Good Home Design

Archive for December, 2009

A bed skirt can add a decorative touch to your bedroom and give your bedding that complete look. While bed skirts can go with many decorating themes, you do need to consider how your bedroom is decorated and think about whether a bed skirt will fit in or not. Bed skirts are only good if they enhance your decor and not detract from it.

Some bedroom decorating themes that might benefit from the addition of a bed skirt include a Victorian theme, romantic bedroom theme, Shabby Chic bedroom theme, French or Paris apartment bedroom theme or any feminine theme. On the other hand if you have a zen bedroom, a minimalist bedroom or a modern or contemporary bedroom then a bed skirt probably will not look good.

Bed skirts which are mainly designed to hide the box spring of the bed are placed under the mattress and then hang down to the floor. They also do a great job of hiding “stuff” you might have stored under the bed. Bed skirts also add a stylish look to the bed. You can choose the color and style of bed skirt to match your bedding or your room’s decor. There are many online stores available for providing large variety of bed skirts. Some of them provide guidance as per your room’s interior decoration. They help in the selection of ruffled style to match your room.

Bed skirts are available for any size bed including king size, queen size, full size, and single size and crib size. All you need to know is the length and width of your mattress and you can order a bed skirt to fit. You might also want to know the drop measurement which is the distance from the top of box spring to the floor. This will determine the length of the skirt. Generally bed skirts have a drop of about 15″. If your drop is not standard then you can order a custom bed skirt for your beds height. Some beds are very high and stores do sell the deeper drops for these particular beds.

You can buy a bed skirt in almost any color and pattern to match your bedroom. You can even buy them to match your bedding and comforter. If you cannot get a bed skirt that matches your bedding then you may be able to order one custom made from sheets that match your bed linens. . Bed skirts are made from cotton, silk, wool and polyester. If you like better quality fabric then cotton chintz, chenille, or even velvet can be used. If you select a dark colored skirt than it will contrast with the rooms color. If you want the skirt to be less noticeable then select a lighter color, but be careful as a light color may allow the ticking of your box spring to show through.

Once you put your bed skirt under your mattress, don’t forget about it entirely. It should be cleaned twice a year or whenever you rotate your mattress. Wash bed skirts in cool or lukewarm water less than 104 degrees F. on the gentle cycle. Do not bleach your bed skirt as bleaching breaks down fibers. Remove your skirt from the dryer immediately and do not overdry your bed skirt. Iron your new bed skirt to get out the wrinkles and try it on your bed for size. Always follow the manufactures instructions for care of your bed skirt.

For every birthday celebrated, your child has been getting closer to becoming a teenager with all the changes you can imagine, including a more personal and individual approach to decorating a teen bedroom. Bedroom furnishings has evolved over the last 10 years to encompass personal computers, stereo systems and televisions. In addition to this, bedrooms are the social setting where your teenager will entertain their friends. Now furniture will be even more important, because of the strong influence that friendship carries with teenagers.

Choosing Furniture for Style and Substance
Fortunately, the manufacturers of bedroom furniture keep up with all of the latest trends. You will find coordinated furnishing sets in all of the styles that appeal to this age group with all of the features you want to keep your child safe. Bunk beds, trundle beds and canopy beds along with space saving Murphy beds, are some of the styles available when you are ready to start decorating your child’s room.

When the necessary pieces of furniture have been selected, you can concentrate on the items that make a room livable and special. From built in storage bins to teen bedspreads, you find items with the motifs that will appeal to the youthful spirit of your teenager. Choosing low maintenance accessories like a bean bag chair and cotton throw pillows make it easy to keep the room organized and clean.

Depending on your teenagers’ personality, you may find that they may need more or less in their room. As their world continues to expand, interactions with their classmates and other friends will make more demands on their time and their bedroom furniture. As you begin your decorating tasks, keep in mind that this furniture will be used by your teenager through high school and probably college.

It is a good idea to take your teenager with you when you go shopping for decorating their bedroom. Talk to them about what they need first and then see what they would like to have as furnishings in their room. Since this is a significant investment, it is an excellent idea that you get your moneys worth and the furnishings in their bedroom boosts your teenagers self confidence.

Selecting Teen Bedroom Furniture with an Eye to the Future
Today you are paying for braces, but in the blink of an eye, your teenager will be earning a bachelors’ degree. The bedroom furniture you purchase now will probably be there when they experience their first crush or heartbreak. Some of the memories that last a lifetime are made during the teenage years. Thankfully, most of the teen furniture on the market is built to last longer than your teenager’s first relationship.

