Where do the years go? Time flies! Oh they grow up so quickly!

These are the common cries of parents as they are suddenly faced with their beloved babies growing into young adults, and as ridiculous as it sounds it can feel like it happens over night. One day you were painting the nursery baby blue or pink, and before you know it the cot’s been replaced with single beds as they grow up, and in no time you’re choosing grown up double beds for your teenage children, or for those with ample space and bigger budgets queen size beds.

And then you’re repainting once again, but this time it’s for young adults with their own ideas. The first thing to understand is that your teenagers are not trying to hurt your feelings by getting rid of all the ‘babyish’ decor in the room, they’re just growing up! This is the perfect opportunity for them to express who they are and to start discovering their own sense of style, or in some cases lack thereof….

The first step is to have a plan. Look at the space and decide what needs to change. Decide on a look that you want and from there build on it.

The first item to address once you have decided on the general layout is the bed. In most cases when revamping a bedroom for this age group a new bed is required. If space and budget allow going from single beds to double beds, or even queen size beds is a must. As children grow up their sleeping requirements change and to ensure the best quality sleep and support good quality beds are essential. If space is an issue, there are a good selection of three quarter beds available in most shops.

Another essential element of any teenagers bedroom is a study area. It is very important to create a space in the room that is conducive to school work – a comfortable chair and adequately sized desk is a must, as is a good reading light. The best place for a desk in also in space where there is natural light.

Once you have these then the rest of the room falls in place. It is then time for the fun stuff – choosing paint colours, revamping existing pieces and updating them – sometimes all it takes is a bit of time and coat of paint and what was once a childish piece of furniture is now on trend.

Industrial style bedrooms feature a minimalistic, clutter free aesthetic that is very trendy and looks especially fabulous in lofts and apartments but can even look great in your house. The design scheme mainly focuses on blending rough and raw materials with clean and streamlined furnishings and decor. When designing your space, it should feel open and airy, a showpiece to everything that relates to industry and fabrication. There are things you should consider when styling your room for an industrial look, such as the lighting, what to use on the walls and flooring, furnishings and even adding plants. Typically industrial is considered masculine, but it can be given a feminine touch using the right colors and accessories. When selecting your light fixtures, be sure to keep with the industrial by picking lamps, pendant lights and chandeliers in black and white or metal. You can use pendants with exposed wires and bulbs, but use softer lumens to create a dimmer ambiance with a soothing glow.

The most popular finish for walls is exposed brick (this can be left raw or painted white), but exposed concrete or wood cladding also works well. You can also add a focal point to the space with over-sized artwork. Feature walls should be painted in deep, rich hues, or you can go more bold and dramatic by painting a wall in black. The ceilings can be clad with wood, have exposed beams, wires, cords and ductwork which can be painted is you wish to further enhance the effect. Floors should be either clad with wood or polished concrete, if you wish to add some warmth underfoot, add an area rug.

Decorate with furniture pieces that are comprised of steel, metal or wood, they can be salvaged or vintage. You can mix with new pieces to create a nice effect. Use wood crates for your bed and place a mattress on top. They can also be used as end tables, media units or to hang on the walls for additional storage or as book shelves. Use metal pipes to create custom DIY looks for shelves, a bed frame, hanging clothes storage and lighting. Your bed could also be on wheels, creating a nice aesthetic and it makes it easy to change up the look of your space. Lastly, add plants to your bedroom, such as a ficus tree. They will help to create a cozy feel without detracting from the sleek industrial look have worked so hard to create.

If you are still hesitating on creating an industrial style bedroom scheme, thinking it is too rough or gloomy looking, continue looking through the images below for some inspiration that will help change your mind… enjoy!

If you are in South Africa, visit The Bed King for a wide selection of beds, bunk beds, sleeper couches and mattresses.

Photo sources: 1: MARTIN architects, 2: Tamara Magel Studio, 3: SUBU Design Architecture, 4: Barasona Diseño y Comunicación, 5: Beacon Lighting, 6: Paulina Arcklin, 7: Murals Wallpaper, 8: ViZDesign, 9: Ruslan Kovalchuk, 10: Elle Decoration

Benjamin Franklin was reported to have said that “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days." Now it is highly unlikely that he was being literal, but as we all know there is nothing worse than a houseguest who overstays his, or her, welcome. The flip side of that coin is that it is also equally uncomfortable being the houseguest who is made to feel like they are in the way or imposing.

