For large families, bunk beds are not only space savers but they are amazing pieces for children since sleeping on them is like going on an adventure each night. This is also a good way for siblings to bond. Bunk beds are also much better than sleeping on couches and having back pains. Aside from costing less than buying single beds, there are lots of styles and designs to choose from in the market today.

There are even bunk beds that come with desks for students. The foremost consideration when choosing the right bunk bed is the occupant’s safety. It is a good idea to check if it meets the safety standards, if the guard rails run the length of the bunk on both sides and they fit securely, the mattress fit snugly in the bunk, all the edges and corners of the bed are smooth, check for its stability, if the ladder is easy to climb, and to look at the slats on the bottom to make sure they provide strong support and are securely screwed on the bed frame.

Depending on your own particular household, you may have a few others things to add to that list. For example, if you have small children and you want the new sofa to remain in a decent state for more than a couple of weeks, then you’ll probably rule out any light colours or any fabric sofas that can’t be wiped down with a damp cloth soaked in washing-up liquid.

On the other hand, if your home is child-free, and you don’t even have friends who might bring kids over, then your colour and fabric choice gets significantly bigger.

Another thing that you need to decide is what shape sofa you want.  It used to be that there wasn’t much choice available – you chose either a three-seater or a two-seater and the armchairs to go with it. However, there’s now a huge variety of shapes and sizes in sofas. Recently, two of the most popular models are the corner sofa and recliner sofa.

Corner sofas can be great for adding space to a living room – you can push them right back into the corner of the room and leave plenty of space between the sofa and the television for the kids to play. Recliner sofas are great for comfort, but they do take up a fair bit of space – both in front and behind them. So before you set your heart on one of the recliner sofas at Harveys Furniture store, get the full set of dimensions and measure up your room first.

Once you’ve settled on a sofa shape, size and colour, all you need to do is find a store with a good sale on – or be patient and wait for the next sale to make sure you get a good deal.

Photo: tom@hk

When determining whether you should heat or not, consider the following:

How often will you use it

Regardless of whether the water is heated or not, if you live in a location where the winter months are particularly bitterly cold, it is unlikely any members of your family will want to peel off their clothes to hit the water, or leave the water for the cold air. So will heated water actually even mean it’s used more often? If on the other hand, you live in an area where winter is still luke-warm, perhaps heated water is just what is needed to make your investment in a pool worthwhile. Heating will cost you money, so consider the usage before you decide to heat.

Consider your options

Heating comes with a range of options that will give similar and completely different results. On the less expensive side, you can simply conserve water warmth, rather than worry about heating. If you live in a warm climate, this might be your best option. Talk to your pool store to get a good pool cover, if this is the option you choose.

If conserving isn’t going to work, your best two options are electric heaters and solar heating. When it comes to solar, you can use a solar heating cover, or a solar powered heater. The cover is generally made of a dark material that collects solar heat and transfers it into the water by conduction. While it is effective in its aims, the water may not be as heated as you want it. The next step up is a solar powered heater, which basically requires the water to be pumped through it in order to heat.

Similar to this, and sometimes more effective, are electric heaters. Keep in mind when considering electric heaters that the price of electricity is rising, while solar options will not have increasing costs. Head to your pool supplies store and talk to a professional about what you need, and what is best for your pool.

Cost

When considering heating your pool, cost is a big factor. A big point is to not only consider the upfront cost, but to also keep in mind that there may be ongoing costs. This may include anything from paying for electricity, to maintenance costs. So add up all your future costs to determine which option is most effective.

Photo: mrpbody33

Family fridge

If you have a large or growing family then you are going to need a larger fridge due to having to have more food in the house.  If you a couple planning on have children one day it is a good idea to buy a bigger fridge from the start because if you buy a good quality appliance it will last you many years and you don’t want to have to buy a new one due to running out of space.  Choose a fridge with a larger freezer, whether it is on the top or below the fridge section, or even think about buying a separate chest or standing freezer.  It is convenient and works out cheaper to be able to buy meat in bulk and store it.  If you have a new baby it can also save time to make food up in bulk batches and freeze it.

Apartment living

If you live in an apartment it is likely you won’t have the space for a very large fridge.  More families are starting to discover the benefits of apartment living but mostly it is singles or couples who live in inner city apartment buildings.  If you don’t have much space you should go for a smaller fridge but have a good look at all the different models available as there will be a perfect fridge that will not take up a lot of space but still have adequate storage room.

Busy couple

For a busy working couple you might not actually be home that often and you could be the types to eat out a lot.  In this case there is no point in buying a huge fridge, unless you like to entertain often. The larger the fridge the more energy it will use, so if you find that you don’t have much in your fridge you might want to down size and in the process help save on your energy bills.

