Making Your Bedroom Cosy This Winter


Your bedroom is your sanctuary and so you want it to be cosy and comfortable. I think this is especially important in winter. Here are a few tips to make your bedroom extra cosy this season.

Choose New Bedding


When you want a good night’s sleep, you need to be as comfortable as possible. In winter, you especially need to stay warm. In winter, you can save yourself a lot of money if you don’t need to have the heating on overnight, so getting new bedding is important. New bed sheets can make bedtime much more comfortable and cosy. Cotton is usually best to go for as it is soft and gentle on skin. It is less likely to be itchy, compared to a synthetic material.

Choose a Warmer Comforter


During this time of year, a thicker comforter can help to keep the heat in and keep you cosy. If you decide to go for a new comforter, you must decide what kind of filling you want. It comes down to down filled, or a down-alternative. Down has many advantages or being particularly lightweight, yet still insulating. The natural insulation from the feathers is an attractive option to many. Down can be the best option because it gives most warmth, without being heavy and making you feel a little smothered.

Down-alternative may be better for some as it is a little cheaper. It is also the better option for those of you with allergies. The drawbacks with a down-alternative comforter are that it needs more filling to get the same insulation. This can make it heavier and may make you feel a little more constrained or smothered.

If you have decided to go for the down option, there are a further two options within that. Do you go for a duck filled comforter or a goose filled comforter? Goose down is the better option as the feathers are longer. They are plucked from geese that are older. Duck down is often shorter and can come from younger ducks. It just means that the insulation is likely to be better with goose down.


Add Pillows & Cushions


If you don’t already have pillows and cushions, these are a must for a cosy room. From a practical point of view, if you use your bed to watch movies, there is nothing better than cosying up with lots of cushions. From a visual point of view, it will make the room, and bed, look so much cosier too.

Candles & Lighting


Candles are brilliant in winter. We get such dark evenings that they can not only be used as a source of light, but can add a cosy feel to the room. Scented candles are a good option as you can get a seasonal one. The scent of cinnamon or pine with get you feeling festive, as well as cosy.

If you don’t have much lighting, I would recommend investing in a lamp or two. A floor lamp can look stunning, as can some smaller, bedside lamps. You don’t want to always feel like you have the big, bright, main light on, particularly in winter.

What are your top tips for making a bedroom cosy this winter?

How To Create The Ultimate Healthy Home

Good health is essential to our wellbeing. We all know that we should be eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. And we all know that staying active is key for a healthy body and mind. But there are plenty of things you can do around the home to maintain good health too. It is possible to design your home to ensure you can not only maintain your health but improve it.

Clever design in the home makes healthy living a pleasure. It doesn’t matter what size home you have. You may even be about to build yourself a new home. We have put together a guide to help you design a home with your health interests in mind. From furniture choices to decor decisions, you can find helpful tips to get well and stay feeling great for the rest of your life. Here is our healthy living guide for your home:

Windows


Your choice of windows for your home is very important. You need to be able to allow plenty of fresh air into your home every day. Fresh air replaces stale and damp air to help you breathe better. It can also help to refresh your fabrics and carpets. Windows should be lockable for security. They should ideally be locked into open positions that allow you to enjoy fresh air without risk of anyone getting in.


Windows should also have safety features upstairs to prevent children falling out. Double glazed panels should keep unwanted acoustics out of your home. They should also keep the heat in so you don’t feel cold in the house. Cold homes can harm your health. Aim to keep your ambient temperature above 18 degrees celsius. The glass should also keep UV rays to a minimum, and offer a degree of privacy.

Natural light is essential to our health. It helps regulate our body clock. Natural light also helps us maintain a good mood and emotional well-being. A good view to the outside is also essential for our mental health. The better the view, the happier we should be. Plenty of natural light is desirable, but use Venetian blinds to deflect unwanted rays.


Doors


All doors in your home should prevent drafts or unwanted movement of air. They should keep you warm and prevent fire penetration. Doors to the outside should have extra locking mechanisms to ensure your safety and security. Many doors include feature windows to help natural light filter in. They also provide you with a view of the outside so you can see who is calling.


If you have any physical difficulties opening doors, choose door handles that are easier to manage. You may even benefit from installing electrical doors with an auto opening. This can be particularly handy if you use a wheelchair. Paned doors should have special, toughened, safety glass to prevent accidents if they break.

In The Garden


The exterior of your home is very important to your health. It provides a great space for being active. You might have a family trampoline or swimming pool to provide opportunities for sport led activities. Some people install a gazebo or decking area for T’ai Chi or Yoga. Zen gardens can be very helpful if you like to meditate. They are peaceful and relaxing. This can help reduce stress levels too, improving your physical and emotional health.

Gardens with colorful planting are also very good for your health. Color therapy has long been used to promote mental balance. Flowers help us feel more cheerful generally. Natural greens from grass lawns are also thought to promote good health. Gardening is a very healthy hobby to choose as well. It is quite active, and provides plenty to do all year round. A water feature can be very calming, as can windchimes.


You can use your garden for dining if you have a decking or patio area. Exposure to daylight and sunlight can be good for you if you take the right precautions. Best of all, your garden can provide you with plenty of fresh, healthy foods like fruit and vegetables. Straight from your garden to your table is about as healthy as you can get!

Bedroom


The bedroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. Sleep is crucial to your health. Without a good night of sleep, your health can quickly degenerate. Your mind suffers most at first. Focus and concentration are hard if your sleep is lacking even for one night. Over time, your memory can also be affected. Sleeping files away the day’s memories. Without this essential process, you can soon feel very forgetful and confused.

