What is a daybed with a trundle?

Beds themselves are amongst the largest items of furniture you will purchase for your home, but if you are looking for a stylish item of furniture that is both functional as a bed and stylish when not in use, then I think you might want to look at a daybed with trundle.

I recently heard the phrase "trundle" for the first time and many other people have no idea what it means either. Wikipedias Dictionary, Wiktionary,  describes a trundle as:

"A low bed, designed to be rolled/stored away, usually on casters, under a higher bed, e.g. for temporary use by guests."

So in short, a guest bed that can be hidden away.

Combining this idea with a daybed gives you a functional double bed for those last minute guest visits, that will also act as a seating area in a living room or spare bedroom when not in use. Some of the more recent designs are very fashionable and popular finishes include metal and wood.

Wooden Daybed with Trundle

Wooden Daybed with Trundle

This example of a wooden daybed would work well in most modern homes and with the right accessories will fit in well with most colour schemes.

The trundle is stored beneath the bed and has sturdy legs to support the additional bed when in use. The aesthetics of the bed are largely uneffected by the additional matress beneath and this is mostly thanks to the well-matched wooden materials used on both sections.

Metal Daybed with Trundle

Metal Daybed with Trundle

If you are looking for a more traditional design this antique style metal daybed could be a perfect fit. This black example also houses the trundle bed beneath the main surface and acts as a comfortable seating area when the bed is not in use.

For a lighter feel many of the designs also have a white or more neutral finish available, also making them well suited to most colour schemes.

As mentioned in my post below, antique style bed frames offer a luxurious look with a far lower price tag than real antique beds and are a popular and fashionable choice at the moment.

Dressing these beds is simple as both sections require standard size single matresses. Sheets would therefore need to be single sized with suitable duvet covers for a double bed.

So if you are short on space, but need a guest bed solution, then a daybed could be just what you are looking for.

Keep your bed fresh to avoid the bed bugs!

It doesn’t matter what style your bed is –Metal, Leather, Divan or Wooden beds can all suffer from the infestation of bed bugs if you don’t take proper care of them!

The Daily Mail reported today that 1 in 8 people are currently sleeping in bedding that has not been washed for over a month.

Tracy Emin Wooden Bed

It is said that many people cited lack of time and washing costs as the reason for not changing their bed clothes and although these seem like honest reasons for this, what is the cost to those sleeping in the dirty laundry and the bed they sleep in?

Well an infestation of bed bugs can cause a skin reactions, psychological effects and allergic symptoms. The bugs themselves can live for up to a year in your mattress and bite you once every 5 days. Once an infestation has broken out the biting and irritation can be constant and both this and the infestation can be hard to control. Calling in an expert pest controller is really your only option at this stage.

However, long before things have got this bad you could take preventative measures to stop the bugs getting there in the first place. Simple measures like cleaning your mattress, leaving the sheets to air during the day, not eating in bed and changing the sheets regularly will all assist in keep bed bugs at bay. Regular vacuuming of the room, dust removal and general cleanliness are also helpful factors.

The newspaper showed Tracy Emins Turner Prize winning unmade bed as an example, and although most of us don’t have a bedroom like this, there are clearly lots of people who need to improve their bedroom cleanliness.

Interestingly the report also confirmed that many people also sleep on mattresses that are over 10 years old. As I have mentioned before, old mattresses are a common reason for back and neck pain as well as being a principal culprit in causing poor sleep patterns. Some people hoover their mattress in order to assist with cleanliness and remove any dust or skin particles that can get stuck over time.

Of course, if you have an old bed then purchasing a new one is often a good way of starting your journey towards a good night of sleep. And if keeping bed bugs at bay is your principal concern then you might want to get a lightweight and easy to clean frame to make hygiene practices far easier for you.

Can a Bed Design be the key to an excellent night of slumber?

Its fair to say that many people don’t pay enough attention to their bedroom. We spend many hours there (all be it asleep) but a recent survey has shown that some people don’t replace or even flip their mattress for years and uncomfortable beds make for a bad night of sleep.

Something as simple as a comfortable bed design with a luxurious feel and finish can make you feel more relaxed and prepared for a good night of sleep. These Leather, Metal and Wooden beds are good examples of the luxury designs that are available today:

Leather Bed

Leather Bed

This Brown Leather finished bed looks very comfortable.

The bed itself is delivered part assembled and has a more sturdy bottom than the standard slatted system, making it longer lasting and far more comfortable.

