Bringing back the Day Bed

by Sarah Shaw

Do you ever watch those sumptuous period costume dramas on television and get swept away by the romance of it all?

I don’t think anyone familiar with the genre will struggle to identify with what I mean when I mention having a ‘Darcy moment’.

Any programme which promises opulent clothing, extravagant language and amazing sets and I’m reaching for the remote control to record the series.

One of my favourite things to do is make a study of the furnishings on display in the great houses very often featured in these shows.

The lavishly draped four poster beds and the impossibly long dining tables are great, but my personal favourite has to be the chaise longue or day bed.

They seem to have been very functional back in their day:

Imagine having to wear a corset so tight that you may need to lie down just to relieve the pressure, or being so distraught by the attentions of an avid suitor that you may just faint away?!

Cue the day bed – a perfect place to land.

Back in the present day and I am eyeing up the boring old spare bedroom and wondering how I can apply my love of ostentatious period drama to bring a bit of excitement to the place.

The twin single beds in there currently could easily be piled high with cushions and throws to create a day bed effect and I think this may well be the way forward.

Alternatively, I could start again and consider sofa beds – purchasing something which resembles a chaise longue perhaps in order to start the design theme for the room.

Whichever way I go I am definitely going to have to employ the use of an awful lot of fabric as there is no avoiding it for this type of project.

Swags and tails are my new best friends!

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Comment
By Charlotte

Hi Sarah

Thanks for sharing your ideas about day beds.

I love period dramas too - and you're right - they are a perfect place to get ideas for your interior design schemes too...

It's all so very sumptuous and lovely - so you can't help but want to get that nostalgic and romantic look at home!

A day-bed sounds a great idea - whether for romantic swooning, or more modern-day relaxing with a novel (a Jane Austen perhaps?)

My favorite would be to go with a bed or day bed, rather than the sofa bed, which I think might just look like a sofa - unless you were lucky enough to find one that did look like a chaise longue.

When I was a teenager, I did my room out with a day bed effect, as I thought it looked much 'cooler' and more grown up than just the usual bed...

It was actually quite easy to do, and very effective!

The main point to remember would be to remove the headboard from an ordinary single bed (double beds make great day beds too, though!) - and to position the long side against a wall.


I used to have twin beds in my room too - and a great way of avoiding that regimental, 2-beds-lined-up look, is to put them at right angles, in the corner against the wall...

This really helps them to get rid of the traditional bed look, and get more of that day bed look instead.

Of course, pile high with luxurious cushions and throws (essential so you're not looking a duvet or bed sheets!) - in whatever colors match your room and your look...

If you are after something a bit more romantic and dramatic, fabric drapes on walls, ceilings and around windows will look fabulous!

The day bed look is also a fantastic look for anyone in a studio apartment or bed-sit, who wants to create a proper 'day-time' look for their living space.

It can be awkward showing people back to your rooms and being confronted immediately by a bed! Far better to create a day bed, with a comfy and relaxing sofa feel!

A day bed is also a much more practical and easy option than a sofa bed - less unfolding and setting up! Just remove the cushions, and away you go!

Look out for purpose built day-beds if you do like this look - they are becoming ever-more popular, and there's a great choice.

These have 'sides' - almost like a headboard on 3 sides, which gives a proper 'seating' feel when used in the daytime, and a headboard feel when used at night.

Here are a few very nice day beds, that could be considered for this look:

These have quite an old-fashioned and romantic style, that would suit this style:



And the one below has the excellent idea of also including a further sleeping area with a hide-away bed below. Perfect if you want extra space for kids' friends sleeping over, or just for when guests come to stay...

...and a great space-saving alternative to those twin beds!

Lovely looking too - and again quite old-fashioned for that proper historic feel...



Thanks very much for sharing your day bed ideas and romantic dreams. Hope these additional ideas will help with the makeover.

Charlotte :)

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Choosing the right mattress

by Alex

As we all know getting a good nights rest is important for the day ahead. The main contributor to a peaceful sleep is a quality mattress.

There are hundreds of various styles of mattresses, and when we spend a third of our lives having a snooze, it’s important to choose one that is right for you and your needs.

Modern double beds are on average 4ft 6in wide, which is simply not an adequate amount of space for an adult couple to sleep in.

If this is your situation then you are not alone as around 75% of all double beds are this size and causes couples to disturb each other during the night.

Simply moving up to a king size bed will give you that extra important space to get a proper night’s sleep, whilst not sacrificing too much room from the rest of the bedroom.

If you are one of a number of people who wake up with aches and pains this could be a sign that you require a new mattress.

It’s important to consult your GP in this situation, as they will be able to advice if you need to sleep on a firmer platform to help relieve any pain you might be experiencing through the night.

An orthopaedic mattress may be a better option and could be more suitable as they tend to be firmer which will give you more support whilst you sleep.

Whatever type of mattress you decide to purchase, it’s important that you stick to a budget, as you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to get a decent one.

In any case a mattress that is the right size and firmness will go a long way to ensuring a good forty winks.



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Comment
By Charlotte

Thanks for sharing your tips!

You're right Alex - it really is important to get a comfortable night's sleep - and choosing the right bed and mattress is an important factor in this!

Apparently you should change your mattress every 7 years - so if you've had one longer than this, it may well be time for a new one!

I've found a visco-elastic - or 'memory foam' mattress is the perfect solution for me - so comfortable!

It feels lovely and soft and because it adapts to your shape as you move it is always supporting in just the right places.

