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Cardio Considerations – 6 Benefits of Kettlebell Training

November 20, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

The Russians have given a lot to the world and have always been leaders in gymnastics and powerlifting. Kettlebells are a great tool for developing overall, functional strength and cardiovascular endurance. Try doing four sets of lap pulldowns versus kettlebell swings and you’ll notice a big difference.

There are plenty of benefits to using kettlebells, so begin incorporating them into your weekly workout routine.

Compact Equipment

The best thing about kettlebells is that you can get a complete full body workout combining resistance training with cardio. With a Kettlebell Set that can be stored in the corner of a room, you can do a variety of exercises, and work your entire body. But be sure to get the right form for some of the harder exercises.

Combine Your Strength and Cardio Workouts

Functional training is the best route to overall fitness. Depending on your goals, using kettlebells can be one of the best and fastest ways to achieve optimum fitness and physique. Kettlebells activate the use of stabilisers, enhancing mobility and the exercises increase coordination and motor skills.

It’s possible to lift weights in a traditional resistance program and not break a sweat, but after a kettlebell workout your entire body will know it has been pushed.

It Can Be Easier On Joints

Given that you’ve warmed up properly, using Kettlebells can be easier on your joints given the flow of the exercises. Rather than lifting, pulling or pressing dead weights repetitively, kettlebells incorporate a range of continuous motion that is more natural for the body.

Most Kettlebell workouts also incorporate full body exercises, so you’re getting a great workout while not necessarily only targeting one specific muscle group. Your core muscles, and legs will be activated for much of what you do as well.

Burn More Calories

If you’re time poor, which most city-livers are these days, then a 20-30 minute kettlebell workout can give you the same caloric burn as an hour or more of jogging. Combining your resistance training with your cardio, you can kill two birds with one stone and get in and out of the gym (or your home or office) faster and back to work, knowing that you’ve had a good workout.

Increase Your Flexibility

We should all be stretching and doing yoga regularly to stay and increase our flexibility. Training with kettlebells can also aid in developing your flexibility and your range of motion. But be sure to warm up properly, don’t jump into these exercises that push your range of motion with cold muscles.

Improve Your Awareness of Your Body

As you develop your range of motion, coordination and motor skills, you are also developing a better sense of the body you live in. Exercising can be mindless – just look at all those people on the treadmill – but when using Kettlebells you need to be focused and in tune with what you are doing.

This improved awareness will carry over into other aspects of your life and/or sport. Just as yoga and pilates improves your mind and body connection, so too can Kettlebell exercises and functional training.

Get someone to show you how to use them to begin with, the last thing you want is a stupid injury from not knowing what you’re doing that sets you back. Do a couple of group training sessions or book in with a personal trainer for a few sessions to get your technique and movement down and to learn some basic exercises.

Most gyms offer some free PT sessions with membership so make the most of them and learn how to use kettlebells. The rest you can do from the privacy of your own home, office or in the gym.

Image From: https://www.onnit.com/academy/kettlebell-cardio-for-cardio-haters/

The Summer Saviour: 6 Weather-Wise Ways to Prepare Your Garden for a Heatwave

November 13, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Summer is fast approaching, and what a time it is. Time off from work, spent at the beach or firing up the barbie with your nearest and dearest. Christmas presents and New Year’s Eve parties. Long evenings spent in the back yard, with a cool drink at hand and your garden growing lush around you. However, all that warm weather can be a green thumb’s mortal enemy. Let’s check out six ways you can summer-proof your garden.

Keep it Watered

Plants need water to survive. Rain is not the most common occurrence during the hotter months, and those direly needed showers can be few and far between. You need to ensure your garden stays wet and watered during summer. A sprinkler system can be a great way to do this. You can set it on a timer, so you don’t have to worry about wasting water or a giant water bill. If this isn’t your cup of tea, make sure you get out there with the hose every morning and night!

Keep Your Soil Cool and Moist

You want ideal growing conditions for your plant friends, and cool and moist soil is your best bet. But exactly how are you going to achieve that when the weather is so hot and dry? A good layer of mulch is a great place to start. You can pick up mulch from your local hardware chain, and you are spoiled for choice. There is pea straw, pebbles, pine bark or sugar cane, all of which function as a protective layer. An added plus here is that mulch helps keeps the weeds at bay, too, so you’ll save time down the track that you’d usually spend weeding.

