed, and you can organise a LOT under them if you’re smart about how things are done.
  2. Hang some bed curtains. A great way to hide extra clutter is with bed curtains. You don’t have to worry about clutter if you can’t see it, and it’s a stylish solution in the bedroom that can be done to match the rest of the bedroom theme. It’s a great way to create a whimsical play space, too, as it can be used for imaginary forts, castles and more. When their friends come around for a play date, they have a ready-made play area for fun together.
  3. Go multifunctional with your furniture. It’s important to choose furniture that serves multiple purposes, and multifunctional furniture can do just that. You can get smart with loft beds, as we’ve mentioned, but what about a pull-out desk that sits against the wall when it’s not in use? What about space-saving toy storage? You need to use your space effectively, and multifunctional furniture can give you that two in one solution that can be a game changer. There are so many options that will ensure that your kid’s bedroom is the one that stands out.
  4. Go for height. A tall dresser is a great idea for your kids if you’re looking to save space. Going vertical and focusing on height with your furniture helps you to use the wall space rather than just the floor. You don’t want to have to sacrifice precious floor space when you can use wall and ceiling space instead. You need a good solution for stashing toys and clothing, and a tall dresser will help!
  5. Attach a bedside shelf. A bedside tray or shelf is a great addition to their bedroom without taking up too much space. Shelves attached to the wall don’t take up floor space, either, and your child can still use it without tripping over it at night! The best part is that if you decide to get a high sleeper bed, your child still gets a bedside table – it’s just a floating one. Top bunks can still benefit from having a floating shelf next to them, and that means that you’re going to save a lot of space and not have to worry about spending our money on a full bedside table.
  6. Make use of corners. Corners of the bedroom are usually overlooked, but these can be the treasure troves of space that you’re looking for. Corner shelving units, corner teddy hammocks and even a corner desk with shelves could help to add some storage space to the room. Remember, with the smaller bedroom and even with normal-sized bedrooms, space savings should be your priority. Using every inch of space properly can ensure that your child’s bedroom is maximised.
  7. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colour. Sometimes you need the illusion of space to make it really work, and you can play around with colour in your child’s bedroom and maximise space by using a lighter colour palette. You can also use a lighter colour palette on furniture, the walls, the carpets and more. The light of the bedroom, the more spacious it looks, so you have that illusion of space because it’s lighter.

Be clever with your furniture and be intentional with your bedroom strategy to ensure that your child’s bedroom is a haven for them. They’ll still be able to play and store their toys, they’ll just be able to do it in a way where everything is tidy for a change.

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Zip and link beds – the perfect guest bedroom solution

Zip and link beds - the perfect guest bedroom solution

When it comes to hosting guests, comfort is key. Whether you have friends staying over for the weekend or you run a bed & breakfast, providing a comfortable sleeping arrangement is essential. One versatile and increasingly popular option for accommodating guests is the zip and link bed. These beds offer flexibility and comfort, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to create a welcoming and adaptable sleeping space.

In this post, we’ll explore the world of zip and link beds and how they can help you provide the ultimate comfort for your guests.

What are zip and link beds?

Zip and link beds, also known as zip and lock or zip together beds, are versatile beds that consist of two separate mattresses that can be zipped and linked together to form a larger bed. These beds are typically used as twin beds, but they can be easily transformed into a super king-size bed when needed. This flexibility makes them ideal for accommodating a variety of guests, from couples to solo travellers and families.

The benefits of zip and link beds

Flexibility: The primary advantage of zip and link beds is their flexibility. You can easily adapt the bed’s size to suit your guests’ needs. If you have a couple staying over, you can zip the beds together to create a spacious king-size bed. If you have two friends or family members who prefer separate beds, you can keep them unzipped as twin beds. This versatility ensures that your guests can sleep comfortably, no matter their preferences.

Comfort: Zip and link beds are designed with guest comfort in mind. They often feature high-quality mattresses that offer excellent support and a restful night’s sleep. When combined, the two mattresses create a seamless sleeping surface, eliminating the uncomfortable gap that can occur with traditional twin beds.

Easy maintenance: Cleaning and maintaining zip and link beds is a breeze. You can zip the beds apart for easy access to each mattress, making it simple to rotate or flip them when needed. This regular maintenance helps prolong the lifespan of the mattresses, ensuring that your guests always enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep.

Cost-efficient: Zip and link beds can be a cost-effective option for those looking to accommodate different guest configurations. Instead of investing in separate twin and king-size beds, you can have one set of zip and link beds that serves multiple purposes.