A bedroom heater is a must have for every home where winter are cold. Why would you want to leave you central heating on all night? It is much more economical to use a portable heater in the bedroom. Here are things you should consider while selecting a heater for your bedroom.

We spend almost one third of our life in bed and there is no need to have central heating on while you sleep. It is only the bedroom that you want to be warm at night, is not it? For the bedroom you can get a separate wall heater or a portable electrical heater. Make sure you select a heater that is safe and doesn’t require constant attention. Heaters with open radian element should not be used. It can start a fire if a curtain or your cloth blows across the heating element.

Selecting your Bedroom Heater
The best choice for a bedroom heater would be oil filled radiators. They are safe, silent (which is very important while you are asleep) and they provide enough heat to comfortably warm up an average size bedroom.

It pays off to get a more expensive model that has a timer. This way you can set it to warm the room more before you have to wake up and get out of bed. But while you are actually asleep it is best to have the temperature not too warm.

Also some new models have an instant heat button that allows you to heat up your room very quickly. This is very useful if you forgot to set the timer or when you just came back home and want to warm up fast.

To find the right size heater for your bedroom, look at its specifications. Most models tell you what heating aria they are intended for. Don’t assume the bigger the better. Heater that is too big will not provide any additional benefits, but will consume more energy than necessary.

Additional Tips to Conserve Energy
Did you know that you can add timers to your central heating? There is no need to make your central heater work all day while you are at work. With the timer you can make it switch on about half an hour before you come home, this will warm up your house adequately. Of course, this won’t work if you have pets, they dread cold as much as we do.

Also check all drafts and increase insulation. If you have old windows, consider replacing them with storm windows. Having good insulation can make a huge difference, especially when it is windy outside.

In conclusion, a bedroom heater is very convenient and saves you a great deal. So if you don’t have one yet, it is time to compare different models of bedroom heaters and get one that is suitable for your room.

Quality replacement windows can really give a house a face lift. If you fancy a change then installing some smart replacement windows is a much cheaper option than moving house. Whether you choose wood, aluminium or UPVC, follow the top tips below to help you decide on the right windows for you.

Which style of replacement windows will suit your home?
The type of home you live in will affect your choice of new windows. Older homes and cottages would look better with traditional style windows such as UPVC sash windows. These sash windows look authentic but have all the benefits of modern windows such as low maintenance and no sticky sashes. Modern and contemporary homes can look great with the minimalist touch aluminium windows can create. Normally used for industrial builds and offices, aluminium windows can create a striking look for a modern home and are easy to maintain. Wooden replacement windows or windows with a wood effect look great on any home and there’s a great selection on the market. Wooden replacement windows are also environmentally friendly as they can be sourced from companies adhering to forest management scheme and can even be recycled when they’re replaced.

What protection will your replacement windows offer?
Windows make up a significant amount of the external surface of your home and therefore they should offer you as much protection as possible. Replacement windows with reflective glass coatings are very effective against radiant heat letting harmful UV rays into your home. Windows also protect your home from the weather so it’s worth having your replacement windows fitted by the professionals to ensure the windows are sealed and fitted correctly and offer you the best protection possible from the elements. Older windows can be a nightmare for letting drafts in and heat out so by investing in some new replacement windows, you could even save on your energy bill and stay warmer in cool weather. There are many locks and security options available for new windows which will help to keep your home secure. Some locks such as shoot-bolt locks can secure your windows in four places so every side of your window is secure.

How can you get the best value on replacement windows?
Choosing quality replacement windows and having them professionally installed will save you money in the long run and is a much better idea than choosing the cheapest windows and fitting them yourself. Standard replacement windows such as UPVC windows in a simple design will cost a lot less than many of the bespoke windows on offer where extras such as bay windows and stained glass can really up the price. Decide on your budget and stick to it. Even if at first it seems you can’t afford replacement windows for your whole house, there’s always room for a deal, try to negotiate with companies or see which ones have special offers on. If your budget is still a little tight then opt for only adding replacement windows to a few rooms in your home such as the ones that you use the most or that require the most heating.

Replacement windows which are of good quality and are professionally installed can even add value to your home so make sure you choose your new windows carefully.