Sleep also heals the body when we are injured or ill. It’s important to choose blinds and curtains that block out all the light. You need your bedroom to be very quiet, so your sleep is not disturbed. Try not to use any screens like TVs or smartphones in your bedroom. Keep colors peaceful in pastel blues and pinks. Try to avoid lots of busy patterns, and keep dresser surfaces clear of clutter.


Your bed is a very important piece of furniture. Problems like arthritis or bed sores can be relieved with hardside waterbed mattresses. The waterbed was developed to help relieve such conditions. It can also help aid restful sleep as a stress reliever. You should keep the bedroom temperature cool at about 18 or 19 degrees celsius to ensure you aren’t too warm as you sleep.

Bathroom


A jacuzzi bath is ideal for soothing aching muscles and joints. It is also a great way to unwind after a busy day. Some cultures use Sauna to relieve stress and maintain good health. These can be built into a large bathroom area, or even situated outside. Showers that have built-in music systems can be used to enhance your mood. Some lively music first things in the morning can help energize you for the day.


Bathrooms should have natural light and opening windows. This helps steam and moisture dry out quickly to avoid harmful mold spores. Bathrooms should be cleaned daily to reduce the risk of bacteria building up. Grouting and seals also need special attention on a regular basis. Sunlight can cause muck to build up quickly. Once you have finished in the bathroom, it may be best to use a blind to avoid direct rays.

Kitchen


Your kitchen should include a good sized refrigerator to store plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Kitchens are very dangerous places, but the risks can be reduced with clever design. Use soft close drawers to avoid fingers becoming trapped. Pots and pans should be kept in a mid-level drawer. This means that the heaviest items are not being pulled out from above your head or low near the ground.


Thorough cleaning every day will prevent food residue. Food crumbs cause bacteria and attract insects and rodents. If you struggle to vacuum regularly, invest in a robot vacuum. Some will mop the floor and use UV light to kill bacteria as they go. Make sure windows can be reached easily. They are often situated behind sinks which makes them difficult to reach if you are shorter.

Living Room


The living room is the desired space for relaxing and entertaining. If you sit here a lot each day, you can soon develop poor posture. Aches and pains also creep in if you are not sitting comfortably. Have a clock in a prominent position and aim to stand every thirty minutes or so. You might use the excuse of getting a drink or popping to the bathroom. Your seating should be supportive and at the right height for you to use.

Recliners are very helpful for those who suffer from leg problems. Raising the legs can help relax you, easing high blood pressure. However, stiffness in the knees and feet can occur if legs are raised for too long. Use coffee tables situated in close proximity of your seating. This prevents the risk of spills. Natural fires can be comforting but they may cause breathing problems for asthmatics. An outside fire can be a pleasant alternative. TVs should be on a stand ideally. This means they are at the right height for your eye line. When they are wall mounted, they can be too high, causing extra neck strain as you look up.

Stairs


If you have stairs in your home, it is essential they are well lit at all times. It can be very easy to slip, especially if they are carpeted. It may be possible to install small LED lights on each step to light the way, much like deck lights. There should ideally be railings on each side of the stairs for extra security. Banisters and balustrades should be at a good height with limited gaps between. Small animals and children are at particular risk of falling through. Use light paint here to maximize the brightness of the area.

A healthy home can be created as a concept for the whole building. Or it may be developed over time, room by room. Everything from the structure to the decor can help improve your health at home. Have a happy, healthy house.

How to Choose the Best Stairlift for You


The time comes in every person’s life where they either have to deal with a temporary or a permanent disability. Sometimes these ailments are so bad that they render you unable to move on your own. Everyone hates to lose their independence, but luckily, now they do not have to. If you are in the market for stairlifts and are having trouble choosing the perfect one for you, then do not fret, there are many options to fit every one of your individual needs. Sometimes all it takes is just a little research and knowing where to begin your search.

Picking the perfect stairlift for you does not have to be a long involving task. Instead, with the proper knowledge before you delve right in, you can simplify your search and leave your mind at ease. When figuring out what stair lift is the perfect one for you, you have to take into consideration the layout of your home. Do you need to travel up multiple stories, is your staircase curved or straight, and what is the most convenient for your physical situation? The reason this matters is that they make stairlifts in a multitude of different configurations. If you have one long straight staircase, then a straight stairlift is allow that is necessary. On the other hand, if your staircase is circular or has a 90 degree turn at the landing, the best stair lift for you may be two straight ones, or a curved one. It is wise to compare stairlifts before deciding which to buy. Furthermore, the only downside to having two stairlifts is that they require more maintenance. Your other option are outdoor stairs lifts as well. Say you have a deck with a large set of stairs, then a weather resistant outdoor stairlift will be the perfect fit for your home.

The only two other options to consider after you choose your stairlift configuration is what will fit your physical state and what design will match your home the best. There are only two different options to change how you ride on your stairlift. They make seated stairlifts and also perch stairlifts. If your joint movements are limited, then you cannot go wrong with a stairlift that still retains all of the safety features, but just so happens to allow you to stand instead. The final question you need to answer to make your shopping experience a breeze is what color or design will fit your home best. This is totally subjective so this must be left to the future owner of their new stairlift. Hopefully, being informed of these options ahead of time will clear up any confusion you may have when you are shopping for a new stairlift. Mulling over these various options in advance will be sure to make your search for whatever stairlift fits you best an experience, rather than a battle. Be sure to take into consideration all of the different options available to you and enjoy making your life easier and more pain free.