Prepare in Spring

It’s ultra-important that you get the ball rolling in spring, so you’re not left high and dry in summer. Firstly, remove any dead flowers from your plants. If you leave these on, you run the risk of those plants going to seed.

Secondly, keep an eye out for pests and disease. If your plants come down with the sickness during summer, they can find it harder to bounce back. You want to identify and treat any conditions in spring, before it gets too hot.

Finally, apply some slow-release fertiliser to your smaller shrubs to give them a boost of energy during summer. If you have mature, established shrubs, skip this process.

Firm Boundaries

Some plants are a lot like schoolchildren, they need firm boundaries in order to flourish. We’re talking about those aggressive plants that like to take over the rest of the garden. Talk about pushy! Summer is a great time for these cheeky muffins, as they have more sunlight to power their growth. Take some action to restrict their movement.

One trick to achieve this is to pop them in a large pot, cut the bottom of the pot off then plant everything in the ground! Yes, including the pot. The plant will look like it’s growing from the ground, but the pot will contain the growth.

Prune, Prune, Prune

Spring is the best time to do some serious cutting back. Target your woody ornamental shrubs – such as rose bushes and hydrangeas. Ensure you use good quality gardening tools to do this, because you want a nice clean cut. Cut just above dominant buds, or close to the main trunk of the plant.

There You Are

Prune back certain shrubs, contain aggressively growing plants, do the majority of your prep work during springtime, install a sprinkler system and keep your soil cool and moist and your garden should survive the upcoming summer!

Not as Tricky as You Think: Learning How to Add a Valve

October 30, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

There are likely to be plenty of DIY enthusiasts who may think that a job like adding a valve to an irrigation system is too complicated for their level of skills, but this is a typical example of a job that can often be easier than you might believe.

Here is a look at why you might to do something like adding a valve and the basics that you need to know in order to get the job done successfully, including understanding how your system works, the essential aspects of the job, plus some troubleshooting hints if the installation doesn’t go to plan first time around.

Adding a zone

A good starting point is to understand the basics of your irrigation system and what happens to control the flow of water.

The water comes into the system under pressure normally from the main water supply system, and output of that water is controlled by a series of valves depending on how many zones you have.

If you want to add a new zone you will need to add a new valve.

Your first task is to locate the valve box which will normally be installed with a cover at ground level and your aim should be to add a valve closest to where you want the new zone to be.

Getting started

Turn off the water supply before you begin working and then pre-assemble the new section before attaching it to the T-joint of the main water line.

You may well be able to get the items you need and other tools and equipment from this site so that you have everything you need to complete the job in one visit.

If you follow some basic instructions for this procedure you will see that it is not as complicated as it seems when describing the procedure.

Fixing the new section in place

You can use the pre-assembled section to determine how much of a section of the source pipe you need to remove.

Once you have that information you can cut the section out and proceed to attach the other end of the of the PVC union coupling to the appropriate outgoing section of the source pipe.

The next step is to use solvents to attach the valve assembly to the source pipe, before completing the job by screwing both ends of the union coupling together.

If you find that the union leaks when the water is turned back on, turn off the supply again, before repeating the process with more solvent until the coupling doesn’t leak with the water supply in full flow.

Adding a valve should be within your DIY capabilities if you follow the instructions and have all the right tools and accessories you need, and it will prove that your range of skills are wider than you give yourself credit for.

Once you have this job cracked you can look for something more ambitious that might be as equally less challenging than you envisaged.

A Future Culture-Vulture: Use Your Travels to Inspire Your Kids

October 30, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Developing a love of culture often starts at an early age and if you expose your children to works of art and arrange a variety of cultural experiences, there is a good chance that their interest could develop into a passion.

A vacation is often the perfect opportunity to soak up some cultural highlights and give your kids an education while having some fun. Here are some pointers on how you can use travel to inspire your children to appreciate the arts and history.

A chance to inspire and educate

If you arrange a stay at somewhere like a Marriott New Jersey hotel you will often find yourself in an area that offers access to a range of free attractions like museums and art galleries.

There’s a lot to like about a museum when you are on a family trip and you don’t have to pay an entrance fee, but there are more valid reasons to go inside than the obvious attraction that you don’t have to reach for your wallet.

Museums offer a great opportunity to expose your children to some new experiences and broaden their understanding in a positive educational environment.

This exposure to learning and the chance to satisfy their curiosity will often prove to be the foundation for a greater connection to the world around them and the history that has shaped where we are today.

