Archive for February, 2007

Wood vs Metal Loft beds (bunk beds)

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If you are in the market for loft beds or bunk beds, a major choice is wood versus metal. Depending on the overall look and size you desire, you will want to choose a differently constructed bed. Although both materials are both sturdy and safe, many individuals choose either metal or wood when searching for the optimum bed to fit the room.

Most older bunk beds are made of wood, and are generally easier to make safety modifications and enhancements. Also, the price of wooden bunk beds may be more economical, especially if you are shopping at second hand stores or using a bed previously used by a friend or family member. Furthermore, wooden bunk beds can be easily repaired, painted, stripped, or stained to create a completely different look for differing tastes.

Metal bunk beds are usually made of tubular metal and thought to be a classic kid’s type of bedding. How many times have you seen a red or white metal bunk bed in a child’s bedroom? Metal bunk beds made in recent years are built to the set safety requirements, but if any safety requirements are not up to par, emendations are much more difficult to make.

When looking at loft beds, the newer, stylish beds are made of metal. Additionally, metal loft beds take up less space so that tight spaces will not be further infringed by bulky metal creations. Also, metal beds allow a greater amount of decoration than wooden beds, so these are quite popular with the feminine crowd. Additionally, a change in style requires nothing more than a can of spray paint in the new and improved color.

Wooden loft beds are most associated with college dormitories, where loft beds built of raw two by fours are king. These beds can be found around every corner of campus come move-in day, so keep your pennies for things like books and purchase a used loft bed. You may even gain a couple new phone numbers, since most college co-eds use their loft beds as a huge message pad. The plus side of a wooden loft bed is that you will save a great deal of money on paper!

Whatever type of bunk bed or loft bed you choose to purchase, ensure the bed is safe. It does not matter if you are two, twelve, or twenty, safety is still important when entrusting your bodily safety while you sleep. A teenager can roll out of bed just as easily as a toddler, so be sure all beds have the proper guard rails and safety precautions. Generally, the choice between wood and metal bunk beds or loft beds is completely personal and depends on the space and the style.

About the author:

Donna Somerkin specializes in Beds http://www.u-loft-beds.com

Written By: Donna Somerkin

Comforts Of Adjustable Beds

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Adjustable beds, as the name suggests, can be adjusted in any position as per requirements. Also known as sunflower beds, these adjustable beds are used to provide comfort during sleeping. Another benefit of the adjustable bed is its inclined position. It not only makes reading and watching television a more pleasurable recreation, but also provides comfort for patients with back problems.

Convenient for All
The adjustable beds are, specially recommended by doctors. Patients, who are temporarily or permanently bedridden, find these beds convenient. Such people benefit from the beds adjustable features. It is ideal for people suffering from sleep disorders, body strains, stress, backaches and other ailments. Apart from being comfortable and convenient, these beds are strongly built and can hold more than 600 pounds of weight.

The adjustable beds are of two types, heavy duty and the standard type. One can choose a bed according to ones needs. The standard bed is appropriate for most patients. The adjustable beds are made up of two main components, the base of the bed and the mattress. The size of the mattress differs according to your needs. You may get yourself a twin, king sized or queen sized mattress. These mattresses are specially designed by leading companies and are appropriately made to suit the human body.

Health Benefits of Adjustable Beds
Several health benefits result from the adjustable beds. They not only relieve soreness of the body, but also relax the neck and shoulder muscles. The adjustable beds ease back pain and swelling of the legs. People suffering from asthma, osteoarthritis, varicose veins, sponylolisthesis, and many more such problems derive a lot of comfort and satisfaction from the use of the adjustable beds.

It is possible to change the position of the bed by the mere touch of a button in adjustable beds. These beds have made it possible to wake up relaxed and full of enthusiasm every morning. Grateful patients bless the day when these beds were invented. The adjustable beds have made life easy for many people. These beds are available all over the world. Enjoy all these comforts and get yourself an adjustable bed today.

About the Author:

Barney Garcia writes about many different topics. He is a proud contributing author and invites you to his websites. www.adjustable-beds-online.info and www.all-adjustable-beds.info

Written By: Barney Garcia

How Old Should You Be Before You Buy A Loft Bed?

