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How to Clean & Maintain Your Bean Bag

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 14:51:00 +0100

You’ve got to be careful about how you clean and care for your bean bag. As they’re handcrafted in a variety of different fabrics and colours, bean bags require different levels of cleaning and maintenance – and your technique should be based on the material.

This bean bag cleaning and maintenance guide explains some general tips on how to clean a bean bag, as well as specific advice on cleaning different fabric types. You’ll also find plenty of useful info on bean bag repairs and keeping your bean bag in good condition.

Use the links below to navigate to the section you’re most interested in.

How to clean a bean bag
Cleaning different bean bag fabrics
Getting red wine stains out of a bean bag
Tips to keep your bean bag in shape
How to repair a bean bag
Can a bean bag be left out in the rain?
Will the sun affect a bean bag?
How to open a bean bag zip?

How to clean a bean bag

As a general rule of thumb, you should always surface spot clean a bean bag with a damp sponge. The exact technique you use will depend on the material that your bean bag is made from (more on this below).

We recommend that you clean your bean bag by hand – do not machine wash or dry clean bean bag fabrics, as this can damage your bean bag cover or cause it to shrink. Never use bleach products to clean a bean bag as this can discolour it.

Cleaning different bean bag fabrics

Some fabrics are more durable than others. The level of cleaning that your bean bag requires will depend largely on its material and colour. Here, we’ve outlined our top tips for cleaning different bean bag fabrics, from low-maintenance materials like cotton to faux suede and leather.

Cleaning cotton and more durable materials

Bean bags that are made of cotton, corduroy, indoor/outdoor fabric, and other more durable materials are relatively easy to clean. You’ll get the best results by spot cleaning your bean bag with a damp cloth and soapy water.

Use light, circular motions for the spot cleaning process. Any more difficult patches can be cleaned by gently scrubbing with a moist, soft-bristled toothbrush, then wiping the moisture off with a dry cloth.

How to clean a leather bean bag

Real leather and faux leather bean bags should be cleaned as regularly as possible to prevent any buildup of dirt. For these products, try starting off with a damp cloth or wet wipe, then move on to use warm, soapy water if you find that any of the marks won’t budge.

Cleaning faux suede bean bags

Faux suede bean bags are most suited to a light brushing technique, using a suede eraser and metallic suede brush, before lifting any stubborn marks with a slightly damp terry cloth. Use a gentle blotting motion rather than scrubbing. Finally, leave the faux suede to dry out completely so that you can tell if the material needs any further cleaning.

Cleaning delicate fabrics like chenille and velvet

Luxury fabrics like chenille and velvet make seriously comfy bean bags, but they also require a more delicate approach to cleaning.

It’s best to start by using a damp cloth with nothing more than a bit of water. Making sure that the cloth is damp (but not soaking wet), spot clean the area using a gentle dabbing or blotting motion to lift the dirt. Wait for the fabric to dry completely to see if this has done the trick.

If a bean bag made from delicate fabric isn’t getting clean with water on its own, add two drops of washing up liquid to the water and gently blot the area again before allowing it to dry. Avoid using vigorous motions that could stretch or damage the material.

Getting red wine stains out of a bean bag

While the dreaded red wine stain might be an issue, don't use bleach as it's just going to exacerbate the problem. Bleach can discolour your bean bag and, in many cases, this will leave it looking much worse than before. For red wine stains in particular, you should also forget the age-old adage that white wine will fix the problem - this definitely doesn’t work for bean bags!

Follow these steps to get red wine stains out of a bean bag:

As soon as you notice a red wine stain on your bean bag, gently dab the area with a dry cloth to pick up as much wine as possible before it soaks into the material.
Next, blot the stain with a slightly damp terry cloth using plain water.
If the stain persists, mix in two drops of washing up liquid and use this solution to dab the affected area.
For serious red wine stains, you can also use a specialised upholstery or carpet cleaning product (but make sure that it doesn't contain bleach).

Your bean bag will be similar to a carpet: some marks can be removed straight away if you tackle them at the time, whilst others just might not come out at all. It’s always worth trying to resolve the situation in the moment rather than leaving it for later.