The power of art

Art has the ability to shape our feelings and perception of things like very little else can and many people have been inspired by a certain work of art that ended up having a profound effect on them.

Letting your child view some great works of art and allowing them to form their own opinion on what they are looking at and what it says to them can really help their creativity and critical thinking.

It’s a win-win situation as you can enjoy soaking up the culture too while knowing that your children are enjoying the experience in their own way at the same time.

Sign up for the tour

Many of the major museums and galleries and plenty of the smaller ones too offer a free guided tour of their works.

It can be a good way to enrich your learning experience and work your way around the exhibition in the most efficient way possible. Getting the inside track on the works from a knowledgeable tour guide is only going to help improve your enjoyment of the visit.

Follow the rules

You want to encourage your children to explore and appreciate the displays but it is also a good idea to set some ground rules if they are young and haven’t been exposed to this sort of environment before.

Fill them in on the usual protocol for visiting a museum or gallery, which includes no running and no touching, unless it’s interactive for the kids, which will be highlighted anyway if that’s the case.

It would also be a good idea to ensure that they have comfortable clothes and shoes for the trip so that your kids don’t start to flag after a couple of hours of walking around.

Take advantage of the chance to expose your children to some culture when you are on vacation or whenever you get the chance and enjoy seeing how it broadens their horizons.

The Delectable Dark: 6 Tips For Designing A Hauntingly Beautiful Black Kitchen

October 16, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Ok, perhaps the color black doesn’t come to mind when you think of your kitchen colors. The fact is, designers and taste makers are gravitating to this versatile color for the hauntingly beautiful effect it creates in our favorite space in the home. Now, before you splash black on every wall and surface in your kitchen, it’s important to remember these 6 tips.

1. Trust the experts

Everyone loves a good DIY project, but some areas need to be left to the professionals. The kitchen is one of those areas. Industry leaders like Brentwood Kitchens have already taken those risks with daring dark colours and worked up that experience, so fortunately you don’t have to.

They also work to a productive timeline, which means your weekends and weeknights aren’t spent scratching your head when your beautiful black kitchen isn’t ready to go when you think it will be. Turn your Pinterest dreams into a tangible plan and start talking to those in the know about how it will look, and when they can get started.

2. Don’t overdo it

The reason black kitchens are finding their way into Vogue Home is because it’s unexpected and done well to balance. Decide early whether it’s black benches, counter tops, appliances or cabinets and stick to those specifications so you don’t get carried away and end up not being able to see the black between the black. The haunting effect will only be achieved if there is a color to contrast against.

3. Choose complementing colors

The sky really is the limit here. Everything goes with black, but try and stick to only one or two complementing colours or your kitchen will look like a mid-life crisis. White or cream is of course timeless, although don’t shy away from a bright pop if the rest of your space will allow for that fun. If you are bringing in a new marble bench see if there are any shards of color in the marble that you could use to complement your black.

4. Lighting is key

Black kitchens can be a real feature in any home, but beware the effect it can have without proper lighting. Light bulbs come in all different shades and brightness. Choose a light which compliments the space and offers a contrast to the darkness. For example, a warm white may not necessarily do the job, but a pearl might offer that brightness without clashing.

When it comes to watts you should consider your kitchen at its darkest. If you have natural light during the day great, but think more middle of the evening. Look towards a mid-range wattage for all bulbs. The contrast of the light and the dark kitchen will create a hauntingly beautiful space.

5. Know your kitchen style and space

Classic, modern, contemporary and minimalist – there really is so many styles of homes and kitchens. Some house and kitchen styles will be welcoming of the black color palette, and others you may have to work a little harder to incorporate it.

6. Make sure it fits the rest of your house

When it comes to bold design features and accents we tend to think every room needs its own flavor. This can be a design nightmare. When planning out the rest of your home try to consider one central theme that can run throughout the home. All the while, ensuring that theme compliments the new beautiful space you’ve just created in the kitchen.

Think accent furniture pieces and perhaps even a complimentary rug or floor piece. All of the elements should work together and offer a level of consistency and style together.

A black kitchen is a room when done right can be hauntingly beautiful. If you want to make that jump into the world of design and style then use these six tips when creating your very own black kitchen.

