Did you know five trillion plastic bags are estimated to be used worldwide every year. That’s a lot of plastic that take a lifetime or longer to break down.

So, what can you do to cut down your single plastic bag use? There are a few things that can have easy gains and can also work out better for your wallet too!

You can now buy re-useable metal straws, and do away with the plastic (these are terrible for the environment)! If you get a take-away coffee every morning, take a re-useable cup with you!It’s nicer to drink from and a lot of cafes even give you a discount for taking your own!

Of course, once plastic bags are gone from supermarkets, you will be stuck carrying your shopping, or having to buy another recyclable bag! Why not get into the swing of it now, keep the bags in your boot or backseat, another great idea we have heard of is to keep a washing basket in your boot! Easy to fill up and carry to your panty!

Another fantastic invention we spotted was the Original Trolley Bags, there are 4 bags, with a mesh bottom that Velcro together, with rods to sit in your trolley, they also pull apart for ease of putting them in your car. Such great value for $52.90/set! And they are so well made, you can use them for years to come!

We have covered the morning coffee run, trips to cafes for milkshakes, food shopping, let’s think about ways to reduce your waste inside the home. From cooking, why not get a worm farm for your backyard, all your food scraps (excluding fruit) can go in there, and as a bonus you get worm juice in the bottom tray, that you can use as liquid fertiliser on your plants or lawn every couple of months!

Nearly everyone has an email address, so get bills emailed to you, don’t get these posted to you! You could even opt to go digital to read the newspaper, rather than using ink and paper for your morning news fix!

You can also help the environment by buying quality, built to last items, often when you spend that little bit more, you buy an item that is built to last, and won’t end up in the landfill earlier than it should! Not only helping the environment, but your wallet too. Here at queenb we have gorgeous Duvet Covers, Duvet Inners, Sheets and Towels that are built better than the standard you find at other retailers, this is especially true of our Commercial stock, which is built to withstand hundreds of uses!

Buy NZ made where you can, there are beautiful Wool Blankets, Duvet Inners, Sheets and Pillows that are made right here in NZ, reduce your carbon footprint, and always buy local where you can! Not only will you get a better product, but you will help keep your fellow countrymen employed!

A good night's sleep is vital for every human being to survive and given that on average a person sleeps for 8 hours in a day, that means that an average person will sleep for 229,961 hours in their lifetime or basically one third of their life (so for a couple, that's 459922 hours).

Providing a couple with a beautiful sheet set would mean they would get at least 10,000 hours worth of use from.

Now that you've found the perfect gift idea, you'll probably want to know which one would be the right fit. There are so many to choose from and you don't have to go for traditional cotton.

Ideally, the signal "quality" for a good sheet set is found in their thread count. High thread count and quality threads ensures softness and longevity of the sheets. You could go for a 100% 500TC Cotton sheet set or why not treat the lovely couple to a 1000TC hotel quality sheet set(since they are paying for you to enjoy a huge night out.) Sheridan has a range of high end luxury sheets, let the couples honeymoon period remain a little bit longer with this beautiful hotel quality sheets.

If you wanted to step away from cotton, linen is also an ideal material for quality sheets. The Vida Linen Sheets are made in Portugal, are individually stonewashed and get softer with each wash! These particular sheets are thick and are sure to last many nights sleeps.

After picking your fabric, it's time to think about colour. Depending on how well you know the couple of the hour, you may or may not know their tastes. A safe bet is to go for solid colours that would easily match any bedroom aesthetic. This could be whites, navys, khakis, and taupes. Lighter colours tend to make the room look brighter and bigger - but if they're the type to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed (which we hope they aren't!) darker colours would be the way to go.

How good is Bamboo?! It has so many great properties, which are transferred through to its fibre when made into bedding and towels, even when mixed with cotton (which products like towels usually are):

1) Bamboo fibre is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic, non-irritating and low odour. This leaves your towels smelling fresh and odour free after several uses. It is great for people with allergies.

