It has been revealed, through new research into children’s view of storytelling and reading, that almost two thirds of kids want their parents to read to them more often. Especially around bed time.

The study looked at children between the ages of 3 and 8, and assessed their relationship with reading activities. It revealed that boys aged 3 and 4 were the age group who would most like extra story time sessions at night; with over 75% of them saying they would like their parents to read to them more often in general. The research uncovered that reading is still a favourite past time between kids and their parents, with 51% of the children used in the study preferring it over television and playing video games.

Eighty two percent of the children interviewed revealed that when mum or dad read to them before bed, it helps to send them to sleep better. This not only helps the kids get a better nights sleep, but also the parents!

Its clear, however, that children know what they want from their story time, right down to the finer details. They told researchers that the best way to keep their attention is to tell the story using funny voices for different characters, which was closely followed by the use of sound effects.

The study informed researchers that mum was an obvious choice for the best storyteller with over 60% of the kids preferring her to read to them. Poor dad came in second, only receiving 31% of the overall vote. However, Dr Richard Woolfson has devised a formula, which can not only help dad but any parent who wants to encourage their children to enjoy story time before bed more often.

In conjunction with Disney/Pixar’s Cars, Dr Woolfson, a leading child psychologist, has devised the formula based on all the feedback received from the kids in this study. It equates to giving every child the ideal story time, and includes how much of each element to include i.e. voices, sound effects and environment.

Dr Woolfson said: “The results of our research confirm the traditional activity of storytelling continues to be a powerful learning and emotional resource in children’s lives. There is no doubt whatsoever that children value the experience of having a story read to them and view this the best wind-down activity at the end of the day.”

“It can be very difficult for parents to find the time to read with their children, but these moments can help build strong bonds and play a vital part in their child’s development. Sometimes mum and dad just need a little guidance, which is why we’ve taken the results and produced a formula for the perfect story time.”

As we approach the end of the year, and draw ever closer to Christmas, it is a time where many of you will see your house turned into a hotel, with unexpected guests and family dropping by and staying over. However, more often than not, finding them a place to rest their heads for the night can pose a problem, especially if you don’t have a spare or available room. The situation remains the same around the world, never mind here just in the UK.

A fantastic solution to all this could be a sofa bed. Not only are they practical and useful, but are often effortlessly stylish both as a sofa and when they are transformed into a bed. A great way of making the most of any room, a sofa bed has a use in both its states, making sure that your not wasting any space, at any point of the day.

Here at Time4sleep we have a wide variety of sofa beds, in a range of colours, styles, finishes and prices. One of our latest models in the Julian Bowen Supra Sofa bed, available in both brown and oyster faux leather. With its contemporary design and clean lines, its styling will compliment any room of the house with ease. This model is equipped with a 3 position mechanism (upright, reclined and sleep) for all levels of comfort, and comes with 2 matching faux leather scatter cushions for added extra to complete the overall look. Easy to manoeuvre, his bed oozes a look of luxury, sophistication and comfort and will entice your guests to sleep without any complaints. The Supra provides you with fashion at an affordable price, as it is available to you for only £259, in both colours; that’s a saving of 30%.

Julian Bowen are also the manufacturers of another sofa bed, the Daytona, which is a new addition to the time4sleep range. A little different from the Supra sofa bed, the Daytona is much simpler and more traditional, yet just as practical and easy to use. Available in a range of colours, this sofa bed is finished in a high quality faux suede, which provides a comfortable base for both sitting and sleeping on. The Daytona can seat four and converts into a single bed with ease. The sofa can again be operated into three different modes including sit, sleep and recline positions, to accommodate for all resting needs. With its matching sturdy peg feet, the Daytona provides a safe sleeping area for your guests, and is durable enough to withstand all those conversions.

Although it is clear that sofa beds, especially the ones featured here, are invaluable to customers who often have unexpected guests, for those who don’t, it is better to be prepared than caught short! Sofa beds are exceptional value for money, providing a valuable asset to any room, whether in the sleeping or upright position.

