The whole "twin bed with threadbare sheets" thing may have worked in college, but you’re out of the frat house now—which means your bedroom needs to grow up, too. “Surrounding yourself with warmth and luxury is a catalyst for sex—an aphrodisiac, even,” says Cathy Hobbs, an interior designer in New York City. “It’s the difference between being at Motel 6 and the Four Seasons.” Keep this field blank Enter your email address You may unsubscribe at any time. Make your bedroom a place where women want to jump between the sheets—and stay there—with these seven tips. Then hang up the “Do Not Disturb” sign and get busy. Invest in a latex mattressIf your sex life is a circus—acrobatic positions, animal noises, crazy stunts—you need a mattress that can handle all the action. , a nonprofit mattress review site. Plus, “latex mattresses tend to wear very well,” says Chris Winter, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist. “You don’t get that ditch in the middle of the bed over time.”
And go big: “Size matters—buy a queen size, minimum," says Hobbs. Or buy a memory foam topperDon’t want the kids or a roommate to hear you getting it on? The density of memory foam will absorb the sound of your thrusting. Although it’s not the best surface for active sex, memory foam can give you a little extra traction during missionary or woman on top. “If you’re on the bottom, you’re melded into the mattress,” Dr. Winter says. “So if your partner pushes against you, you’re not going to move.” Spring for high-thread-count sheetsYour starting place: 400 thread count. But, really, the higher, the better. And skip the satin sheets—that’s just cliché (and a recipe for serious night-sweating). “Nothing feels better on your skin than pure cotton,” says Hobbs. Look for Egyptian cotton, often referred to as “sateen,” which is smoother than the standard stuff. E. Braun & Co. or Frette linens, but Martha Stewart’s line at Macy’s is a good option, too, she says.
Stick with white sheets“If you want to set the mood, nothing is more inviting than pure white sheets,” says Hobbs. “I have never been in a hotel and seen a black sheet.” Another option: white sheets with a solid-colored border in navy, hunter green, brown, or the Greek Key pattern. “Men think beautiful sheets are feminine,” says Hobbs. “But the Greek Key pattern is a very strong statement—classy and masculine at the same time.” Use unscented detergentIf your sheets smell like a flower garden, she may think you anticipated getting her naked or could convey the scent of another woman, says Hobbs. Try Arm & Hammer’s perfume-free detergent, which is gentle enough for high-end linens, she says. Buy a foam pillowDown pillows are great for sleeping, but foam pillows are practically built for sex—especially the ones that are shaped like a wedge. “These are made for people with breathing or sleep problems,” says Dr. Winter. They’re also perfect for slipping under her butt to give you a better angle for penetration.
A subtler option: a shredded latex pillow, which you can stuff according to your desired thickness and firmness, allowing for experimentation. Pick a platform bedIf you’re in the market for a new frame—and want one that won’t squeak during sex—a platform bed is your best bet. “If a bed is on four legs, it will probably creak more,” says Hobbs. “But a platform bed is low to the ground and basically supported by itself.” Plus, it’s stylish and more masculine than other styles.Source for cheap platform beds online? August 31, 2008 Subscribe Short version: is there a secret source online (so not IKEA) for attractive, cheap platform beds? I can't drive to pick one up (unless the source is less than 50 miles from Champaign, IL), so online is the only option.I just moved out to Champaign, IL, leaving behind my lovely and sturdy IKEA MALM bed. I also left behind my ability to drive long distances, so I can't just drive to an IKEA in Chicago to replace it. And IKEA charges a mint to ship, so I can't order from them online.
For some reason no one in the midwest sells platform beds. Dear midwest: boxsprings suck! I need a firm bed. I would like to order one online, but obviously they are expensive to ship. To make matters worse, I only have space for a full bed (and already own that size mattress), and most places seem to have stopped making them (???). My budget is no more (and preferably a lot less) than $500 (poor graduate student), so I would order something like this from Room and Board, but they also charge a mint! What's a guy to do? Is there a secret place to buy beds that I don't know about, or do I just need to suck it up and add to my debt?DIDN'T FIND THE BED YOU WERE LOOKING FOR? Shop for a wide assortment of contemporary and luxury beds from our other brands. GIRLS BEDS at PBteen BOYS BEDS at PBteen KIDS BEDS at Pottery Barn Kids MODERN BEDS at west elm LUXURY BEDS at Williams-Sonoma HomeEngineered wood is being used more frequently than ever before for the construction of furniture as manufacturers seek out more affordable and durable alternatives to solid wood.
Plywood, veneer and laminated boards are all processed materials made up of particles of wood that are bound together with an adhesive. While engineered wood can generally hold heavier weight, it contains formaldehyde and other chemical additives, according to Care 2. Parents seeking out all natural, solid wood furniture for their children can still find a number of options to choose from at both mainstream and specialized retailers. The Land of Nod This offshoot of Crate and Barrel specializing in children’s products sells a large selection of cribs and beds using high quality solid wood from the poplar tree. The baby cribs and children’s beds come in numerous finishes and designs, including bunk beds, trundle beds with drawers, and frames with customizable fabric headboards with playful prints. You can also purchase matching crib guard rails and bed toddler rails. According to the company’s website, The Land of Nod is committed to “selling safe, high-quality products [that] meet or exceed all government and 3rd party safety standards.”
The products are also tested every year for safety and durability. This one stop shop for children's furniture sells a vast selection of furniture and bedroom sets, from loft beds to captain beds to day beds and the company's signature staircase bunk beds. All products are made with 100 percent solid pine, and most orders are shipped for free. Some cool design features include bunk beds with built-in desks, twin beds with two levels of storage drawers and a convertible bunk that can be redesigned to a loft bed. Check the website for sales, which are offered on a continual basis. This niche furniture maker from Central California specializes exclusively in solid wood furniture, with bedroom and playroom pieces for children of all ages. Its four children bedroom collections have distinctive country and modern looks with individual pieces that include platform and storage beds, storage chests and customized corner desks. Shoppers can even design their own collection by choosing their preferred style, layout, type of wood, finish color, handles and knobs.
All items are made in the U.S. with solid oak or maple, water-based adhesives and finishes that emit low levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). This Scandinavian company designs unique furniture for children that is hand crafted by carpenters from the Danish furniture factory M. Schack Engel A/S. All of their pieces are made of natural pine taken from controlled forestry. Some highlights among their children’s furniture selection include the limited edition Life House Mid Sleeper Bed in Treehouse Style, made of solid knot free pine, and their practical 4-in-1 bed that converts from a toddler bed without legs to a basic bed with legs and a bed guard, then to a platform bed with a ladder, and finally to a standard twin bed. According to a statement on the company’s website, all Lifetime products feature durable materials made to last a child's lifetime, with varnishes and stains that are water-based and environmentally friendly. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE 6 Healthy Chain Restaurants That Your Kids Will Love 4 Types of Nontoxic, Eco-Friendly Cookware That’s Safe for You and Your Family Alarming Report Links Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals to Autism, ADHD, lower IQ and Obesity