Imagery:

https://au.pinterest.com/pin/Ab8I_sdXx5nWu97nUwF1Y7UIRJ7KVGNYAJopckQHGUpANhiBlFL0AgQ/

Self Employed Tradesman Insurance

October 10, 2017 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

Self-employed tradesman insurance provides valuable cover for tradesmen and subcontractors. Roofers, plumbers, electricians, bricklayers, and other tradesmen have to work with their hands. You use power tools and heavy equipment. The risk of injury to self, others, and property damage is always there. There is also a chance that the work you do may lead to injury and damages after completion. Basically, there is always a chance that you may have to face liabilities arising out of one situation or another. Self-employed tradesman insurance helps you meet the costs arising from such liabilities.

Such a policy makes eminent sense, because unlike tradesmen employed by others, you do not have an employer taking care of the business’s insurance needs.

If you have to face a claim and you don’t have the backing of an employer, then you may have to do a bit of running around. With a policy in place, you have trusted people that you can consult and take appropriate steps. This is a huge benefit of self-employed insurance for tradesmen. You could be staring at a claim or multiple claims when you least expect it; if you have to pay from your own pockets then it could derail business growth, stress your resources, and also affect your personal life.

A well-rounded self-employed tradesman insurance policy is your ticket to a stress-free work life.

Look for a policy that offers the following types of cover –

Public liability insurance – This insurance is the bedrock of any tradesman insurance policy. It protects against claims made by customers and third parties for injuries and property damage. At the very least, you should aim for £1 million public liability cover. Your insurance company can raise this limit depending upon your needs. You can learn more about public liability insurance at Tradesman Saver if it’s something you know you need.
Financial loss – Insurance providers offer financial loss cover as a free adjunct to public liability insurance. It is a very useful cover to have. It protects you from costs arising from claims made for financial loss that does not arise from injuries or property damage. It is not difficult to visualize scenarios in your trade where such claims may be made against you.
Products liability – This is another cover that your insurance provider may offer free, along with public liability insurance. It comes in handy if the product you make or supply leads to personal injury or property damage. While this insurance is not a legal requirement, the insurance offers protection against a barrage of claims should an entire batch or more of products turn out faulty.
Legal expenses – This is a valuable cover to have. It gives you the ability to take legal action and face legal action without worrying about costs. This cover is meant for legal costs arising out of situations apart from injuries and damage. It covers employment disputes, property matters, tax litigations, VAT appeals, compliance issues, etc. The cover also allows you avail expert legal advice and run your business smoothly.
Employer’s liability – Employer’s liability is a legal requirement. It is invariably sold separately and not available as a free add-on. Employer’s liability works out cheaper when you purchase it bundled with other covers. This cover protects you from claims raised by staff injured in the line of duty.
Tools and equipment liability – Your tools and equipment are essential for your work. Regardless of whether you are a gardener, driver, or window cleaner, your tools enable you to earn a living. Tools and equipment cover for the self-employed tradesman extends to theft and damage. With this cover in place, you do not have to worry about paying for equipment from your own pocket.
Contractors all risks – As the name suggests, this is a comprehensive insurance for contractors. If your self-employed tradesman business involves accepting contracts then this cover is a useful one because of its scope. With this cover, you are insured for tools, construction site, temporary structures and hired-in property.
Business contents – This insurance covers expenses related to business contents, such as desks, furniture, fax systems, IT hardware, and software. As a self-employed tradesman, you depend on these things to stay in touch with clients, meet regulatory obligations, and ensure that you finish projects on time. Without business contents insurance, you could be looking at immediate and stiff out-of-pocket expenses.

The Belated Buying Guide: 6 Time Sensitive Tips For Deadline-Driven Gift Shopping

September 27, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Well, it’s almost that time of year again folks!

You know what I mean. That “most wonderful time of the year,” and yet in reality, the lead up to it can feel more like absolute chaos.

No matter how organized we say we’ll be, the idea and impending task of Christmas shopping seems to send the majority of us into a sense of madness. That fear that creeps up on us, before the hurried dash to buy all those last minute gifts.

So, to take some of the stress out of seasonal present preparations, here are six tips to help those of you beat the rush, subdue the panic, and meet that looming deadline for fantastic gifts.

Shop online

So many of us hate going into the shops at this busy time of year, especially men. Let’s admit it. How many of us have done the last minute race to buy a gift? However, you don’t have to worry, online shopping can reduce the hassle, and you don’t have to go anywhere. No crowds, no car park rage, it’s a Christmas miracle!

