Welcome To Comfy Zone, Here you will find all the information you need before you buy your Bed, Mattress, carpet, Laminate, Vinyls and furniture...
BEDS AND MATTRESSES
Get the biggest you can...
If your bed�s more than 10 years old, you wake up with aches and pains, are not sleeping well, or your mattress shows signs of wear and tear, it�s time to buy a new one. There are literally thousands of beds, frames and mattresses to choose from. And since there�s no such thing as the perfect one for anyone, it pays to do your research first.
When shopping for a bed frame, getting the biggest you can will mean more space to move around, less disturbance by your partner, and a better night�s sleep. Ideally, it should be 10 to 15cm longer than the tallest of the two of you. So, what should you go for � a divan or bedstead? Your choice will come down to style and what you find most comfortable. A divan � essentially an upholstered box, fitted with castors for mobility, or on legs to create storage space beneath � won�t give you a particularly sleek look, but good ones are very comfortable.
So what sorts of divans are there?
There are four main types of divan:
� Sprung-edge divans (the most luxurious) have a complete open coil or pocket spring unit mounted on a frame. They provide even support across the whole mattress and act like a giant shock absorber.
� Solid or platform-top divans have a rigid, non-sprung top panel, often made from hardboard. These bases are generally firmer, as well as cheaper than sprung bases.
� Firm-edge divans have a smaller number of larger, heavy-duty springs within a rigid, wooden-sided frame.
� Flexible slatted divans use laminated soft woods mounted in a frame, creating a modest level of springiness.
The tension can be adjusted to suit your preference. Bedsteads, on the other hand, come in lots of different styles and materials, including those sleek, contemporary models we all love. Wooden � either rigid or flexible � slats are the most common support for the mattress. Others include flexible or rigid wire mesh. The space between slats on most cheaper, rigid bases is usually wider than on flexible slatted models, but it is worth checking the gap is no more than 9 to 10cm, as the wider the gaps, the greater the wear and tear on the mattress.
When faced with a choice, shopping for the best value, not the lowest price, makes sense. The better the bed�s construction, the better the support, and the longer it will last. Consider, too, the bed�s height. Contemporary styles tend to be lower, meaning less storage space below.
what about Mattresses?
5 must-knows about mattresses!!
� They usually last eight to 10 years.
� They will weather better if covered with a mattress protector. It�s also more hygienic as you can whip them off and wash regularly.
� Buy a topper (available at department stores), to make them feel softer.
� Mattresses should be vacuumed every now and then, but carefully so fillings don�t suffer.
� They should also be turned end to end and side to side every week to begin with, then between once every three months to once every six months. If the mattress is non-turnable, rotate it instead.
Before you buy a mattress, check it matches up to your new frame
Mattresses come in firm, medium and soft. Some of us like the sensation of sinking into a bed; others don�t. People who like to sleep on their backs may prefer a firmer option than those who sleep on their sides. The ideal is to achieve good �posture� in bed � the mattress should mould to the shape of your body while remaining supportive. Too soft and your body will slouch; too firm and you�ll feel pressure on your hips and shoulders. To check you�ve got the correct support, lie on your back, then slide the flat of your hand into the hollow of your back. If there�s a gap, the bed is too firm; if it�s difficult to slide your hand in at all, the bed is probably too soft.
So which mattress type? Foam, such as memory foam, will mould to the shape of your body then spring back (good ones have helped back pain sufferers get a better night�s sleep); latex (ideal for allergy sufferers), and, the most popular, sprung (the more springs, the better the support, and they can be zoned across the middle for extra support).
There are three main types of sprung mattress: open sprung (the cheapest), which come in a choice of tensions; continuous, more responsive than open-sprung; and pocket, the most expensive, but most comfortable. Above the springs will be a top filling, which might be made of anything from cotton to mohair � and the more filling you have, the more luxurious the overall feel of the mattress.
When it comes to your budget, what should you spend? As a general rule, you get what you pay for, but a bargain bed is no bargain if you don�t sleep well in it. Our advice? Look first at the best makes.
(Following information only applies if you are visiting our shoroom)
Once again, always test out several mattresses for at least 10 minutes each before buying. Take off your outdoor clothing (when did you last sleep in your coat and shoes?), and lie on it in different sleeping positions. If it�s the right mattress for you, you should be able to turn comfortably and it should respond to your shape and support you. Ideally, you should do this shopping trip at the beginning of the day, while you�re still fresh; later on and anything will feel welcoming!
