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Hannah Amos: Top 5 Summer Trends for 2020

Hannah Amos: Top 5 Summer Trends for 2020

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Brosa Design partners with The Block’s Hannah Amos, designer and interior stylist who takes us through her top five interior trends for Summer 2020.

Sustainable & Mindful Choices 

‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’ – William Morris

To me, this quote means creating a sustainable home in a slower, more considered way, evaluating what you really need and buying less, but better. Summer 2020 will see a shift towards meaningful change, with environmental and social awareness driving many of our shopping decisions. It is all about making mindful choices and thinking of the impact of our actions, including our purchases. Expect to find biomaterials in homes in 2020, such as building supplies made from recycled products and ethically sourced materials. Mindfulness is emerging as a clear trend for 2020. 

The Roma Sideboard is a stunning piece, featuring unique brass foil detailing and matching gold metal legs and handles. The Roma has been expertly crafted using solid mango wood, which is known for its strength and sustainability.

Home Is Where the Bar Is

Staying in has become the new going out and entertaining is bigger than ever. Offering both style and convenience, the bar cabinet is the perfect entertaining accessory. 

Blame it on the fact that we are all too tired to head out, or that we are looking to bars, restaurants and hotels for interior inspiration, to create a relaxed, bar-like feel at home. 

Consider your bar cabinet a key focal point of your room, it should always tie in with the rest of your interior aesthetic and be treated as a visible decor piece. To make it a cohesive statement in your room, pair it back with an eye-catching artwork and keep it chic and visually interesting with tonal accessories, pretty glassware and fresh or dried blooms. 

Check out my pick of the Alpina Bar Cabinet if you are feeling inspired to embrace this trend.

Back To Nature With Earthy Tones

If you love rich earthy hues, soft pastels, or moody blues, you’re in for a treat. These are the top palette picks you’ll be seeing everywhere in 2020. Earth tones will remain big for the foreseeable future, and the revival of green is hot on the list for 2020. 

Millennial pink has had a good run for the past couple of years. However, 2020 is a time for change, and green will be taking centre stage. Paint brand Dulux has selected a cool-tone shade of green as its Colour of the Year for 2020, which is meant to offer an antidote to an “increasingly disconnected” modern society. Dulux says that Tranquil Dawn “embodies the nation’s mood on the approach of a new decade”. “It reflects a growing desire to understand what it is to be human at a time when advances in technology are making us feel increasingly disconnected from each other,” explained the brand.

While sage green has begun to make its mark for the upcoming year, the indoor plant trend is going nowhere and 2020 we’ll see more of us bringing some of that colour into our walls. Soft olive greens are extremely soothing and create a calm energy in a space, while also pairing well with natural light timber. 

The Kate Daybed is sure to make all your friends green with envy.

Curves In All The Right Places 

Step aside straight lines and sharp edges – the curved furniture trend is here and I am here for it! Interior design trends in 2020 come in all different shapes and sizes and curves is one of them; it’s an easy way to totally refresh your interiors and make a statement. 

We are seeing a major comeback of this popular mid-century inspired design, especially when it comes to upholstery. Expect to see them everywhere from architectural arcs, mirrors, bath tubs and of course, it will remain trending for sofas and armchairs. As much as we love drooling over these kinds of vintage pieces in antique shops, the reality is they are often pretty pricey. But fear not, for the curved armchair of your dreams is here and totally in your price range. I introduce to you… the Seta Armchair. Designed for modern contemporary homes, the generous proportioning gives a soft luxurious feeling. Seta is perfect for sinking in and lounging in comfort.

The Seta Armchair will take your living area to a new level of style.

A Marble Moment

Forever elegant and sophisticated, marble has a long history in interiors and it is here to stay. With its soft, unpredictable veins and endless colour and pattern choices, it will bring glamour to every corner of your home. 

This year, marble will be present everywhere! Whether a small vase, coffee table or entire wall, it will add impact and timelessness to your interior. Its adaptability to both classic and modern spaces makes the natural material so versatile and easy to work with.

Metals are marble’s best friend and anything with warm tones goes; think gold, copper or brass. To keep the look refined, don’t overpower the room with too many luxe metals, instead look to marble furniture with gold gilded edging, decorative trays and elegant vases that beautifully marry the two materials.

My favourite? The Cushla Side Table with its classic gold detailing.

Get the right fit: The 5 S’s of choosing a sofa

Get the right fit: The 5 S’s of choosing a sofa

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Sofas, lounges, couches – whatever you may call it, a sofa is an essential piece of furniture within every living room. From entertaining your guests to family movie night, sofas are guaranteed to be used daily, by everyone in your home. 

Contrary to popular belief, finding the right sofa isn’t as simple as buying the first design you see. To provide some clarity and helpful tips, here are five essential factors to think about when shopping for your best sofa, yet. 

Size

Como Motion Modular 3 Seater Sofa with Chaise – Brosa Living Room Furniture

Size is one of the most important considerations to make when choosing the right sofa. After all, if the sofa doesn’t fit your living room, then what’s the point? If you’re unsure about where to start in this area, we’re here to give a helping hand.