Tips to keep your bean bag in shape

One of the most important parts of maintaining a bean bag is keeping it in shape so that it looks good and stays comfy. These tips should help:

As tempting as it may be, don't use your bean bag as a weapon in pillow fights! Not only is it extremely unfair against the pillow user, but it may also become misshapen and broken if the fight goes on for too long!
Similarly, if you (or your kids) are practising for your pro-wrestling career, a bean bag isn't the best object to practise landing on. Often, the kids love jumping all over their new addition to the house, but we advise you don't as they can become misshapen and damaged.
Watch out for keys, pens and knives. These are the common culprits for puncturing our hand-crafted bean bags at home.
Keeping dust off is an essential part of bean bag maintenance. Give your bean bag a quick shake or a gentle wipe every now and then, or cover it up when you're not using it.
Sweat may harm the fabric so try and keep clothes on if you're lounging in the garden. Similarly, put a cover over it if you're trying to top up that tan. If you've got a bit hot and sweaty, give it a quick wipe; our outdoor variants are amply suited for this kind of defence!
Don't iron your bean bag. Some people wish to get every single crease out of their bean bags which isn't advisable as a hot iron is very likely to damage it. Bean bags are designed to be sat on, not worn; creases are comfort slots!
Don't put your bean bag in your pool. Seriously, we cannot stress this enough - it isn't a floatation device and taking it for a dip will almost certainly ruin it! Always opt for a rubber ring.

How to repair a bean bag

Despite our best efforts, sometimes accidents can happen. But have no fear, we’ve got you covered with this dedicated section on how to repair a bean bag. The first step towards successful bean bag repair is to identify the problem – is there a rip in the outer lining or has the inner bag split?

How to fix the outer lining of a bean bag

To repair a hole in the outer lining, follow these instructions closely:

Find the hole

Locate the hole and, once you’ve found it, make a quick mental note of where it is.
Clean the surrounding area

Before you fix the hole itself, you’ll need to clean the area around it to make the next few steps a little easier for yourself. The cleaning method you use will depend on the type of material, so follow the material-specific cleaning instructions above and leave the bean bag to dry out before going any further. For polyester products like our indoor/outdoor range, finish off by applying a little rubbing alcohol with a cotton cloth.
Apply your bean bag repair patch

Instructions for how to apply the patch will vary depending on the type of bean bag repair patch kit you’ve bought – it’s worth noting that you should avoid iron-on kits if possible. Follow the guidance on the packaging closely to adhere the patch to your bean bag.

Should you find that the patching process doesn’t work out or the patch comes loose shortly after, the easiest option is to buy a replacement bean bag cover. Luckily, we offer an extensive range of replacement bean bag covers. Find your existing material to restore your bag to its former glory or choose a new same-size cover for a revamped look.

What to do if the inner bag has split

If the inner filler container has split, we would advise you not to attempt a bean bag repair: our refill bags are the cheapest, most effective way to get your bean bag back to its original plump and comfy state. Check out our guide on how to fill a bean bag for more information.

Can a bean bag be left out in the rain?

In general, there aren't a lot of things that should be left out in the rain regularly. This includes our indoor/outdoor bean bags.

If there is a light shower, don't worry; just let the bean bag dry out naturally in the sun for enjoyment later on.

For heavy rain showers, however, we recommend either bringing it inside, covering it up, or storing it away from the downpour.

Will the sun affect a bean bag?

Our indoor/outdoor bean bags are made to be used as a lounger in the garden with your favourite book or Netflix series. For this reason, we've designed them to stay protected against the sun with a specially formulated UV-resistant material.

However, if you've got a darker coloured bean bag, expect it to absorb heat regardless. If it's too hot to sit on, just throw a towel or blanket over it and you're good to go.

How to open a bean bag zip

Our bean bags zips are designed to be hard to open.

With our anti-tamper zip mechanism, you can expect fillings to stay inside and not over your floor. They are hidden away from prying fingers but can be opened if needed.

You'll need to pull the zipper mechanism out to access the filling; a paper clip can be helpful here. Be careful not to jam anything into the zip as this may cause it to break.

Wrapping up

This bean bag cleaning and maintenance guide has outlined our top tips for keeping your favourite accessory clean and in good nick. We offer a range of handy items that can help you to get the most out of your bean bag, including bean bag refills and replacement bean bag covers.