Space-saving: These beds are particularly useful in rooms with limited space. When not in use as a king-size bed, you can keep them as twin beds, making it easier to move around the room and utilise the space for other purposes.

Tips for maximising guest comfort with zip and link beds

Invest in quality mattresses: Choose high-quality mattresses that offer the right level of support and comfort. Memory foam or pocket sprung mattresses are popular choices for zip and link beds.

Provide quality bedding: Ensure your guests have access to comfortable pillows, soft bedding and cosy duvets. Quality bedding can significantly enhance the sleeping experience.

Regular maintenance: As mentioned earlier, make sure to rotate and flip the mattresses regularly to prolong their lifespan and maintain guest comfort.

Communication: When guests book a stay, communicate with them about their sleeping preferences. Ask whether they’d like the beds zipped together or separated into twin beds, and prepare the room accordingly.

Guest instructions: Provide clear instructions on how to zip and link the beds together or apart. Some guests may not be familiar with this type of bed, so clear guidance can help them feel more comfortable during their stay.

Conclusion

Accommodating guests with zip and link beds is a smart choice for those who want to offer flexibility and comfort in their hospitality. These versatile beds can easily adapt to various guest configurations and provide a restful night’s sleep. By investing in quality mattresses and bedding and maintaining the beds properly, you can ensure that your guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. So, the next time you host guests, consider the comfort and flexibility of zip and link beds for a memorable experience.

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A comprehensive guide to proper and effective mattress cleaning

A comprehensive guide to proper and effective mattress cleaning

For a third of your life, your mattress cradles you while you sleep. Yet, it’s one of the least cleaned items in your home. You use your mattress daily for 56 hours a week, but only clean it twice a year!

Proper and regular mattress cleaning improves your comfort, health and the lifespan of this essential item. Simple steps like vacuuming, spot cleaning and airing it out go a long way. Don’t neglect your mattress – keep it fresh for better rest.

Why mattress cleaning matters

Cleaning your mattress regularly is more essential than you may realise. It harbours dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat and potentially harmful microorganisms over time.

These unwelcome guests can cause issues like allergies, skin irritations, asthma attacks and sleep quality reduction. Cleaning your mattress also lengthens its lifespan and ensures you continue getting the maximum benefit from your investment.

Understanding your mattress material

To correctly clean your mattress, get familiar with its material. Different materials require different methods of cleaning. Some use memory foam that distorts with excessive heat or water, while others employ latex or innerspring systems that tolerate wet cleaning better. Always refer to manufacturer care instructions to avoid damaging the material.

Gathering the right cleaning supplies

Ensure you have the necessary cleaning products before embarking on the task. Basic supplies like a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment, mild dish soap or upholstery shampoo, cold water, baking soda or a commercially available enzyme cleaner are usually sufficient.

Pre-cleaning your mattress

Remove all bedding, including any mattress covers, before beginning the cleaning process. These should be laundered following their specific care labels.

Using a vacuum cleaner

Start the cleaning process by vacuuming the entire mattress surface. This aids in removing dust, dead skin cells and other particulates. Ensure absolute precision in this process to prevent any further embedment of dirt.

Spot cleaning stains

Detects stains early, as they become more challenging to remove over time. Cleaning solutions can be homemade or commercial, but always test them on a discreet part of the mattress to avoid discolouration.

The role of baking soda

A naturally sourced deodoriser like baking soda can help eliminate any residual odours. Sprinkle baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) over the mattress surface and let it sit for a while before vacuuming it.

Dealing with mattress pests

Apart from allergens and mites, mattresses can also harbour bed bugs or lice. Regular inspection and professional treatment when needed are the best approaches against these threats.

Using professional services

Difficult stains or persistent smells may require a professional mattress cleaning service. They have specialised equipment and cleaning solutions that ensure deep cleaning without damaging your mattress.

Post-cleaning care

Let your newly cleaned mattress air out properly until entirely dry before replacing the bedding. This will prevent any moisture build-up which could harbour mildew or mould.

Maintain a regular cleaning routine

To prolong your mattresses’ life and keep infections at bay, implement a regular cleaning schedule based on how frequently you use it. Monthly vacuuming is advisable for significantly used beds.

The importance of mattress protectors

Mattress protectors are excellent investments for maintaining cleanliness; they reduce stain occurrences and make overall cleaning easier. Buy a protector that fits well and complies with your mattress material, and launder it regularly.