In terms of measurements, the general rule of thumb is to have the sofa approximately 152 cm long, 91 cm high, 102 cm deep, with about a 48 cm height for the seating. However, if you’re one for a cheeky afternoon nap every now and then, you need to extend the horizontal height too. In this case, extend the length measurements from 152 cm to 229 cm for enough comfort to lie down or nap.

But not everyone is amazing in mathematics (and that’s okay!). Simply remember the 2:3 rule instead. The sofa should be about two thirds the size of the entire room. If you decide to add in a coffee table too, that should then be two thirds the size of the sofa (if no chaise) or one third to half the size of the sofa if it has a chaise.

To visualise all of this properly, it’s a great idea to actually draw your measurements out onto a big piece of paper and cut it out. This gives a template of measurements that you can bring with you while shopping. Alternatively, try an online mood board tool which helps you style your room with your favourite pieces from Australian stores (like Brosa).  It also saves you time from having to measure every sofa piece you see in stores or online. 

Style

Madeline Chesterfield 3 Seater Sofa – Brosa Living Room Furniture

Style is another important consideration to make when sofa shopping, as style is often a reflection of your personality. It conveys to guests your tastes without you having to say a single word. With this in mind, it’s essential to keep the sofa style cohesive with the overall vibe of your living room. If you are living by the coast perhaps you have a more coastal Hampton’s vibe as opposed to someone living in the city with a modern industrial styled home – consider what style you have and how that may be interpreted into your sofa choice. 

There are few ways to approach style. The most common way is to make the sofa the centrepiece of your living room. Thus, the first piece guests will see is the sofa. Their eyes will then bounce to other pieces in the space, but regardless the sofa has done its job of enticing guests into the space. On the other hand, the second way is making the sofa blend into the entire room. When guests see your living room, they’ll notice the overall style of the space instantly, rather than be drawn to one piece at a time. So what you need to think about is whether or not you want the sofa to shout your style loud and proud, or do you want it to subtly whisper it instead.

Once you’ve sorted this out, the next step is to consider the unique aesthetic of the sofa. The top three most popular sofa styles, especially within our loyal Brosa community, are:

    • French Provincial Sofas – classy and vintage are two words to describe this style. French Provincial furniture, especially sofas, are all about suave curves and smooth frames.
    • Chaise Sofas – While generally simple in style, they more than make up for it through functionality. If you’re the type of person who loves putting their feet up after a long day at work, chaise sofas are the way to go. Note that the extra space to put your feet up means chaise sofas are typically bigger than your average sofa.
    • Chesterfield Sofas – Chesterfield sofas are a classic cult favourite in the furniture world, and for good reason too. What really sets this style out from the rest is the tufted detailing, which gives a classy and chic vibe to any living room it’s in. Chesterfield sofas can be seen as more of a traditional couch, but with velvet fabrications, bold colours and different sizes you can make them work in any styled home. 
    • Hampton’s Sofas – evoking a relaxed sea side vibe, the Hampton’s design speaks to a traditional yet relaxed aesthetic. Fabrics in lighter colours often made from a linen blend are essential within this design style. 

Shade

Mila 2 Seater Sofa – Brosa Living Room Furniture

The shade of your sofa is an important consideration to make, as the colour of the sofa can evoke certain moods and feelings depending on the colour scheme. Ask yourself: how do you want the space to make you feel? Do you want it to feel calm? Neutral? Or even bold and passionate?

A good way to approach this is to consider the primary colours first, the mix and play with their different variants. You can go darker or lighter – whatever you feel like. To help you out, here is an overview of common colours and the moods they evoke:

  • Blue – Calming. This colour is said to help you feel more centred and serene. Perfect for more coastal homes, with a Hampton or relaxed design style.
  • Green – Lively. Green is recommended for those suffering from anxiety, as the shade helps you calm down and encourages inner zen.
  • Red – Passionate. Red is an excellent colour to show off your bold personality. The deep shade really helps the sofa to pop out in your living room, which is especially good if you’re using it as a centrepiece. The Notting Hill Velvet Chesterfield sofa in red is a popular choice, being bold in colour and design it is sure to make an impact in any living room. 

If you’re having trouble in this area, creating a colour palette may prove useful to you. We recommend digital tools like Coolers to do this.

Softness

Firmness and softness is another important factor to take into account when hunting for the right sofa. This depends on the purpose of the sofa. If you are using it for guests and only guests, a firm sofa is better. This is because generally, guests won’t be staying in the one place in your home the entire time. A firmer sofa makes it easier for them to not only sit upright, but easily stand up when needed. 

On the other hand, a softer sofa is ideal for everyday family use. When you sit on a softer sofa and sink in, it creates more of an informal and casual vibe. Perfect for events like movie marathons, date nights indoors, or just a place for you to lounge on your own with a good book.

At Brosa, we offer a range of sofas with different softness levels making it easy to find the perfect sofa for you.

Easily filter the entire sofa & seating range, according to your desired softness level.

What Softness Do You Prefer?

We have interviewed some of our customers and asked them to share their thoughts. Take a look at what people are saying about these different softnesses, and decide what’s the best for your home.

Pleasantly Plush

Relatively soft. Subtly smooth. You’ll feel it fit to the contours of your body when you sit. It gives you a cosy place to recline with gentle support.

Mellow medium

Not too firm. Not too soft. It’s right in the middle, and gives a bit of both. Designed for a crowd that’s hard to please.