Entertaining

If you plan on entertaining a lot at home then you should have a larger fridge.  You should also look at a model that maximises on storage space and can fit larger items, like your bigger platters and bottles of wine and other drinks.  You would be better off buying a fridge and a separate freezer so you have the whole fridge to store your food and drinks.  You can also buy much larger Westinghouse fridges that have double doors that open outwards from the centre.  These models are a lot wider and are great if you have lots of parties.  You might also want to buy a fridge that has an ice making machine in the front of the door.

Wood is less dangerous when heated as compared to plastic or metal.  You don’t have to worry about summer play causing burns or discomfort if you choose wood. It can also deal with cold and moisture, which means that your child will face no problem with skin sticking to a cold metal swing set. Wood holds well in the long term with complete care and maintenance. In wood play sets, there is no danger of rust and mildew or mold can be easily removed.

With wood, there is no problem with peeling paint as it is with the metal structures that are painted with inexpensive paint as these get peeled and rusted later when comes in contact with the atmosphere. Small children might eat this paint and animals might get exposed to it.  Play sets that are made using wood do not require any paint as wood is weather resistant and is naturally very attractive. Wood only requires periodic splinters and this is a very simple process.

There are different types, sizes and styles of wooden play structures available, such as prefabricated tree houses, adventure playsets, slides & swings and many other options are also available. You can easily find the best playset or your children by searching on internet or consulting your nearest retailer. Wooden playsets are sturdy structures that can last for years and this is a good thing for families that have multiple children. A wood play set in your backyard or front yard can also be a good social area for kids from the neighborhood, though you should always make sure that any children playing on your property are properly supervised. Wooden outdoor playsets offers numerous options to your children, whether your child wants a fort, a pirate ship or a jungle hideout.

Before purchasing your wooden play sets, it is very important to do proper research. You can search over internet or you can consult your nearest retailer. You can purchase from your nearest retailer or you can buy online. These sets are easy to install, you can yourself do the job or can hire a local contractor to do the work for you. After installing take care of the play set as well as proper maintenance is also required to keep it in good shape and safe to keep your children entertained.

This is some kind of weird hangover from our ancestors, but dining rooms are still there because we expect houses to have them.

If you’re thinking to yourself “that’s not our house at all – our dining room is really homely” then read no further.

If, on the other hand, you’re thinking “yes, that’s us to a tee; we have a dining room but we use it maybe five times a year maximum,” then you have to ask yourself exactly why that is.

It’s a lot of space to waste in a house if space is a real issue. The key is to bring the dining room “into” the house, by finding an alternate use for it besides just dining on the more formal occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas etc.

If you have kids, it’s a great idea to let them use the furniture for artwork. If you’ve picked up a reasonably cheap dining table and chairs you won’t worry too much about this. If not, you can always cover the table with something and tell the kids the rest of the room is off-limits.

Alternatively, you can get stuff like reversible dining tables / pool or snooker tables. Then the dining room becomes a games room for the 360 days when you’re eat in the kitchen-diner!

Another idea is the “beaten up” look for the room with a farmhouse style table. This can be really homely and comfortable; a far less formal setting.

Whatever choice you make, it’s time to bring the dining room into the modern age; you’ll find lots of great ideas to do exactly that in with Harveys Furniture.

by Johnny Grim

Starting with the outside of the house, make sure you don’t leave ladders lying around that could provide easy access to an open, upstairs window when you’re at work or at night time. Large trees also carry the same risk, so make sure any within reaching distance of your home are not tall enough to be used as climbing frames for potential thieves. You can also ensure that the bedroom furniture is not near the window to act as an easy landing place for any spritely burglars. The last thing you want is your brand new bed from http://bensonsforbeds.co.uk becoming a doormat for an eager thief.

Fix motion-detector lights that will be triggered if anyone enters your garden or drive, thus shedding light on any potential burglars and hopefully scaring them off and/or alerting you to a presence.

Make sure your doors are of a high quality to act as a further hindrance to possible pilferers. Solid doors are more secure than those with lots of glass, and double cylinder locks are recommended as the safest lock to choose for your external doors. Of course, you must remember to actually use your locks; the majority of burglars are simply opportunistic and enter through unlocked doors and windows.

You can also employ various techniques to make your home appear occupied when it’s not, whether you’re at work or away on holiday. Timer lights work well as they can be set to come on when it gets dark. Another invaluable tip is to ask neighbours you are friendly with to collect your post if you are going to be away for a while, and to keep a bit of an eye out in general.