2) Natural and Eco-friendly, bamboo fibre is highly absorbent and the smoothness and roundness of the bamboo fibre makes bamboo towels and bedding feel luxuriously silky and soft.

3) Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys Edullis) is the species of bamboo plant that is used in garments and is not a species that is popular among endangered Pandas (yay for protecting the Panda Bears)!

4) Bamboo is 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton, because of this it absorbs and evaporates sweat very quickly, so is perfect for HOT sleepers.

5) Bamboo is anti-static and wrinkle free (great for its use in luxurious sheets and pillowcases).

If you are in the market for new towels or sheets definitely consider 100% bamboo or a bamboo blend. Bamboo has been called the wonder fabric of the 21st century.

The answer is simple:

Yes, you can use a waterproof mattress protector with an electric blanket

Our advice is to put the electric blanket on the mattress, and put the waterproof mattress protector over the top.

It will not alter the effectiveness of the electric blanket, as heat will transfer through the mattress protector to the sleeper, and at the same time, your electric blanket will be protected from any spills or stains.

To shop our range of mattress protectors click here. To shop our range of electric blankets click here.

So you've decided that you want to go for a Down and Feather Duvet Inner? Now you are faced with the question, do you go for Duck, Goose or Hungarian Goose?

Duck is the most cost-effective of the three options, and is the most readily available, it's a great all-rounder, and a 90/10 fill will keep you toasty this winter!

If you want to go a step up, Goose is slightly more rare than duck, and goose down has a larger cluster than the duck, making it a bit more insulating, as it is able to trap more air.



Now to Hungarian Goose, Hungarian Geese live in a very cold climate, and because of this they tend to grow very, very large, thus their down cluster is larger again than Goose (almost double the size), making it extremely efficient at insulating as those large clusters are able to trap in more air. Hungarian Goose down is the ultimate insulator and is ideal for those who feel the cold or who prefer lightweight products. It also comes with a pricetag at least double that of Duck & Feather inners!

You spend half your life in bed, so why not treat yourself to a beautiful new down & feather inner. If the budget allows definitey go for Hungarian Goose, it is amazing quality!

P.S - just as a side-note, you will never see a 100% down inner in NZ (like you do in other countries) our certifications here only allow us to go to a 95/5 fill (as there is always a chance a stray feather or two will sneak in the mix)!

Down & Feather

The secret to Down and Feather is to achieve maximum insulation with a minimum of weight. This places importance on the quality and type of filling. The filling consists of either down and/or feather. The down content is always stated first with the feather second (example 80/20 refers to 80% down and 10% feather content - unless otherwise stated - always read the description before you buy, inners with more down content are much more expensive than those with more feather content!

Feathers are hard and heavy whereas down is soft and light. Down acts as an insulator, trapping air in its soft fibres to deliver great warmth without weight. In duvet inners a high percentage of down will work best to keep you warmer. Feather is used to provide support and bulk in bedding products. It is these unique qualities that make feather & down mixtures so ideal. The end result makes a Down & Feather Duvet Inner breathable, resistant to compression, incredibly light and warm, wonderfully snuggly and efficient at trapping and holding warmth.

Most Down & Feather Duvets are made from down-proof cotton (meaning your feathers should not escape) and in modern times are made with a boxed construction (rather than channelled construction - although these can still be purchased) meaning the fill will stay in its compartment, keeping you cosy and warm year round!

Our advice - if you want a luxurious, cozy Duvet Inner, that is puffy and will make your bed look "inviting" take the plunge and invest in a really good quality Down & Feather Duvet Inner - you won't be dissappointed!

Now the only question is, do you go for a Duck, Goose or Hungarian Goose inner, and what is the difference between the three (read the next blog post for the answer)!

