Big Box Stores Or Regional Stores For Your Mattress Purchase

Without a doubt, buying a mattress is one of the most important long-term purchases you will make. The wrong choice can result in health problems, missed work and obesity. And because mattresses are built to last at least 5 years (sometimes even more than 10 years), the decision is one you will have to live with for a long time. The long-term nature of your purchase decision means you really have to know and understand the product you are looking to purchase. So while big box stores might be able to offer considerable savings on current or older mattress models, the smaller, local retailers can often offer the right kind of advice to make sure you buy a product that will suit your and your body's needs. There are pros and cons to each type of mattress retailer. Read on to find out more.

Local/Regional Retailers

Believe it or not, but a lot of local or regional mattress and furniture retailers perform exceptionally well it comes to bedding, mattresses and overall sleep health. With retailers who earn more than 75% of their total revenues from mattress sales, shoppers can expect a much higher level of expertise when it comes to the product itself as well as how it will suit a sleeper's body and needs. In other words, the level of knowledge from regional vendors is typically high as far as the overall industry goes, so if you need advice (i.e. you have not done your research on your own) then a smaller, specialized retailer is ideal.

The flaws with these smaller stores is that the salespeople are most often commissioned. They may prefer one product over another if there are special commissions associated with selling one instead of the other. In most cases, their primary goal is to turn you into a repeat customer, so if Product A is better suited to your needs and they sell you Product B, chances are good that Product B is going to be the next-best alternative. As well, you can expect to pay a little more on the regular retail price; sales prices are ideal as they will be more than competitive compared to the big box stores.

Big Box Stores

A lot of big box stores will retail bedding products, but most often the staff are either shared (e.g. work in electronics on Saturday, bedding on Monday and lawn and garden on Tuesday) or they do not have the same level of expertise as a smaller store. This is not always the case, however; big stores like Sears and Macy's often have a dedicated staff - finding which stores have the true experts and which have the true salespeople is virtually impossible, though.

The biggest benefit with big box stores is that their prices are steeply discounted. They make great sense for the true bargain hunters who have invested the time to properly research a product and who fully understand their sleep and mattress needs. As well, these stores make it easy to test out products without the pressure of pushy salespeople who are more often salaried or paid hourly than commissioned (again, some big box stores have specialized departments).

Where To Buy

Again, depending on the shopper's knowledge level and understanding of the product, it is always best to shop at a store that will meet your individual needs. Partnering with the wrong retailer can result in long-term dissatisfaction with a product and possible consequences, which ultimately means that instead of shopping on price, shop with your needs at the forefront of your mind.

Recognizing Good Chair Upholstery and Fabric

Comfort is an important factor to take into account when considering chairs. Upholstery provides added comfort to your seats by creating a plush surface and distributing pressure while providing you with extra support.

Upholstery is not as straightforward as it sounds, and what may be passed off as upholstery may not really provide any added comfort to your seating experience. Here are some key features to look for when buying upholstered seating.

Springs

Springs provide structural support in the chair seat. The two types of springs used in chairs are coil springs and zigzag springs. Coil springs are laced together and attached to the frame of the chair and move. Zigzag springs are attached to the frame but are stationary. It is important that the springs in the seat provide adequate support; if the coils flatten out easily, it will cause the chair to become uncomfortable.

Industrial webbing

Industrial webbing provides added support to the upholstered seat. It is comprised of interwoven strips which are stapled to the base of the chair. This type of reinforcement makes the upholstery more durable and comfortable.

Cushion fill

The comfort and durability of the upholstery is dependent on the type of material that the fill is made from. Polyurethane foam and down are the two most commonly used fill materials. Although down is soft and comfortable initially, it flattens easily. Polyurethane foam, on the other hand, provides as much comfort as the density of the foam will allow. Any foam with a density less than 1.8 will flatten over time and not provide much comfort.

Fabric

Poor quality fabric will wear out quickly and expose the foam. Not only is this visually unappealing, it can also be quite uncomfortable to sit on. Consider how much use you expect to get out of the chair and how long you want it to last when choosing fabrics.

Tailoring

Not only does tailoring affect the physical appearance of an upholstered chair, it also affects its durability. Poor tailoring can be a warning sign of poor workmanship, and this type of upholstery will easily tear or come apart at the seams.

Familiarizing yourself with the components of a well upholstered chair will make you a savvy buyer and will help you choose a chair with confidence. Whether you are purchasing chairs for your home or business, it is important to invest in quality from the beginning.

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.