Home & Garden Blog » Bedroom

I woke up this morning wrapped in my blankets like a torpedo. Or a burrito. Or a “brrr”rito, as my blanket-wrapping was in reaction to the frosted windows and frosty weather outside. Heat distribution in my house is very hard to regulate: while the kitchen and the living room get the brunt of the fire from the central heater, my small bedroom off in the far left corner of the house gets the least amount of love from the central heat supply. The problem is that when we raise the heat, my room becomes comfortable, and my roommates’ rooms turn into microwaves. So how can we make everyone happy?

I recommend space heaters. They work well and are small enough to heat small rooms, foyers, mud rooms, maybe even the space for the dogs and cats (though don’t get it too close to their beds! It could get a bit too hot and cause your pet to dehydrate). Space heaters are affordable and functional. They are a great item to have on hand in the freak occurrence that the heater breaks (god forbid!) or a particularly cold-blooded aunt or grandmother.

Here are some of the top space heaters on the market:

Dayton NW9 1500 Watt Electric Ceramic Convection Space Heater
Features 5,118 BTUs of Heat, Auto Overheat Shut-Off, and Washable Dust Filter - FREE GROUND SHIPPING! from Air-n-Water.com: $49.95

DeLonghi TCH8590ER Ceramic Heater: $61.99

Shop for discount space heaters at Smarter.com.

The weather is getting chillier, especially at night. What can you do to protect your family, and the environment? Think about investing in some organic wool or knit blankets and comforters. Ecosleepshop.kushtush.com has a wonderful selection of organic, eco-friendly comforters and fleece items, check out some of their top selling blankets to make your family warm and snug this season!

Why organic blankets are good:

The animals that the wool is taken from are well taken care of, you are getting a natural product without the polyester or machine processed fabric which may itch or irritate your family’s skin, also a lot of the synthetic blankets are forms of plastic, which make it “meltable” and flammable when placed up against a heater. Talking from experience here, unfortunately.

Top organic comforters on the market:

Organic Merino Wool Comforter from EcoSleep.KushTush.com: $108

Organic Duvet Cover from EcoSleep.KushTush.com: $65.00

Hotel Collection Organic Reversible Duvet Covers from EcoSleep.KushTush.com: $18.00

Shop for more organic bedding at Smarter.com.

When you fall asleep at night, what is the last thing you think about? Do you think about all the stresses of the past day, maybe the movie you just watched with your spouse, or the garbage that you forgot to take out? No matter what you’re thinking about, probably the last thing on your list is environmental consciousness. Yes, you turn off the lights and turn down the fans when you’re going to sleep, but you do this for comfort as much as energy-saving. Maybe, when you wake up in the morning, there is a little thing you can do for yourself to make you think about the environment and appreciate all that it has to offer: and in an ironic twist of fate, I am going to suggest the nature sounds alarm clock.

The world is divided into two parts: those that rely on standard beeps of electronics, phones, or alarm clocks to welcome them to the morning, or those that rely on more natural methods, like sunrise, cocks crowing, or maybe even the dog jumping on the bed, all excited for it’s morning walk. Maybe you don’t have a rooster or a dog and are not reliable enough to wake up from the sun–think about getting a nature sounds alarm clock.

Top nature sounds alarm clock on the market:

Nature Sounds Alarm clock from Target.com: $29.99

Timex Nature Sounds Alarm clock with .9″ digital display at Radioshack.com: $14.99

iLive iC308B Dual Alarm Projection Clock Radio with Nature Sounds and Dock for iPod (Black): $56.64

Shop for more alarm clocks at Smarter.com.

Walmart’s newest dedication to using social networking tools and Web 2.0 interfaces may be rooted in capitalism and greedy corporations, but there are some great user benefits that save the college-bound a few hundred in shipping, packaging, or unnecessary double and triple trips back and forth to the local department store. Walmart.com’s new College 09 site has a wonderful selection of thrifty and stylish supplies for the young and the educated, including some “Value Bundles” that should be checked out for their super thrifty status. Featured on their top selling value bundles are:

Kalorik Sunny Morning Basic Kitchen Appliance Set, Tangerine and White: $85.00 Coming with a toaster, a blender, a coffee maker and a kettle, this is a cute set that will brighten any freshman’s smile when they wake up for that first 8 a.m. class.

Another great steal is the Girl’s Twin Bedding and Towel Set at $45.00, with a bright lively pattern for the comforter and sham and 6-piece towel set for all your bathroom needs.

Now what about the boys? While the girls have their bright orange kettles and striped comforters keeping them colorful and hydrated during finals, what will the boys use?

I won’t lie, I’ll suggest the Mainstays Tall Corner TV Stand and Viore 26” Class LCD HDTV Bundle for $349.00 out of experience and necessity. 26″ HDTV with digital tuner and the stand makes this a complete package, and perfect for the Xbox hookup. No joke, these things are a necessity! Video games are a growing market, the boys are doing “research” into a prospective career field. No lie!!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more kitchen appliances and tv stands.
Discounts on towels and twin bedding.

During the summer, you want to let that beautiful morning glow come in, but not too bright or too early (5:40am sunrise time? No thanks, mother nature.  I may get up at 7:00am, but not a minute earlier!)  I am too partial to the “den” set up, where window curtains are so thick and dark that the bedroom feels like a cave early in the morning, and near impossible to wake up in.  So, by investing in a sheer window curtain, I’ve made my mornings a lot easier, now that there’s actual, natural sunlight to help me wake up and seize the day.  Smarter.com helps you find the best deals on sheer window curtains in all types of lengths and covers to fit your needs.

