Beds and Bedding » Bedroom Accessories

Latex Foam Mattress

Benny — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:07:05 +0000

Latex foam mattress is a type of mattress made of a special material called “latex.” This material was originally a type of natural rubber made from the sap of rubber trees. Scientists, however, discovered a way of producing synthetic latex during the Second World War.

Advantages of using a latex foam mattress

Latex, as a material for making latex foam mattress, gives a lot of benefits and good properties that it carries through in latex foam mattresses. First, latex is dense and quite compact. The latex foam mattress core is so strong and durable that some people claim it could last a lifetime.

Types of latex foam mattress

Latex mattress cores have holes that make latex softer and more comfortable. Most mattresses made of latex are laden with equal-sized holes throughout the whole mattress, making the mattress’ feel and softness uniform all throughout. There are also latex foam mattresses especially designed to have holes that vary in sizes in different areas of the mattress, such as those which are intended to be quite firmer or “harder” under the hips and softer under the feet and shoulders.

Some latex mattresses incorporate other materials such as memory foam and softer latex into the mattress to make it softer and more comfortable. Latex foam mattresses are usually bouncy and very comfortable.

With the tendency of running out of natural latex, manufacturers today already use either pure synthetic latex or a mix of natural latex and synthetic latex.

Tips on choosing a latex foam mattress

Latex mattresses can also be classified according to the process by which they were made. In this means of classification, there are two types of latex beds: Talalay and Dunlop. A number of latex foam mattress reviewers claim that Talalay-produced mattresses are the best, especially those made of natural latex or mixed latex.

In choosing latex foam mattresses, beware of mattress tops layered with pillows. These mattresses can cause body impressions. Consider your body weight when choosing a latex foam mattress. Softer mattresses are not always best. In fact, you would need a firmer mattress if you are heavier.

Take note of the four levels of mattress firmness when trying out mattresses. Likewise, you’d have to consider your weight when choosing the thickness of mattress that’s most appropriate for you. Mattresses don’t have to be as thick as possible. Remember to ask what’s inside the mattress. Keep in mind that poly-foam can be dangerous to your health.

Mattress

Benny — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:06:20 +0000

The word “mattress” refers to a pad, mat, or cushion placed on a bed’s surface, where people usually lie or sleep. The term was derived from “materas,” which is the Arabic word for “throwing,” a “place where something is thrown,” or a “mat or cushion.” The term was first adopted during the legendary Crusades, when early Europeans imitated the Arabs in their habit of sleeping on cushions that they throw on the floor.

Though they can actually be spread directly on the floor, mattresses are usually held above the ground by a platform or bed frame and box springs. This is to avoid dirt and pests from getting in contact with the mattress.

Brief history of the mattress

Mattress was first used during the Neolithic period, when beds and mattresses were invented. It is believed that the first mattress was made of piles of straw, grass, or leaves covered with animal skin.

Though the years, people began to devise various ways of making mattresses and also thought of different materials to stuff mattresses with. In the early 18th century, people began using cotton and wool as mattress stuffing. By mid 18th century, quality cotton or linen began to be used for mattress covers.

Today, mattresses come in several varieties, some of which are filled with air, foam, and springs.

Mattress sizes and dimensions

Though mattresses can come in different sizes and dimensions, most mattresses usually measure about 15 to 46 centimeters thick. Standard mattress measurements vary from one country to another, just as standard bed dimensions also vary among nations. Mattress size labels, however, are standardized like beds. There are crib size mattresses, twin or single size mattresses, double or full size mattresses, queen size mattresses, and king size mattresses. Other mattress sizes for special bed dimensions are also available depending on the country where the manufacturer is based.

Types of mattress

There are several types of mattress. One of them is the innerspring mattress, which is one of the most common. Innerspring mattresses are composed of a spring core, a foundation and upholstery layers. Air mattresses, on the other hand, do not use springs. Instead, they depend on several air chambers for support.

Foam mattresses use viscoelastic memory foam or shape-conforming latex instead of springs or air chambers. This type of mattress is also called memory foam mattress.

Mattress foundations

Mattresses are usually supported by any of these three main types of mattress foundation: traditional wood, box spring, and grid foundation.

Bedskirt

Benny — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:05:29 +0000

Beds are very important pieces of furniture. These pieces of furniture are specially made for purposes of sleep, rest, and relaxation. From their earliest forms made of straw or other natural materials such as moss, wool, hair, feathers, and hay, beds have already undergone various changes and innovations in style, quality, size, and functions.