Still have some questions about how to clean or repair your bean bag? Don’t worry, just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

If you've found this page useful, you may want to check out some of our other product guides:

Learn more about our bean bags

How to Fill a Bean Bag

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 14:51:00 +0100

This guide provides a quick and easy explanation of how to fill a bean bag. Along the way, we’ll also answer some other common questions our customers ask us, including ‘how much bean bag filling do I need?’ and ‘what is bean bag filling made of?’

Use the links below to jump to the section you’re most interested in:

How to refill a bean bag or bean bag chair
How much bean bag filling do I need?
What is our bean bag filling made from?
How do bean bag fillings work?
Can you use other materials to fill a bean bag?
Are bean bag fillings environmentally friendly?

Take a look at our bean bag refills if you’re looking to buy some filling.

How to refill a bean bag or bean bag chair

Refilling your bean bag is an incredibly quick and straightforward process. Follow these steps to ensure no beans are left spilling all over your floor:

Pull the zipper mechanism on the outside of the bean bag to unzip it;
Place the new refills inside your existing or new bean bag cover and zip it back up again.

And that's it; you're good to go. We've designed this process for the everyday user who doesn’t have time to hoover up beans that have spilt everywhere.

If you're wondering how to refill a bean bag chair, just follow the same simple two-step process. In this case, position your bean bag refills so that the shape of the chair stays the same.

How much bean bag filling do I need?

Before you can refill your bean bag, you’ll need to decide how much bean bag filling to buy.

If you’re refilling a bean bag because it’s started to lose its shape, we recommend adding around 15-20% of the original amount of filling. We sell bean bag refills in two cubic feet top-up sacks. Our large bean bag chairs come with 10 cubic feet of filling, so you’d only need one of our refill sacks for these. To top up a giant bean bag, you’d need two or more refills depending on the size.

Alternatively, you might be looking to replace all of the filling in your bean bag. In this case, find out how much filling the bean bag had in the first place and then buy enough refill sacks to replace the full amount. Below, we’ve outlined how many of our two cubic feet bean bag refills you’d need for different filling requirements:

Product Sizing
2 Cubic Feet	1 x 2 Cubic Feet Sack
4 Cubic Feet	2 x 2 Cubic Feet Sacks
6 Cubic Feet	3 x 2 Cubic Feet Sacks
8 Cubic Feet	4 x 2 Cubic Feet Sacks
10 Cubic Feet	5 x 2 Cubic Feet Sacks
12 Cubic Feet	6 x 2 Cubic Feet Sacks

Don’t worry if you’re struggling to work out how much bean bag filling you need – get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

What is our bean bag filling made from?

Customers often ask us what bean bag filling is made from. Our bean bag filling consists of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) beads. They're not the styrofoam that you might see in standard delivery packaging.

The beads are created with a small amount of gas which then enables them to establish elasticity and flexibility (more on this below). It's a lot of smart science and manufacturing that goes on behind the scenes to ensure your bean bag filling remains comfortable and, most importantly, safe.

How do bean bag fillings work?

Many people wonder how a bean bag’s moulding and expansive properties actually work.

The gas mentioned above is heated, causing the beads to expand up to 35x their original shape and size. Computers do all the clever maths and calculate the correct amount of beads required for cooking and how much to heat them (overcooked beans become hard and useless). The whole process takes just a few minutes, and the transformation of the beads from small to large leaves them with a lovely air cushion, making them comfy for us to sprawl out on.

Can you use other materials to fill a bean bag?

If you wanted to, you could put a lot of other things inside your bean bag to fill it. However, it wouldn’t be any way near as comfortable, and it may end up puncturing your bean bag from the inside out.

We therefore don’t recommend you put anything other than virgin EPS bean bag filling inside your bag.

Are bean bag fillings environmentally friendly?

Some EPS fillings can be made from recycled plastics like used water bottles and cups, meaning they’re doing their bit for the environment.

Some beads are also manufactured using newly created EPS, so it's likely your bean bag filling uses a combination of the two.

Due to their compactible properties, transport considerations are relatively low as deliveries can fit a lot of product into a small space with little weight.

How Unhealthy Is Your Hometown?

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 10:53:00 +0100

Do you live in the Greggs capital of the UK? Do you find yourself wondering why there seems to be more McDonald’s restaurants than people? Do you really know just how unhealthy your hometown is, and how does it rank with the rest of the UK?

