Home & Garden Blog » Bedroom

Pottery Barn Promotions: 15% Off Select Furniture

ernani — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:32:11 +0000

If you’re looking for new home furnishing and furniture, then consider shopping at Potterybarn.com. They have many different promotions that can help you save big on a number of items.

For those looking to upgrade their furniture, you can choose from a variety of living room, dining room, home office, and bedroom furniture. There is also a special promotion of 15 % off select furniture collections. This offer expires on April 6, 2011.

Another great promotion includes free shipping on select items, such as the Easter collection, outdoor pillows, bath products, gifts, home accessories and more. There is no expiration date on this offer.

You can also find other great promotions on bar tools, glassware essentials, rugs and much more. Find these promotions here at our Pottery Barn coupons page.

We will continue to have new promotions and coupons, so make sure to keep checking our page weekly.

Kids Room: Thinking About Bunk Beds

brock — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:37:08 +0000

When I was a kid, I really wanted a bunk bed, but since my brother and sisters were more than a decade older than me, it made it a bit of a moot point. It wasn’t until college that my bunk bed dream was finally realized.

I currently have three boys, all close in age, and I have been thinking about getting a bunk bed for the two oldest as a way to save some space. This has been a long time coming, but the decision wasn’t easy. I am not a kid anymore, and the safety of my children is my first concern.

Space

Bunk beds save space in a room by stacking one bed on top of another. This creates a vertical space and significantly opens up a smaller room. You may even be able to consolidate two bedrooms into a single room and create a whole new room for toys, an office or a living area.

Coolness

Every kid loves the idea of sleeping on the top bunk. Bunk beds are just awesome. The problem is that someone has to sleep on the bottom. My plan is to let the oldest sleep on the top bunk and tell my middle child that he can have the top bunk when he is older. If this doesn’t solve the dispute, then you can always create a schedule where they can switch bunks every few days or every week.

Safety

This is why I spent many hours debating with myself about a bunk bed. Every parent has fears about their child falling from the top bunk of the bed and crashing to the floor with a thud. The good news is that bunk bed makers have thought about this over the years and put in place certain safety parameters to keep them from rolling over and off the edge. It’s still nerve-wracking, but they are relatively safe.

Types

Take your time in choosing a bunk bed, and let your kids get involved as well. Let them pick out the ones that they like best, but make sure it goes with the décor and feel of the room. Themed bunk beds are cool unless everything else in the room is completely different. A superhero bunk bed sounds great until you put it in a room decorated with Transformers.

I am excited about getting a bunk bed. It’s one of those childhood dreams that I never had fulfilled, and I get to pass it on to my kids, whether they actually want it or not. I’ll keep you posted on the search and how it ultimately goes over.

The Bedroom: A Place To Express Yourself

brock — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:39:57 +0000

I have said before how much I dislike white walls in rooms. Especially, those rooms where you can really go all out and express yourself as much as possible. The ideal room for this is the one that not many people see except for you and you see it every night – the bedroom.

Remember when you were a kid and your bedroom was plastered with posters of music groups, there were models hanging from the wall and it was completely 100 percent about your personal self expression. Lets take a look at your bedroom now…hmm… tasteful, but does it scream who you are?

My guess is the bedroom is much like the rest of your home. It’s tastefully decorated in a respectable and adult manner that either spoke to you as you purchased the items or fit what you consider to be a good choice for that particular room. The colors are likely muted and not bold possible a yellow or maybe a beige. There are pictures on the wall from your past and of your family that didn’t seem to fit in the hallway or other areas of the house.

There is too much blandness in the world today. We live in a society that rewards conformity and frown upon the vibrant and the exciting. The bedroom is the last haven of self expression left to us in the home. I am not saying the rest of the home is completely devoid of self expression, but many times decorating schemes are prefabricated or follow a set pattern. Your bedroom can be 100 percent eclectic.

When my wife was in college, she stuck those glow-in-the-dark stars and moons on the ceiling and went to bed every night staring at them. She really loved to look up at the glowing stars and they helped her sleep at night.

After graduation, the stars came with us and stayed up for a while, but eventually my wife took them down because they were too childlike and didn’t fit with being an adult. Fast forward several years later and my wife is having a bout of insomnia. Her sleep schedule was messed up from the weird napping pattern of our youngest and she just couldn’t get to sleep.

That afternoon I picked up some of those glow-in-the-dark stars and planets and stuck them to the ceiling of our bedroom. That night when she laid down she saw those familiar stars that helped her get to sleep in college. My wife never had a problem sleeping again and those stars still grace our bedroom ceiling.

Don’t be afraid to put up your old New Kids on the Block posters or hand those pictures of the 1987 Chicago Bears. These things are part of who you are and your bedroom is an excellent place to bring it out in the privacy of your own home.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/lisasundephotography/4330863312

Choose the Right Summer Sheets: Put Away the Flannels!

brendan — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:10:04 +0000

Hey all, hope you’ve had a good start to your week. It has been pretty warm in Southern California, like it usually is. Happy second day of summer! The summer solstice was yesterday; spend some time outside this week to enjoy the longest daylight of the year!