As we move into the autumn of 2010, time4sleep begins to see some major developments. With our new showroom, warehouse and website soon to be revealed, we can think of only one way to celebrate, and that’s by offering you the customer brand new products to chose from our already extensive range. As well as new beds and furniture which will be exclusive to us, there are also new additions from the Julian Bowen range.

Julian Bowen provides high quality beds and furniture at affordable prices, and has been consistently been doing so for nearly 20 years. All their products are individually researched in order to meet the needs of all their consumers, whether they are looking for quality, design or price. Their products can often easily be distinguished by one or more of those categories, especially if you are looking for individual bedroom furniture at affordable prices.

Their innovative lines are available in a wide variety of models, finishes and colours. Specialists in wooden beds and matching furniture suits, Julian Bowen offer an array of different woods from tropical hardwood to pine, depending on your taste. They also offer the choice of metal and upholstered beds, along with matching headboards, to complete the look.

Their new ‘Minuet’ furniture line reflects their determination to remain innovative, in a market with ever changing trends. Julian Bowen present this range, which is made from tropical hard wood, to customers who are looking to add a contemporary and simple look to their bedroom, with clean lines and versatile style scheme. The dark colour finish of the wood oozes class and would stunningly compliment any bedroom décor. Wooden beds and other furniture are timelessly fashionable, proving to be popular with clients year on year, not just because they are aesthetically pleasing, but because they are also durable and sturdy. This range comes complete, taking into account every aspect of bedroom life, from the bed frame itself, right down to the dressing stool. In true Julian Bowen fashion, this range is suited to any budget, bringing a touch of sophistication to any home at the right price.

Continuing with their forte, Julian Bowen are also introducing several new children’s wooden beds, in styles such as sleep stations and bunk beds.

The Barcelona Babysitter Bunk and Barcelona Sleep Station, are both beautifully constructed in solid Brazilian pine, which naturally has less knots than your traditional pine wood. The light colour of the wood will compliment any child’s bedroom, as well as making it a breeze to match any further furniture required to complete the look you desire. Both these beds provide a lot of storage, helping to keep the bedroom tidy and organised. Complete with desk, these beds create a combined space for sleep, work and play.

If its something a little more simple and classic that you are looking for, then the Laramie Bunk bed frame could be right up your street. This no nonsense design is made from solid pine, screaming durability and strength; ideal for those little climbers! Providing a double sleeping space, this bed frame is ideal for siblings sharing a room, or for children who regularly have friends to stay.

All these products, new for autumn 2010, live up to the “high quality furniture at affordable prices” reputation Julian Bowen is so proud of.

The next time you set out to give your bedroom a makeover or re-decorate, would you like to be able to bring an eco-friendly and healthier feel top your room? It might not be as difficult as you think. There are a number of ways this can be achieved.

You could start by using organic paints to paint your room. Unlike normal gloss or emulsion paints that contain solvents and other harmful chemicals you can purchase organic paints that are totally free of all pesticides, herbicides & toxins. As well as paints there are varnishes, primers and specially prepared nursery paint also available. If you don’t want to use paint eco wallpaper ranges can also be found through specialist outlets.

Using natural bedding made form organic cotton or bamboo is another way to be healthier and greener. These fabrics don’t contain any pesticides and 100% unbleached duvets, mattress protectors and pillows are becoming far more common these days and be found in bedding stores.

Even your bed and bedroom furniture can be eco-friendly. We recently featured an article on our blog about Eco Furn a furniture company who make their beds and furniture from sustainable, environmentally friendly, and responsibly managed wood and tree sources. Eco-Furn also donates 10% of their profit each year to TREE AID, along with other donations made through fund raising events throughout the year. So every time you purchase an Eco–Furn product you are also helping this charity program. Their beds are exceptionally well made from the best natural resources available and are extremely stylish like the Ridgeway Eco bed (Pictured above) which is a good example of the quality of Eco Furn products.

If you are looking for an environmentally alternative to laminate or carpeting in the bedroom why not think about buying cork flooring. Cork flooring is very hygienic and is surprisingly warm and soft. It is also stain resistant and is a good option for anyone who suffers from dust or other allergies.