Softly supportive

We’ve got your back. Literally. Layered foam filling provides a firmer fit. Supportive, with just the right amount of softness.

Strongly supportive

Our most supportive level is for those who prefer a firmer feel. It eases pressure points evenly across the body. Enjoy a better posture.

Sensibility & Practicality

And last but not least, ask yourself: is the sofa sensible to your home and requirements? For example, getting a big and spacious sofa would prove disastrous for a small space like an apartment. Whereas, a small sofa would look rather awkward if the space was especially large. When you’re trying to find the right sofa, it’s all about being practical to you. Not only does your sofa need to fit your budget, but also your lifestyle and your family (remember the family dog!) too.

When it comes to sense and practicality, it’s also essential to consider the material of the sofa. If you have any family pets, a leather sofa is ill-advised as their claws may accidentally rip through the material. On the other hand, if you opt for a sofa that uses fabric, ensure you have a spot cleaner on hand for any unexpected stains that shouldn’t be vigorously wiped off with a cloth.

Hopefully, this article provides you with a solid framework to think about when sofa shopping. While it would be perfect if a sofa fits all of these requirements, the reality is, most of them may not exactly fit every requirement you’re thinking about. So it comes down to a matter of preference – ask yourself: which of these factors are the biggest priorities for you and your home? Good luck!

Try our new sofa selection tool that helps you customise your requirements and finds the perfect match for you.

Have any other tips for sofa shopping? We’d love to know in the comments below!

Need a helping hand with interior styles and inspiration? Brosa is the perfect place to start when shopping for furniture online.

The Importance of Sleep: Top Tips That Will Help You Sleep Better

The Importance of Sleep: Top Tips That Will Help You Sleep Better

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We all lead constantly busy lives: whether it be work, family or the never-ending to-do list, it seems there never is enough time in a day. Among these priorities (work, family, commitments) that form the pillars of our lives, sleep becomes less of a priority. The way we sleep dictates our mood during the day, our sense of productivity and our overall quality of life, so why are we letting it slip lower and lower in our list of priorities?

According to a recent study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society, it is recommended adults snatch seven or more hours of sleep per night. This golden seven-hour rule should be no secret to us. But with a third of the study’s population getting six hours or less, it’s clear our actions don’t reflect this knowledge.

If you knew how much this sleep deficit impacts on our quality of life, you may be more inclined to grab a few extra hours, and soak up the sanctity that your bedroom provides. A recent survey involving over 28,000 subjects showed those whose sleep time was outside the seven-hour mark had substantially worse quality life, associated with physical illnesses.

Sleep More – Improve Your Quality of Life

1. Physical Health

According to the Restorative Theory of Sleep, shut-eye time allows our body to repair and rejuvenate, through repairing tissue, boosting muscle mass, synthesising proteins and releasing growth hormone.

These processes are essential to developing the strong immune system we need to operate optimally on a day-to-day basis. Indeed, a study that exposed a cold virus to its subjects after monitoring their sleeping habits, showed that subjects who had less than seven hours of sleep were three times as likely to get sick than those with eight hours of sleep.

2. Maintaining your weight

One of the lesser known benefits of sleep is better weight control. A 2005 study by Archives of Internal Medicine showed that overweight participants sleep less than participants of normal weight.

Why?

In our bodies, we have a hormone called leptin – key to making us feel full. But when you don’t sleep enough, leptin levels drop. This causes you to feel hungrier than usual, making you reach for those high-fat and high-calorie foods you know you should avoid.

3. Good sleep = good mood

Getting enough sleep won’t instantly flick on your happy switch, but it’s true that when you’re tired, you’re more likely to be cranky.

Lack of sleep negatively affects the way your emotions regulate, often increasing your stress levels through amplified moodiness, anxiety and aggression. While sleep won’t eliminate all your stress, it will increase your readiness to cope with it.

4. Improved memory

We all have two types of memory: the declarative “what” (e.g. what is the capital of Australia?) and procedural “how” (e.g. how do you open a door?). Both of these are key to our day-to-day lives.

Studies show that while we sleep, our brains process and consolidate memories — both declarative and procedural. Safe to say, when you don’t sleep enough, these memories may not get stored properly, or worse, get lost altogether.

5. Mental clarity

Sleep affects the way you think. When you lose sleep, you’re far more likely to make silly mistakes (e.g. leaving your phone in the fridge) and become worse at solving problems than if you’re well rested.

Why?

When you don’t sleep enough the night before, the neurons in their brain are not able to function optimally the next day. Your ability to focus and decision-making abilities are significantly impaired.

More importantly, our safety is compromised when sleep is disregarded. The Institute of Medicine highlights that one out of five auto accidents in the U.S. is a result of drowsy driving, resulting in 1 million crashes a year.

How to Sleep Better

 

Allow quiet time before bed

Whether it’s the latest episode of Game of Thrones or the last few outstanding emails in your inbox, we understand the struggle. “Just five more minutes!” you reason with yourself. But it’s essential you spend these last five minutes up to half an hour before bedtime away from stimulants.

 

Doing work close to bedtime stimulates your brain and may cause you unnecessary stress, making it hard to sleep. In fact, bright lights from the TV and laptop can hinder the development of melatonin – the hormone that actually helps you sleep.