My mattress was very inexpensive, but if you already have a mattress that's good for you - you can also try a mattress topper made of memory foam - or other materials that you prefer.

The firmness of a mattress isn't the only factor to help back pain - it's more about choosing the level of support for your body that's right for you.

I find aching joints can sometimes require a lovely, soft, supporting surface, rather than a hard, flat one, for maximum comfort.

An orthopaedic mattress is certainly something to consider, though, if you regularly experience back and/or joint pain.

Also check that you are choosing a mattress that is suitable for the type of bed frame you have (or intend to purchase)...

For more about choosing a suitable bed frame, mattress, pillows and bed linen, check out my page on choosing beds and bedding, here...

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Creating the Perfect Tropical Guest Room

by Jessica Ackerman

No matter where you live, when guests come to visit, you want them to have a wonderful time in your home.

The guest room where they will be staying has a big impact on their experience.

While you may not want to spend a lot decorating a room where not a lot of time is spent, it is still important to make it a room where guests feel comfortable.

One theme that is perfect for a calming atmosphere, but that also has great color, is a tropical theme.

Creating the perfect tropical guest room can be achieved with just a few creative touches.

Use the ideas below to help you in creating a room your guests will never want to leave.

Perfect Color

One of the benefits to creating a tropical theme room is that white is a great choice for wall color and bedding.

This pure, bright white is commonly used in tropical locations, because it helps to provide a cooler room.

In the guest room, paint the walls white and save the bright spots of color for the tropical wall hangings and other accessories.

Beautiful Bedding

White bedding will help to carry the brightness and lightness of the room from the walls to the furniture.

Use plush, comfortable comforters, pillows, sheets and spreads. One of the benefits to the bedding used in a guest room is that it does not wear out very quickly.

Since it is only used for a few weeks a year, it can last much longer than bedding that gets used every day.

Another plus to using white linens, is that they can be easily bleached to remove stains or dirt.

Accessories

In a tropical room, tropical accessories are key.

Use tropical colored accents throughout the space. Aqua blue, lemon yellow, bright pink, and bold red are all commonly used colors that can be incorporated into accent pillows, area rugs and throw blankets.

Add color in unique ways, such as with a cheerful tropical inspired switch plate.

A lampshade with a tropical print is also a great accent atop a white lamp base. Have fun adding color in unique ways.

Wall Decor

A tropical room is just not complete without wall accents.

In the guest room, tropical art decor can range from sculptures of birds to a beautiful painting of a sandy beach.

Make sure that the wall decor that you select reflects the mood and style that you are trying to achieve. If you want a relaxing, calming space for your guests, choose wall decor that reflects those feelings.


There is nothing better than visiting a home and feeling instantly welcome and comfortable.

You can give your guests that experience by making the guest room a place where they enjoy being. With a tropical room, even if your home is located in the far north away from palm trees and sand, your guests can truly feel as though they have escaped on vacation.

Not only will they remember the fun that they had while visiting, they will also remember your thoughtfulness at taking the time to make their guest room so special.

Thanks Jessica!

Some great suggestions - I love the whole idea of making your guest room into a tropical paradise to give your guests that true vacation feel!

I think I would be tempted with an occasional vacation in it myself, actually!

I'm sure any guests would be thrilled to stay in a beautiful room like this, and like you say, would really appreciate the thought and care that's gone into the preparations.

Thanks for sharing!

Best wishes

Charlotte :)

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Decorating your room around the perfect bed!

by Alex

The bedroom should be a relaxing and comfortable place to spend time, where you can forget about the stresses of the day and focus solely on getting a good night sleep.

There are many factors which need to be considered when designing your perfect bedroom; from the shade of the decor to the lighting and furniture but the bed itself is the most important aspect and not an easy choice as there are many beds to choose from!

The bed is the focal point of any bedroom and its positioning will contribute significantly to your enjoyment of the room.

If you prefer mornings, having your bed face the window may be a welcome sight when you wake. However, if you are not, placing your bed alongside the window could be more agreeable.

When looking at what space you have in your bedroom you may also need to consider single beds if you do not have a lot of space.

The type of bed you choose should complement with the decor. A sleigh bed, for example, adds an element of sophistication to a space and typically features in more traditionally designed rooms. If you want your walls to have warm colours then a wooden bed will work best.

However, cooler shades such as blue and green are best complemented with a metal frame.

Metallic materials often feature in more contemporary bedroom designs but wrought iron can bring an element of the traditional look into the most modern of rooms.

If you want your bed to stand out then you should choose a bold colour for the walls. This will guarantee your bed will take pride of place in the centre of the room.

Finally, if you want your room to have a retro feel then a platform bed will best complement this. It is also a perfect design for smaller bedrooms as many platform beds have storage space underneath.

Geometric designs in bright colours are particularly popular, particularly if you want your room to have a Sixties or Seventies theme.

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Comment
By Charlotte
Hi Alex

Thanks very much for sharing your tips about decorating around the perfect bed!

A bed is the obvious focal point for a room - and you should certainly spend time and care choosing one that you love...

...and using it as the inspiration and to set the style for the rest of your room.

To help keep attention on your beautiful bed you can heap it with luxurious bedding, throws, pillows...

...and use the wall behind as a focal wall - in a bright color paint, as you say, or a striking wallpaper.

Some great ideas!

Thanks for sharing!

Charlotte :o)

More ideas for bedroom interior designs, here...

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