Are Bunk Beds Safe for Kids?

Bunk beds seem to be a staple in many children's bedrooms. However, you may be wondering about how safe these beds actually are for your children. Are there any risks associated with them? What about children who don't like heights? You may also want to think about the other options for children who want bunk beds but are on their own.

What are the risks of bunk beds?

There are many risks that come with bunk beds. Falling from the bed is the most common risk and results in the most injuries. Studies have shown that this risk is greater for children under the age of 6 when they are in these beds. The ladder of the beds is also a great risk as children can slip off it or hit themselves on it. Older children who are using these beds will run the risk of hitting their head when getting up in the morning. It is possible to reduce these risks by having a few rules agreed with your children.

Sleeping on the top of bunk beds

Sleeping on the top bunk is something that any child will want to do. That does not mean that every child should do it. There are certain rules you should stick to when it comes to sleeping at the top. The most important one would be that the child has to be over the age of 6. Younger children run a higher risk of hurting themselves if they are on top. Generally it is the older child that should be placed in the top bunk. Children who are fearful of heights may have a problem with the top bunk.

Bunk beds and night walking

Does your child walk around at night? Do they have sleep disturbances? If the answer is yes to these questions then you may want to wait before buying bunk beds. Children who sleep walk should never be placed on the top bunk. Additionally, if they are on the bottom bed they run the risk of hitting the ladder when they get up. Children with other sleep disturbances should not be placed on the top bunk as well as they may fall while sleeping or when they try getting out of the bed.

Midsleepers as another option

If you only have one child but want to get bunk beds you may be looking for another option. Midsleepers are a great way to give a child a bunk bed without having the additional bed going to waste. These beds will have the mattresses raised with space under them. This space can be used as a play area or a study space. Many manufacturers now add fun items to the space beneath the bed. Some midsleepers even come with slides as well as ladders for children to have a fun and easy way to get off the bed.

Bunk beds are considered normal for a child's bedroom and children love them. However, there are a number of risks of injury that they carry and you need to be aware of them. If your children suffer from sleep disturbances or sleep walking then you will need to carefully consider whether these beds are right for them.

Bedside Tables for All Occasions and Spaces

Bedside tables are more than just a convenience. They are a necessity these days, as the modern bedroom has become something of a retreat from the workaday world we live in. While people used to barely spend eight hours in the bedroom, today's master bedrooms are built as a sanctuary of comfort and luxury.

In the old days, an alarm clock or even a glass of water could be placed on a dresser off to one side. But as we spend more time watching television, reading or surfing the net on our iPads in bed, bedside tables have become indispensable.

While you could conceivably make due with a floor model lamp for lighting, it's far nicer to have a small table lamp that is scaled to your bedroom. Bedroom lamps are made specifically to fit on bedside tables. Typically the base is smaller, consuming less table space. It is also shorter in stature, allowing you to easily reach over and turn out the light when it's finally time to get some shuteye.

There are other bonuses to bedside tables as well. While you can opt for a table that is open on the bottom with a shelf, you can also get one with one or more drawers so you can keep all sorts of things near your bed. This can range from additional books and eyeglasses to those unmentionables you love to wear, but don't want to always have in a shared dresser.

Of course, who doesn't get an occasional runny nose in the middle of the night? A box of tissues next to the bed will be a real convenience, should you get a case of the late night sniffles.

While you could go to any discount store and find a serviceable table, top quality bedside tables are easy to recognize and add to the beauty of your room, rather than detract from it. One of the great things about bedside tables is that they don't have to be a traditional nightstand. If a table is the right height, nearly any occasional or accent table can be used bedside.

The key is to find bedside tables that fit your needs, including your personal tastes, usage and storage needs.

When thinking about which bedside tables are best for you, first consider what you'll be using the table for. Will it just hold a book and tissues, or will you need a space to store cosmetics, remote control, chargers for your cell phone or iPad, etc.

You also want the table to fit your décor. This should be fairly straightforward. If you have a traditional bedroom set, then you want to go traditional. If you have modern, then stick with modern. However, you can vary this a bit, by going with an accent table, which is meant to stand out on its own. With accent tables, you can also change it up a bit, going with two different accent tables, one for each side of the bed.

Shape and size is something you also want to think about. While nightstands are typically square, you can add visual interest to the room by going with an oval or round table instead. If you're going to go this route, however, keep in mind that these tables need a little extra elbowroom since you need a larger table to get the same amount of table top.

If your room is on the small side, you may want to consider having just one table next to the bed. You never want to overwhelm a room with too much furniture, even if you treasure the extra storage it offers.

Most important, be sure to pick out something you like. There are literally hundreds of choices out on the market and as with any quality piece of furniture for the home, you'll be living with your decision for a long time.

Where to Go Shopping for Furniture

Furniture shopping can be a rather daunting concept. The thought of having to first find a store and then walk through it can put anyone off. It is for this reason that more and more people are looking for local stores to do their furniture shopping.

Why use local furniture stores?

The first question that may pop into your mind is why you should use a local furniture store. There are a host of advantages from not having to spend money travelling far to faster delivery. In today's economy with the price of petrol rising you don't want to have to travel very far to go buy furniture. Additionally, local stores are more likely to give you right price furniture. Delivery is something to consider when buying furniture. You generally need the furniture so you don't want to have to wait too long to get it. A local store can get the items to you much faster than one on the other side of the country.

Where can you buy furniture?

If you are looking to buy furniture from your local store there are many ways to find them. Certainly there are many stores in your city that sell furniture. The stores that you will find are not branches of large corporations which means that they price may be lower. If you are, for example, looking for furniture in Limerick you could try Instore which has been selling furniture since 1988. You can find a local store or a branch of a nation-wide chain.

Online furniture shops and their benefits

There is of course another option if you don't want to go out and find an actual store. Online furniture shops have increased in number and the benefits that they offer. One of the main benefits is that you do not have to leave home to view a large range of furniture. Additionally you can move from one store to another with just the click of a button. In order to get you business many stores will offer fast and free delivery of your furniture regardless of where you are. Reviews are another benefit of shopping online. You no longer have to hope that you made the right choice when it comes to furniture. There are stores that rate and review the furniture so you can see what other people have to say.

Discounts and furniture sales online

Online furniture shops will often have discounts and furniture sales. The reason for this is that they have to compete more fiercely to get you business. These sales can make a great difference to your budget and even allow you to get more than you originally thought possible. Discounts are things that everyone looks for and it is a great way for stores to get more customers. You can get discounts online for a single piece of furniture or a whole collection.

Where to go shopping for furniture is something you may wonder about. There are many local stores that you can try. These stores may be part of a chain or not but they do hold a host of benefits. Additionally, buying online also has a host of benefits that you should think about.