Archive for April, 2010

Eco-Friendly Platform Beds

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010


With so many environment problems cropping up these days, including extreme climate conditions, more and more people are looking for options to help the environment catch its breath. Furniture manufacturers are doing their part in coming up with furnishings that are made from natural and renewable materials as well as recycled materials.

For the modern bedroom, there are different kinds of platform beds made of environment-friendly materials to choose from. If you are one of those people looking for natural options for your bedroom, check out the following kinds of platform beds.

Solid Wood Platform Beds

Platform beds made of solid wood are a bit more expensive than those made of metal but they’re very durable and also grow more beautiful over time. Wood is a renewable and sustainable source of raw material. Hardwoods such as oak and maple take about 45-50 years to mature before they can be used to make beds. There are manufacturers who grow their own trees in plantations so that forests will not be denuded when they harvest wood for furniture. This practice guarantees a sustainable source of timber.

Solid wood platform beds bring a warm air into any room. In modern bedrooms, they are used to soften the cold glare of chrome, glass, or metal furnishings.

Bamboo Platform Beds

Bamboo platform beds give a fresh, tropical touch to your bedroom. Bamboo furniture does not just include tables and chairs but complete bedroom sets as well. It will give your space a natural touch and will also prove to be an ecologically sound furnishing choice.

It takes about 5 years for bamboo used in furniture-making to mature. Because of its fast growth, manufacturers are looking for more ways to market bamboo as it is much more readily available and sustainable than hardwoods. According to ecologists, bamboo produces 30 percent more oxygen than a wood forest of the same size. It also helps in preventing soil erosion.

Rattan Platform Beds

Rattan platform beds are made with any of the various species of rattan. Like bamboo, it also grows and matures more rapidly than hardwoods. Some species of rattan cannot stand on their own and instead climb over other vegetation. It is easier to harvest and transport than wood.

A rattan bed gives a charming and tropical feel to the bedroom. Because rattan is more flexible to work than wood, it can be bent to come up with smooth curves and beautiful designs that contribute to the overall appeal of the bedroom.

Benefits of Platform Storage Beds

Friday, April 23rd, 2010


Platform beds are available in a wide range of designs and styles. With so many choices, you may have quite a challenging time deciding which type of platform bed would best grace your space. While each type has its own advantages, we’ll discuss the benefits of the storage platform bed in this article.

A storage platform bed is a furniture piece that combines sleeping and storage space in one item. It can have drawers or shelves aside from the bed. The space underneath the bed usually features drawers and the headboard can have built-in shelves. In some models, even the footboard has built-in storage space. With this in mind, you can shop according to your storage needs as well as the aesthetic value of a storage platform bed.

What are the benefits of choosing a platform storage bed over other kinds of beds?

It saves you space. Since it combines the bed and storage capacity in one piece, you get to maximize the use of space in your bedroom. This is an ideal choice for those who are looking to sport a minimalist theme. You get to have less furniture items in your bedroom space without suffering the loss of storage space. Having a storage platform bed frees more areas, either for other furniture or just for breathing room.

If you want to reduce clutter, just put bric-a-brac in the drawers underneath the bed and books in the shelves built into the headboard. You can keep your room neat and orderly without having to add more furniture items.

It saves you money. Instead of buying two furniture pieces for two furniture functions, you only get to spend money on one item. This saves you money to buy other bedroom pieces or decorative items. To get more value for your money, shop for discount storage platform beds. Check various options online as there are different stores offering discounts and promos to attract more customers. Make a list of the items that you think would be good purchases. Then choose the best deal. However, make sure you check the quality of the bed you’re getting before you decide to buy it.

It gives you an up-to-date bedroom design. Platform beds are becoming more popular as the bed choice for contemporary and modern bedrooms. A storage platform bed, even with storage capacity underneath the bed, is a low bed which makes your space look bigger. It also has a simple design that is easy to match with other furniture pieces.