Metal Bed

The modern metal bed pictured has a sturdy frame that can be put together quickly and easily.

Metal Bed

The added advantage here is the amount of under bed storage available, which means you can make the bedroom a sanctuary of calm without the clutter.

One tip for this is to buy a duvet that is a size larger than the bed. This way you will cover the multitude of sins hidden beneath. Don’t forget to get the correct size of fitted sheet though!

Wooden Bed

Wooden Bed

Oak finishes on beds are particularly popular at present and the strong materials make them highly suited to modern bedrooms that need a hard wearing solution.

The finish is well matched with other oak furniture and a suitable mattress can assist in helping you drift away.

Whatever type of bed you are considering, make sure you choose a suitable mattress and accessories that will help to give you that perfect night of sleep!

Antique Beds without the Antique price tag!

As I have mentioned on here before, there are lots of choices to consider when purchasing your new bed, whether you are looking for a Leather, Guest, Wooden or Metal Bed Frame.

However trends within the design industry normally dictate what is currently popular and after reading several interior design magazines recently for my own renovations, I have found that Antique styles are very trendy.

I have seen everything from garden baskets to bedside tables all created using metal and finish with an antique French style paint.

So what are your choices if you are looking to design a bedroom in this way? I have found lots of bed choices with various benefits available, including:

 

Antique Style Double Bed

Antique Style Bed Example 1

This bed is great for traditional homes and being white in colour make it easy to accessorize thanks to current trends.

The clean lines on the foot and head of the bed give it a modern feel on a traditional style.

 

 

Antique Style Small Double Bed

Antique Style Bed Example 2

The small double bed is an excellent space saver for those looking for a guest room solution.

Saving you an additional 6in but still providing you with the space to sleep 2, this bed has a more traditional feel and work well in an old style house with some crisp white bed linen.

 

 

 

Antique Style Black Double Bed

Antique Style Bed Example 3

This iron look might work better if you are considering darker colours in your re-decoration scheme.

The iron look is particularly popular at the moment, and many people use light colour bed linens to offset the bed frame.

And there are hundreds of other choices available depending on your requirements which include storage solutions, fold out and hideaway spare beds and other ornate features within the design.

Guest Beds - make your visitors feel at home!

We have all had people to stay in a Guest Bed and we have all stayed in one at other peoples homes, whether you are attending an event or just visiting during a holiday.

But lets be honest, most of us expect an uncomfortable night of sleet when we are outside of our own familiar bedrooms, don't we?

Well, when you are re-decorating or renovating your guest room, it is worth considering a few additional factors in order to give your guests the most comfortable night of sleep possible. I have thought about this a lot recently and here are a few things that are important in my opinion. Many of these considerations are simple to effect and will help your guests to feel refreshed and happy when they wake up the next day.

Oak Guest Bed

The Bed
Well its fair to say that the standard guest bed is not really suitable any more - the foldout beds we all remember are now a thing of the past and an abundance of other styles are now available. Although the fold out bed was never comfortable, it was popular because of how space saving it was. However, guest beds today offer space saving solutions that still offer a good night of sleep. Take the pull out guest bed (pictured) - this bed is normally a single, but with a couple of small changes will convert into a comfortable (and sizable) double suitable for a good nights sleep for two. Most importantly, make sure the matresses are suitable for the bed as a poor mattress is one of the most common reasons for a bad night of sleep.

The Bedding
We all know the feeling of having crisp clean bed sheets when we start a slumber, so why not treat your guests to the same feeling. Bedding doesn't have to be expensive and some of the most luxurious bedding around can be found online at excellent prices.


The Room
Make the room as welcoming as possible, just by making sure there is a light that is easy to turn on in the dark you can make a huge difference. Some people go even further and provide a kettle, cups and tea or coffee so their guests can make a brew when they wake up without disturbing anyone else.

There are many things you can do to make a guests stay comfortable and this list is by no means exhaustive. If you are looking to purchase a new bed for your guest room and are looking for suitable space saving solutions then speak to a bed manufacturer or supplier who will be able to give you more information on the range of products available.

Antique Furniture for the Modern Home

I have researched lots of styles of furniture as well as current trends and fashions and ideas such as colours, materials and finishing touches seem to change on a regular basis.

However, over the years I have noticed more and more that people enjoy having antique furniture that suits their modern pieces.

