Buying A New Bed Guide

A new home, or a new renovation often means when the key is handed over we want to finish it with just the right things to complete the project. For a new bedroom, there is nothing like a beautiful new comfortable bed to complete the story.

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A NEW BED?

Start with analyzing the shape of the room. Where are the obvious places that the bed can fit. Is there more than one option or is there realisitically only one wall that might work?

Many people still cling to the idea that a bedroom has to have matching drawers and bedhead and chest of drawers but this is a traditional way of dressing a room - but not the only way.  Check out style magazines and websites for examples of layout that you might like to incorporate into your design and styling.

If you are wanting to add a bedhead, consider that when you purchase so that you can add a bednead to match your bed base or storage base if you need drawers. Many bedheads that match will have a bracket that attaches to the matching base, making for a simple way to connect them and give that truly finished look to your new bedroom. If you're going for a formal look, you can dress it up or dress it with a more casual look  by selecting the appropriate style of linens.

And yes! You can put a bed in front of a window if it is the best place given your layout.






Consider the best option for giving you easy access to the bed and to other fixtures and doorways in the room. And feng shui if that is something you follow in your decorating.


Is there a view that you want to be able to see from your bed when you wake?
Try designing the garden outside the window to give you a pleasant outlook and screen any road or neighbours from view to make the outside view part of the style of the room and give you privacy and that resort feel.




SIZE THE BED TO FIT THE ROOM - AND YOUR NEEDS

If you wish to have room for a sitting area in the bedroom then take this into account when considering the placement of the bed.


BED FRAME OR MATTRESS AND BASE ENSEMBLE

Some people have a timber or iron bedhead that they want to incorporate into the new bedroom. If that is the case make sure that the slats are strong with good centre support and then just replace the mattress with the best fit you can afford.  

Note: Some mattresses are manufactured to be "furniture friendly" and perform as they should on a solid timber slat base, without the need for some external apparatus to do the job.

Not all mattresses are made to do so and some need a spring base to do the thing they are supposed to do.


 If the bed in store is on a "special" base, then do not assume it will be appropriate or feel the same if used on a slat base.

Find a mattress that is purpose built to do what it should do with proper support -- without having to buy the matching base. 

Having said that, a new base can be worth purchasing to go with your mattress, if your current one is old or you just plain want to move to a new design look.

EASE OF LIVING WITH YOUR BED

Bear in mind, if you are going to put your mattress on a bed frame that certain aspects can make it easier - or harder - to live with your bed.

Sleeping aside, things like rotating the mattress (Important to do this regularly especially when it is new!), or even just making the bed and changing the sheets can be difficult if the mattress is sitting within a frame, and if there is a footboard on the bed.

Both of these situtions can mean a struggle every time you want to change the sheets.  An ensemble or bed frame that does not have a footer makes for a much easier time when it comes to these small everyday jobs.

BEWARE THE VERY HEAVY MATTRESS!

Living with your new mattress can be a struggle if the mattress you purchase is very heavy. It might be expected that a king mattress will weigh more than a queen size mattress, but some manufacturers make beds that are VERY heavy, even in queen size.

Your mattress buying should include testing the weight of the mattress, in store and lifting the corner as you would do to change the sheets at home. 

Bed Tip: Handles are not meant to be used to carry a mattress and should only be used to position the mattress into final place, not to lift the full weight as the stress on a few stitches of fabric is too much to bear and may cause them to be ripped out of the mattress.  Lift with your hands under the mattress and remember this is typically a two-person job when moving the mattress.


HOW TO FIND THE FEEL THAT BEST SUITS YOU IN A NEW  BED

When getting ready to buy a new mattress, take some time to really notice what your current bed is doing. What you like about it, what you hate about it. Notice what creates disturbance to sleep and that may be movement every time your partner turns, or gets up in the night.

Or it may be that the current bed is sagging, or the comfort layers are not doing the job to allow for your body to relax fully and be in a state of comfortable alignment.  It may feel too hot, or it may feel too hard and not supporting your body well if you have a physical condition that means you experience pain in your joints or have sore hips or frozen shoulder.