If the bed is for two, it�s important that you shop together, otherwise there�s a chance that only one of you will be comfortable with the choice � and besides, beds feel different when there are two of you in it. If your weights differ quite considerably, you may need two, quite different single mattresses, zipped together. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier you are, the firmer the tension you will need.
CARPETS
BEFORE CHOOSING THE CARPET STYLE AND FIBRE FOR YOUR ROOM FIRST READ OUR TOP TIPS FOR BUYING THE RIGHT CARPET
While it is fair to say that carpet hardly ever wears out, appearance retention does vary according to the quality. It is essential to buy the best you can afford and the most suitable for the use to which it will be subjected. Factors to consider include:
Top ten tips
1. The room it is for and how much wear it will receive. A hall, stairs and landing, for example, will need a heavier wearing carpet than a bedroom.
2. Are there any particular fabrics or existing d�cor to be matched? What are your future decorating plans? Remember to choose the carpet first and install it last!
3. Do you want a plain carpet, patterned carpet, one with texture or a border? You have a large choice so experiment with colour and design.
4. How long do you reasonably expect your new carpet to last? Is it a �quick fix� or a long term purchase?
5. How much do you want to spend? Don�t forget to include the cost of fitting and underlay and other materials.
Having answered these questions, you are ready to buy. When you do, always remember to:
6. Get your room professionally measured. Doing it yourself, you could order too much or too little.
7. Ask us for a sample to take back home to see in your own
environment and in your own natural light.
8. Buy new underlay. It will prolong the life of your new carpet by up to 40 per cent as well as giving added comfort.
9. Always have your carpet fitted professionally and Keep any surplus carpet � you never know when it will come in handy!
10. Buy the best carpet you can afford. As with everything else, you get what you pay for and carpet is no exception.
Here are descriptions of the standard types to help you find the style which best suits the rooms in your home:-
Twist Pile
A twist pile carpet is made from yarn that has been tightly twisted and set to form a pile with a slightly textured surface. Twist piles are produced in both plain and heather colours (Heathers are created using a combination of complimentary coloured fibres to obtain a tonal effect).
Loop Pile
In a loop pile carpet the yarn forms loops on the surface of the carpet, either in uniform height, creating a level loop pile, or with differing heights creating a textured loop pile. Variations include a rustic tweed style loop known as a Berber which contains highlight flecks. Wool loops are a popular alternative to coir and sisal floors because they have the added comfort, warmth and durability of natural wool.
Saxony
Saxony carpets are longer dense pile carpets made to create a luxurious deep pile effect. Available in both wool and man-made fibres.
LAMINATE FOLLORING
When it comes to flooring, it seems man has been responsible for making some stylish, durable, and popular types of floorings that can transform the look of every room in your home. There are a number of different types of man-made flooring available today and here we give you the low down on laminate flooring.
Color scheme selection
Colors mainly determine the mood of your interior. It is important that you choose the right color combinations. Colors, light and space influence each other to a great extent. The colors of the floor, the ceiling and the walls have a substantial optical impact on how you experience the space. You can make a room seem larger, smaller, wider, narrower, deeper, higher, lighter and warmer.
What color should I choose for my floor?
You choose a particular floor not only for practical reasons but also because you like a specific color. When choosing the color of the floor, you should take into account the desired end result and influence of the other existing or planned color elements on the interior. The result of this combination is more than the sum of the individual elements. The whole space is given a new identity, as it were. Every room is different and requires a specific approach, depending on the desired end result.
Pale versus Dark: Which color should I select for my floor?
Light colors enlarge the room and dark colors make a room look smaller. This is generally known, however, what is the effect of the floor? Pale floors: If you have a dark space that you want to brighten up a bit, you should choose a pale floor. Pale floors reflect light. This will make the room lighter and it enlarge it optically. Pale colors reflect purity and tranquility, and make the room timeless. Combined with the cool colors of the walls, you can create a sober effect. But don't overdo it: in the north and the west the following applies: the whiter the floor, the cooler the atmosphere. Dark furniture and light wood floors combine very well and create surprising effects. In addition, pale floors can be combined very well with a variety of colors. Dark floors: Dark floors are the ideal starting point to create contrasts. They can be combined perfectly walls in light colors or with other dark colors which are used for highlights and accessories. Avoid harsh white and choose a shade of white such as off-white or white with a dash of a different dye. You can liven things up by adding colorful accessories in the interior. Too many dark colors will in fact result in a gloomy effect with less light and a lack of atmosphere.
