There are times as a family that you might like to spend time playing games together. It can be a great way to have fun together and spend some valuable family time. However, having the space and the equipment to play pool or darts, can be difficult in the house itself, so you might want to consider creating a games room in your home. Before you begin, there are a few things you need to consider.

Choosing the Location

Before you start, you need to think about where your games room will be. There are a few common locations that a lot of people use, one is the cellar and the other the attic. The reason these are usually preferred is that they are often space that is not used, so you are gaining additional space without sacrificing any existing rooms. As another alternative, you can always build an outside shed to act as the games room. It will need to be big enough to fit everything in, and you will need the space in the garden.

[Photo courtesy of manbob86/pixabay.com]

Clearing and Cleaning

The chances are that the room you choose will need to be decluttered and cleaned before you can start converting it. It can be a good excuse to have a clear out of some rubbish and old things you no longer use. You might even be able to sell some of the things you have to fund the new games room. After you have decluttered, you want to clean up and replace anything that is old or damaged. The flooring should be durable, but if this is going to be a games room for watching sports as well, then a floor that easy to clean could be a bonus.

Creating the Space

The space you have in the room depends on what types of games you be using. You want there to be enough space so that you can play pool or darts with enough space so that others aren’t hurt. You also want there to be comfy chairs that you can all sit down and play games. You can have a TV set up on the wall so that you can watch sport or research truths for truth or dare games. If you can, try to choose furniture that will be easy to move, this will give you more scope to adapt the room to other games.

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Adding Extras

As well as the obvious things you need in a games room, you might want to add some other things as well. One thing that can be useful is a drinks fridge. You can keep alcohol and soft drinks in there, and it will save you having to carry things to the room. You can also think about having a snack bar as well if you have the room.

Having a games room doesn’t just mean that you can have family games, it can also be a place for your kids and their friends to hang out.

If the home is to be considered your castle, it’s imperative that your bedroom is fit for a queen. After all, this is the place where you start and end each day. Achieve perfection in this part of the home, and your relationship with the entire property is sure to thrive.

Gaining the desire to build a better bedroom is one thing, but actively doing it is another altogether. Use these five simple tips for guidance, and you won’t go far wrong.

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Start With The Bed

Finding a great mattress stands out as the obvious starting point for any bedroom upgrade. Given that you probably spend around one-third of your life lying down on your bed, choosing the right type for your comfort and posture is key. A better bed frame can have a positive impact too but isn’t always essential. The main thing is that you get a great night’s sleep. After all, that is the primary function of the bedroom space.

Don’t Forget The Sheets

While the mattress is clearly the most important feature, you mustn’t overlook the importance of linen. Whether it’s coverlets for platform beds or finding a duvet with a suitable tog rating doesn’t matter. When coupled with the right bed, you’ll be sure to enjoy better sleep patterns almost immediately. This is great news for the sake of your health, appearance, and energy levels.

Build A Winning Atmosphere

The importance of your bed cannot be ignored, but the surroundings do have a key role to play too. A good color scheme can instantly bring a happier tone while making the space feel bigger. Decor by Palazzo Collezioni is a great way to bring a sense of style and luxury to the room. Just remember that the furniture and storage shouldn’t leave the room feeling overcrowded. Utilize the walls with shelving, and you should retain a greater sense of floor space.

[Photo courtesy of Pixabay/pexels.com]

 Get The Lighting Right

While lighting certainly feeds into the overall vibe, it is something that deserves extra attention. Without going into too much detail, the wrong lighting (from tech devices) makes it harder to sleep and reach levels of deep sleep. Conversely, having a dimmer switch or touch lamps allows you to maintain greater control. In turn, this can help your body prepare for sleep in those crucial moments.

Think About Temperature

There’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable due to the wrong temperature. HVAC system from Ventis encourages good air circulation and a comfortable heat. This won’t just help you nod off, but can also aid the quality of sleep throughout the night. Whether you sleep alone or share the room with your partner, getting this step right is essential. After all, your quality of sleep is on the line.

Creating a great bedroom doesn’t suddenly turn your home into a palace, but it does remove a whole host of issues. Moreover, it will make the faults throughout other parts of the property seem far less problematic.