As part of our lazy scale campaign we have compiled an index of the UK’s unhealthiest places, looking at the amount of fast food locations and how these compare with the amount of people in those areas.

The study, looked at leading high street fast food outlets, including McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza and Greggs. By using location data from each of their websites, we were able to find just how many locations each place has in the UK, comparing this to populations in the selected areas, we could work out how many people there are per fast food restaurant - giving us a list of the UK’s unhealthiest places.

The top ten are listed in the map below, with the locations best placed to serve you with one of the restaurants.

The unhealthiest place in the UK is East Central London, with 2,075 people for every fast food restaurant, whilst Dorchester which came out as the healthiest place to live has 17,767, people per restaurant, limiting your chances and accessibility of fast food.

The full list of UK locations and how they rank can be found below.

Keen to find out how many takeaways you eat compared to the rest of the UK? Take our test here, and find out just how healthy, or unhealthy you really are.

Official Bean Bag Reviewer | Work for GreatBeanBags™

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 15:34:00 +0000

Applications for the UK's first bean bag reviewers are now closed and the successful applicants have now been contacted.

Thanks to everyone that applied, we loved reading through the applications.

Keep your eyes peeled for future bean bag reviewer openings.

Ever wanted to work with your four-legged bestie? Well, now you can!

We are looking for children and dog duos to apply for the chance to test our latest bean bags for humans and pets!

No need to worry about pocket money now, because as well as getting a free bean bag to test and keep, you’ll also make £50 and a LOAD of doggy treats, as well as an ‘official reviewer’ uniform for you and your dog, all in exchange for your honest and insightful review of our bean bags.

We are looking for one great team to work with, a pair that knows their bean bags from a boring chair and their comfort from their kennel. We want to see a duo that love to relax with each other, have fun and can get the most from our bean bags.

All you need to do to apply is send a picture of you and your dog together, telling us why you are the most qualified to review our bean bags over everyone else, what makes you both a great team and why you want the job.

You will receive the latest kids bean bags and dog bean bags before anyone else and your feedback will be used to improve the product for thousands of other humans and their canine companions!

You will need a responsible parent or guardian to submit the application on your behalf and written consent will need to be provided in order for us to use the submitted photos.

Terms & Conditions

By submitting an application, you consent to the following:

GreatBeanBags™ contacting you in relation to the application form
Images and application copy to be used in external media and marketing activity going forwards, excluding email marketing

Tiger King Inspired Bean Bag Sofas

Thu, 07 May 2020 15:24:00 +0100

Tiger King, the Netflix true crime sensation, has divided the nation with its portrayal of the epic feud between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin. Friendships have been ruined, families torn apart, and bizarrely enough video games have since been created off the back of their long-standing rivalry.

The show tells the real-life story of Joe Exotic, the former owner of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, who is now in federal prison serving a 22-year sentence for crimes related to Carole Baskin that could not be revealed here without a pretty serious plot spoiler.

As you’ll know if you’ve binged the series lately, neither of these characters are stranger to controversy. Whichever way you look at it, their feud has been immensely polarising.

Now, though, it’s time to pick your side with our latest bean bag sofas:

'The ‘Exotic’ Three Seater' - For those who think three is never a crowd

The one you can 'Bask-In' - For loyal husbands across the world.

Represent your team as you binge (and re-binge) the series from the comfort of your home. Truly the pièce de résistance of our themed bean bag collection.

These faux fur couch bean bags come in either tiger print (for Joe) or leopard print (for Carole).

What’s more, they’re available as one, two, or three-seater models, meaning that you can each choose a different side and play out the feud in your living room.

So, which will it be, Team Carole or Team Joe?

*No big cats were harmed in the making of these sofas*

Queuing Hotspots as Fast Food Relaunches

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 14:53:00 +0100

As lockdown restrictions ease throughout the UK, doors to fast food restaurants will soon open, albeit socially distanced. In anticipation of the reopens and following scenes seen across social media of queues at fast food drive-thrus, we have conducted some research.

We have taken population data by postcode in the UK, e.g. NG1, NG2, NG3 etc and have cross-referenced this with the fast food restaurants in those areas. This assumes that many of the people in those locations will rush to get their fast food fix, just as they have with drive-thrus.