Creating a spacious effect
You can create a spacious effect by combining a sober and pale floor with light walls. Lighter and cooler colors will make the room seem larger. Dark and warm colors make the room smaller and cosier. you can choose between V-grooves on the long sides or on both the long and the short sides. To expand a room optically, we recommend floors with V-grooves on the long sides. This creates a sense of depth in the room. Lay the V-grooves in the direction of the light in order to emphasize the effect. The Quick Step Elegance range of floors is ideal if you want to enlarge the room optically. The Elegance range floors have narrow planks in three different lengths. This will allow you to create a more spacious feeling than when you choose wider planks with only a single length. The color combination with the skirting boards is also important. A floor appears to be larger when the skirtings have the same color as the floor. The opposite is also true: a floor appears to be smaller when the skirtings have the same color as the walls.
Furniture and floor color combinations
Make sure the color of your floor is either two shades lighter or a lot darker than the color of the furniture. A floor and furniture in the same color and wood is only possible if you have a carpet in a different contrasting color between them. On a floor in a neutral color, e.g; natural varnished oak, you should not be afraid to combine furniture made of very dark wood such as wenge or walnut. Light furniture varnished in white will also look very attractive. Furniture in light wood combined with pale walls and a light floor create a calm ambience in the home. This is a safe approach but you may end up with dull interior. Too much tone on tone can become monotonous.
Which mood does a particular floor color create?
Floors with a yellowish beige color. Yellowish beige colors are warm, cosy and create a sense of optimism. Floors with an oak, beach or maple design can make a dark room warmer. Floors with a reddish orange color These floors give the a room very warm feeling. This color is often combined with yellow highlights. Brown floors A brown hue, especially for floors, refers to our alliance with the earth. In comparison with the walls it must always remain in the background. Brown consists of several other colors and this means it can be combined with many other colors. Brown is not a dull color; it's versatile and suitable for many different interiors, on the condition that sufficient light penetrates the room in order to make the brown color stand out. In some interiors, a combination is made of complementary colors for the floor and the walls, with the intention of creating a contrast. In other situations, a tone on tone combination is preferred. Tone on tone means that shades of the same color are combined, but with darker and lighter differences. This can create very harmonious and calm effects, however, it can become monotonous.
Combining bright floors with walls and furniture
Tropic wood types produce very warm floors. For example, Quick�Step� merbau, afzelia doussie, natural varnished teak, etc. These wood types are very lively and for this reason it can be difficult to find matching furniture and wall covering. Tip: keep the walls warm and neutral, e.g. off-white of shades of white. This creates an attractive contrast with the floor. Don't overdo the contrast effects and use maximum one or two different highlight colors.
The effect of lighting on floors
Colors in dim lighting create a different feeling than the same colors in bright sunlight or artificial lighting. In other words, the light source is an important factor in the room. Light colors reflect light and dark colors absorb light.
Impact of the floor installation on your interior
Wide planks with V-groove In the Quick�Step� Perspective range, you can choose between V-grooves on the long sides (UL) or on both the long and the short sides (UF). The planks with V-groove on the long sides create a sense of depth. Planks with V-groove on the long and the short sides create a more country-house effect. If you prefer a more geometrical look, you should choose a plank floor without V-grooves (U). Wide planks alternated with narrow ones If you don't want a traditional looking floor but something more playful, combine the Perspective floors in two widths and create a whole new look for your interior. Elegance: narrow planks in three lengths Laying narrow planks creates a spacious effect. Elegance planks have three lengths which are packed in one box. Result: 54 different wood prints which means that recurring patterns are practically impossible. Combination of natural stone and Elegance. Do you have a large room where you want to optically divide the kitchen, office, living room and lounge? The combination of laminate tiles and narrow Elegance planks is an interesting option. With a seamless joint, you can combine a wood and a tile design which are complementary but also create some variation in your interior.
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