Buying Bedding and Bath Essentials for the Home

Two of the most important areas for making a comfortable and enjoyable home are the bedroom and bathroom.  These areas provide moments of style and luxury to savor. Nothing is more magnificent and satisfying than having bedding and bath the way you yourself want them.

Bedding for the Bedroom

Ever look in a magazine and see the perfectly put together designer bedroom of your dreams? Everything is perfectly coordinated and looks so inviting you wish you could just climb into the pages, lie on the perfectly made up bed, look out the window and call the butler to bring you a drink.  Well, the butler may be a little difficult to come by but a beautiful designer bedroom is no longer just for those in the pages of magazines. Today, all major department stores and even the major online discount stores offer almost unlimited selections for any budget- fantastic things that are fantastic values.

If you have a flair for design, you can find coordinating comforters, window dressings, shams and dust ruffles to mix and match. Is color or feel more important to you in your sheets? Pre-shrunk sheet sets from 250 up to 1000 thread count are available to match any look you like. Luxurious throws of soft acrylics, wools or even faux fur are there for the taking. Designer European square pillows and all manner of coordinating throw pillows are on the shelves even for those on a budget. Even feather beds and down accessories are there to keep you toasty on a winter night. Are you allergic? There are even down alternatives you cannot tell from the real thing!) The only limit to creating the bedroom of your dreams is your imagination.

Another trend is changing you bedroom for the seasons. Make a bed with a light colored bedspread, wispy drapery and cotton rugs on the floor for spring and summer; rich tapestry comforters, thick, full curtains and a feather bed topper for fall and winter.

If you are not so creatively inclined, you can find everything done for you in “bed in a bags”. If you can make a bed, you can have a perfectly put together designer look with no thought other than choosing a design or color. Many of these also include matching sheet sets, throw pillows and curtains so do not despair if you do not have the designer genes! These are also great for guest rooms you do not have the time to dedicate yourself to as much as your personal oasis. Just take it out of the bag and have a designer bedroom in minutes!

Kid and teen bedding are becoming more and more popular. Every color and pattern under the rainbow can be had, even those you did not know existed in real life – i.e. electric green zebra print! From character bedding for your toddler, to animal or abstract prints for your teen, your child can have a bedroom like a celebrity.

Baby bedding has become so extensive and popular, there are stores dedicated just to that special little one. Baby duvets, soft jersey knit sheets, dust ruffles and all manner of coordinating bedroom items make decorating the nursery a pleasure. Again, the limit is only your imagination. Designer sets are available for any taste, from simple colored blocks, to jungle animals to paisleys of every description.

Technology has not been spared in the bedroom either. Electric blankets are no longer the rough, itchy blankets with wires running through them. Today they are soft vellux with imperceptible heating elements, which you and your partner can control separately. Special memory foam mattresses and pillows can scientifically cradle your aching back or neck. Breathable fabrics and waterproof covers make having breakfast in bed not so hazardous. Even remote controls for the curtains or shades are available so you can block that pesky sun if you want to sleep in on the weekends and forgot to close them the night before!

Some stores even supply the coordinating furniture. Lamps, bedside tables, steps to the bed and even headboards can be found. Lovely trays for those breakfast in bed mornings or for a romantic midnight snack can be found for the bed. Canopy fabrics to create a secluded sleeping space, wall coverings from lush to eco friendly, artwork from the classic to the abstract and sculptures from jungle animals to garden benches can be selected for a truly one of a kind bedroom.

So do not let those designer looks intimidate you any longer. Take a trip to your convenient online department or discount store and look around. The hardest part will be making a choice from all the incredible selections. Once you see the possibilities in front of you, you will not be able to resist creating your new showplace bedroom, or even redoing all the bedrooms in the house! Butlers might be harder to come by.

For the Bath

How does one create the ultimate bathroom experience? That may sound like the beginning of an off color joke, but rest assured it is not.

Let us face it; there are only so many purposes a bathroom is designed for. Planning for your bathroom to be functional, yet elegant is possible.

One of the first things to consider is how far do you plan to go? Are you planning to simply paint the walls, and put a new shower head on and call it a day, or are you planning an all out makeover for your bathroom? The difference can be stunning. It can also be expensive.

If you are a handy do it yourselfer, you can save quite a bit, since you will not need to hire a professional. If you have a problem swinging a hammer, perhaps you might want to hire a contractor to do the job.

Certainly, a new color on the walls, new rugs, and shower curtains can spruce up your bathroom, and give it new life, but if time, and money are not a consideration, you can replace everything.

The first thing to look into is replacing the toilet. Purchasing a newer water saving toilet can eventually pay for itself. The varieties of style and color are endless. You can get a toilet, sink, or bathtub all in the same color and material, if you look hard enough, and are willing to pay for it.

Efficiency in emptying the bowl is often a factor in purchasing a toilet. Newer models have a limit of 1.6 gallons per flush. There are times when this does not seem to be enough. Enter the pressure-assisted toilets. Using a sealed tank allows pressure to be built up in between flushes. This in turn creates a pressure differential, that increases the water pressure swirling into the bowl, and gives you a power flush. Think of it like power steering on your car.

Whatever you do, make sure that you replace the wax seal before installing the toilet.

Consider the vanity. You can opt for a one sink or two-sink variety. If you are a couple, having two sinks can eliminate one person having to wait for the other to brush their teeth.

Storage can be built into the vanity. Most will opt for cupboards directly under the sinks, and perhaps a set of drawers on each end. You can even further organize the drawers by getting drawer dividers, to make finding things easier.

If space is at a premium, perhaps some shelves built into the wall can help. You would be surprised at how much space you can save this way.

One of the most important, and most expensive aspects to refurbishing your bathroom, is the tub/shower unit. If you have plenty of room, you may want to keep the tub and the shower separate. If the opposite is the case, then you will want a combination. Either way, you have plenty of options available to you.

For a freestanding shower, you can install the type that has jets built in at to allow you to receive a body massage whenever you like. These have jets on a 180 degree radius, at various locations.

If you have the space available, you can build a platform for you bathtub that will allow you to install a large tub spa. Similar to the shower, these have built in jets that give you a luxurious bath time experience.

You can also purchase a walk in tub, which might make it easier for people with chronic pain to get in and out of their bathtubs. This type of tub is built with a door that you can open and step into, without having to climb over the side of the tub. One should be cautioned not to open the door when there is water in the tub.

Flooring is also something you should think about during a bathroom-refurbishing project. Bathroom floors tend to become damp, if not downright wet. Vinyl flooring is the floor most professionals recommend. You can use almost any type of flooring, including wood, and wood laminates, but they must be waterproofed.  Most tiles are fine, but ceramic tiled should probably be avoided, as it will get quite cold in the winter in many locations.

If you put down any throw rugs in your bathroom, make certain they have a no stick backing on them, to avoid slips and falls.

If you have an open tub/shower, rather than one that is enclosed, a shower curtain is obviously a necessity. You can go from simple, and functional, to functional and decorative. There are also many different types of shower curtain rings. Some are round, and made of a plastic, and you can get metal styles as well.

Your choices are nearly endless to create a bathroom space that is uniquely yours.

What to do Next

In conclusion, there are many options for bed and bath shopping.  The important thing is to take that first step forward toward your design dreams, and buy some first items.  Don’t worry about it. Don’t fret. Just find something that appeals and grab it before it goes away.

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