 

Take a hot shower.

Hot showers help you fall asleep, by relaxing your muscles. But do make sure you don’t take one too close to your bedtime. This can lead to overheating and sweating, making you uncomfortable and preventing you from falling asleep.

Try to keep the same bedtime over weeknights and weekends.

Staying up late and sleeping in at different times across your week disrupts your body clock’s circadian rhythm. It’s good to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, allowing your body to learn the optimal time to sleep.

 

OK, being practical, we understand that social events over weekends mean this is not always possible. While it’s okay not to follow your bedtime down to the minute, try to allow no more than an hour’s difference.

Sleeping Tips for Expectant Mums

 

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the hardest things about pregnancy. Sweats, aching hips, heartburn that gets worse as you lie down — these side effects of pregnancy make the whole sleeping process difficult.

With the increased size of your abdomen, you wonder, what is the best sleeping position for both you and your baby? Is sleeping on your back okay, or is that bad? It’s important to find the right sleeping position and conditions for both you and the baby growing inside you.

 

Pregnancy: Finding the right position

1. Sleeping on your tummy

Certainly, this is OK to do during the early stages of pregnancy. As you move deeper into your pregnancy, you should avoid this sleeping position and will inevitably find you can no longer do this anyway.

2. Sleeping on your back

Much like sleeping on your tummy, it is OK to sleep on your back during your first trimester, but best to avoid in the later months of your pregnancy.

When you sleep on your back, your growing baby puts pressure on your spine, back muscles, intestines and, more importantly, major blood vessels that circulate blood to your heart.

So this position could restrict the amount of blood and nutrients that reach your placenta and baby. It could also cause your blood pressure to drop, leaving you feeling dizzy and nauseous, not to mention muscle aches and pains when you awake the next morning.

3. Sleeping on your side

Sleeping on the side, otherwise known as SOS, is the best. But which is the best side to sleep on – left or right?

The answer is your left. While sleeping on your right-hand side is much better than sleeping on your front/back, it’s still not as good as sleeping on your left. Sleeping on your right puts pressure on your liver while sleeping on your left prevents this.

Recommended by doctors and midwives, sleeping on the left allows your baby to receive the right amount of nutrients and oxygen through the placenta. It also helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body.

Make use of pillows: positioning a pillow under your body keeps you on your side, preventing you from rolling onto your stomach or back.

While sleeping on the left is the best, don’t panic if you wake up on your back or your right-hand side. Staying in one position all night isn’t comfortable, so it’s okay to turn from side to side; though, of course, favouring the left side is best.

 

Strategies to sleep better during pregnancy

 

Apart from honing the right sleeping position for both you and your baby, many mothers-to-be struggle with falling asleep. Below we have a few suggestions to help you ease your way into a good night of sleep.

1. Skip late night snacks

Consuming food and drink within two hours of bedtime will increase the likelihood of reflux or heartburn, so it’s best to avoid this.

 

2. Prop your body

Get a firm pillow and prop your head and upper body a few inches higher. This will put less pressure on your diaphragm, helping you breathe easier during the night.

 

3. Make your bed comfortable

As your spine will suffer more pressure than normal due to the extra weight of your stomach, try arranging different sized pillows in a way that would elevate your body and relieve back pain. A mattress pad is also handy in providing more support for your back.

 

4. Turn down the temp

The right sleeping environment is key to a good night’s sleep. As your body heat does increase during pregnancy, experiment with your room’s thermostat and find a temperature that is right for you.

5. Unplug well before bedtime

This is the golden rule most of us forget about in today’s tech-savvy day and age, but so important when it comes to getting a good night’s rest.

Be sure to remove any external stimulation from your presence fifteen minutes before bedtime. This includes social media, books, laptops, newspapers, television. Allowing your mind and body to unwind and relax at the end of the day will help you fall asleep better.

Getting a good night’s rest with a baby growing inside of you is no easy feat, but there are ways to make it easier on yourself, such as finding the right sleeping position, following a nightly ritual and creating a comfortable sleeping environment.

Sleeping with Back Pain

Back pain is common and affects most of us at some point in our lives. Recent estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that about 1.8 million Australians suffer from back problems. It has also been estimated that around 70-90% of people will suffer from lower pack pain at some point in their lives.

As sleep is a time for repairing tissues and boosting muscle mass, it makes sense to look at how you can reduce back pain through sleep. Your sleeping position itself may even be causing the back pain, instead of repairing it! Today, we look at the best and worst sleeping positions specifically for back pain:

Worst Sleep Position for Back Pain: The Freefall

Freefall sleepers, you may want to think about changing up the way you sleep. As sleeping on your stomach can flatten the natural curve of your spine, this may put additional strain on your back muscles — thus, making your back pain even worse. As your neck is crooked to the side while you sleep, this results in back pain between your shoulders.

If you’d like to continue with the same freefall sleeping position, the next best thing would be to put a pillow under your lower abdomen and pelvis. This is to support the natural curve of your spine.

 

Best Sleep Position for Back Pain: The Log

In the Log position, you lie on the side with both arms by your side. This position keeps the spine straight, which would help ease your back pain. Aside from this, side sleepers can also draw their legs slightly towards the chest with a pillow between their knees to further alleviate pain.