Speaking of bedrooms specifically, items such as dressers, bedside cabinets and other units are very popular and with new techniques being developed to restore these items to their original quality, it is no wonder more and more people are looking for antique bargains at auction houses.

Of course, most med styles will compliment other antique furniture well, including:

Metal Beds
Most popular are the Antique style metal beds that are work will in both traditional and modern homes. The french frames come in various colours including brass, gold, white, black and metal all of which work well with different styles of antiques.


Wooden Beds
Depending on the finish, wooden beds might even match a piece of antique furniture and can be purchase in oak (whether bespoke or off the shelf), a material commonly used by furniture makers in earlier years.

Bedroom Furniture

Leather Beds
Although the most popular styles of Leather Bed are normally quite minimalist, the most popular colour (brown) can work well with some older furniture. For example, many victorian and edwardian chairs used brown leathers and make stunning additions to a dresser or just as a feature in the room.

Whatever you are considering for your bedroom makeover, have a look at local auctions and sales and you might just find some bargain antiques that will compliment the look of your room well.

History of the Duvet

Continuing my ongoing research into the world of beds I have recently looked into some history and information of the Duvet and have put together a brief overview of its roots as well as some interesting statistics on how it got here.

In Germany back in 1749 Thomas Nugent observed that the German People used Feather-Beds both above and below their bodies, which worked well in the winter months but was far too hot in the summer months. These “feather beds” he describes were basically duvets.

Duvets are most commonly used in Northern Europe because of the lower temperatures that are experienced here, but its popularity only went worldwide in the late 20th century. Strangely, despite its popularity around the rest of Europe people of the UK still relied mostly on blankets and sheets until around this late 1960’s too.
The duvet that we know today was originally created and shipped in by large department stores in the 60’s from Scandinavia. These department stores also offered a range of duvet covers and other bed decorations and it was around this time that decorating your bed in the way we do today became popular.

Traditionally Duvets were filled with down feathers from the Eider Duck, well known for its insulating benefits. Duvets today are normally made up of manmade fibres such as polyester as well as other natural materials such as silk, wool or cotton, but traditional feather duvets are also available, however some people find these too warm in the summer months.

The Tog rating of a duvet is used to measure its thermal resistance. Duvets are normally a 4.5 – 13.5 tog, with 4.5 being the thinnest (coolest) and 13.5 being the thickest (warmest).

Modern Wooden Bed

Duvets are just as important as your mattress and bed frame when you are purchasing a new bed, whether it is a leather bed, wooden bed, metal bed, guest bed or day bed you should make sure that you, your family or your guests are able to get the best night of sleep possible.

Those with allergies should keep away from feather duvets and pillows and look at purchasing a suitable hypo allergenic style.

Make sure that the thickness of your duvet is suitable for the current season and will keep you at a comfortable temperature during the night.

Finally, make sure that the mattress and bed are still offering you the support and comfort you need to get a good night of sleep as many people suffer unnecessarily from tiredness because of old mattresses and sagging supports on their bed frames.

The History of the Bed

I was pleased by the interest I received after writing a brief post about the history of the mattress recently. So in continuation of this idea I thought I would write some information on the history of the bed itself.

I think many of us know that mattresses have evolved over the years, but what about beds. Where did they start and how were they made? Here is a brief overview in the life of the bed:

8000BC

It is thought that the first “beds” were created in around 8000 BC with materials such as straw and palm leaves – people wanted more comfort from the ground and used whatever soft materials were available to them.

3200 BC

The earliest beds that are similar to the ones we see today were dated to this time after evidence of them was found in Scotland. By this stage people were trying to raise them from the floor in order to avoid drafts, pests and dirt. It is thought that stones were used with straw or other similar natural materials on top.

Egyptians

At first beds were only for the rich and it seems the Egyptians had the right idea and the money to make it happen! Their beds were made of stone or even wood and often had steps built in to ascend at bedtime. Sometimes these beds were decorated with ivory or mother of pearl making them very opulent – the ultimate bedtime luxury at the time.

Medieval Times

It is thought that in Germany they started making beds with similar materials to the first beds from 8000 BC. Around this time they also introduced carpets and curtains and laid on the bed with a linen sheet for warmth.

The Renaissance

By this stage beds were commonplace, but the Renaissance saw the boom of stunning beds with more decoration and ornate features than ever before.

18^th Century

Iron Beds as we know them today were first introduced at this time. They were popular as they decreased the risk of pests and wood based insects. Feather pillows also arrived in the 18^th century.