Yes, shopping online may be considered more of a millennial idea, but so long as you plan, sites such as Yellow Octopus can have your man’s perfect gift to him ready in time for the main day.

Get in first

If you are brave (or crazy) enough to front up to the retail stores in the last few days, plan your shopping time. Get to the shopping centre/mall early enough so that you can map out the stores.

If you have to drive a fair distance, plan your quickest route to get there. This can help reduce the stress of parking and the mass of crowds as you try to get to the corresponding store for each related gift.

Make a list

We all know how Santa’s song goes “…He’s making a list and checking it twice.”

However, when working to a deadline, taking a tip from the jolly man and making a list probably isn’t such a bad idea. Write out all the gifts and corresponding people for whom you want to buy a gift and mark them off as you purchase each one.

Then check that you have bought for all on your list. This way you will have “checked it twice.”

Office secret Santa

Now we all know about deadlines when it comes to our workplace. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t have a little festive cheer.

Forbes has some great gifts that work well for the office, aren’t expensive and will suit everyone, from the organised colleague to your supervising manager.

Gift vouchers

Yes, now we come to what would be inclined to be the lazy person’s way out.

However, if you know your person’s favourites, this can save you a large amount of time and hassle.

If your receiver loves movies, a gift voucher to their local cinema can be a great choice. Those such as the Village Cinemas gift shop offer cards for Gold Class or All Inclusive Experience.

Appeal to their likes

If you’re really stuck for a gift, think of what they like. Are they someone with a sweet tooth?

Based in Queensland, Moo – Lolly Bar sells a great range of confectionery that you can buy in bulk, which you can send to anyone from colleagues, to your family and friends. They ship nationwide; including rural areas and you can buy online, a perfect idea for any chocoholic.

There are my six time sensitive tips to help you meet your gift-buying deadline. I hope the festive season is kind to you, and also to your wallet.

How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Workshop

September 21, 2017 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

Everyone has a creative streak in them. Whether they express this as art, music, photography, or even general craftsmanship, every artist needs a space in which to work and to create. For most people, this is as simple as giving over some room in the home to your artistic pursuits. For some crafts, however, such as wood or metal work, more specialized equipment is required. This equipment is often too large to be placed inside the house and is instead suited to a garage or dedicated workshop.

Setting up such a workshop can be expensive, but if you are passionate about your craftwork then it is a worthwhile investment. For those who don’t have the space to give over in their own homes, there is also the option of constructing your very own outdoor workshop. Below are some top tips for constructing your very own workshop outdoors.

Check Your Local Building Codes

Before you begin planning your dream outdoor workshop, it’s important to know what restrictions there are on the type of structure you’re allowed to erect. Building codes will vary between states. Also make yourself aware of the relevant regulations regarding wiring and electronics if you are planning to run power to your new workshop. Doing this stuff beforehand will make everything that follows run that bit smoother.

Local building codes will also dictate what materials you can use. Usually it will either be timber or steel. In either case, ensure that you scout out potential suppliers ahead of time and check existing reviews of them to ensure that you’re dealing with someone with a good reputation like Armstrong Steel.

Base and Walls

This is the logical place to start. You’ll want to first grade and compact the soil under where you intend to situate your workshop. Once that is done, you need to make sure that everything is level; lay some heavy blocks down and leave them overnight. Check that they remain level.

Rafters and Roof Work

Notching each rafter you install will allow you to fit them more securely, and more easily. Many builders also opt to use metal hurricanes to provide even more support. In some states, this is required by local building codes, but even where it’s not, it will make your build more secure.

When it comes to choosing a material for your walls, a simple system of batten and board is inexpensive and gets the job done. Make sure to seal and paint the outfacing board to protect it against the weather.

Doors, Storage, and Work Bench

These are usually the final features to be put in place. For the doors, it is a good idea to hold them in place using clamps and then paint them and allow them to dry before putting them on hinges.

If you’re into woodworking then you’re going to need somewhere to store all your lumber while still leaving room to work in. You can help yourself here by choosing a work bench that leaves enough room underneath to use as storage. Be creative with how you arrange the space you have. Once you start really thinking about ways to creatively improve your storage space, you’ll start seeing opportunity everywhere.

Building the perfect outdoor workshop is a fun project that, while challenging, will leave any builder feeling proud and any craftsman eager to take it for a spin!