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A monumental time in the life of any toddler is moving from the crib or child’s bed to a real “grown up” bed. Consider choosing a loft bed for your growing youngster, especially if the room he or she occupies is small for much else than a bed or shared with a sibling. However, before you move your child to any bed other than a crib, ensure he or she is at least two years of age and no less than 35 inches tall. If your child is a late bloomer or showing no interest in moving up to a larger bed, allow him or her a certain amount of leeway in regards to switching to a “big boy” or “big girl” bed.

Many parents choose to invest in a loft bed for their child because another child has arrived, is on the way, or currently occupies the house. A loft is a great way to give each child his or her space without having to sacrifice floor space for child’s play. Also, a loft bed is a great way to entice your son or daughter to leave your bed in exchange for something a great deal cooler in their eyes.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing a loft bed for a young child is to avoid the ceiling scraping beds and instead choose lofts that are no taller than four feet. This is especially true if you are dealing with a youngster who may have a slight fear of heights, since everything is taller to a child. A four foot loft still allows a great amount of room underneath the bed and can be arranged to house a fantastic fort, tent, or enclosed space that is only for the child. Some children’s furniture manufacturers are even including specialized loft beds into their furniture designs that are sure to tickle your child’s imagination.

Another critical aspect to keep in mind is the safety of the loft. Ensure the guard rails are stable and properly placed on the bed. Furthermore, ensure both sides of the bed come equipped with guard rails. Quite often, children can become trapped or even fall out of the bed if two guard rails are not present on the bed. Also, check out the ladder to make sure your child will be safe while entering and exiting his or her bed. Furthermore, ensure the ladder is correctly installed on the bed to prevent any accidents or injuries due to improper equipment.

Once your child has made the move into a loft bed, make time to speak with your son or daughter regarding safety. Set rules for entering and exiting the bed and ensure your children will not play or roughhouse, which can call potentially cause injury.

About the author:

Doug Mahopac specializes in loft beds/bunk beds find out more at http://www.i-loft-beds.com

Written By: Doug Mahopac

Contemporary Bedroom Furniture

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Contemporary Bedroom Furniture is the perfect fit for modern homes, as it has been designed for functionality as well as comfort. The Bedroom Furniture includes stylish dressers as well as mirrors, nightstands and bedroom benches. What sets contemporary furniture apart from traditional furniture is that the latter consumed a lot of space and was quite elaborate in design, whereas contemporary furniture makes the best possible usage of space.

The material that is usually used in Contemporary Bedroom Furniture is wood or metal, especially aluminium. You can choose from a range of styles and colors that are available on the market. The products have been designed to make an optimum usage of the space. Thus, you can come across a set of drawers fitted with a seat on top, that serves as a bench and as a storage space. Then there are armoires that cannot only take good care of your clothing and accessories, but also doubles as storage space for your TV. You have scores of colors to choose from, be it ebony, lighter shades of brown or an elegant white.

There are a number of styles of beds, so you can choose from sleigh beds to metal beds to platform beds to king-sized beds. The platform beds are for those who like their furniture to be without any frills and fancies. These beds are quite easy to assemble and are liked by people due to their understated elegance. The sleigh beds spell sophistication and class.

The bedroom is also the place where one can dress at ease; thus, having a mirror and a dresser is an absolute must for your room. Accentuate the sense of space in your room by getting a wall-mounted mirror designed in the contemporary style. You can also get the mirrors designed in elegant wrought iron with a beautiful patina finish. The designers of Contemporary Bedroom Furniture have put their imagination to good use and come up with great designs. They boast excellent craftsmanship and fit with as much ease and élan in your home as in your budget.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Discount Bedroom Furniture provides detailed information on bedroom furniture, antique bedroom furniture, bedroom furniture sets, cheap bedroom furniture and more. Discount Bedroom Furniture is affiliated with Master Bedrooms.

Written By: Peter Emerson

Sleeping Pads For Lightweight Backpacking

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Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping pads are pretty much a necessity for backpacking comfort, but who wants to carry those monstrous old inflatables down the trail? Try some of these lightweight options instead.

