When shopping for a new bed most of us focus on aspects such as comfort and style. Yet when pushed to make the most out of smaller bedrooms we often find ourselves having to compromise in order to allow for storage space. The good news is that today there are such a diversity of bed designs available that no compromise is needed at all. What follows is a short guide to space-saving beds.
Doubles and Small Doubles
Double beds are often discussed in terms of standard doubles and king size doubles, with the former averaging around 140cm wide and the latter averaging around 150cm. Of course, doubles and king size doubles are available with a good amount of storage space by way of under-bed drawers. However, for those really eager to save space, small doubles are designed specifically for this purpose and offer the comfort of a double but are just a little smaller – mattresses average around 120cm in width and 190 cm in length – and often come with shelving built into the headboard.
Singles
When it comes to single beds, wooden and steel frame beds are very popular currently and offer plenty of space underneath to store bits and bobs. Again, singles are also available with drawer storage too, yet when considering buying such a design consumers should be aware of whether the drawer will be easy to use when placed in a room full of furniture.
Teak, or Jati as it is called in Indonesia where it comes from, is a popular hardwood that has found a place in the world of patio furniture. It is not, contrary to popular opinion, a timber from tropical rainforests. In fact, it cannot be grown in such an environment, but rather in the dry plantation forests of Southeast Asia.
The teak tree is ready for harvesting when it reaches a height of about 150 feet and a diameter of around 3 to 5 feet, or about 50 – 60 years of age. If properly cared for it may produce a high timber yield of about 30 meters. One of the characteristics is a large leaf, about 12″ and similar to a tobacco leaf.
Perhaps, the best thing about Teak patio furniture is the durability. Teak can withstand many weather conditions from the hot and humid temperatures of the tropics to the sleet and snow of northern climes. However, if you want to buy patio furniture that is going to last a lifetime, then Teak is your best investment. By investment, I mean that a nice set of teak patio furniture, one that you may use on your deck, patio, lanai, or terrace, will cost roughly about $3,000. And it will require maintenance in order to keep it looking beautiful for years to come.