Customers buying beds regularly report they "like their mattress but ..." Others just report hating their mattress and wishing they never bought it. Sometimes that's because they have been carried away when purchasing a bed because there was a floorstock model going with a big discount and they overlooked the fundamental steps to selecting a bed that is fit-for-purpose. Which is to say, it does what it is supposed to do.

"What's the best bed?"

Customers often ask this.
Often what they mean is "what's the most expensive bed?"

The best bed, is the one that is the best fit for you.
It is the bed that satisfies your buying criterion and budget and will perform well for years to come.

Never feel rushed to buy a bed or mattress just because it is on sale. If it is not a bed you would want at full price, it probably isn't a bed to buy at a discount. Discounts are great - but only when they are buying you the bed that's best for you.  There is always another sale... or another store. If the bed is truly exclusive  to that store, then buy it now if you can manage it, or wait till the next sale that suits your financial situation. Order a call-back to let you know when the sale is on.

Many people will spend more on a bed that is effectively the same as a cheaper one, but looks more fancy!  This is a trap for bed shoppers, who are swayed in their decision by things that have little or nothing to do with the bed.  And always test a bed with your partner if they will be sleeping with you,

That's not to say that all beds that are cheaper are a better buy, but it's important to differentiate between beds with a construction difference between the models, and beds that are pretty much the same inside, but for a few incidental changes that don't really affect performance, and are largely the same thing with a more expensive look.

Online Bed & Mattress Reviews

It's common for customers to "research" before buying a bed, and  read a lot of online reviews. Unfortunately, they are often not genuine, but that aside, often they are purporting to be of a model of bed, that is not what they actually bought.  Some of the issues that abound on these reviews is supposed to be a commentary on the performance of the bed, but often the complaints are more related to poor selection, unmet expectations that follow from a poor selection and even issues that may be related to the bedding the buyer is using on the bed. 

The very strange thing, is that in store,  often those customers who have a legitimate problem with their bed ... never report it to the company to initatiate a warranty claim! They 'don't want to make a fuss', but when buying a bed you want to ensure that it is from a manufacturer with a good record of making good when the need arises. If there is a problem with the bed, then the reputable  company wants your problem solved! They need to know about it to do that. 

So choose a company big enough to be there for the long term and a history of making good performance a fundamental issue in designing beds for specific customer needs.  That's not what happens with beds companies that just sell a 'bed in a box' because it seemed like an easy way to make money.

Sadly, many reviews even from sources we might expect to know better ... compare mattresses that are not equal.  At times cheap and easy to get it into an apartment may be a high value.  Buying a bed online is a somewhat courageous move, but if the risk is low and the expectation is not high, it may be appropriate for some people.

That's a different market and customer, than one who needs a quality bed, again fit-for-purpose and with the ability to test it out before purchase. The customer who  wants a bed that is going to take pride of place in the new home for many happy nights to come.


FIRM, MEDIUM OR PLUSH MATTRESS?

Let's start with what a good firm mattress is not.  Customers often complain that their current bed is just too hard. Why did they buy a hard bed? Often because someone (often the partner!) told them a hard bed was good for your back.

A hard bed is often confused with what is good for your back - a firm supportive mattress.
These two things are not the same.

In a good modern mattress, even a bed that feels soft on top, should have good firm support built into the core of the mattress. This supports your frame (skeleton) and the comfort layers on top of that are to support your soft tissue in a manner that suits your physical physique and condition.

QUALITY COMPONENTS

Beds today have gone high tech and good beds now use the highest quality foams with hi-tech functionaity to manage heat better and perform better to give a comfortable night's sleep. Look for specialty foams that are made with materials like graphene to add integrity to the foam and manage heat better, as well as being Australian made. Dunlop foams specialise in a range  of foams that include treatments to manage heat better, and keep the foam fresh and breathable. Some bed companies buy their foams from overseas and when tested many of these have failed to meet Australian standards.