Give your bedroom that long overdue makeover that you have putting off for months. With just a few subtle changes and additions, you can add flair and vibrancy to your bedroom that you are sure to love. Upgrading your current bedding to a sleek beautiful bed that is draped in stylish Laura Ashley bedding is a great place to start your bedroom makeover. This designer collection helps bring your bedroom a fun and colorful ambiance to your bedroom.

[Photo courtesy of Pixabay/pexels.com]

Changing the look of your bed can significantly alter the aesthetics of your room, as it is the centerpiece. One great way to enhance your bedroom aesthetics is by adding a platform bed. The countless options of this type of bed include faux leather, tapered and king. Designer collections offer many accessories to suit your bedding needs, including sheets, blankets, comforters, bed skirts, shams and pillows. Find the bedding that best suits your room’s decor, such as floral print beddings or goose down pillows with European shams in the color of your choice. You can find full, queen and king-sized bedding available to spruce up the look of any bedroom in your home.

Whether you are doing a complete redesign or simply want to change things up for a new beginning, a new faux leather platform bed draped in your favorite designer bedding and accessories is certain to do the trick. Browse the broad selection of beds and bedding to find the ideal home solution to enhancing your bedroom.

A new arrival is on the way and there is so much to do – decorating the nursery, choosing baby blankets and bedding along with a baby changing table, glider rocker and more. No matter how much you do before the bundle of joy arrives there’s inevitably something you will overlook, especially if this is your first child.

New parents may not realize how much the home décor will need to change throughout the entire house. The glass top coffee table that was once so stylish now represents a potential safety hazard while the sleek bathroom knobs and hardware that was so easy to use now poses a safety problem.

[Photo courtesy of ErikaWittlieb/pixabay.com]

Each room of your home will need to be childproofed and the bathroom is a good place to start. Any cabinets including the medicine chest should be secured with a childproof lock. The wastebasket should have a lid; a foot operated model is a good idea as kids will have a difficult time opening it. The toilet seat should be secured with a lid lock and all electrical outlets should be secured with protectors.

The bathtub should be made as child-friendly as possible – look for a bathtub faucet guard to protect baby’s head and be sure to invest in a bathtub temperature gauge to reduce the chance of scalding baby. A shampoo rinse cup will help to stop the tears when shampooing children’s hair.

If you do not already have a handheld showerhead you will find this to be one of the most useful modifications you can make in a bathroom. With a handheld shower head it’s easy to bathe children, shampoo hair and direct the water spray exactly where you want it; it also makes cleaning the tub and shower much easier.

Everyone has had that thought after a long, hard day at work or a late night out with your friends where you can’t wait to get into your bed. Whether it is the idea of lying down on a clean, fresh sheet or snuggling up to your duvet, there is not a soul out there who doesn’t relish the thought of returning to the comfort of their bed after a long day.

Getting your bedroom up to scratch is something which requires plenty of thought, but does it have to mean the destruction of your wallet?

It’s not just for comfort that we purchase bedding, though it is a big factor. Homeowners look for a duvet cover that will match the theme or colour of its environment and pay close attention to aesthetics while doing so. One question to continually ask yourself when on the hunt for top bedroom accessories is whether or not you can afford them and our top tips to finding discounted bedroom accessories is sure to give you plenty of food for thought.

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Let the bedroom grow with your child

Children grow up fast so their Disney themed duvet cover may no longer seem as ‘cool’ as it did when they were infants. For this reason you should update bedding and furnishings regularly whilst keeping everything within the confines of your budget.

If you’re worried about spending too much then only include characters or themes on bedding with lampshades or other accessories kept plain for a classic, timeless look. An extreme bedding makeover may seem like something which will impact your wallet heavily but there are plenty of affordable bed sets that consist of all the bedding essentials you need.

Use what you have

For those who really want to watch their pennies, the best advice is to avoid buying new. When it comes to giving accessories such as lights or even bedroom furniture a makeover, sometimes you can get away with using what you’ve already got. A fresh coat of paint, a new lampshade or even new handles on your chest of drawers can make all the difference so why not try and renovate existing features before splashing the cash on something brand new.