A storage platform bed is designed to give more value to bedroom space, which is an important consideration in today’s home. That it gives more value to your money without sacrificing style is an even better reason to furnish your bedroom with it.

Create Your Very Own Zen Bedroom

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

With today’s fast-paced and hectic lifestyle, a peaceful and relaxing sanctuary is a necessity rather than a luxury. We need a place where we can forget the cares of our workaday world and renew our energies. A Zen bedroom is the perfect candidate for such a retreat. It promotes complete relaxation and encourages a soothing night’s sleep.

Transforming your space into a Zen bedroom does not mean you have to hire a professional to do it for you. With a little imagination and a few tips, you can do it yourself without much stress. Here are a few guidelines that will help you create your very own place of peace and quiet.

1) Get a simple bed. The bed is usually the focal point of a bedroom so it’s essential that right off, it reflects the theme of the room. A platform bed is a popular choice in Zen bedrooms. It is simple, no intricate or ornate designs, and makes the room appear larger. Most platform beds do not have storage space underneath the bed frame. Feng Shui principles say this promotes unhindered flow of energy. But more than that, it presents a light and orderly atmosphere. However, if you need storage space, a storage platform bed would be ideal. Being clutter-free is one of the appeals of a Zen bedroom so it’s important to keep knick-knacks and stuff you don’t always use out of sight.

 

2) Paint the walls with neutral or earth colors. Jarring and bold colors do not encourage rest so keep to the neutral colors. You can also use colors you see in nature, so long as they’re not bright and vivid. When you are in your room, your senses should be relaxed, not alert and on the lookout.3) For other furniture pieces, get only what you need and in simple designs. As much as possible, keep the number of furniture items to a bare minimum. Make sure you have enough storage space but don’t get more than what you really need.

4) Decorate with things that promote rest and meditation. Have a nature spot in your space. Plants would enrich your bedroom atmosphere. If you can, get a small waterfall setup as the sound of running water is soothing. You can place aromatic candles on the nightstand. Bedroom lighting should not be distracting but gently lights up the space.

5) Keep a clutter-free space. Keep nightstands clear of bric-a-brac. Just keep the essentials and put everything else in the closet, dresser, and other storage furniture.

6) Keep things quiet in your bedroom. A bedside phone is great but it is not ideal for a Zen bedroom. Keep your phone in another room and let the machine pick up any calls. Let the TV stay in your living room so that your bedroom remains a quiet sanctuary.

Before you enter your room, let your worries slip away. After all, you can’t solve problems by worrying about them. Just enjoy the quiet beauty of your Zen bedroom, relax, and renew your inner springs.

Furnishing with a Modern Platform Bed

Friday, April 9th, 2010

 

 

Since the bed is most likely the focal point of your bedroom, it sets the theme for style and design. A modern platform bed usually has a simple, sleek design. Some styles feature leather-upholstered headboard and other s have a regular headboard. Most pieces have dark finishes which are complemented well by light colored sheets for the ultimate modern touch.

Decorating around a modern platform bed is relatively easy because of its simple design. You can use white beddings no matter the color of the bed’s finish. This makes your space appear larger, not to mention fresher. You can paint the bedroom walls with a light neutral color. This is so you won’t have to repaint the walls every time you change your color scheme.

For other furniture pieces such as nightstands, dresser, and chests, they should have either a light or dark colored finish. A monochromatic combination with dashes of bright accent pieces is usually the trend, though more and more people are exploring with combining different styles and varied colors of furniture to come up with an eclectic bedroom design.

If you want to have decorative pieces in your room, get designs that go well with your modern platform bed. If your bed has sharp edges and a striking finish, a round mirror with intricately carved frame would look out of place. You can mix and match different styles but make sure they go well with each other so that your room doesn’t look like a hodge-podge of mismatched furniture.

When furnishing a modern bedroom, less is more so don’t load up on everything you see at your furniture store. Buy only what you need so that you’re room would have more free space and less clutter.