The Goldilocks Test

So a firm mattress will have some cushioning for your body, but with top layers that are cushioned to support you without you sinking in to the foams.  It will typically have a tighter, more highly-stitched and flatter profile than a plush, which will be more 'cloud like' on top.

A plush bed on the other hand, should have the same firm support but with comfort layers that are softer and allow you to sink into the bed more so that your joints and soft tissue are not in pain as you are lying in bed.   Not at all like a soft bed that is just an old bed that's saggy and worn out!

Medium mattresses as you might have guessed, have a little of both firm and soft to allow you to sleep well without sinking in too much and without being as firm as might be the case.

BUY THE  BED THAT SATISFIES BOTH PARTNERS

While some customers have considered a bed with different feels on each side, the reality is that the idea seems to be better in theory than it is in practice.  With the right mattress you should be able to find a mattress that works for both partners without trying to stitch together two halves that will never be a real One. Finding a good fit for both allows you to be able to rotate the mattress and even out the wear to ensure a longer useful life of the mattress,

Weight Differences Between Partners 

Where you are sharing a bed with a parner, a disparity in weight can make sleeping difficult if your mattress is not designed to minimise partner movement.   Disturbed sleep is a very common problem and many people are not even aware that this is affecting their sleep - and health  - until they find themselves sleeping in a bed that manages and eliminates that transference of movement across the bed.

A good bed that reduces partner disturbance is available in affordably-priced mattresses, not just the luxury mattress range. And know that just because it has a high price, does not mean that all luxury mattresses are designed to eliminate partner disturbance.  Don't settle on a bed that will leave you with a bed that causes you to be unsettled every time your partner moves.

Note: Some people have moved to king size beds in the hope that this will reduce the "wave" movement. It won't.

Wth the right mattress, you will have undisturbed sleep, even in a queen size bed. In the wrong bed? It won't matter how big it is. The problem won't go away.



A BED FOR A GUEST ROOM

Some people opt to put their old mattress into the spare room. It may help to consider the purpose of the spare room. Is it to be a guest room or do double duty as an office and guest room when you have visitors?

If your current mattress is in good condition and you're changing it because you are updating to a bigger size bed, then this could be a good solution.  On the other hand if your mattress is worn out, it may be better to purchase an affordable but comfortable bed that's best fit for the guest room.

A drawer base can be a good addition to a guest room. Either to free up storage space in the wardrobe,  for guests to use or to use for storing pillows and bed linen.  Even a single bed with a storage drawer can be useful in a guest room.

Some guest rooms are relatively small so a double bed can be a more useful size to free up some floor space. Also consider the options for singles where this is a better fit for the size of the room. Trundle beds are often considered a good option but remember when extended may be as big as a king size!

Whatever size you choose. consider putting a bed in the spare room that will be nice to sleep on if it happens that you need to sleep on it one night! A bout of sickness or an early start can make having a sleep in the spare room a good option.


TOGETHER APART

It has to be said. Not all couples sleep together at night. A great many couples sleep in separate rooms.

Too often the second sleep room is not fully set up for the partner not sleeping in the master suite and when this happens it can mean that one partner is stuck sleeping on a bed that was once their child's bed or otherwise less than ideal.

If that is the case, consider bringing the second room up to date with a good bed that is up to the task of providing a good night's sleep and a nice environment for that person to look forward to going to sleep and knowing  a comfortable bed is waiting for them.

Sleeping apart doesn't have to mean taking second best.




KEEP IT CLEAN

When buying a new mattress remember to purchase a new mattress protector to keep your mattress in good condition and free from stains and unexpected spills.

Choose a mattress protector in a breathable fabric like tencel (made from wood fibres) that can help wick heat away from the mattress, or other natural fibre.

If you are buying a plush bed, then select one that is not padded, so that it does not firm up your mattress.  On the other hand if it is summer and you want the bed to be not quite so soft, a padded cotton or wool mattress protector can help firm it up to make it less plush during the hot weather.