Simple and Cost Effective Ways to Prevent Break-Ins

September 20, 2017 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

If you are worried about your home getting broken into while you are out or during the night, we have some steps that should help with the issue. Even though none of the below steps are going to give you a 100 percent guarantee of no break-ins, we believe these steps will ensure the risk is close to negligible. Here are some simple and cost effective ways to prevent break-ins.

Stop Showing Off

It may sound obvious, but if you are going to show off your wealth there is a much higher chance of you getting robbed. And that is especially true if you are not living in a highly secure neighborhood. If you have an expensive motorbike or bicycle do not leave it out unattended. If you have pricey electronics do not throw the boxes they came in to an area that is clearly visible to those who are passing by. And if you have those expensive electronics set up in the house avoid leaving the drapes or shades open while you’re out so that everyone can see your huge screen TV.

Trick Burglars

One of the best ways to ensure you are not robbed is to give the illusion that you are always home. Even when you are heading to work, keep one or two lights on. You may even want to leave the TV on or some music playing as that will really make people think there is someone in the house. Statistics show that a break in is far less likely if someone is home.

Secure Your Windows

It is always a good idea to keep all of your sliding doors and windows secured. You may think no one is going to realize your back sliding door does not lock, but all it takes is for a burglar to try getting inside. We suggest connecting with locksmiths in Perth so they can help you get all of these doors and windows secured. It is much better to be safe instead of coming home to a place that was robbed because your window was unsecure.

Stop Leaving Spares

We have all seen this in many movies or television shows –homeowners leaving a key under the mat or a nearby pot. Do NOT do this under any circumstances. Unless it is for a specific occasion and the key will only be there for a couple of hours, it is a bad idea. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that burglars don’t know this too! The first thing they’ll do is look for a ‘hidden’ key – and they know all the good hiding spots.

Get an Alarm System

With most alarm systems, you are getting a high level of protection for a very low price. And sometimes all it takes is having one of those signs in your front yard that says you are a customer for an alarm company. It will deter burglars, because they know that an alarm is going to go off if they attempt to get into the house through a door or window.

Four Affordable Mattress Options Every Flat Owner Should Consider

September 19, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Every home has limited space – it goes without saying that this doubly applies to flats. With small bedrooms (and small rooms in general), you only have so much space to accommodate a mattress or sleeping area. Because of this, you want to get the absolute maximum efficiency out of the process.

Some bed types take up more space than others, and others may not even fit through smaller doors and entry ways. As such, seeking out the best options that balance size with comfort should be a top priority. To help you out, let’s cover four affordable mattress and bedroom options that any flat owner should evaluate when making their next bed-related purchase.

Futons

Originating from Japan, the futon is the quintessential bedroom solution for those in flats or with limited space. Generally consisting of a mattress set complete with duvet, the futon can be folded into traditional seating solutions during the day and rearranged each night as a bedroom solution.

While the futon may not be the ideal solution for those with severe pains or particular back conditions, it is by far one of the most affordable mattress options on the market. Sleep Junkie rates the futon as one of the most popular bedding options in high-density areas because of its compactness and overall affordability.

Adjustable Beds

For those who need a bit more customization in their bedtime routines, an adjustable bed may be just the item. Especially useful for flat owners, these beds can be configured in any number of positions to maximise both floor space and comfort during night-time hours.

Much like the futon, an adjustable bed can be contorted to serve as de-facto seating in some situations (though not as ideally as the futon). Single- and double-partner adjustable bed variations are available, making it possible to procure a smaller, individual bedding option or something more optimised for two sleepers.

Bunk Beds

Many people think of bunk beds as ideal merely for children, but this bedding solution may go farther than any other in maximising floor space in tightly-packed flat environments. You’ll be able to utilise this option either for two children or for you and a roommate.

Ultimately, bunk beds are rather affordable, but the true advantage lies in how compact they are; you’ll literally double the amount of space available when compared to two comparable mattress sets.

Day Beds

Designed to function in many of the same ways as a futon, day beds add a bit more style to any cosy flat. These can be used not only for sleep, but also for lounging and hosting guests in common areas of the flat.

The best way to describe a day bed is a hybrid between a couch, bed and lounge. There are many variations of the day bed available at all price points, but many affordable solutions exist on the market that simultaneously maximise floor space.

Fighting for floor space is a common problem in any cosy flat, but finding a bedding option that makes things simpler doesn’t have to be hard. With these four choices, you’ll be able to spend less and enjoy more room at the same time.