Go online

When searching for affordable bedding or bedroom accessories, high street stores can prove a handy resource but online services are even more beneficial. Head online to check out the latest sales and offers from both independent retailers and larger brands.

Often, when you can’t sleep or don’t feel you’re getting good quality sleep, then you’re largely told it’s your fault.

Okay, so that’s quite a harsh way of putting it – but think about it. You’re told that you have to ensure your room isn’t too cold. That you have to practice good sleep hygiene, going to bed and getting up at the same time on weekends as you would during the week. You’re told that you have to ensure there’s no light in your room, or…

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All of it amounts to the same thing: you’re causing your sleep problems, what you’re doing is responsible. It’s tough to take, especially if you have followed all of the above and you’re still spending your days yawning or your nights tossing and turning. Sleep is such a basic, fundamental thing – how have you managed to be bad at it? Why is none of the advice working?

You might be struggling for answers because… you’re not doing anything wrong. Your sleep hygiene might be impeccable. You might be doing all the things that you should be doing, in the right order, night after night – but you’re still not sleeping as you should be.

That’s not to discount the general insomnia advice you will see floating around. For a lot of people, the cause of their problem is nothing more than bad habits and problematic decisions. It could be drinking too much coffee during the day or just not having the right mattress to sleep on – simple problems with easy remedies. In these cases, the fix is relatively simple; all it takes is switching to non-caffeinated beverages or considering interesting advice from Mattress-Guides.net on next steps to take with your bedding arrangements. Sometimes, that is all it takes. On the other occasions (or if those steps haven’t worked), something else might be responsible: your health.

There are certain health conditions that can force insomnia to cross from a regular annoyance and into a chronic problem. Now, this isn’t going to be one of those infamous internet articles where you look up something benign and are immediately told your death is imminent. They’re no fun for anyone. All of the conditions below are lifestyle damaging, but they’re not going to kill you.

The problem with these conditions is that they tend to be hidden beneath the surface. If the general symptoms are “tired” or “prone to headaches” when you look up a condition, it’s impossible to see a difference between that and normal life. And, to be frank, chronic insomnia might indeed be idiopathic. However, if there is something nestling under the surface, then it’s worth knowing about – at the very least, so you can get a good night’s sleep for once…

(As with all medical advice online, if any of these conditions really chime for you, then see a doctor. This is meant as a guide, not a diagnostic tool – be smart, everyone.)

Hormone Disorders

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There’s a tendency in the lay population to think that hormones are some mystical problem that besets women on a cyclical basis. It extends as far as well-traveled tennis players; the idea that hormones are a female problem. Well, nope. There’s a whole bunch of hormones for both genders and, to an extent, they control our lives. They range from estrogen through to testosterone and even adrenaline – in fact, there’s tens of them. Together, they make up the endocrine system.

The difficult thing about hormones is that they tend to work in balance with one another. It’s not so much about their individual level in and of themselves, but their levels relative to one another. If one of those levels is not playing ball with the rest of the group, then you can have a problem.

Some of the most common hormone disorders include:

• Underactive or overactive thyroid (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism).
• Cushing’s Syndrome – an overload of the stress hormone, cortisol.
• Diabetes.

All of the above will cause problems with sleep patterns.

Thankfully, these conditions are easily diagnosed and well-managed with treatment – so don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor about them.

Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease

[Photo courtesy of Brett_Hondow/pixabay.com]

Often abbreviated to GERD, this ailment is surprisingly common in people of all ages. It’s caused by an overproduction of stomach acid, leading to a burning feeling in the chest and back as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms. One of the most recognized symptoms is heartburn, which can lead to an overreliance on lozenges – without any idea of how the problem is disrupting your sleep.

The way GERD affects sleep is through a mixture of discomfort and general restlessness due to incomplete digestion. One of the best ways to combat it is to raise your head position when you sleep; use a pillow beneath your upper back and let gravity help you keep the stomach acid where it belongs.

One note of caution: prescription-strength antacids called PPIs (protein pump inhibitors) are often prescribed for GERD. Evidence is suggesting these can actually make things worse, so do try simple methods like raising your head position before you resort to them.

Anxiety Disorders

There are a vast array of anxiety disorders, from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder through to PTSD. Or perhaps you have a mixture of them all in one, with the all-encompassing General Anxiety Disorder.