Vacuume your mattress regularly and leave the bedclothes off the mattress regularly to let it air.

We can rush to make the bed as soon as we get up but it can be better to throw the sheets back and let the bed air out before making it again.

A BED IS NOT A CHAIR

Keeping your new mattress in good condition and enjoying a long life means remembering that the purpose of it is for sleeping.  Using the edge of the bed - especially in the same place over and over - for thigns other than getting in and out of bed, can weaken the edge of the bed and is not ideal. If you need a place to sit to put your shoes on and the like. consider putting a chair or bench in the bedroom.


ON A BUDGET?
LUXURY LOOK WITHOUT THE HIGH PRICE 

If budget is a concern and you like the idea of a luxurious bedroom, remember that an affordable mattress of good quality and feel can be dressed up like the most expensive bed.  The dressed bed is all about how you style it and you can still achieve a luxury look with a good mattress without breaking the bank.

Consider hotels. Their beds are comfortable but not necessarily the top of the range you might expect.  Made up with high quality linens, a good mattress that meets your budget might just leave you enough to spend a little extra on quality bed linen to go with it.

And if your budget is a bit depleted after the home renovation, a more affordable mattress for now might make the ideal guest mattress, when you can afford to spend a little more on the master bedroom.

A good bed is not an insignificant purchase.

If we live to be 80 that's 27,200 nights.
Each year we get older that gap between the nights already spent and those left gets smaller. Make every night a good one!



Like to know more?

Your SleepMaker Consultant
David Jones at Kotara Westfield
02 4923 2461

Retro Kitchen Ideas

With many  kitchens now minimalist and streamlined it's fun to look at some alternative ideas that are less sterile and showing more character than we are used to seeing.

Open shelving and storage cabinets with canisters on display

French country kitchen - minimal without the streamlined look

Claude Monet's kitchen uses tiles to stand out - and more open shelving

This old kitchen stove with fantastic mantel is not just for show! 

Charcoal grey adds a modern touch with classic old style chequerboard floor

This old style stove nook has been fitted with a modern Aga style cooker 

Shabby chic look keeps the business toned down with an all white scheme

Dramatic island bench is integral to the kitchen and part furniture

Spanish style comes into its own with brick flooring 

and colourful tiles throughout. 

Repurposed dresser as a wall fixture creates a unique feature 

with lots of storage for this quaint kitchen in cream and red. 

Dark colours give definition and contrast with the white trim

 in this more formal kitchen

Renovate Or Build A New Home - Know Which Is Best

“Should I build or renovate?”

That’s a question that is asked often but perhaps not often enough. Not soon enough before making the decision, and not with enough thought taken.

Lately I have been back immersed in the world of home building and some common issues that come up is whether someone should build a new home or renovate the one they have.  So let’s look at the case for both.

Location, Location, Location

When it comes to building fresh, the most common place to build will be in new housing estates. New subdivisions spring up with sites all ready to have a house built on them, and the majority will be reasonably level as the developers can make them, since sloping sites will increase the cost of building (or retaining walls) and that is a handicap to fast sales.

New developments as you might expect tend to be on the fringe of the urban precinct and that means there can be less access to transport and other services but it also means that the land is are more affordable , the houses are modern and of a style that is in keeping with the other homes. The length of commute or jobs being available in the local area, and access to health services etc, must be a factor to weigh up.

Community Ties

For those with a home in a central urban location, staying put can be attractive, especially if your friends and family are close by.  Shopping and transport options may be better, access to schools and work more convenient, but for those who are renting and don’t already own a home, the land value may be so high as to make it impossible to buy a property of the size one prefers, in that location.

Do you want to have a reasonable sized house and a bit of room for a garden or vegetable patch, or is apartment living more to your taste? This is an important aspect to consider because switching houses after you commit, when you realise you made the wrong choice really can be expensive.

It happens quite often.