As it continues to get warmer outside, I think we should take the time to discuss how to choose the right summer bedding. There are two problems you can have with sheets that are not made for the summer: have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and your sheets are just too hot for the time of year?

Or, alternatively, the other problem you may face is one of efficiency. If you are using winter sheets and comforters when it is really warm outside and you have a really great A/C system, you may be spending more than you need to (and being less eco friendly than you could be). Using lighter sheets and blankets could allow you to cool your house less without sacrificing comfort.

Here are the tips:

First, you will want to use natural fiber sheets, not synthetic ones. Natural fiber sheets, like cotton sheets and linen sheets, breathe much more readily, and help wick moisture away from your body on warmer nights.

Second, stay away from scratchy, sticky flannel. Sheets made out of this material are obviously for the fall and winter, not for the summer.

Third, wash your sheets more frequently when the weather is really hot. Usually, I wash my sheets every other week; when it is really warm outside I wash more frequently. Clean sheets are more breathable, and keep you feeling cooler.

Fourth, change out your duvet covers. (If you do not have a duvet, go out and buy one. They extend the longevity of your comforter, and can help you change up the way your room looks less expensively than buying a new comforter would. They are also essential if you have a comforter too large to fit into your washing machine: you can just wash the duvet. Problem solved!) These comforter covers both protect your comforter, and can help trap heat in, which is really great during the winter. If you are still using a heavy duvet, change it out for a summer one. These duvets trap in much less heat, keeping you cooler and drier.

I hope these tips help! Let me know what you think—and share any of your own tips / experiences. Until tomorrow!

The Art of the Perfect Night’s Sleep

brendan — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:25:45 +0000

Some rooms are just better to sleep in. Here are some key questions to answer to help you figure out how you can improve your bedroom and make it into a slumber paradise.

Is it dark enough? This may not seem like a big deal to you, but having your room dark enough makes a really big difference for how well you sleep. If your room has too much light in it, consider getting better curtains or window shades for your windows, and figure out how to block out light coming from under your door etc. The darker it is, the better you’ll sleep.

Is it quiet enough? If your room is too noisy, then think about installing soundproofing. If this is not an option, buy a white noise machine. I have found that waterfall machines are very soothing. These machines will not block out other sounds per se, but they will give you another sound to focus on, and the really do help.

Is it warm enough? This may be an odd question coming into spring, but having your body temperature sufficiently high can really help you fall asleep. Pay attention to your extremities–keeping your neck and head warm, you hands warm, and your feet / ankles warm really pulls off the trick for me. Keeping your body warm enough without getting too hot is a delicate balancing act, but play around with it and you’ll figure it out.

Is your bed comfy? If you have an old, hard springy thing, it’s time to replace it. There are so many great mattresses out there, you really have no excuse. Some of the best ones are quite inexpensive. Consider a memory foam mattress, or to save even more money, a memory foam mattress topper, which start at about $150. You can’t beat them, and sleeping on one really is believing. You’ll never go back to the old system.

This is a little bit less about getting to sleep quickly, but have you gotten new comforters or sheets lately? Getting a high thread-count sheet can be pretty awesome; they are super comfortable and soft, and yes, I do think that they can help you get to sleep better.

One thing I hear a lot is that if you are serious about falling asleep right away in your bed, you should really only do sleep-related things in your bed. So that means no taking work home and doing it on your laptop in bed, no doing homework, don’t watch tv, etc. Personally, I think this is kind of harsh, so I would modify that to this: do things that are generally sleep-inducing in bed, if you can. But don’t make too big of a deal out of it. The perfect night’s sleep is an elusive art form. I have found these ideas to be helpful. What do you think? Get back to me! Be Well!

Image Source: farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/2717771604_23a1204f17.jpg

Style and Comfort: Bedding for Every Season

colleen — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:48:46 +0000

Your bed is your nest. To avoid rhyming: it’s where you rest your body after a long day of stress, or boredom, or unanticipated conflicts. Your bed isn’t always your haven away from the bad; sometimes it’s where you cuddle with loved ones, or close your eyes after a happy and life-changing day. In between the ups and downs of life, our bodies and minds need a place to regroup and recharge. Building the perfect, comfortable, heartwarming bed takes investment, but you can do it by following a few selections.

1. Your bed is not a static element. As the seasons change, you are going to need to change the layers and landscape of your bed. You want your bedding colors to be bright and diverse at all seasons, but the layers are going to change. For winter, you are going to want at least a sheet, a fleece layer, and a down comforter, depending on how warm you like to sleep. During the summer, you may only need a sheet, but sometimes, a light airy quilt or thin blanket will make you feel secure.