For Back Sleepers: Put a pillow between your knees – this is to allow your spine to maintain its natural curve.

 

Creating the right sleep spot

When it comes to sleeping, creating the right environment is just as essential as your sleeping position. Comfort differs from person to person. You may prefer a hard mattress or a soft one, or vice versa.

It’s important to choose a mattress that fully supports your back; so do some research beforehand and try sleeping on various mattresses in-store when you select your mattress. A firm or medium-firm mattress is usually the best option. Brosa mattresses are available in 3 firmness options, and are constructed using the most eco-friendly processes in the world; no chemical, no waste – these are Australia’s cleanest and greenest mattresses. That’s enough to help you sleep better at night!

Aside from this, it’s also helpful to use a contoured pillow to alleviate neck strain. Alternatively, you can sleep on just one pillow, instead of a stack of pillows, to keep your body level.

While the log is the best sleep position for back pain, it’s fine to move around a bit while you sleep – don’t literally be a log! In fact, if you maintain a sleep position for too long, this may actually amplify your back pain.

Back pain is not fun, and unfortunately, it doesn’t stop when you go to bed at night. So it’s important to find the right support for your back when you sleep. You can position pillows unique to your sleeping position, or altering your sleeping position to alleviate the pain.

We hope the above suggestions will help all of you with back pain in getting a better night’s rest and some back pain relief.

Creating a Bedroom Sanctuary

So you have implemented a screen free bed routine, are informed of all of the benefits of chamomile tea and have selected the perfect mattress, what’s next? Consider the orientation of your bedroom furniture to really make a sanctuary for your sleeping.  Here are a few of our favourite bedroom styles featuring hero bedheads and beautiful furnishings, pick your style and create the sanctuary of your dreams.

Add a Little Luxury

Stella Gas Lift Bedhead – Brosa Bedroom Furniture

Do you ever find that you sleep perfectly when away on holiday or in a hotel room? Bring that luxe hotel like vibe to your own home with a quilted bedhead, sumptuous fabrics & fresh linen.  Adding that little bit of luxury will make you want to spend more time in your bedroom – the dark colours and soft textures also provide a calming effect that will allow you to drift into a soft, settling snooze.

Bring the Outside in

Frank Queen Slim Bedframe – Brosa Bedroom Furniture

The Frank Collection provides the ultimate mid-century mood, perfect for modern Australian homes. The stunning wood craftsmanship is complemented with brass detailing across the furniture suit and when coupled with soft textures and plentiful amounts greenery it evokes a real sense of calm. When settling in for the night, consider utilizing an oil diffuser with native scents and allow yourself to drift off to sleep in this laid back bedroom sanctuary.

Coastal Calm

There is something special about falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. Whether you are located near the coast or simply crave that Hampton esque lifestyle, channel sea side relaxation with your Bedroom suite. The light and breezy feel, will help provide that holiday relaxation – calling for an afternoon siesta, every day of the week. The light wooden bedframe coupled with netural textiles help achieve the sense of easiness – bring in some greenery and add the sea side sound for the full effect.

For more bedroom furniture inspiration – visit Brosa.

One for all? Not at all. Find the perfect mattress and finally get a good night’s sleep.

One for all? Not at all. Find the perfect mattress and finally get a good night’s sleep.

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Find the Perfect Mattress For You

Getting a good night’s sleep is something we yearn for everyday, and often starts with the mattress you sleep on. You might be surprised at how much you need to consider for something as simple as sleeping.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society, seven to eight hours of sleep is recommended for optimal health. And while sleeping may sound as simple as closing your eyes and dozing off, it’s not. Your mattress actually plays an important role in how well you sleep through the night.

Contrary to popular belief, opting for a ‘one for all’ mattress actually sets your body up for a myriad of problems in the future. Everybody is different, and as such, there are certain characteristics you should look out for when mattress shopping.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into different kinds of sleeping positions and the corresponding characteristics you should be looking for when mattress shopping.

Sleeping position 1: Sturdy Soldier

What this looks like: This is the most common sleeping position. Your back is lying in line against the mattress, arms on the side, with your legs stretched out. Just like a soldier.

Because your spine isn’t contorted into unusual positions, medical practitioners consider this position as the healthiest one to adopt. Fun side fact: it’s also great if wrinkles are an area of concern for you, as your face won’t be pressed up against a pillow which can accentuate ageing over time.

What to consider: This sleeping position certainly has its perks, but your spine is doing all the hard work. Therefore, a mattress that supports the natural curvature of your spine is first and foremost when it comes to mattress shopping.

Too soft will encourage your spine to bend away from the body, resulting in bad posture in the form of a physical slump, like a hunchback. On the other hand, a mattress that is too firm won’t mould well with the curve of your spine, emphasising tension in the upper shoulders and hips.

Ideally, find a mattress that’s medium firm to maintain support for your spine, but has some softness to alleviate pressure from your upper shoulders and lower back. The mattress should work in tandem with your spine, not against it. As it is naturally curved, it’s only right that a mattress should be able to conform and move along with it.

Try our medium mattress: Super Supportive Mattress

Sleeping position 2: Cuddly Curlers

What this looks like: Another way to imagine this is the foetal position. It often involves curling up into a ball. Generally, you’ll be sleeping on your side with knees bent upwards into your chest.