Be Warned: The Children Will Never Visit

So does this. How many times it happens! Parents of older children build with the intention of having all these spare bedrooms for the children to use when they trek out to the country residence that you will build, only to discover – nobody is coming.  That’s what usually happens.  Adult children get busy, the grandkids grow up and want to spend their time with their friends.  Not visit Gramps.

What lesson you can take from the experience of these other people? For my money – build the house to suit your needs. If they visit … happy days. But put your own requirements for functionality first.

In a similar category,  building the house for the “people who might buy it” in years to come.  “We need a five bedroom home for the resale …”  Seriously.  We have houses with fewer people living in them than ever before. That seems unlikely to change. 2 bedrooms you don’t use could be better utilized as one good size space for a studio or home theatre/music room.  Let the new owners put the wall up if they want to then.

Suit yourself first. That’s the message.

Downsizing

Those who have seen children leave the nest and are left rattling around in a house that has several bedrooms and formal living areas nobody uses can find their thoughts turning to downsizing.

I have yet to find anyone who wants to downsize into a pokey bedroom and shortage of storage. Once upon a time moving from a big house to somewhere smaller was a way of releasing some money from the equity into savings. That is not always the case now and more often we are seeing that smaller does not mean cheaper.

Future Pacing

Approach the problem with the same manner you would to setting well-formed goals. When considering downsizing to a smaller property, it is useful to spend some quality time thinking about the things that you most appreciate in your current home, the things that you wish were not in your current home, and what other activities you need space for that you may not currently have for that purpose.

For example, you may not need four bedrooms but you may like to have two master suites that give you space for visitors or let you not have to share a bedroom! We know that many married couples don’t sleep in the same bedroom, for whatever reason, but the bedrooms are rarely set up well for each partner.

When downsizing comes as we are facing retirement, then that too can be a signal that we might value some separate living areas so that each partner has some private space to pursue their hobbies without being in the main living area all the time, also known as “in the way”!

Building a new home to meet your new lifestyle requirements is one way to establish the layout that you will find most useful and practical.

Alternatively, renovating could solve some of these logistical inconveniences and provide a better living arrangement without the need to relocate.

Where the overall space is just too big renovating to create a separate living space that can be used as a rental is also an option.  Sometimes this can be for a family member or carer whose presence may allow the owner to stay living in their home for many years longer, while maintaining privacy for both parties.

Knockdown/Rebuild

Where the location is ideal but the house is just inadequate then knockdown and rebuilding on that same site can be a good option. This allows the benefit of the high value land to be realised and at the same time expand the living space to provide more space and all the modern conveniences (and parking!) that many inner city house sites don’t have.

Take Your Time

Whether building or renovating is best for you will depend on many factors that relate to the life you want to live. What activities you want to be engaging in, what needs you have for space and hobbies, and whether you prefer to start again or maintain your location and keep your neighbours and support community close.

Getting Started

Now is the time to spend as much time as you need ‘trying on’ the idea of each possibility – to build or renovate – and imagining what it would be like… both good and bad, for each alternative.

• Write down all the pros and cons and what living in each option would let you do, not let you do and be useful or not so useful.
• Do you want to potter in the yard?
• Do you want to lock the front door and go travelling?
• Will you be sharing your house with your grown up children who won’t leave home?
• Is your dream of having a house by the water?
• Are you just bored with this same place after all this time?
• Is it easier – and more affordable – to just start afresh than turn this sow’s ear into the silk purse you want?
• Do you want to be away from all the traffic and live somewhere more tranquil?
• What measures can you take to future proof the home to live in longer even with limited mobility?

Keep adding to this list over time and ultimately you will have explored the potential enough to see a clear winner in the ‘build or renovate’ competition. You might even write up a vision map for the future you envisage.

Whether you build or renovate there is a lot to consider long before you get into the extreme detail of how to go about it the best way. And let’s face it – if you don’t have room yet for that butler’s pantry you have been wanting since you saw it on Pinterest, something has to give!

Either way – both building and having a fresh new approach to renovating where we live is exciting and while it can be disruptive – is a lot of fun too!