Faux Leather Bed

Of course, nowadays there are many options and styles available for the best bed (and night of sleep) that you require. 

When visiting a bed supplier, the wide range available makes it easy to find one to suit your home and comfort at a price that meets your budget (but don’t forget your mattress!). Beds designs include traditional and modern metal and iron, leather (real and faux), divan and wooden. Eco friendly versions of the wooden bed are now also available to purchase at a reasonable price.

Mattress Comfort Evolution

Mattresses are amongst the most important and expensive items that we purchase for our homes today. With so many styles and comfort options available it is no wonder so many people are picking the wrong mattress for the best nights sleep.

Looking into the history of the Mattress recently, I was amazed to find that historians believe the first (very primitive) mattress was used several thousand years ago. I have put together a short timeline with some of the most important information I could find:

New Stone Age: The first mattress was thought to have been fashioned or leaves grass and straw.

3600 BC: Goat skins filled with water are used in Persia

200 BC: Matresses start to look more like our own with Ancient Rome fashioning cloth stuffed with hay, wool or reeds for comfort.

1500 AD: The renaissance sees mattresses being covered with velvet and silk.

1800 AD: Matresses are being made with cotton and linen in both the stuffing and the outer materials.

1900 AD: Springs are used to help prevent lumps in the mattress.

1960 AD: The waterbed is invented.

1970 AD: NASA invent memory foam and it’s use is developed for consumer bed use.

Leather Bed King Size

Thankfully, we have come a long way since then with mattresses available from many specialist manufacturers such as Silentnight and Sealey and with a luxury bed design in Oak, Leather, Iron or Metal we can rest easy knowing that we are getting a much better nights sleep than our ancestors!

With beds available in a wide variety of colours, designs and finishes, there is no excuse for your bed not to fit in with your surroundings.

Metal beds come in a traditional and modern style – with antique looks still remaining popular, wrought iron beds are still en vogue. However silver metal beds look great in a modern home with their clean lines and stylish design most popular in silver.

Leather beds remain are now also available in faux leather, which is becoming more cost effective and realistic every day. Ottoman style storage is also available in these beds to make good use of the space underneath.

Wooden beds are most popular in Oak and Pine. Many bespoke bed manufacturers will design and create a bed to the requirements of your home.

For more information on purchasing a luxury bed and the most suitable mattress for you, contact a bed supplier.

Buying a new bed? Things to consider

Ecofern Orchard Guest Bed

When I was recently told I needed to find a new bed for my home, I was amazed by the various options available including size, style, colour and storage solutions.

A bed is an important purchase for any family, so I have put together a small list of things I had to consider along the way, that you might find useful too:

• Always look at buying a new matress with it.

Many people opt to purchase only the frame, but using an old matress can often be just as bad as using the old bed.

• What size is the space you want to put it into?

There are many size options available with the standard single, double and king size beds remaining popular, there are also small double beds available which can be really useful for a smaller room. These are 4ft wide - 6 inches less than a standard double, but still providing comfort for both people.

• If it is a guest bed, would a single that converts into a double be better suited to your space?

Guest beds are becoming more and more stylish, and fashionable single beds can now be purchased that cleverly hide the second "pull-out" bed. Styles available include leather, metal, wooden and divan.

• What are the colours that you need to match?

Leather beds are very popular, buth it can be hard to find a leather bed to match all colour schemes - normally Brown, Black, White and Cream are the easiest colours to source. Wooden and Metal Beds often fit in quite well around most decor and antique style beds are also available for the traditional look.

• Do you need to store anything in the bed?

With space at a premium in most homes, adding storage space to the empty space under the bed is becoming more and more useful. There are various storage solutions available for this purpose. Divans can still be purchased with drawer space underneath and some beds are also made so that the matress can be raised for storage. Many beds can also be purchased with matching units that can be placed at the foot of the bed for extra (matching) storage space.

• Make sure you leave enough room for bedside tables etc

Make sure you measure the space you will be putting the bed into - as I mentioned before, some people might find it more useful to purchase a small double bed instead of a full sized bed in order to accommodate surrounding furniture such as bed-side tables. You should also consider how you will get the bed into the bedroom - will it get up the stairs? Will it get through the doorways? Sometimes self assembly beds are more suitable for homes with less space.

Finally, whatever your requirements make sure you contact a bed supplier that offers a wide range of options so you can be sure to find the right bed for you.