Replacing your mattress

With or without regular cleaning, mattresses do have expiry dates. Know when to replace yours; experts suggest every eight to ten years, depending on usage and manufacturer guidelines.

Risks of incorrect mattress cleaning

Improper cleaning techniques can harm your mattress’s performance and lifespan, damage its structure, cause shrinkage or discolouration. Therefore, continuous education on correct ways of treating your mattress is essential.

Tackling mattress dilemmas

Your mattress deserves a hygiene level that matches its importance in your life. Regular cleaning and correct methods not only keep it fresh and inviting, but also protect you from health hazards associated with a dirty mattress.

Mattress cleaning frequency

A clean mattress promotes better sleep, but how often should you be cleaning it? Most experts recommend a deep clean at least twice a year. This involves vacuuming, spot cleaning and deodorising.

Regular mattress maintenance

For mattresses used every night, monthly maintenance is advised. This can be a quick vacuum to remove dust and allergens. Rotating and flipping the mattress regularly also helps it wear evenly.

And don’t forget your pillows – wash removable covers frequently and replace pillows every 1–2 years. With some simple habits, you can keep your bed fresh, hygienic and comfortable for nightly rejuvenation.

Wrapping it up

Maintaining your safety and comfort is as simple as keeping up with regular mattress cleanliness. With this extensive guide tailored to cover all possible dilemmas concerning the care of your mattress, you’re equipped with essential information toward healthier sleep and extended mattress lifespan.

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Making the bedroom more comfortable for you and your partner

Making the bedroom more comfortable for you and your partner

No matter how you choose to decorate your bedroom, sometimes you need to make a few changes to ensure that both you and your partner are comfortable within the space. You have to share the area equally and still manage to have your own little zones – how’s that possible when you only have the dimensions of one bedroom with which to work? Using the tips and tricks set out below, you may just be able to figure it out and ensure you’re comfortable as a couple when you hit the hay.

Buy an extension lead

If you have a plug socket next to your bedside table and your partner doesn’t, it’s time to either invest in getting one fitted on the other side as well, or simply buy an extension lead that both of you can use.

You can conceal the lead behind the headboard; buy 10-foot-long charging cables for all the items you want to use when in bed (phone, Apple watch, etc), and then use cable tidies to ensure the wires aren’t a tangled mess. You can get ten times the function out of a set-up like this without compromising on style, and you won’t be having any arguments over whose turn it is to have their phone charged!

Invest in a bespoke wardrobe

A bespoke wardrobe will fit any wall you design it for, meaning you can have literal wall to wall closet space for the two of you. Then, separate the wardrobe into two halves and only use your side for your clothes, shoes, and accessories. This’ll save you both a lot of space and keep issues about clothing to a minimum when you’re getting ready in the mornings.

Get as big a bed as you can

If the bed is big, you’re going to have enough space on both sides for the two of you to spread out at the same time. No more bumping into each other as you turn over, or only having enough duvet to cover one of you at once. Similarly, if you or your partner tend to get hot at night, neither of you will have to put up with the radiator lying in bed next to you!

Instead, seeing as you surfed through a catalogue of emperor beds and fitted one against the wall, you can now sleep peacefully and soundly without having to be apart. It may be a bit pricier than you’d like to buy such a bed, but it’ll save you a lot of frustration in the early hours! You get a good amount of bed to yourself and thus a very restful night’s sleep.

Install dimmer switches

If you like to stay up on your phone, laptop or reading a book, but your partner likes to fall asleep as soon as possible, a dimmer switch is a relationship saver. You can still have the lights on when the other is trying to fall asleep, but they’ll be low and non-invasive.

This means no one has their slumber interrupted, and no one needs to try and fall asleep staring up at the ceiling when they’d rather be getting stuck into a murder mystery novel. And dimmer switches are a lot easier to install than you may think!

Video by Artoo Electrical

Forget artwork, put up photos (or make something together)

If you have a different taste in style to your partner, or one of you loves art and the other hates it, why not compromise and put up some beloved photos instead? Or if you have a spare evening when you’re both free, create something together that you can hang up?

The latter option can be a lot of fun, even if you’re not artistic and don’t know the right end of a paint brush! But if you like the photo idea, get a big collage frame and split it between the two of you. One side has all your memories, the other has theirs, or you can mix them and place them one after the other. Then you’ll have the perfect item to go on that empty wall.

If you want to have an equally comfortable bedroom as a couple, design with these kinds of principles in mind. It shouldn’t simply look good – it needs to be functional enough for the both of you to use and enjoy as well.

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