If you find yourself panicked or worrying on a daily basis, then it might be a sign of such an illness. Often, it’s just dismissed as ‘the way we are’ – so we think no more of it. But in reality, being highly stressed and anxious could be a sign of a physiological illness.

It’s worth running through the GAD-7; a standard, medically-sound test that is used as a diagnostic tool for anxiety disorders. This should give you some idea on whether your anxiety is within normal limits, or if it might be time to speak to your doctor about your treatment options.

[Photo courtesy of kaboompics/pixabay.com]

If you do find you have a concern, then the way it has been impacting your sleep could be total. When you are panicked or anxious, your adrenaline is firing on a constant “fight or flight” mode. This results in hypervigilance, which in turn makes it difficult to get to sleep at night. Even if you score low on the GAD-7, if any of the above sounds familiar, it’s always worth a brief chat with a doctor to see if there’s anything they can help with.

There’s a lot of things that we know are harmful to our families – bad food won’t help with health or weight. A lack of exercise is going to zap their energy and turn us all into couch potatoes. Too much screen-time can result in headaches. We know all of that.

While a ninja blender can cut up your fruit for a smoothy and a treadmill can get us running – there’s one piece of furniture that might be overlooked in our pursuit of health in the home.

It’s the bed. There are plenty of health benefits to owning a good bed, and on the flipside, a lack of sleep or interrupted sleep could be disastrous for the health of you and your family. BedTimes Magazine took a look at the benefits of a new bed:

“Through our research, we found that new bedding improved sleep quality by 62% and sleep comfort by 70.8%, and reduced back pain by 55.3% and back stiffness by 50.7% over a four–week period. We also found that lower back pain was much more prominent for those sleeping on cheaper beds and older beds. But regardless of their personal bedding systems, participants experienced immediate reduction in pain and stiffness and improvement of sleep comfort and quality when sleeping on new mattresses. The reduction in pain and improvement in sleep became more prominent over time, and participants improved regardless of age, weight, height or body–mass index. Moreover, when participants were assigned to high and low pain groups based on initial evaluation, both groups experienced a significant reduction in pain when sleeping on new mattresses. Even those who reported minor problems sleeping showed significant improvements in sleep quality and comfort—at levels similar to those who were poor sleepers.”

[Photo courtesy of Jennifer C./flickr.com]

They did the hard work, so we don’t have to, and it’s clear that new bedding or a new bed entirely is going to have immediate benefits to our health as well as our sleeping habits.

What do we look for in a good bed then? Firstly – it needs to be solid and stable. Your mattress needs a good support so it can support you! A creaky and shaky bed isn’t going to help, and you may feel like you’re napping on a sinking ship! As for the perfect bed? It doesn’t exist – you simply need the right one for you. A good mattress goes a long way, and this is the Best Memory Foam Mattress – a good mattress is going to gift you an hour of sleep that a lesser mattress will take away. Most mattress types have their cons as well, so try to get a mattress that you can try out as everyone is different.

[Photo courtesy of  Didriks/flickr.com]

Of course, you need pillows that keep your neck and head in line with your body for comfort and some breathable bedding is a good idea. A number of sets for different temperatures will help.

A good bed – it could do wonders for your health and for your bedroom!

When you select a mattress, you must find the right kind of base or structure for the bed that creates the look you desire. Dust ruffles are suitable for creating a neat, finished look for your bed. Modern styles, such as platform bases or pedestal supports, are great for foam mattresses.

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Common bedding sets often include standard dust ruffles that complement the bedspread, sheets and pillows alike. Often, the pattern matches your curtains or other bedroom accessories. Pairing the bed dust ruffle with a box spring set up is easy; just place the ruffle fabric against the box spring and place a foam mattress over the top. This creates a traditional look that also employs the latest in comfort innovations. Bed skirts may also work with your platform or pedestal bed. Ruffle accents are also available, and these accents snap or zip into place. The lip of the platform base does not get in the way, and you have an attractive finish for any bed. Some inexpensive bases used with foam construction mattresses can be hidden with an over-sized bedspread.