While this position can alleviate snoring, the dramatic curl not only puts stress on your bent spine, but it also deregulates air circulation around your body. Because the body parts are in such close proximity to each other, there is very little breathability as opposed to say, the soldier stance previously mentioned.

What to consider: With all that in mind, the breathability quality of a mattress is the most important characteristic to think about when mattress shopping. Prioritise mattresses that have an open structure inside. The open space in this structures optimises airflow as your sleep through the night, circulating and distributing your natural body heat evenly across the bed.

This also prevents excessive night sweating, as your body won’t need to work as hard in order to cool down. The extra benefit is the prevention of odour build up, which can accumulate over time if heat isn’t being properly distributed. Another perk is simply not waking in a puddle of sweat.

Try our soft-medium mattress: Perfect Plush Mattress

Sleeping position 3: The Logger

What this looks like: This is another position you might take when sleeping on your side. You can imagine this by picturing a log. Arms and legs are straight against your body. More often than not, sleeping like a log is often a precursor to other positions, for example curling up in a foetal position or sleeping on your stomach.

If you’re pregnant, this position is best recommended as it distributes the weight between you and the baby evenly. This is also a great position to take up to stop snoring.

What to consider: When sleeping in this position, there are more curves in your body to consider. Namely, your shoulders, hips and knees. These areas will be receiving the most pressure. If this is your go-to sleeping position, the mattress needs to be able to support these joints by supporting the uneven weight and extra pressure on one side of your body.

That said, the balance should be the biggest consideration to make when hunting for the right mattress. A mattress that is soft and sinks in only adds to the pressure on your joints. A mattress that is a little more on the firmer side will benefit you as it won’t encourage your hips to sink down further, disrupting the natural alignment of your spine you’d generally have when sleeping like a log on your side.

Try our medium-firm mattress: Super Supportive Mattress

Sleeping position 4: Yawning Yearners

What this looks like: Think of this as the middle point between the Cuddly Curler and The Logger. You’re sleeping on your side like a log, but your arms are outstretched in front of you. This is a common sleeping position for couples, as it often leads to cuddling together. Not to mention, it also prevents acid reflux disease and sleep apnea.

What to consider: The pressure points to be mindful of in this position are the elbows and shoulders – they will be receiving the most pressure. Meanwhile, the strain on your neck may increase depending on how you’ve positioned your outstretched arm on the bed. If you’re cuddling with someone while sleeping, you also have to consider airflow restriction between the two bodies, as you’d be in close proximity to your partner.

If there is more than one person in the bed, a soft mattress is the way to go. Ideally, the mattress will be memory foam for better support overall, as a coil spring mattress limits the airflow ratio. A memory foam mattress also has better motion resistance than coil spring mattresses, meaning you won’t feel your partner’s movements throughout the night.

Try our soft and supportive mattress: Perfect Plush Mattress

Sleeping position 5: Sleepy Stomachs

What this looks like: Unfortunately, this position is the most uncomfortable one to adopt. Your stomach is facing downwards towards the mattress, while your legs and arms are often splayed out in different directions on the bed.

This doesn’t get any better. You won’t only not get a good night’s sleep, the unusual promotes plenty of health problems you should steer away from. Namely, long-term back pain that worsens with age. The only good thing about this position is that it could minimise snoring.

What to consider: Although this position may alleviate any snoring, every part of your body is contorted in an uncomfortable manner. If you are using a pillow, you’re likely to sleep with your head facing the side, thus putting more strain on your neck. Your lower back may also be twisted weirdly due to the positioning of your legs.

While medical experts consider this as the unhealthiest sleeping position, at the end of the day this might be the only position that gets us to sleep. Everybody is different. That all said, a firm mattress is the way to go if this is the case.

Memory foam is an excellent place to start because they are already firmer than their counterparts, spring mattresses, which rely on coils to provide support. A thick and dense mattress minimises sagging, providing you with an even surface to sleep in. Sleeping on a mattress that is too soft will encourage major sinking in from your middle torso, further accentuated by your weight. The bending and significant arching of your back will create enormous strain throughout the night. This is what creates the long-term back pain, not to mention your lack of a good night’s rest.

Try our firm mattress: Firm Favourite Mattress

Shopping for the right mattress shouldn’t feel like rocket science. Despite that, it’s always the little details and characteristics that can make a world of difference to your sleep. After all, sleep is detrimental to your overall health, especially in concern to your productivity levels.

Use this guide to steer you in the right direction when you’re mattress hunting. Regardless of what you opt for, one idea remains for sure: never go for a ‘one fits all’ option, as everyone is different and most likely, these mattresses won’t cater to your specific needs.

When you’ve found the right mattress, the next step is building up your bedroom style. Bedheads, bed frames, and bed bases are excellent places to start.

The basics to sofa styling

The basics to sofa styling

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The living room is one of the most visible parts of your home – the way you decorate it will be a constant reflection of your personality to every guest that walks through the door. Perhaps the single most important item in this room is the humble sofa.

Here’re some quick ideas to get you started with sofa styling.

Start with a solid base

Styling a sofa is almost like painting a masterpiece. Sure, your sofa may look pretty flash, but in the end, it is simply a blank canvas waiting for a few cushions and throws to really bring it into the spotlight.