So, what, you may ask, is the solution? Well, there are several, and they are all very simple, and none of them involve building an east wing extension on to your house you will be happy to hear.

Create a space where your guests can take up residence,whether for three days or three weeks (although that might push the bounds of any friendship) that is comfortable, and is behind a door that shuts. No one wants the couch surfer taking up residence.

In some cases, a spare bedroom might not be an option, so then what? Your old varsity friend is in town for a few nights and need a place to crash. Thankfully there are clever, multipurpose solutions that mean he, or she, can have a bed for the night and you can have a sofa during the day too. Enter sleeper couches. One of the greatest inventions ever, these dual purpose items mean you can have the best of both worlds.

If you do have a guest bedroom, in most cases they are often a black hole of junk and neglected. They become the over sized storage cupboard or well-intentioned gym, that NEVER gets used. They fill up with random stuff that no one knows what to do with but never wants to throw away and an eclectic collection of exercise and camping equipment. An great solution for this scenario is a set of bunk beds, particularly if you have kids. They are space saving and kids love them! “But our guests are not always kids" we hear you say… There is such a huge range of good quality beds and mattresses out there, and after a certain age sleep support is vitally important, even for children. You should be thinking about investing in in good quality beds and mattresses for your children anyway. That way you can move your house guests into your kids rooms and as a special treat the kids get a few nights in the bunk beds. Problem solved.

Whichever of these solutions works for you, for your own sanity, if you are going to have house guests you need to create a space where they are not under foot; a space where both you and they feel comfortable and at home.

Source: http://bedssleepscience.tumblr.com/post/145702631281/how-to-make-the-unwanted-house-guest-wanted

When we sleep we quite literally power down and switch off. We recharge our bodies and minds. The dictionary defines sleep as “a condition of body and mind which typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended." It is a vital function for healthy living, and for most people lack of sleep or poor quality sleep can have a detrimental effect on how they live their lives. Take a small child for example – lack of sleep causes tantrums and extreme emotional responses to the smallest incidents. As adults, it is unacceptable to throw yourself on the floor and kick and scream, but lack of sleep can cause the need to react like this.

For years we have been told that eight hours is the optimum sleep time for adults, but the reality is that most of us don’t have the luxury of getting those much needed eight hours every night. Life just gets in the way. So, it stands to reason that quality is as important, if not more, than quantity.

Here are seven tips to help get the best out of your well deserved sleep time.

1. Babies have routines for a reason, they work! Our bodies instinctively run on a day night clock, or circadian rhythm. We are meant to be awake during daylight hours and asleep at night when it is dark. Try to ensure that you go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each morning. Your body will get used to this routine and will make the most of the time it has to sleep.
2. Make sure you sleep in a dark room – turn off all the lights, TV and computers. It will not only assist with melatonin production which aids with sleep, but it’s also much easier to actually fall asleep in a dark room.
3. Avoid heavy meals and alcohol for at least two hours before you go to bed. Food and drink can cause heartburn and indigestion. Fatty food takes a long time for your body to digest so could keep you up at night. Alcohol also keeps you up at night. While it might help you to sleep initially, your body suffers from withdrawal symptoms in your sleep so causes you to wake up in the middle of the night. Give your body the chance to digest before you climb into bed.
4. Exercise is a vital component of a good night’s sleep. Not only is it a great stress reliever, it also makes you physically tired and will therefore help you to fall asleep and stay asleep.
5. Cut back on caffeine. Caffeine is a major stimulant so will prevent sleep. It also stimulates cortisol production and can make you very wired if you drink too much. Avoid caffeine after lunch, and don’t forget that tea also has caffeine in it too. Stick to herbal teas and hot water if you want a hot drink before bed.
6. We live fast and stressful lives so need all the help we can shutting down - it is very important getting into bed, both literally and figuratively. Shut down all machines – TV, laptop, tablet, phone and eBook. You want to calm down, relax and get ready for sleep mode; your brain needs to wind down and all this technology stimulates and fires your brain up. Turning everything off turns on melatonin production and gets your mind and body ready for sleep.
7. Last but by no means least, if you wake up feeling unrested, stiff, and weary or feeling like you’ve just gone ten rounds with Baby Jakes Matlala it might be time to look at a new mattress or pillows. It is very important to sleep on a mattress that is comfortable and supportive and to have pillows that hold your head correctly. No matter what measures you take to ensure good quality sleep, if you aren’t sleeping on the right bed you won’t sleep well.