From its simplest function of simply having its top surface for sleep, a bed can now come in many other features such as for storage space and for health purposes. The concept of modern beds started to materialize in the 1850s, but the beds created during those times were still made of hair, moss, feathers, and wool. They were also smaller than today’s standard bed sizes. It was only in the early 1900s that beds really became more comfortable with the invention of spring and cotton coil mattress. From then on, the standard bed set included a bed surface, sheets, pillows, blankets or comforters, and a bedskirt.

What is a bedskirt?

Whereas beds underwent various changes through the years, bedskirts went through very little change since they were first introduced into the market. A bedskirt is simply a piece of cloth used to cover the bed.

What purposes does a bedskirt serve?

A bedskirt is used to cover storage spaces under the bed. It is also used to cover te bed’s box springs and crude bed posts. Besides these functions, bedskirts also serve as a protective bed covering to keep the bed itself from getting dust, or at least, to minimize the tendency of dust and dirt to settle directly under the bed. By doing this, bedskirts help keep dust mites away from the actual bedding.

Despite these practical uses of bedskirts, however, people usually buy bedskirts for another reason: bedroom styling purposes. Modern bedskirts come in a wide variety of styles, designs, fabrics, and colors for consumers to choose from. Along with fabrics for other bed accessories such as pillowcases, blankets, bed sheets, shams, and comforters, bedskirts are made to match other home decors and bed accessories.

How do you choose a bedskirt?

The rule of the thumb is that bedskirts made with fabric that has higher thread count are of better quality. It is because fabrics with higher thread count are usually softer and more luxurious, thus, more expensive.

Bedskirts come in standard bed sizes, which range from twin or single bed to king size bed. It is important that you know the type or size of bed that you have before buying a bedskirt.

Waterbed Sheets

Benny — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:04:45 +0000

Waterbed sheets are bed sheets specially designed for use in hardside waterbeds. Waterbeds come in two types: the hardside waterbed and the softside waterbed. Softside waterbeds can do with regular bed sheets, but hardside waterbeds need waterbed sheets because they use special wooden side frames.

Tucking bed sheets in is specially challenging in hardside waterbeds because of the pressure of the mattress against the bed’s side frame. Other than being slippery, this type of waterbed frequently flexes, so bed sheets do not stay in place. That’s why hardside waterbeds need a special kind of bed sheet.

Like regular bed sheets for regular beds, waterbed sheets also come in various types and styles. They can be made of different types of fabrics, each of which has its own characteristics and properties that give rise to their own lists of advantages and disadvantages.

Types of waterbed sheets

Waterbed sheets made of cotton fabrics such as cotton, sateen, and flannel are usually cheap, practical, and durable. Sateen has a distinct sheen because of satin weave, while flannel is a type of cotton with a nap. They are all quite comfortable and soft, allowing for a more comfortable sleep.

Percale waterbed sheets, on the other hand, can be made of pure cotton or a combination of cotton and polyester. They are made of fabric that is closely woven, making them a practical choice because of their durability and lightness.

Polyester satin waterbed sheets are characterized by their durability, strength, and luster. Compared with fabrics made of silk satin, polyester satin fabrics have a better mix of durability, strength, fine qualities, and comfortable feel. Polyester satin waterbed sheets resist creasing, moths, and shrinking well. Also, they are easier to wash and maintain.

Silk satin waterbed sheets, on the other hand, provide a distinctive luxuriant feel. It has the ability to give off fresh coolness in summer and comfortable warmth in winter. Silk satin fabrics, however, can be quite delicate because of their thinness.

When you talk about luster in both appearance and feel, you must be referring to acetate satin waterbed sheets. They are more luxurious in quality compared with waterbed sheets made of polyester satin and silk satin. Acetate satin is thicker and heavier, but it is more sensitive and delicate.

Nylon satin waterbed sheets, meanwhile, are thicker and more durable than waterbed sheets made from several other satin varieties. They are both elastic and shiny and have the capacity to retain their shape. Nylon satin waterbed sheets resist rough treatment, mildew, chemicals, and moths well. They also last longer than other satin waterbed sheets and are relatively easier to wash.