Dream Home Ideas For Landscaping

When it comes to our dream home, even a modest house can be our sanctuary when we get the landscaping right. 

Here are some elements that are classic style winners in the garden. 

Clipped plants can give you a tidy and formal look to a small space or a large one. Whether it is a series of plant pots clipped into balls, or a cloud pruned magnificent tree like the one below, the overall effect is quite a feature!  It is deliberate and looks it - and that means you look like you know what you are doing! 

Kitchen gardens - vegetables and herbs can seem out of place in a landscaped garden, In these examples, the gardens are a feature too, using either a screen or a decorative approach to the garden beds. 

Where you have a long axis you can plant, make the most of it by playing with the perspective and give your garden the look of long distance vistas through clever placement of rows of plants. Your yard may not be as large as this but even a smaller space can lead to something beyond and pull the eye to the distance.

A path to nowhere in particular can become a secret retreat. This shady nook is reached by a flagstone path planted with a mossy groundcover. Ideal for shady spots that only some plants love and flourish in as an under story to bigger trees.

Even a simple beautiful pot can set off your garden with a dress of ivy or other leafy creeper. 

Whether it is a simple pot or a spectacular pond, the planting can turn it into a feature for your garden, Just the spot to sit and contemplate. 

One of the keys to design in the garden is repetition, only a few varieties of plants and a beautiful contrast of textures and tones.

Find more garden, landscaping and home ideas for your Dream Home!

Dream Home Ideas For Storage

A Place For Everything So Everything Can Be In Its Place!

Clutter and hoarding items are becoming real issues for people in our 'buy everything' society. While some people are naturally well organised and tidy, some of us just seem to create more clutter without even trying! 

Storage in new homes is often not a high consideration for the designers but when you move in that will be the thing you notice most, living in your dream home.

Cupboards alone are not the solution. The right configuration inside  the cupboards can make a huge difference between a storage space the same size being adequate or 'too small'. It's not always the size that counts - but what we do with it! 

Here are some ideas you might be able to adapt to your own home or when planning to build your dream home. 

Building in book shelving around windows and to the ceiling can add character and style to your dream home - and a lot of extra storage space! 

That occasional dinnerware needs a place to 'live' and takes up space - having it out of the way and easily accessible means life gets a lot easier and entertaining more appealing.

Even a tiny kitchen can incorporate storage to show off your best china and glassware. 

Look up! There is a mile of space above head height that could be taking shelves to add storage without intruding on floor space. 

Editing can make all the difference to your closet space - If it doesn't fit or it is not the season for it - get it out of your wardrobe,

Every home needs a good spot to store wine! Dedicating some shelves in a cupboard is one solution - or dedicate the whole cupboard and make it a feature! 

Adding storage above the desk means lots of additional storage without taking up existing closet space.

The home office that doubles as a guest room is a good way to make the most of under-used rooms and add practical storage options.

Laundry rooms often have space that can be used to improve storage capacity and practical work space, by adding extra benchtops and cupboards.

Find more great ideas for your dream home on my Pinterest boards!

Dream Home Ideas For Kitchens

Anyone who cooks knows that being able to cook anything you fancy means a lot of dishes and appliances and equipment - and that takes storage! 

Preferably storage that lets you keep the things you use regularly close to hand and the things you use for entertaining or infrequently, reachable but not in the way of those things you use all the time. 

If you need to house all this great stuff, make a real place for it and you won't feel like you are living in a cluttered space, or pressure to discard those pieces you love but are not really utilitarian and all that functional - but are very nice to keep! 

If you can display them suitably - all the better! 

Sadly many of the kitchens that best meet these requirements we don't see all that often in Australia. In fact too often we see big kitchens set to not look like kitchens, and is it me or are the fanciest kitchens often owned by people who don't cook? 

This one is from local business Prestige Kitchens and Joinery at Rutherford NSW

Kitchen In Display Home - Martin Project Homes - Heritage Parc, Rutherford NSW

Look for more fabulous dream home ideas on my Pinterest boards!