Finding the right bed isn’t always an easy task, especially with the amount of choice now available on the market. A bed is an investment and if you pick the right one it should give you years of service (not to mention comfort!).

Buying the right mattress is key

Providing comfort, support and a good night’s sleep, the mattress is the crucial component of beds. A good mattress will last you for around eight years if you look after it properly; maintenance is usually nothing more than cleaning, airing and turning. Testing out your mattress is important and yes, this means giving it a test run in the store. Make sure it’s firm enough to provide support, doesn’t sag when you lie on it and, above all, that it provides a high level of comfort.

It’s your home, your bed

Your bedroom will make a difference to the size of the bed frame and mattress you choose whether single, three quarter size, double or king sized. For many people, the larger the bed the better but squashing a king size bed into a tiny bedroom will simply make your room cluttered — it just isn’t practical — and this won’t be conducive to a good night’s sleep. Bedrooms should be a tranquil place that you’re happy to sleep in every night, not an obstacle course. Consider the size of your bedroom when making your purchase and don’t let your enthusiasm for the biggest bed available become a priority.

Consider your storage options

If you’re looking for extra storage then a range of beds have with storage capabilities. Many beds now come with drawers fitted under the mattress. Some will have frames that lift up completely to reveal the storage unit. These are ideal if you don’t have much space in your bedroom and if you just wish to store spare duvets, pillows and sheets. Make sure, however, that these bed frames don’t skimp on quality in favour of providing you with storage features.

Think about your health

Health issues are another thing to consider. If you suffer from back complaints, then choosing the right mattress is paramount. You won’t want to spend the nights in near-agony because you bought the wrong one. A saggy mattress won’t give your back the support it needs, whereas if it’s too firm the mattress can stop your spine from being in a natural position. There are of course mattresses made from specific materials that are designed to help people with spine or back complaints. Ask the sales assistant to recommend orthopaedic beds, such as those with memory foam mattresses.

We spend a third of our lives asleep, so making the correct bed choice is essential to good physical and mental health. Take your time when making the decision and both your body and your mind will thank you in the long run.

As mobility becomes an issue, home owners still want to retain their independence. It’s only natural that family and friends need to find a workable solution for relatives who are aged. Home stairlift solutions can be particularly helpful if the elderly or infirm live in a two or more storey home. Choosing the most appropriate stairlift, however, may present difficulties which are outlined below, to help people to find solutions.

Type of staircase and measurements

The type of staircase is vital to the quest, since stairlifts come in many shapes and forms. For example, the banister may have a curve to it, the staircase may be straight or it may even be an outside staircase as access to an upstairs maisonette. This will be the first element to discuss with a stairlift company. Taking measurements between the banister rail and the other side of the stairs will also be useful. The number of treads should also be noted down as a reference point when approaching a stairlift provider.

Other considerations

The suitability of a stairlift to make life more comfortable really depends upon the health of the homeowner. For example, those who find being seated uncomfortable may need to consider stairlifts which allow the homeowner to stand. There may be other constraints such as having arthritic hands which are unable to use the equipment suppliled with a stairlift. Home stairlift solutions can be found to fit the home in question.

Talking to a specialist

The kind of specialist that can help in the assessment of whether a stairlift is the answer is a physiotherapist or even an occupational therapist. It’s worthwhile talking to professionals who will know what constraints there are and what adjustments would need making to your home layout to incorporate a stairlift. For example, small landings and space constricted by radiators may need to be adjusted before the stairlift can be introduced.

A specialist consultant can be called in to visit and help to establish which solution is best for the home in question. These are professionals who are accustomed to questions and will have all the answers to the homeowners’ worries about the installation costs, time needed to install the stairlift and what kind of guarantee and back up assistance is available in the event of breakdown.

A Little about the History of the stairlift

If you are someone who feels they would benefit from the installation of a stairlift, home stairlift solutions date back as far as Henry VIII so you’re in good company. Henry VIII may have been known for other things, though in fact invented a stairlift using block and tackle equipment to get him up the stairs. While your stairlift will certainly be more modern and convenient, one thing’s for sure. You are in good company wanting one to make your day to day life more convenient.

 

Travelling is great indeed. But part of the great feeling travelling gives people is the homecoming, where everything is familiar and cosy. If you want your home to look nice and welcoming whenever you come back to it, then you will know that the kitchen is one of the most important parts in it. However, not everyone can afford living in huge houses with huge kitchens. This does not mean that your small kitchen does not have the right to be pretty! On the contrary, by applying the following tips, you stand a very good chance of getting a beautiful and organized kitchen.

Choose Bright

It is a well-known fact that bright colours make spaces look bigger. Thus, choose whites, creams and light colours for a small kitchen as well. Even more than that, make sure that the kitchen is properly illuminated. Some light fixtures placed right can definitely work out wonders!

Place the Cabinets Right

Placing cabinets in the middle of the kitchen is great, but only when the space allows it. Instead of occupying a lot of space in a room that is already quite small, place the cabinets as close to the walls as possible. This will leave you with plenty of room to move around when you cook your delicious dishes.

Wall-Mount Furniture Should Be Your Friend

If your space is small, then mount as much of the kitchen furniture on the walls as you possibly can. This way, you save some space on the floor – where you actually need to move around.

Keep Your Counters Organized and Clear

If you leave a lot of things on top of the counters in your kitchen, you risk making the place look disorganized and crammed. Instead, place everything you don’t use on a daily basis inside the counter. It will create a clearer appearance – thus, it will create the impression of more space as well.

Roll in, Roll out

If you can tuck away things, then why not do it? Roll out shelves are a great space-saver and they will bring you twice more storing space than normal shelves. Also, do bear in mind the fact that you can have your dishwasher “tucked in” and masked as well, so try to do it if you can.

Hang Everything You Can

To take less space from your cupboards, hang the pots and the cooking dishes on a special hanger. Also, you can hang your cookbook when you need it as well and the simplest and cheapest way to do this is to use a basic…pants hanger. Simply open up the book and fix both of the sides where the pants would be fixed and you will get a more than affordable cookbook holder.