Chenille Bedspreads

Benny — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:03:56 +0000

Chenille bedspreads are made through a handicraft technique called “tufting.” This handicraft technique was revived by Catherine Evans Whitener in the 1890s when she was in Dalton. Also called “tufted bedspreads,” chenille bedspreads are cotton sheets with raised “tufts” made of thick yarn. This type of bedspread became popular not only in Dalton, but also in the whole United States.

The word “chenille” is the French term for “caterpillar.” It usually refers to fabrics with raised yarn ends or thick piles sticking out from the fabric’s edges at right angles. Though most tufted or chenille bedspreads do not actually turn out to be exactly as the term “chenille” denotes, the term remained to be used to refer to all tufted bedspreads, until it eventually became a popular term. The handicraft of tufting played an important role in the economic development of northwest Georgia.

Brief history of chenille bedspreads

After Catherine Evans Whitener’s revival of tufting as a handicraft technique, others also began to learn and adapt this style of making bedspreads. Chenille bedspreads became popular and eventually made their way into Atlanta’s department stores in the 1920s. The popularity of chenille bedspreads continued to grow even after several years, until they became a major factor in the growth of Georgia’s economy. The local textile industry in Georgia boomed with Dalton at its center. Chenille bedspreads even caught the interest of art enthusiasts, and exhibits were held to feature the intricate designs and artistic form of chenille bedspreads.

Chenille bedspreads became such a favorite in American households and bedrooms during the last years of the 19th century to mid 1900s.

During the immense popularity of chenille bedspreads, several “spread houses” were put up to meet the continuously increasing market demand. These small chenille bedspread warehouses were intended for the stamping of designs into the sheets. The output would then be delivered by haulers to rural households in Carolina, Tennessee, and north Georgia where the designs would be hand-sewn by workers. After this, sheets with hand-woven designs would be returned to retailers’ small warehouses for finishing, washing, preshrinking, and even dyeing.

Because of this tremendous success of chenille bedspreads, manufacturers tried to experiment on other products such as toilet tank covers, rugs, and robes. The attempt proved to be successful. Today, there are also floor mats, wall to wall carpets, and other household decors and accessories made with the same materials and style as chenille bedspreads.

Bedroom Accessories

Benny — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:03:14 +0000

The term “bedroom accessories” usually refers to objects found in a bedroom besides your personal stuff and pieces of bedroom furniture.

Bedroom accessories include bedding, comforter sets, pillows, blankets, mats, curtains, bed skirts, jewelry boxes, mirrors, and lamps, among others. Bedroom furniture, on the other hand, includes beds, dressers and cabinets, closets, drawers, shelves, desks, bedroom vanity sets, and vanity tables, to name a few.

Bedroom accessories can also refer to objects found in bedrooms, which may or may not be in a bedroom without affecting the bedroom’s function and purpose. In this case, even some pieces of bedroom furniture such as book shelves and vanity tables can be considered as bedroom accessories, since a bedroom can still serve its function as a place for sleeping even without them.

Bedroom accessories are important when you are decorating your bedroom. Not only do they affect the room’s overall atmosphere, they can also serve as crucial parts of the masterpiece, if your bedroom would serve as your art work.

Bedroom accessories: headboards

Headboards come in different styles, designs, and colors to choose from. Some headboards are made of wood, while others are made of metal. You can choose from any of the designs and styles provided by manufacturers, but you can also ask for customized headboard designs.

Bedding and Other bed accessories

Pillows, blankets, bed skirts or bed sheets, dust ruffles, and comforters also come in various designs and styles. Depending on the size of your bed and our personal needs and preferences, you can choose among various sizes of bed skirts or bed sheets, comforters, and dust ruffles.

These bed accessories play a major role when you’re decorating your bedroom. The color of your blanket, bed sheets and pillows or pillow cases count a lot in the overall look of your bedroom. It is important that you carefully choose pillow cases, blankets, and bed sheets whose colors and designs match or blend in with your bedroom’s décor and bedroom motif.

Bedroom accessories: mirrors

If you already have a bedroom vanity set, you may no longer have to bother about choosing a bedroom mirror. But if you don’t, there are lots of mirror frame shapes, designs, and styles that you can choose from. You can go for a full body mirror, a face mirror, or a mirror of any other size based on your preference.

Bedroom accessories: curtains

Curtains also play a major role in your bedroom decoration, so you should Carefully choose curtain styles while considering four bed and bedding designs.