So why then is a Commercial Bed better than a bed that you find out at retail, well the answer is pretty simple. Sealy Commercial Beds all have one thing in common; they are purpose built to last! For example, on the Queen sized bed there are 9 legs instead of the normal six. In the Sealy Dynasty range of Commercial beds, the bases have springs/shock absorbers, which helps the mattress last longer (in the Performance series they are built with a timber base). Also all the fabric used on the beds is fire retardent (great for peace of mind in a domestic situation) and they are oh-so-comfy as they are built to get hotel/motel/lodge/B&B customers 5-star reviews!

Checkout the full Sealy Commercial range here including Trundler and Rollaway beds - great for kids rooms and even if you are starting an AirBnB - you will have a spare bed for rent in the cupboard = totally worth it!

Of course, the price of Sealy Commercial beds is extremely reasonable too! Happy Sleeping!

So you've decided to put fear aside and join the ever-growing community of people renting out their spare rooms to strangers through Airbnb. Nothing to worry about- right?

Airbnb is fast becoming a seriously popular way to travel and if you're up for sharing your morning cuppa with a paying stranger then you could be in to make some nice extra pocket money.

What Sort Of Bed Should I Use For Guests?

Once you've established which room to let out it's time to focus on the most important aspect of the room, the bed. If you're planning on becoming a regular Airbnb host then you're going to want to get a bed that's fit for the task. A successful host doesn't rely on renting out their children's childhood bunk beds! Equip your room with a commercial bed that is built to last. queenb stocks a great range of Sealy Commercial Beds and Mattresses, perfect for giving your paying guests a quality night's sleep.

Choosing a commercial bed ensures that you are getting a product that is built to last. A unique feature of the Sealy Commercial Beds is their extra row of reinforced springs positioned around the edge of each mattress. Guests frequently sit on the edge of their beds to watch tv, put on shoes e.t.c. and having extra reinforcement helps to prevent premature mattress sagging.

What Essential Items Should Be On A Guest Bed?

1. Mattress Protector

It goes without saying that you'll want your bed to be properly protected! A good quality, waterproof mattress protector is an investment you won't regret! A brand we love called DryLife has some fantastic waterproof options for keeping your mattress protected for as little as $36!

2. Pillow Protectors

Unless you want your pillows to slowly accumulate a plethora of guests' drool and sweat, then good pillow protectors are definitely a must have! Every pillow you put on your guest bed needs to be protected. For extra peace of mind opt for a waterproof option. DryLife also stock some fantastic vapour-permeable pillow protectors.

3. Decent Pillows

Give your guests some options and make sure you provide at least two pillows per person staying. Commercial pillows are the perfect inexpensive, option for making sure your bed is suitably equipped for paying guests.

4. Quality Sheets

Opt for commercial sheets that are designed to withstand frequent washing. Crisp, white sheets are always going to be appreciated and having more than one set on hand will ensure you are well-prepared for any accidents that may occur.

5. Duvet Inner/Blankets

When deciding upon what sort of duvet inner you need it is important to consider a number of other factors. Are your guests going to be using air conditioning to heat or cool their room? Will you need extra layers to add to the bed during the colder months? Ideally you want to purchase bedding that will withstand the heat of summer and yet still provide warmth during the winter.

An All Season Duvet Inner from DryLife is a great option to keep your guests cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Filled with Tencel (a unique fibre made from the Eucalyptus tree), DryLife Duvet Inners help draw away moisture and regulate your temperature as you sleep. As an added bonus, all DryLife products are hypoallergenic and endorsed by Asthma New Zealand. Providing hypoallergenic bedding is sure to be a popular selling point when advertising your room to potential guests online!

6. Duvet Cover

Choose a duvet cover that can withstand frequent washing and try not to be too bold with your colour choices. Remember, your guests will be selecting your room from photos that you post on the Airbnb website. You might think a psychedelic print duvet cover will make you stand out from the crowd but in reality it could be a deterrent to potential guests. Choosing a plain coloured, commercial duvet cover is your safest bet. You can always brighten it up and try out different colour combinations by adding blankets and cushions.