2. Thread counts: have to love them. Not to be a snob, but thread counts are important for a soft and luxurious feel. The higher the thread count, the higher the expense, so often people skimp on this in order to buy a super comforter. Lousy choice: the sheet goes right against your skin, and that feeling can either be scratchy or heavenly. The down comforter, mediated by the sheets and fleece and lighter blankets, is only a heat trap and extra weight:you can get that from a sleeping bag.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/geishaboy500/137052187

Best and Worst: Theories for Interior Decorating

colleen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:36:41 +0000

Every year and every season, there seems to be a different trend for interior decorating. Try prints! Try florals! Try darks! Try lights! From feng shui to serene temple motifs, there are plenty of theories about how to design your home to give you the most energy.

There are some basic theories of interior decorating that are all at opposite ends of the spectrum:

Keep it simple: you don’t want too much clutter, you want the space to be hard to navigate. On the other hand, you want your home to be “homely,” with pictures and relics of travel, ancestors, and schoolwork so that your home is filled with memories.

No matter what you decide, remember to remember the sunshine and soon to be summertime. Remind yourself of the good weather and good memories to come with some fresh flowers and bright new curtains. Whatever you decide, don’t go dark or ominous. No Gothic grandfather clocks. No stonework. Your life’s complicated enough, so your home doesn’t have to be!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/jagwired/2798971758

Workout in Comfort: Create a Home Fitness Center

colleen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:37:15 +0000

The weather is turning green and fresh (besides the unhappy downpours of rain and dreary grey skies for now.) But there’s hope! Every few days, there is hope that the sun will sparkle through and we can enjoy some sunshine. The question is, are you prepared? Is your body ready for the sunlight? Have you been outside in the past several weeks? Have you exercised?

With warm weather brings self-doubt, unfortunately, and regret about not sticking to the New Year’s Resolution to work off some holiday weight gain before March and April. You vowed to sign up for the gym, but with the horrendous winter we’ve had, who can make it outside?

So why not bring the gym home? With some savvy shopping tips, you can build yourself a fitness room for under $150. Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of a new fitness room.

1. Don’t think of fitness as your enemy, think of it as your friend. Consider purchasing a discount entertainment system and playing some active video games or workout videos. You’ll be able to cuddle up with your hubbie afterwards and watch reruns of Desperate Housewives just like you always do, but you’ll have the exercise already in the bag!

2. Think quality, not quantity. Don’t go for the glitzy ab machines on television, invest in some basic free weights (between 10-15 pounds for women and 20-25 pounds for men for beginners, but please consult with your physician before undertaking any weight training!) or an exercise ball, which does wonders for balance, flexibility, and ab work.

3. Work with what you’ve already got around the house for cardio! Try jump rope, or get a stand for your bicycle so you can cycle in the house (while the weather is still dreary) and while watching television on your fabulous entertainment system. It won’t feel like exercise!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/adriarichards/279873689

Decorating a Dorm Room

colleen — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:35:06 +0000

It’s winter time, and sometimes, we all need a little something to brighten up our days. My hairdresser tried to convince me, on one particular snowstorm day, that adding blond highlights to my hair was the perfect way to brighten up my spirits and complexion for the winter months. “What’s great,” she said, “is that they will start to fade just as it gets nice and warm outside, and then nature will take over.” False, I thought, as I watched snowflakes the size of golf balls pile up on the sidewalk outside.

But there is a way to raise your spirits during the winter without a major physical change. Give your dorm room a face lift! There is all sorts of discount wall decor to brighten up your room. Try some personalized posters with pictures of your friends or the beach, fun and flirty light switch backs and maybe a few stick-on designs. Make your choices colorful and true to you, and they will always make you smile!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/jdlouhy/233013707

Style and Comfort: Playful Organization

colleen — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:38:20 +0000

It’s always a struggle to keep childrens’ toys organized: to me, it always seems like plush animals multiply like rabbits, and video game controllers and console wires tangle like an old box of jewelry. While the kids don’t seem to mind all the mess that seems to be everyplace but the toy box, I know it’s unnerving for the parents, especially when a toy gets underfoot and either trips you or gets forgotten, and you have to search around under the bed, in the bookshelves, in the kitchen, outside, everywhere for that missing beloved toy because hey, the kid will not fall asleep without it.

The trials of being a parent: learning how to deal with the unreasonable requests of a child at one o’clock in the morning to find their small worn animal friend, which ends up being extracted either from the trash or the dog’s vice grip. How can you avoid all of these unfortunate late night requests?

Make the kids responsible for their own toys and their own organization. Teaching a kid how to be responsible for their playthings and to take good care of their dolls and stuffed animals is an important stepping stone to teaching adolescents how to care for their clothes, sports equipment, and shoes. A child who’s responsible for their toys is going to become a much more responsible and careful adult. Investing in a toy box and requiring a child to use it is a very smart investment.

Toy boxes come in many shapes and sizes, and sometimes, the best is just a large tupperware container that you can store under the bed. Or you can go for the classic handpainted wood design, which is always an attractive piece in a child’s bedroom and can double as seating or play surfaces for them and their friends.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/cosmic_bandita/3380855875