In addition, do not advertise the fact that you are going away for a while, i.e. through social networking updates that are not fully locked down so can be viewed by strangers, or by having your home address on your luggage where it could be spotted by fellow travellers who might also have a penchant for thievery and consequently plan a visit to your vacated home.

by Felipe Andreoli Photography

Glass is a fantastic material to use when it comes to home furnishings. A well placed glass coffee table makes a fabulous addition to any living room and creates a wonderful central focal point for the room; it’s a material that always looks classy and stylish.

One of the best rooms in the house where you can use glass is the kitchen. And glasses don’t count. So you can think about things like vases, or glass dishes. Glass cupboards would also be extremely beautiful. I suppose it would be a bit tricky cause you wouldn’t be able to hide the mess inside your cupboards, it would be out there for everyone to see, but if you’re a clean-freak and love it when everything is nice and tidy then this is a grreat option for you. Not only can you show off your beautiful cupboards, but you can also show off your amazing organizing and cleaning skills.

And the glass theme can be spread everywhere in your house, especially if you’re into the sleek modern look that’s so popular today with interior designers. So next time you find yourself in a furniture shop, just go over to the chairs/tables section and maybe you can find some beautiful pieces for your dining room. Then you can finish your dining room off by getting some glass flower pots too. Just think how stylish that would look and how jealous your friends would be.

Of course, if you are using glass in your home, there are certain things you need to remember and to take into consideration. Firstly, there’s keeping your glass furnishings clean. A smeary glass table or dirty windows do not create the best impression and look unsightly. Make sure you set time aside to keep any glass furnishings and furniture clean, and ensure you have the right products for the job.

Secondly, glass might not always be the best idea for a room in which you have young children or pets running about. You might want to save items such as glass cabinets, coffee tables and ornaments for rooms where they will remain safe and hopefully unbroken!

Finally, glass is not always the best material for some furniture. For example, bed frames are generally best in metal, wood or leather – you can find a wonderful selection in a range of metals, woods and leathers at Bensons for Beds. You can still use glass in the bedroom however. Consider well-placed glass ornaments, a glass fronted bedside cabinet or a dresser that incorporates glass.

by jingdianjiaju

When it comes to decorating, the good news is that you don’t have to fork out a lot of money to turn your bathroom into an inviting oasis that would rival some of the best hotels. Okay, so you may not be able to afford wet-room-style walk in showers and perhaps there is no room for a Jacuzzi, but there are many ways to add luxury touches.

If you have mobility needs then this will be your first priority, but there’s no need to put up with a reduction in comfort and style. Speak to an experienced firm like Mobility Plus and get some ideas. Then, follow my tips to create your own tranquil haven:

Add a soft rug to the bathroom floor, bringing colour and texture to the room. A towel warmer gives you the luxury of warm towels after your shower. Buy extra large bath sheets, and scent them by sprinkling 3 – 6 drops of your favourite essential oil on a handkerchief and adding it to the tumble drier when drying your towels. Treat yourself to top quality soaps, shampoos and body products and choose scented candles in similar fragrances to create a relaxing and romantic ambiance. The natural beauty of plants and flowers provide a calming effect; use live plants if your bathroom gets lots of sunlight, otherwise artificial ones will work just fine. Think soothing, natural and blissful and you’ll have created your own luxury home spa experience in no time.

On the other hand, you’re paying quite a premium for that experience. A beer which might cost you less than a dollar if you were to buy it in a six or twelve pack could easily run your $6-10.00 each at your local bar, depending on what city you’re in and whether or not it’s happy hour. If you have to drive to the bar, there’s another issue as you need to be responsible and watch your beer/ale consumption carefully before hitting the road.

So, why not have at least a little of the pub experience in your own home? If you have a nook at your place, consider getting some comfortable, snazzy bar stools to go with it. We have it on good authority just about everyone looks better on a well made stool.

As for the beer taps, we admit that it takes a true blue beer lover with some dedication and disposable income to install a full bar-size tap with several brands in their own home. However, there are a number of outstanding kegerators which make it easy to have your own personal kegger with your favorite beer going 24-hours a day, every day. (Not that you should.) More modest products, like the Krups Beertender also claim to keep beer perfectly refrigerated and with just the right amount of carbonation.

Of course, you’ll have to take a number of factors into consideration, like time and money. Maybe you can handle the maintenance and really can afford to have one of the many fine full-on beer taps installed at home along with the very nicest bar stools. If not, most beer and ale aficionados can afford to spend a few hundred bucks on a kegerator or about $120-$130 on a Beertender-like system. The whole idea is to create the right atmosphere so that you and your friends, and other special people, can enjoy the fun and relaxation of a friendly pub right at home.