Put these seven steps in place and you will be sure to sleep well and wake up ready to face anything life had to throw at you.

Trash to Treasure

A headboard made from salvaged materials can add tons of charm and unique style to a bedroom. In this space, an old door found in a burn pile was paired with a vintage gate — reclaimed from a dump and brightened up with a mist of white spray paint. The end result is a whimsical, one-of-a-kind headboard with enough substance to balance the king-size bed. Design by Funky Junk Interiors

You don’t need rose petals or a string quartet. There are a few very simple steps you can take to make your bedroom the ultimate honeymoon suite, night after night.

The basic function of a bedroom is to provide a place of peace and rest for a good night’s sleep. But for most of us a bedroom is much more than this. It is a retreat, a haven and it is also a space we share with our partners. In today’s fast paced world there is often limited time to indulge in romance and matters of the heart, so it is even more important than ever to create a place where this can happen at home.

1) While red might be the colour of love, it should not be the colour of your bedroom walls. Your bedroom should promote a sense of calm. The best colours for a bedroom are warm, neutral shades. This applies to the colour scheme of your bedding too.

2) Lighting is very important. No one looks good under harsh overhead lights. Opt for warm light bulbs, not cool ones, and try to light your bedroom using bedside lamps and other occasional lighting. A good trick is to paint the inside of your lampshades a soft pink as this will create a warm and sensual light.

3) Set the mood with music, but make sure you select the right soundtrack - try to avoid loud banging music and rather opt for more subtle sounds.

4) Clear the room of clutter. Don’t have things lying around that don’t belong in the bedroom, and make sure you don’t use your bedroom as a storage or dumping ground for things that don’t have a home.

5) Clear out the tech. Computers, cell phones, TV and work related items don’t belong in your bedroom. Nothing kills the moment like email alerts or Facebook requests.

6) Keep a few mementos that remind you of the love you share with your partner in the bedroom, whether it’s photographs or sentimental keepsakes.

7) Smell is one of the most powerful senses we have. Use this in the bedroom to create an air of romance. Use scented candles, room spray or even a little bit of perfume to invoke your partner’s passion.

8) Plush bedding is essential. Flat pillows and a depleted duvet do not set the scene for romance. With a wide range of bedding to choose from at The Bed King you can’t go wrong.

9) Perhaps the most important element in any bedroom is the bed. If you are trying to create a place where romance can bloom it is essential to have the right bed. There is little chance of any pleasure being achieved or any mood being set in an old bed that renders you crippled after a night’s sleep. Bed King has a huge selection of double, queen and king sized beds to choose from so you are guaranteed to find something that suits both you and your partner.

10) You have all the key ingredients for a romantic room, the final touch is to make your bed. It takes 5 minutes to do, and has a huge impact on the overall appearance of the room - an unmade bed is an uninviting, unromantic bed.

Source: http://bedssleepscience.tumblr.com/post/141247406686/10-ways-to-make-your-bedroom-more-romantic-you

There is so much advice given today about how to create the perfect setting in your bedroom and what to do to make the most of this most sacred space. Many of these tips are common sense, some of them are pretty obvious even. But, in order to make the most of this space we need to understand what it is we want from the space. The bedroom is a place of peace, of quiet, of escape and it is the place where we finally put an end to the day. So what is it that most people need, desire and want from their bedrooms. It’s quite simple, they want somewhere they can go at the end of the day and forget about it all. Somewhere calm, somewhere that provides sanctuary.

Here are some things to consider:

• Keep your bedroom a shoe free zone

Our shoes collect all manner of dirt and germs when we walk in the streets. In many cultures it is customary to take shoes off when entering the home so as not to spread these germs. In today’s world, this is quite extreme, and might be quite awkward to ask guests to strip down to their socks, but you can do this in your own bedroom.

• High tech? Low Tech? No Tech!

The bedroom is the place we go to when the day is over. Turn off your computer, your cell phone and your tablet and relax in the space. Your bedroom is where you unwind and switch off, and this is not going to be achieved if your laptop is not switched off either.

