Mary Smith

Now that the internet has celebrated 3 decades with us, more and more people are starting to buy the majority of the goods and services they consume online. Some do it via the device du jour, which can be a sleek tablet or a smart phone that outshines the tablet; others prefer to use the computer they learnt how to code on back in the previous century.

Some have perfected the art of organising their entire life through a technology that few of us know how to live without.

There have been numerous studies that tried to analyse how many Brits do their online shopping at stores such as The White Company. Most of these studies find that the average person who prefers to have their purchases (accessories, furniture, or clothing) delivered to their house is a woman. This woman is often between the ages of 25 and 55 and they do not only order their groceries through this channel – they order many other consumer products in this way: clothing, home accessories, even furniture.

These women are among a growing percentage of people who realise just how convenient, easy and fun the internet is or can be. There are also a growing percentage of people – silver surfers – who are in their late 50s or early 60s, though their ages can reach as high as the 80s or even 90s, who have discovered just how much the new technology can benefit their lives.

There are a number of different reasons why people prefer to frequent shops such as The White Company via the company’s website instead of driving or ambling down to the High Street. The most cited reason is to avoid traffic, queues or people. Another reason that ranks nearly as high as the first is that it is more convenient. These two reasons seem to be intertwined, though: avoiding traffic not only saves money but it also means being able to buy from the comfort of your patio, lounge or bedroom that overlooks a garden.

Shops such as The White Company have created a shopping environment that is pleasant to linger in. This makes it enjoyable to shop with these companies.

Author bio:

The White Company wrote this article about shopping online.

Decorating your child’s bedroom can be a costly affair. This is mostly because a child tends to have its own likes and dislikes, and their likes are usually expensive. Children simply do not understand the value of money, so if they want something, they want it now. It may be hard to explain to your kids that you just cannot afford it.

There is a huge range of children’s bedroom furniture these days, each more expensive that the next. If it is not a Barbie bed then it is a Spiderman wardrobe. Most parents brace themselves for decorating their children’s bedroom. And the worst part about costly children’s bedroom furniture – your child will grow out of them in a few years, maybe even months if you’re unlikely enough.

If you are looking to decorate your child’s bedroom on a budget, here are some tips:

Check for allergies – Many children has allergies to some woods and fabrics. Determine whether you need to invest in hypo-allergenic bedding. If you are not sure, visit the doctor and ask him to perform an allergy check. This is useful in that it will prevent you from making any unnecessary purchases.

Choose a twin bed instead of a typical toddler-sized bed – Toddler beds are made for toddlers, and can come in an array of cute colours and designs. If you want a bed that can last, buy a bed that your child will not grow out of. Buy a twin bed instead and decorate with themed bedding. In this way, once your child grows out of the theme, all you have to do is buy new bedding.

Avoid complete bedroom sets – While the initial idea of complete bedroom sets may sound appealing and look attractive, it is not very practical. Most kid’s themed bedroom sets are just that – kid’s themed. Soon, when your child is older, you will need to replace that furniture, costing you more money. Instead, buy plain furniture and create your own theme with paint, posters, wall hangings etc. In this way, when your child outgrows the theme, it will not be costly to replace.

Decorate walls with stickers and posters – As mentioned above, this is the easiest way to transform a room. Buy your child’s favourite character and spend time sticking on the walls. Pick up wall hangings from your local craftshop and a tin of paint from your local hardware store.

Consider inflatable furniture and bean bag chairs. These are great as children’s bedroom furniture as they add some variety to the bedroom. Not only that, they are casual and comfortable, and provide a playful and welcoming atmosphere.

As cute as children’s furniture can be, it would be an unwise investment, especially if you are working with a tight budget. Consider the above tips to satisfy your child, and your budget.

Author bio

This article was written for The White Company and offers tips on how to buy children’s bedroom furniture on a budget.

Linen is a natural material made of flax and is considered to be one of the best materials for bedding. The reason it is considered the best is because it is colourfast, durable, non-allergenic, anti-static and breathes. Linen wicks moisture away from the body, allowing your body to breathe and contributing to a comfortable night’s sleep. Also, linen doesn’t stretch and has a shiny and attractive sheen. Also, the more you use bed linen, the softer the material becomes.  But in order to keep it looking and feeling great and lasting longer, you have to know how to take proper care of it.

How to wash and dry bed linens

The first thing to remember is to never wash your bed linens in hot water.  Only use cold water when washing your bed linens. You can use regular detergent, but a gentler product is recommended. Harsh chemicals will damage your bed linens and cause it to discolour. Too much detergent, on the other hand, will make your linens feel rough. When washing your bed linen, use only a third of the amount of detergent you normally use, and set your washing machine to the ‘Gentle’ cycle.

Never wash your bed linens with chlorine beach – this will cause the colour to fade and weaken the fibers. To remove stubborn stains, use a cold water detergent. Also, stay away from fabric softeners. This weakens the natural flax fibers and interferes with the fabrics ability to absorb moisture.  When tumble drying, set the heat to ‘Low’ for linens. Do not overdry and remove your bed linens from the dryer as soon as it is done to avoid wrinkles.

How to store bed linens

Completely dry your linens before storing them. Fold them and store them without jam packing your bed linen drawer or linen closet. If your bed linen is not regularly used, store them in a clean and dry place, with plastic protection if possible. Also, separate your everyday linens from your special occasion linens, and try not to store them in the same place.  Instead, store hardly used linens in non traditional places like under the beds, in a spare room closet, in a laundry room closet, or in the basement. Finally, use herbal moth repellents to keep these pests at bay.

Author bio

This article was written for The White Company and offers tips on washing and storing your bed linen.