Having said that, there is no point investing in beautiful cushions or plush throws if the sofa they will be adorning is one that you don’t love. If the foundation of your soft furnishing arrangement already looks to have one leg in the dumpster, it might be time to upgrade to something a little more up your alley. Opting for a neutral piece – such as the John 3 seater sofa – will give you the perfect base to embark on your styling journey.

Add cushions and throws

There is something addictive about cushions – no matter how many you already own, there always seems to be room for more. Cushions are the low maintenance solution to creating that coveted ‘cosy feel’ in your living room.

Then there are throws. Not just a way to stay warm in winter while bingeing on Netflix, throws come in all shapes, sizes and textures – a well-draped throw can really take your sofa styling to the next level.

Know the magic number

The key to a perfectly balanced sofa is to rotate, rather than hoard. Not only will too many throws or cushions take up precious seating space, they can also create a feeling of clutter and leave your actual sofa invisible – a dozen strong cushion collection does not need to be displayed simultaneously. The aim is effortless style rather than soft furnishing addict, and there is a big difference between eclectic and excessive! On the other hand, a lone cushion on an enormous sectional sofa can leave the space feeling bare and incomplete.

An odd number of furnishings – such as three cushions and a single throw – works well for a more casual and relaxed feel. Utilising symmetry through an even placement of cushions and throws will produce a more formal or traditional setting. If the in-laws are coming over for dinner, try arranging your furnishings on either end of the sofa to give the space a formal feel. Entertaining friends with a casual weekend barbecue? Group the cushions to one side of the sofa for an instantly relaxed vibe.

Keep it complementary

What better way to embrace the cooler months than with a sofa styling update? Switching out a couple of cushions to stay on trend is much gentler on the hip pocket than having to purchase new furniture every season – not to mention much more eco-friendly. Take inspiration from the colours and textures of autumn – embrace reddy-orange hues with a thick linen throw or add autumn greens with the Elementary Cushion Olive Green with French Beige.

However, when choosing cushions and throws the first thing you need to consider is the colour and material of your sofa. Just like an ivory dress can make pale skin look completely washed out, a poor cushion choice can leave your sofa feeling displaced from the rest of the space.

The goal is not to match colours to a tee, but rather pick a certain tone, texture or theme to tie the whole space together. Take cues from the existing furniture and décor in the room – a tan leather cushion may look stunning on the showroom floor but bringing it home to your brown leather sofa will see it lost in the sea of leather.

The beauty of most sofas is that their single block of colour acts as a perfect base for and creating depth with textures and patterns. Add visual interest by choosing an assortment of cushions and throws with different elements. Pair a rectangular velvet number with a pair of smooth cotton cushions, or a round thickly woven cushion with a light linen throw. From Mongolian lambswool to shiny sequin, the mix and match possibilities are endless – just keep the size of your sofa in mind. An oversized cushion may look striking on a large sofa but will simply dwarf a smaller design and make the space feel odd and disproportioned.  

Look at the bigger picture

Sofas are not used in isolation; rather, they form part of the bigger picture: the living room. This means that when styling your sofa, you should also consider the décor immediately surrounding it. The floor lamp used to read your favourite book, the side table where your cup of tea rests and the statement art directly behind the sofa all play a major part in creating the perfectly styled sofa. Pick complementing décor that will help unify the space rather than leave each piece battling for the limelight.

And don’t forget about the chop! ‘Chopping’ your cushions with a quick karate-like flick will have your style oozing with on-trend style.

 

Tricks to sneaking in storage on a budget

Tricks to sneaking in storage on a budget

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While often overlooked, storage is one of the most important elements of a well-organised home. With many Australians foregoing backyards for balconies, making the most of the available internal space becomes a top priority. Built-in linen closets, cupboards under the stairs, roof cavities… even stair drawers are smart options for adding storage to a home. But what are all the homeowners and renters without the opportunity to add structural changes supposed to do? Here are a few simple ways to introduce storage and eliminate clutter – no matter the size of your home.

Clear out

Before rushing out to add storage-specific furniture to your home, ask yourself, “Do I really need all the things I’m planning to store?”. From dedicated popcorn makers to lava lamps and flared jeans (no, these aren’t coming back in style anytime soon), material objects have an amazing way of accumulating over time. While there is no need to adopt Japanese minimalism, a household inventory review is a great way to reduce mess – and save you from buying storage solutions you don’t actually need. So, don’t wait for spring to clear out that snow globe collection.

Store and display

Open wall shelving is a great option for displaying anything from cultural collections and tourist trinkets to inspirational books and personal photographs. Ready built shelving units – such as the Lang Wall Unit – come in different widths to match both storage requirements and space allowances. Just be sure that this solution doesn’t turn into an excuse to hoard items that belong in a charity bin instead. There is a huge difference between stylish vignettes and chaotic shelving – although open shelving creates an interesting focal point, too many items can make a small space appear cramped.