You can make four-ounce sleeping pads - then sometimes carry two of them. Start with the plain blue closed-cell foam pads available from any backpacking supplier. These are made larger than necessary, usually 24 by 72 inches. You can just cut them down to a four-ounce size.

It’s important that it reaches from your shoulders to your hips, so cut it to that length. Cut the width a little at a time, testing for comfort as you go. You want the pad as small as you can make it, while still big enough to insulate your torso from the ground. Your head can be on a pillow of spare clothes, and your legs on your empty pack to insulate them.

Sleeping Pads For Ultralight Fanatics

If you want it really light, cut pieces out of the pad. Half-inch holes in the pad don’t seem to make it less comfortable. Cut out a hundred little pieces of foam, and you get to save an ounce and join the ranks of the fanatical ultralight backpackers.

To be comfortable with a thin pad, or none at all, try sleeping where the ground is soft. You can also pile up leaves or dry grass to sleep on. Please do this only where it won’t harm the enviroment, and scatter the leaves in the morning so they won’t kill the vegetation they’re on. With fifteen minutes of work each night collecting materials, you can leave the sleeping pad home and be more comfortable. A thick pile of dried grass - now that’s a nice camping mattress.

More Comfortable Sleeping Pads

Do you need more cushioning? Inflatable sleeping pads are no longer out of the question for lightweight backpacking. REI’s Big Agnes Air Core Pad is a 3/4 length pad that weighs just 16 ounces and is an incredible 2 1/2″ thick! I haven’t tried this one yet, so if you’ve slept with Big Agnes, let me know how she is.

There are also several self-inflating sleeping pads that are reasonably light. My old Thermarest is actually only 21 ounces, but both Thermarest and others now have self-inflating sleeping pads that are under a pound. Now that’s lightweight backpacking comfort!

About the Author

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos and stories can be found at The Ultralight Backpacking Site: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Written By: Steve Gillman

Sleeping Bag Pads

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Sleeping bag pads are not one of the things you should cut from your list. Backpackers want to reduce their weight, but not even ultralight backpackers want to reduce their comfort. Still, who wants to carry those monstrous old inflatables down the trail? Try some of these lightweight options instead.

Make four-ounce sleeping bag pads, and sometimes carry two of them. Use the plain blue closed-cell foam pads available from any backpacking supplier. They are made larger than necessary, usually 24 by 72 inches. Just cut them down to a four-ounce size that fits your torso.

It should reach from your shoulders to your hips. You may want to cut the width a little at a time, testing for comfort as you go. The pad should be as small as you can make it, while still big enough to insulate your torso from the ground. A pillow of spare clothes can be used for your head, and your legs can be on your empty pack to insulate them.

Sleeping Bag Pads For Lightweight Fanatics

To make it really light, cut pieces out of the pad. Small holes in the pad don’t seem to make it less comfortable. If you cut out a hundred little pieces of foam, you save an ounce and join the ranks of the fanatical ultralight backpackers.

Want to go even lighter? Leave the pad behind and try sleeping where the ground is soft. You can also pile up leaves or dry grass to sleep on. Do this where it won’t harm the enviroment, and scatter the leaves in the morning so they don’t kill the vegetation they’re on. For fifteen minutes of work each night collecting materials, you can leave the sleeping pad home and actually be more comfortable. A thick pile of dried grass - now that’s a nice camping mattress.

More Luxurious Sleeping Bag Pads

Want more cushioning? Inflatable sleeping pads are no longer out of the question for lightweight backpacking. The Big Agnes Air Core Pad from REI is a 3/4 length pad that weighs just 16 ounces and is an incredible 2 1/2″ thick! If you’ve slept with Big Agnes, let me know how she is.

You can also find a few self-inflating pads that are reasonably light. The old Thermarest I sometimes use is actually only 21 ounces, but both Thermarest and others now have self-inflating sleeping pads that are under a pound. That’s a lot of comfort for such lightweight sleeping bag pads.