Some top picks:

Sheer Linen Window Panel by West Elm: $29.00/ each.  An Internet/Catalog sale price only, buying these window panels online saves you $10 a panel!  Incredible!

Twisted Teen Curtains by PB Teen: $9-36.

On sale depending on color or size, these panels come in a variety of bright and cheery colors and are sold single panel.  The cheapest ones are the Navy 40×63″ at $9.99, so if you’ve ever felt the urge for navy curtains here’s a chance to jump on a stellar steal!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more sheer curtains.

While hospitality and housewarming is usually thought of in terms of guests, the tradition of having actual rooms designated as guest rooms has gone by the wayside, and rightly so.  With the advent of speedy transportation, planes, trains and automobiles, the tradition of inviting friends and family to stay for a week or so because you never get a chance to see them the rest of the year has become non-existent.  Except, of course, by the people who truly know how to live.  Families that have held onto the tradition of guest rooms (either by necessity or default, meaning kids moved out of the house and now they have an extra room) are legendary.  The parties become less of one night bing-bang bashes and more of an extended, relaxing siesta.  The house designed by architect Ellen Cassilly and her husband Frank Konhaus, featured in the New York Times Home & Garden section, finds the perfect mix of natural tranquility and guest room hospitality.

How can you design a guest room?  Well first, you have to have the space to designate a guest room in the first place.  A dining room converted to a bedroom space has great potential, I think, because it is usually on the first or second floor of the house and a bit more removed from the regular family’s quarters, so they feel like there is a little more privacy/intimacy.  Also, they are close to the kitchen for the morning.  In terms of outfitting a guest room, you want it to be simple and uncluttered.  I suggest investing in some nice Ikea bedroom furniture, a chest of drawers, and a chair.  Curtains and rugs really do wonders to pull the place together.

Suggestions from Ikea.com:

MALM Bed Frame: $199.00 for prices like these, who needs guests?

This product is sturdy, elegant, and beautifully crafted, also adjustable depending on the height of the mattress.

BOMULL pair of curtains with tie backs: $19.99.

10 percent of the MALM bed?!?  How can you pass up these beauties!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more bed frames and curtains.

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Honestly I have been waking up with an ache in my neck that you wouldn’t believe, I feel like I must contort into a pretzel or something in my sleep to be so sore in the mornings. Maybe I punch myself in the neck while I dream?

Well until I install security cameras into my bedroom so I can review my sleep habits I guess this mystery will go unsolved. What I can do to ease the stress in the meantime is find better neck support.

I have heard of Tempur-Pedic products for ages now, specifically their pillows and beds. I remember thinking that it was very expensive and that astronauts use the material in space! Which was cool, plus the whole demonstration of a hand print was always a good selling point. Well it is my understanding that enough time as elapsed and the price of Tempur-Pedic products is now quite affordable.

Check out the Neck Pillow by Tempur-Pedic!

The dual-lobe design supports the curve created by your head, neck and shoulders to properly align your spine and give you a perfect night’s sleep! It is important that you choose the proper pillow thickness based on your shoulder dimensions and sleeping position preference to promote an anatomically correct posture. A pillow that forces your head too high or allows it to fall too far back not only places stress on your neck, but could inhibit breathing.

Price $89-$159 (depending on size) 

If you need some quality neck support and want to shop for the Neck Pillow by Tempur-Pedic - Click here!

I think you should keep the bedding for the kiddos bright and fresh! Soon enough they will be insisting on purchasing dark toned sheets and black curtains to block out the cruel, cruel world. (Cue the moody “me against the world” teen years) So while your kids are still sweet and happy feel free to update their room with this modern and adorable polka dot duvet cover.

Shop Pottery Barn Teen for this Coco Dot Cover & Sham Bedding.

This bedding set is hip and fresh in a bright new color. The other side flips to pool cotton percale with crisp piping in the same shade. Duvet cover has inner ties and hidden button closure, ensuring minimal slippage and shifting of your blanket within the duvet cover. Coco Dot Cover is made of 100% cotton baby-wale corduroy and is machine washable.

Price $139.00

If you would like to shop PB Teen for the Coco Duvet Cover & Sham - Click here!

For more Discount Bedding, click here.

Brrr!! It’s cold in here, time to snuggle up with your favorite blanket or throw and let your toes warm up by your heater or if you are lucky enough to have a fireplace. I unfortunately do not but I do have a portable heater that I situate at the opposite end of my couch.

Check out the Pure Comfort Blanket from Linen Source - it offers warmth without weight! This dreamy blanket is cashmere-soft to the touch and delivers cozy warmth. The lightweight Microtec™ polyester microfiber is 50% loftier than other microfibers, and features air pockets that create superior warmth and insulation without adding weight. Naturally mildew and moth resistant, easy-care and non-allergenic, the velvety blanket won’t pill or lose its shape. Blankets have self binding. Reader’s wrap has two quilted pockets and a polyester charmeuse binding. Wrap N Cuddle zips and snaps for use as a wearable blanket.

Plus all these blankets are machine washable so care and handling is a breeze!

To shop for Pure Comfort Blanket, Throw, Readers Wrap and Wrap n’ Cuddle  - Click here!

Originally priced at $79.99 Now available for $28.93-$33.93 

Check out this beautiful Michael Kors Bedding Sham that blends masculine herringbone and playful animal print to create Michael Kor’s signature jet set style in bedding.

Pair with striped Stanhope sheets in 400-thread count cotton for a more subdued look, or make a bold statement with Nob Hill animal print sheets in 350-thread count cotton.

Price $39.99

To shop for Michael Kors Nob Hill Bedding - Click here!