Dual purpose furniture

Is there anything cooler than beautiful furniture that doubles as extra storage? We think not. Dual purpose pieces can make for stylish additions to your space while hiding away any clutter not worthy of displaying. Mirrored bathroom wall cabinets are ideal for keeping various toiletries out of sight while reflecting light around the room. Gas lift bed bases – like the Hannah Gas Lift Queen Size Bed Frame – combine storage and functionality to maximise interior space while adding comfort to your lifestyle. And then there are coffee tables with drawers featuring intricate details that can keep remotes, bottle openers, and even kids’ toys at bay.

How to nail it when buying furniture online

How to nail it when buying furniture online

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Purchasing the right furniture can be a strenuous ordeal. Even if you know exactly what sort of style you are after, there are always the factors of price, quality, material, and function to consider. Add online shopping to the mix, and you might just find yourself running for the hills.

We totally get it – buying furniture online can be intimidating. After all, how do you really know whether the photograph of that couch you are coveting is a true reflection of the real deal? Unboxing a recent online sofa purchase only to discover that it is about as comfortable as a sack of potatoes is any online shopper’s worst nightmare. Here is how you avoid the pitfalls of online furniture shopping and emerge unscathed on the other side – with stylish, quality furniture to boot.

Function

Before you start investing in online furniture, think about the current needs of your household. Picking the right furniture is about more than just choosing complementary styles – it has to be practical. Sure, that white leather sofa may look super sleek and modern, but will it withstand movie nights showered with popcorn? And more importantly, will it be comfortable to enjoy for days on end?

You don’t have to sacrifice style for function. Opt for designs that offer the best of both worlds – like the beautiful Leia gas lift queen size bed frame with sneaky storage.

Description

Many of us are guilty of simply scanning through long jumbles of words. Misreading a text from your partner about what to pick up for dinner is one thing. Missing the part about what type of wood your new dining table is made of? You will end up eating that dinner on a solid pine imposter. Moral of the story? Read the entire product summary. Always click on any links or tabs leading to further information and read the boring “specifications” part too.

In addition to descriptions, pictures can speak a thousand words – or so they say. Browse through different angles of the item to get an impression of the real thing. Pay particular attention to images that don’t utilise a staged room. These will give you a better idea of whether the furniture is appealing on its own or not.

Quality, material and colour

One of the most difficult things to decipher from a mere picture is quality. That bed may look great on paper, but the cheaper the build the quicker it will end up as landfill. Photography taken under studio lights can also make colours and fabrics look different on screen. Purchasing furniture online means you most likely won’t have the luxury of inspecting it in person. This is where your reading skills come into play (see above point on “Description”). Learning about the makers behind these products become more important than offline shopping.

Review the materials listed and zoom in on fabric to get a better view of the texture. Decipher the difference between leather, “pleather”, MDF and solid timber so you are well armed for your next online splurge. Most online furniture brands offer free fabric samples to help you decide. Or a physical studio for you to visit in major metro areas such as Sydney and Melbourne. 

Measurements

The three rules of choosing the right sized furniture online? Measure, measure, measure.

Picking the right furniture isn’t simply ensuring it complements the current styling of your interior. Ask yourself: how will that new sofa fit in to the current living space? It’s much easier to pull out a measuring tape a few times than to return a sofa because it won’t fit through the door. The last thing you want is to have to install your sofa via crane through the balcony.

Size is like colour; it can be hard to get a true representation of scale from a computer image. Consider the published measurements of the item as well as the size of the space you need to fill. This will help ensure your online purchase is a good fit – in every sense of the word. Find tools online that can help you choose by size easier.

Assembly requirements

A lot of online furniture will not arrive at your door preassembled. Logistically it is much easier to transport furniture that has been “flat packed” to reduce costs. You will have to put it together, so know what you’re getting yourself into before committing to buy. Most online furniture brands will have easy-to-view assembly guides on their website.

If wielding a hammer and nails is not your forte, ask a friend to lend a hand in exchange for a couple of beers. Or, simply hire a handyman from somewhere like Airtasker. It will help prevent accidental damage to your new goods and save you a few grey hairs.

 

Reviews

When you aren’t able to see your beloved online sofa in the flesh, online reviews are the next best thing. What better way to discover whether that sofa will live up to the comfort requirements of a Netflix binge than to hear it from those who have already tested it. If reviews for that particular piece of furniture don’t exist on the manufacturer’s website, cast a wider net with a Google search. If you are still drawing a blank, check out reviews for similar items by the same brand.

Reviews aren’t limited to the written form. Look at Instagram and Pinterest for images of the furniture in other people’s homes – you may be surprised to see how different it can appear surrounded by real life.

Shipping and returns

Never ever overlook the returns policy when purchasing furniture online. Shop with online retailers that give you time to reconsider your furniture choices. For example, Brosa offers a 7 day “no questions asked” returns policy – meaning you can return your purchase for any reason. These conditions may be a bore to read through but will save you a lot of heartaches if that sofa turns out to not be quite as perfect as you imagined.

In addition to returns, you should always take into account the total shipping cost. A cheap TV unit may not seem like such a bargain after a few hefty delivery charges. Avoid any nasty surprises by using the shipping calculator before divulging credit card details. Brosa offers free delivery for Sydney and Melbourne metro areas, which can save you a fortune.

 

Buying furniture online doesn’t have to feel like a gamble. Keep these tips in mind every time you shop for pieces to add to your home – and never feel swindled again.

Share your tips with us in the comment section.