About the author:

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips on cutting weight, plus photos, stories and gear recommendations can be found at http://www.TheUltraligh tBackpackingSite.com

Written By: Steve Gillman

Finding Discount Waterbed Sheets

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Consumers may be led to believe that waterbed sheets are more expensive than conventional sheets, but this is not true. Cheap waterbed sheets are easy to come by. Many stores and websites offer discount waterbed sheets. It is often possible to buy discount waterbed sheets directly from the manufacturer at a great discount. Committed bargain hunters can find sheets of every material and a wide array of colors discounted. Often, websites and stores offer cheap waterbed sheets year round. Some of these stores specialize in discounted goods, and have high quality merchandise at a major discount. General department stores like Target and Wal-Mart always have good deals on items like waterbed sheets.

Many stores and websites put sheets by particular companies on sale. They may do this for several reasons. They may try to generate interest in new products by a fledgling manufacturer, or they may need to clear out old products in order to make room for new models. Stores may also have sales at particular times of the year, like around Christmas, to capitalize on an increased number of shoppers. Regardless of why the sale occurs, it is a great opportunity to find waterbed sheets at a good price.

Manufacturers often put their products on sale. Sometimes, sheet makers have outlet stores where they sell old or slightly defective products at giant discounts. New companies will often sell their sheets at a lower price than their competitors in order to gain a share of the market. This helps the new company compete with the known quality of more established brands and builds word of mouth among customers about the new company’s products. Particular sheet makers may make deals with a waterbed mattress company so that customers who buy the mattress get a discount on a sheet set.

Cheap waterbed sheets are available in countless colors and fabrics. Shoppers can find discount waterbed sheets made of cotton, satin, and flannel if they look hard enough. Sheets with good thread counts are often sold at discounts at many stores year round.

It is generally a myth that waterbed sheets are any more expensive that conventional sheets. Discount waterbed sheets are found in many retailers and on several websites. These products provide all of the comfort and style that shoppers are looking for at a very reasonable price.

About the Author

Water Bed Sheets provides detailed information on waterbed sheets and discount waterbed sheets, as well as waterbed sheet sets, sizes and materials. Water Bed Sheets is the sister site of Down Comforters Web.

Written By: Kevin Stith

Free Platform Bed Plan

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There are many benefits to sleeping on a platform bed. These beds combine great style with superior practicality. In addition to their sleek, modern and minimalist style, platform beds also provide great storage opportunities underneath the platform.

There are many benefits to sleeping on a platform bed. These beds combine great style with superior practicality. In addition to their sleek, modern and minimalist style, platform beds also provide great storage opportunities underneath the platform. Platform beds are appropriate for many different demographics, from the budget-conscious young professional to the style-conscious hipster to the toddler who likes to keep toys stowed under his bed. Platform beds can be a wonderful addition to any bedroom. Because of their increasing popularity, many platform beds can cost thousands of dollars or more for queen and king size beds. To avoid sticker shock, you can build your own. Best of all, they are fairly easy to build. Below youll find some helpful hints for building a platform bed from scratch.

A platform bed is composed of three major parts:

1) The Headboard

2) Storage boxes

3) The Platform

Necessary Materials

Two main types of wood should be used in creating a platform bed: poplar and plywood. Poplar wood should be used for the stile, mullion, rail, cap, facing, and platform edge. Plywood should be used for the panel, divider, back, top/bottom, end, toe kick face, toe kick end, cleat and platform. It is also recommend that you use a circular saw with a speed square to ensure precision cutting. You will want to have a large flat table on which to rest the wood when cutting and gluing. In addition to the wood, you will also need joining plates, woodscrews, finish nails, glue, sandpaper, latex primer and enamel. Of course, youll also need a drill or automatic screwdriver for the screws and a hammer for the nails. There are many types of platform bed plans, each appropriate for the person who will be sleeping on it. For example, if you would prefer a low-lying sleeping position, you may decide to skip storage boxes. Detailed step-by-step bed plans can be found at Ask the Builder, Popular Mechanic and other similar online resources. Good luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

About E-PlatformBeds.com provides detailed information about contemporary, Japanese, discount, and wood platform beds and platform storage beds, as well as platform bed plans.