The remaining accessories like curtains etc can be more difficult to find if you are looking for ethically, or naturally produced products. But there are stores out there who stock them and many sell online or by mail order. Just typing in fair trade or eco-friendly and the type of products you are looking for into a search engine should bring up enough results to start with.

Designing an eco-friendly bedroom isn’t too difficult and will probably end up helping your health as well as the environment.

Most of us would love to live in a home where space or the size of rooms wasn’t an issue. Unfortunately for many people the lack of space is a reality and it’s difficult to know how to get the best use of the available space in a bedroom without it looking cramped and cluttered.

There are some things you can do to help maximise the space. A loft bed like the Single High Loft Bed is ideal where space is limited as there is plenty of room underneath to put a chair or small sofa, or furniture to use for storage. Some loft beds like the Hyder Cosmic Studio Bunk even come with handy desktop, shelving and futon already provided and are extremely contemporary and modern looking.

Often children are given the smallest bedroom in the house and the never out of style bunk bed is a practical and fun option in a child’s bedroom or a box room. Bunk beds are available in a variety of finishes including various woods and metals. They range from pretty basic to luxurious and the Julien Bowen Pandora Storage Bunk is a wonderful example of how the basic bunk design can be brought right up to date with beautiful craftsmanship and design. The Pandora storage bunk sleeps two -on top and bottom bunk- and also very ingeniously incorporates a built in storage unit under the bottom bunk, which is a real benefit when there’s a lack of space in a bedroom.

Choosing the right paint and using light colours can bring an airy feel to a small bedroom making it appear larger than it actually is. Buying pieces of furniture that are smaller than normal or that have space underneath can visually make the room look bigger. Placing a medium to large size wall mirror in the room can also make the room appear more spacious.

One of the biggest problems in small rooms is clutter and a great way to eliminate the problem is to buy a storage bed. These come in a wide variety of colours and materials. The Novak Ottoman is available in single bed size and comes in a selection of finishes including Faux Leather, Faux Suede and Chenille with a variety of colours in each finish to choose from. The great thing about an ottoman bed is the storage space it provides. Easily accessed by lifting the sprung slatted base an ottoman bed like the Novak can provide up to four times the storage a divan bed will give. This space can be used to put everything away out of sight leaving your bedroom clutter free.

If you buy the right type of bed a small bedroom needn’t be too much of an inconvenience. You just need to make sure you utilise the available space in the most productive manner possible.

Bunk beds seem to have been used in children’s bedrooms forever and are sometimes dismissed when looking to create a child’s bedroom as old hat and out of date. Nothing could be further from the truth, as these days bunk beds are fun and funky and come in a wide assortment of colours, materials, shapes and designs.

One obvious benefit of using bunk beds in the layout of a bedroom is the space saving factor. They are ideal for box rooms or in a house where space is limited and are great way to free up space. Bunk beds are also available in a wide price range so are an option no matter what budget is available. Cresta Pine  is a company who manufacture wooden beds using pine from sustainable forests in Scandinavia. Their strong, hard wearing bunk beds are top end products and the Cresta Pine manufactured Blue Bunk bed is a simple design made to a very high standard.

Kids love bunk beds because they are fun and lend themselves to a whole gamut of themed ideas for a room. Sailing ships, pirates, spacecraft, castles, you can let your imagination run wild. Your child will love playing in a bedroom (and bed) with a theme and it can make bedtimes a lot less stressful for parents and children.

The Barcelona bunk bed finished in White is made by Julien Bowen and it is popular for a couple of reasons. One is the colour which makes it pretty versatile when it comes to decor and also gives it a modern feel. The other great thing about the Barcelona Bunk Bed  (PIctured)is the substantial gap between the bunks, making the bottom bunk ideal for adults.

Bunk beds and cabin beds are not restricted to use in children’s rooms. You can also get three sleeper bunk beds, which have a standard bunk on top but have double bed on the bottom and can be used in any bedroom.