• Beds and Bedding

We all know the story of the princess and the pea: you don’t need layers of mattresses to hide an uncomfortable bed. The most important item in a bedroom is the bed, after all we sleep on beds and beds belong in the bedroom. Make sure you choose a good quality bed, and that you have the correct mattress too. A bad night’s sleep can set the tone for the day, and there is nothing that will contribute to poor quality sleep like poor quality beds and mattresses.

Your bedding is also vital. Choose natural fibres for sheets, duvet and pillow covers where possible as these will allow your skin to breathe and will prevent night sweats.

Pillows are as important as mattresses when it comes to a good night’s sleep. Select your pillows carefully. If you suffer from allergies, then seek advice as to which is the anti allergen pillow; if you have back or neck problems, select your pillows accordingly.

• Pick a theme or colour scheme

It is very important to have some sort of cohesion when it comes to the decor and design of your bedroom. You are creating an oasis of calm at the end of a hectic day, and you want the theme to reflect this. Choose calming neutral colours, natural fibres and warm lighting. Choose comfort over trends - make sure that you go for a timeless look in your bedroom as trends come and go, but the classics stick around forever.

• Use your space wisely

Some bedrooms are grand palatial spaces, and some are so tiny you couldn’t swing a cat in them. Make sure you choose the right beds for the space. If you are doing a children’s bedroom and space is an issue, think about bunk beds. If you are a student in a bachelor flat and space is scarce sleeper couches are great idea. If space is not an issue at all, make sure you go for beds that are comfortable and will enhance your quality of sleep.

There are so many factors to consider when planning your bedroom, but just remember what the sole purpose and function of the room is. Sleep, and peaceful sleep at that. Create a place where you can go and switch off from the outside world, a place you look forward to being every night. A place of sweet dreams.

Here are some tips to consider for backpacker’s lodges to keep your guests coming back….

• Wherever I lay my head, that’s my home

There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep, and very few things worse than a bad night’s sleep, especially when you are far from home. Make sure you kit your backpacker’s lodge out with good quality, comfortable beds. It is also essential to have decent quality bedding - linen, pillows and duvets or blankets. These seemingly unimportant things could be the difference between return customers and those who move on very quickly.

• Size isn’t everything

Smaller rooms with fewer beds are much more inviting than massive dormitories. Huge rooms with lots of beds/guests can be very intimidating and quite off-putting. Offer guests a more intimate experience where they feel comfortable, as opposed to replicating boarding school conditions.

• Bunking Up

While bunk beds are definitely a bonus when it comes to space saving, it is better to have single beds if you can. If bunk beds are the only option in terms of space, the best ones to go for are sturdy and made up of two separate pieces. This way the person on the bottom is not disturbed every time the person on the top bunk rolls over in his or her sleep. Also try to stay away from bunk beds with metal mesh bases as these are noisy and uncomfortable, and are also reminiscent of institutional sleeping aparatus.

• Being cheap can cost more

If you opt for cheap mattresses, be aware that you will need to replace them more often, especially if you are expecting a high turnover of guests. It is a much better idea to buy a good quality mattress that will last longer, and will also give your guests a better night’s sleep.

• Home away from home

Just because it’s a backpacker’s lodge it doesn’t mean that it has to be a hostel environment. Whether a dormitory or private room, try to create a pleasant, comfortable environment. Simple aesthetics don’t have to cost a fortune and add great value when it comes to atmosphere and ambience.

• Lock it Down

All bedrooms, whether dorm rooms or private rooms should lock from the inside with a key - if there is a fire at night you want your guest to be able to get out easily without fiddling with a key.

We all know how important it is to be comfortable in our bedrooms. Sometimes a little change can help with this - even if it’s just with some new bedding! We found this article online and though we could share these boy’s bedroom ideas with you.

This is my current Little boy’s airplane room and they are itching for a change. They’re requesting a superhero room but we are exploring some options. Superheroes are pretty cool! Here are some awesome boy’s rooms to get our creative juices flowing! These are all so darling!

Red and Grey Boy’s Room

Cool Teen Boy’s Room

Industrial Boy’s Room

Bold colorful Boy’s Bedroom

If you want to bring some change into your bedroom space and you are in the Johannesburg or Cape Town area visit Bed King for the perfect mattresses, beds, linen and pillows to create your little one’s (or your!) dream bedroom.