Written By: Elizabeth Morgan

The Benefits of Waterbed Sheet Sets

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It is a good idea to purchase a full set including a comforter when buying waterbed sheets. Buying waterbed sheet sets is more economical than buying all of the components separately. Getting a comforter along with the sheets allows for more versatility with the bed and keeps the owner from having to buy a separate blanket for use during the cold months of the year. Also, it is much easier to purchase a full sheet set that includes a matching comforter than it is to find a matching comforter separately. Waterbed sheet sets are available in all major fabrics and for all sizes of waterbed. The unique styling of waterbed sheets is something that necessitates purchasing them in sets. Instead of buying the fitted sheet separately from the flat sheets, as is often done with conventional sheets, waterbed sheets often come with the fitted and flat sheets connected to each other. With many waterbed sheet sets, the flat sheet is sewn to the center of the foot of the fitted sheet. This makes it easier for people to make the bed, as they do not constantly have to tuck the flat sheet into the foot of the bed. This is an added advantage for waterbeds with wooden frames because they often leave little room for sliding hands and fingers around the mattress to make the bed. Another unique feature of waterbed sheets is that the fitted sheet often has corner flaps that hold the sheet in place and keep it from slipping while people sleep on it.

It is advisable to buy a sheet set that includes a comforter. A matching or complimentary comforter adds style to the sheet set and provides warmth on cold nights. It is easier to buy a comforter with the sheets than it is to find one that matches, especially for sheets with unique colors or patterns that may be difficult to match. Another advantage to buying a waterbed sheet and comforter is that they are usually less expensive when purchased together, as main reason that sheet sets are sold is to provide buyers with a good deal. When purchased all together, sheet sets can save the buyer almost a third of the cost of the all of the components bought separately.

Waterbed sheet sets provide convenience and value to consumers. They feature all of the things that waterbed owners need for their bed in one package, and a waterbed sheet set and comforter provides even more value.

About the Author

Water Bed Sheets provides detailed information on waterbed sheets and discount waterbed sheets, as well as waterbed sheet sets, sizes and materials. Water Bed Sheets is the sister site of Down Comforters Web.

Written By: Kevin Stith

A Five-Ounce Sleeping Bag

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Okay, it wasn’t quite a sleeping bag. However, it was only five ounces, and it kept me warm as the temperature dropped to the low forties on the bank of the Manistee River in Michigan. The secret was the fifteen minutes we spent gathering dead, dry bracken ferns to build a two-foot thick mattress. We set the tent on that. Then, with all my clothes on, I was fine.

In fact, I’ve rarely slept as well camping as I did that night. As I said, it wasn’t a sleeping bag, but actually a sleeping bag liner. I bought it from Campmor, but I’ve since sewn a simple one of bargain-bin nylon material ($1/yard) obtained at Walmart. If it’s possible to stay warm with a light sleeping bag liner in autumn, at a few degrees above freezing, this strategy should work well for summer nights in the sixties.

How To Use A Liner As A Sleeping Bag

Be careful, of course, backpacking with just a liner for a sleeping bag. It could be dangerous, or at least uncomfortable enough to ruin your trip. Experiment near home, and know yourself and your enviroment.

Learn a few tricks. If it isn’t too humid you can breath in your bag, and you will be much warmer. Most backpackers will tell you not to do this, because you’ll be damp in the morning, but in a dry enviroment you’ll be fine once you hit the trail. Just dry the liner out during a break.

Another trick is to use a mattress of dried plants. Try dead leaves, palm fronds, grass, cattail leaves, some tree barks, etc. A mattress of this sort insulates you from the ground, which normally takes away much of your body heat. Scatter the leaves in the morning so they won’t smother the plants underneath.

Some other tricks to try: Hot tea before going to sleep… Exercise a bit… Cover yourself with extra clothes… Elevate your feet slightly… Go to sleep earlier or later. Experiment to see what works best for you.

Also, go to bed warm. If you’re warm when you get into your sleeping bag, you’re more likely to stay warm through the night. It’s difficult to warm up, especially in a thin bag, if you start out shivering.

I’m not recommending backpacking with only a sleeping bag liner, but it is an option. I’ve gone out with nothing more than a bivy sack in my jacket pocket, but I’m not recommending that either. This is just to present all the possible options for the ultralight backpacker.

About the Author

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos and stories can be found at The Ultralight Backpacking Site: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

Written By: Steve Gillman