Loft style bunk beds are perfect for older children, teenagers and young adults. This type of bunk bed is really versatile and various configurations of desks, chairs and other furniture pieces can fit underneath. The Hyder Comic Studio Bunk is a good example of a bed like this. It is extremely stylish and includes a tempered glass shelf and desktop (that meets all the UK safety criteria) giving it a truly up to date appearance.

Bunk beds might have been around a long time, but the classic practical design makes them timeless. New modern looking bunk beds take the classic design and add a new twist making them a real option in bedroom design today and we’re sure for many generations to come.

If you want to give your bedroom a look that is different from the norm then you should maybe think about going French. There’s nothing average about French style beds, they are lavish, distinctly feminine and yet are elegant enough not to make the room overbearing.

A French style bed like the French Gilt harks back to the times of Louis XIV using influences from this period along with Baroque, Rococco and French Renaissance to produce a truly unbelievable bed. The French Gilt has been superbly crafted by the most skilled hand carvers and will transform a bedroom into a magnificent French Boudoir. While a bed like the French Gilt is one of the more ostentatious designs it does make a wonderful centrepiece and talking point in a room an gives you the freedom to go a little over the top with furnishings and fittings. Lush velvet bedding or cushions can be used to create a regal tone, with velvet drapes setting it all off perfectly.

French style beds are not all so theatrical in their design; they can be a little more subdued. A bed like the Josephine is an extremely well designed example of a French style bed that would look nice in a girl’s bedroom. Like all French style beds it is roomy and the Josephine has elegant curved features and simple carved panels that lend itself to a more modern interior design. Some examples of furniture from the Josephine Range will give you an idea of how the traditional style has been brought up to date by using simplistic design that gives a look that doesn’t look out of fashion.

Of course not all French style beds are opulent and about creating a chateaux effect in your home. More rustic styles of French bed can also be found like the French Oak. It is a timeless design that is brilliantly crafted from solid oak to produce a really beautiful bed. This style of bed will enhance a rustic style room that has distressed paintwork on doors and maybe has unpainted floorboards. Antique whitewash furniture could also be used to create the look, or a weathered effect can also be used. Colours like Cornflour, or soft yellows could be used on walls, while for a more striking effect something like Gold Mustard could be used.

Whether you are going for a truly extravagant look to your room or want more of a rustic charm feel to come across then French Style beds can give you both options.

Italy has always had a reputation for being ahead of their time when it comes to interior design and that includes bed and bedroom design. It was at the Milan International Furniture Show back in 2007 where white beds were first seen in any real numbers as a piece of bedroom furniture that supplemented the stark contemporary style Italian designers were using.

Since then the growth in popularity of white beds has risen and it looks like 2010 is the year they will become really fashionable here in the UK. Beds like the Toledo White have clean crisp lines that can add to the airy feel of a room, giving an impression of more light. Of course being bonded leather it also gives a luxurious look to the room that can make a style statement on its own. Adding either contrasting black bedding or more sumptuous gold fabrics and decor can give a room a truly opulent feel. The use of a white bed can greatly assist in creating a sleek contemporary look, but they can be quite versatile.

A bed like the Polar Savoy –although still upholstered in bonded leather- is quite adaptable and will sit comfortably in a modern contemporary setting. The bed design does have a retro feel about it and so it wouldn’t look out of place in a bedroom where a more conservative design concept is planned. When positioned in a room the open foot end of the bed does assist in giving the impression of space. Of course this bed also brings lightness to the room and helps provide a tranquil atmosphere that assists in helping sleep.

Even if you need a storage bed, then you can find a white bed that will combine the practicality of supplying storage space while still looking chic and modern. Just because it is a storage bed doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. The Portofino White Ottoman is an attractive centrepiece that would enhance the look of any bedroom, but also offers a large storage area that maximises the available floor space in the room. A bed like this is a wonderful example of how quality, style and design can come together to be extremely functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.

If you want to be at the cutting edge of fashionable bedroom design this year, then get yourself a white bed. It will look good and give your bedroom a light, fresh, neat character.