What Extra Items Should I Have In My Guest Room?

Aside from providing your guest with a clean and comfortable bed you should also consider some other things such as bath towels, a rubbish bin, power point/s for electronic charging and and even things like empty hooks and hanging space in a wardrobe. It is not essential that you provide everything, but basics such as bath towels and toilet paper should be provided at a bare minimum.

Have you ever thought to rent a room out using Airbnb? What would you provide for your guests?

Don’t panic! The marble vase you just bought is likely to stay in style for 2017- but it might be wise to display it only in your bathroom.

With the start of a new year, comes the start of new trends in home décor. Copper and marble dominated the popular scene in 2016 but it’s time to phase these favourites out and introduce some new fresh flavours to your home.

Update your home décor with these 2017 interior design trends.

New Home Decor Trends For 2017

1. Green is in!

Think deep jewel tones and bring some touches of emerald to your home décor in 2017. If adding green to a room makes you nervous then start by introducing it in small doses. Think decorative cushions and textured blankets and throws. Alternatively try swapping out your plain duvet cover for something brighter. The Martinique Duvet Cover Set by Savona will instantly transform your bedroom into a tropical jungle paradise.

3. Bye Bye Copper. Hello Bronze!

2017 sees us moving away from the over-saturated copper market and onto other coloured metals. If you love copper, then the good news is you’ll probably also love bronze. Bronze works much like copper with its eye-catching appeal. Use to create a statement and to add warmth into a cooler colour palette. We love this Bronze Cushion by Mulberi, ideal for your living room or bedroom.

4. Space to Escape

2016 left the majority of us exhausted and in need of an escape. Make your home your own tranquil space to unwind and relax in comfort. Open plan living spaces are on the way out as people are drawn to defining spaces within their homes for recharging in privacy. What better place to escape and unwind then in your bedroom? Think plenty of pillows, waffle knit blankets and warm, dim lighting. Some luxury sheets wouldn’t go amiss either.

Do you find yourself feeling too hot at night during the summer? It is common to lose sleep during hot summer nights and finding a solution to cool down is sometimes not easy. If the luxury of air conditioning is not something you have, then you'll need to find other solutions to beat the heat.

Check out our list of top tips for keeping your bedroom cooler this summer!

Easily create a cooler bedroom with these ideas

1. Take a chilled ice pack/wheat bag to bed (like you would take a hottie to bed in the winter).
2. Leave your bedroom windows open in the evening to let cool air circulate.
3. Swap bulky duvets for cooler cotton blankets.rink chilled water before going to bed to lower your body temperature.
4. Keep your curtains, blinds drawn during the day.
5. Use a fan to circulate air.
6. Avoid synthetic sheets and opt instead for natural fibers like cotton.
7. Try using sheets designed to keep you cool!
8. For latex mattresses, try using a silk mattress topper to help regulate body temperature or try a cooling mattress topper which is specifically designed to keep you cooler on hot nights
9. For optimal results keep all your bedding as natural as possible. Tencel is a new-age fibre from the Eucalyptus tree and is designed to wick moisture away from your body resulting in a cool/dry sleep.

Reasons staying cool improves your sleep

1. You fall asleep faster

As you fall asleep your body temperature naturally drops. Sleeping in a cool room helps your body reach a comfortable sleeping temperature faster. You'll spend less time tossing and turning and more time sleeping!

2. You won't sweat as much

No-one likes waking up drenched in sweat. Keeping your room cool means less sweat and less laundry!

3. You'll sleep for longer

Keeping your room at a lower, stable temperature means your quality of sleep will improve and you'll be in a deep sleep for longer.

4. It could help you lose weight

If you're losing sleep from a hot bedroom, then you could find that your hormone levels are adversely affected. This could result in weight gain, depression and even high blood sugar levels! Getting 6-9 hours of sleep a night means your body has adequate time to recharge and recover.

Do you have any tricks for keeping your bedroom cool in the summer?