Trying to find bedroom items that all coordinate with each other is a hard task to accomplish for any type of bedroom. However, innovations in both beds and the bedding that dresses them can solve even your most difficult decorating dilemma. Chose a comfortable bed with the kind of mattress that gives you a restful sleep, and make sure all your bedding accessories are suitable for the size and dimensions of your bed.

A music room is about your love for music, and your family’s delight in the refined musical expressions can be an extraordinary motivation for planning the music room. It is imperative to pick fitting furniture for the music room, to upgrade the nature of the music and make listening a great deal more pleasurable. Here are five improving answers for your music room, in no particular order:

Seating

Seating is essential in your music room, as it offers an unwinding place for your family and visitors to appreciate the music introduced. Foot stools can be made out of old piano seats or comparable music-themed things, and these can likewise be an extraordinary friendly exchange or ice breaker after the music closes.

[Photo courtesy of unsplash.com/pexels.com]

Lighting

It is anything but difficult to be extremely innovative when you plan lighting for the music room. Unusable musical instruments, for example, woodwinds, clarinets, violins, guitars, trumpets, cornets, and even saxophones can be changed over into interesting lighting for the room.

Accessorizing

Beautifying the room can be as fun and intriguing as getting a charge out of the music, so don’t hesitate to get extremely imaginative with this angle. Awesome illustrations incorporate a piano, wardrobe containing guitar grimoire books with voicings and chords ever written guitar, maracas, bongos, and comparable musical instruments.

[Photo courtesy of ponce_photography/pixabay.com]

Instruments

At long last, it’s a given that you will need to have the absolute best instruments in plain view for your picked musical instrument. Take uncommon consideration to have fitting sheet music or going with soundtracks available, so you can enthrall visitors. Set aside time for practice, and keep your instrument perfect and prepared for use at whatever point you wish to stimulate companions or build up your aptitudes. All things considered, the playing of the instrument is the thing that drove you to make the music room so you can celebrate the music.

Our homes are definitely our castles. Somewhere to spend time with family and relax so we’re ready to face the world, whatever it throws at us. A home that you feel happy and comfortable in is so important. Are you making the most out of yours? Is the space being used to it’s maximum potential, and does it make you feel happy and inspired? If not, it’s time to fix that.

One option could be a complete refit from a company such as MillionDollarMakeovers.net.au. Alternatively you could pick and choose areas of your home which you want to upgrade. This will make the space functional and beautiful, and will allow you to fully enjoy your home. Here are some of the ways you can make the most of your property.

[Photo courtesy of Mike Birdy/pexels.com]

Add Extra Space

This could be in the form of an extension, a conservatory, a garden room or a loft conversion. If you need more usable space this could be the ideal choice. It could be for a home office, a guest bedroom or studio. Why not make the most of the space on your property and turn it into an additional usable and functional room.

Tackle Repairs

This could be niggly things like a wobbly toilet seat or a leaking tap, or be a case of finishing up half-done projects. Make sure everything works well and looks finished. This will make your home functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it enjoyable to spend time in.

Make The Layout Work For You

If you love hosting dinner parties for friends and family but constantly find yourself running to and from the kitchen all evening, then your current layout isn’t working for you. Consider transforming the space into an open plan area, or changing the doorway to a large arch. The same applies to things like bathrooms. If you have to traipse down long hallways or even up/down stairs to the bathroom during the night, you could consider having an en-suite fitted. Don’t adapt your lifestyle to fit your home. Instead, make your home fit the way you live.

Make it Cozy and Comfortable

Beds, living room furniture, and even garden furniture should all be chosen with the utmost comfort in mind. Having comfortable areas to relax gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy your home. Choose good quality mattresses for beds, and sofas with large, deep seats that you can sit back and lounge on. In the garden, instead of flimsy plastic chairs how about a garden three piece suite or a comfortable swing seat? Since your home is the place to relax, the right furniture will enable you to do this.

Make it Reflect You

Bring in your taste and personality to make it into a space that you really enjoy spending time in. Choose colors that you love, if you’re unsure you could go with neutral decor and bring in color with accessories. Hang artwork that you find beautiful on the walls to inspire you. Find places to display the things you love. Grouping smaller items onto trays is a good way to prevent the space becoming cluttered.