If this is the case, we could see some colossal queues! So we have broken the research down by restaurant, so all of the Steak Bake, Big Mac and Popcorn Chicken lovers can anticipate the queues at their closest locations.

The top 20 locations at risk of huge queues for each restaurant can be found below, find out where your local ranks:

Nutritional therapist, Claudia le Feuvre explained why we may rush to buy fast food when the lockdown restrictions are lifted:

“Fast foods are often formulated to achieve the ‘bliss point’, something we’ll be familiar with from having eaten this type of food before. This is the optimal blend of salt, sugar and fat which triggers the brain to produce feel-good endorphins and dopamine, a neurotransmitter that will keep us coming back for more, especially when the doors reopen.”

Patrick Tonks, creative director at Great Bean Bags which conducted the research, adds:

“We believe that balance is key in life, while we of course want people to enjoy comfort at home and to relax on our bean bag products with their favourite food, we have also conducted a lot of work and research to highlight where people can make positive lifestyle changes.

“It’s interesting to see the data here where the queues are most expected and hopefully it will encourage people not to rush for fast food, maybe opt for a healthier alternative knowing the wait they’ll have if they give in to temptation!”

To see the full top 20 for each location, you can view the data here.

The Big Brother Stars Making Thousands

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 14:35:00 +0100

From Nikki Grahame’s iconic ‘who is she?!’ rant to Alison Hammond breaking a table, there have been plenty of iconic moments in the Big Brother house across the last two decades.

Big Brother was the trailblazer for many of the reality shows we see now, like Love Island, The Circle and Too Hot To Handle with contestants vying for popularity and lazing around on bean bags. Twenty years on, we have revisited the contestants to find out if the show is still changing their lives, looking at how much money they could still be making up to 20 years after the series first aired.

Analysing over 300 Instagram profiles of past contestants, we found that some of the Big Brother stars could be earning more than £3,000 per Instagram post.

Our research shows that Welsh reality star and model Lateysha Grace, who appeared in series 17 could command the highest fee per post out of all of the former housemates.

With more than 1 million followers, she could earn up to an eye-watering £3,110 per Instagram post.

ITV’s Alison Hammond is second with a potential to earn £2,980 per post - showing winning the series really hasn’t turned out to be the be-all and end-all.

In third is ‘Ex on the Beach’ star Chanelle McCleary, with Alex Cannon in fourth.

The full list of the big and not so big earners on Instagram following their appearance on the show can be found below:

Top Instagram Earners Of Big Brother

Rank	Contestant	Season appearance	Instagram followers	Earnings/post
1	Lateysha Grace	BB17	1,084,321	£3,110
2	Alison Hammond	BB3	687,333	£2,980
3	Chanelle McCleary	BB18	619,390	£2,460
4	Alex Cannon	BB17	411,144	£1,620
5	Sam Pepper	BB11	404,171	£1,590
6	Deana Uppal	BB13	305,416	£1,220
7	Andrew Tate	BB17	262,612	£1,050
8	Ellie Young	BB18	256,467	£1,020
9	Imogen Thomas	BB7	255,418	£1,000
10	Kayleigh Morris	BB18	201,383	£800
11	Josie Gibson	BB11	188,866	£710
12	Kate Lawler	BB3	155,912	£620
13	Brian Dowling	BB2	144,690	£620
14	Sallie Axl	BB14	146,729	£580
15	Adele Roberts	BB3	140,512	£560
16	Sophie Reade	BB10	136,026	£540
17	Laura Carter	BB17	99,225	£520
18	Sam Chaloner	BB18	93,423	£490
19	Ryan Ruckledge	BB17	93,868	£490
20	Nikki Grahame	BB7	90,138	£480
21	Jason Burrill	BB17	90,790	£480
22	Isabelle Warburton	BB18	89,546	£480
23	Georgina Leigh Cantwell	BB17	86,058	£450
24	Hughie Maughan	BB17	83,367	£440
25	Chanelle Hayes	BB8	105,248	£420
26	John James Parton	BB11	80,274	£410
27	Jackson Blyton	BB17	76,721	£400
28	Chelsea Singh	BB17	75,515	£400
29	Marco Pierre White Jr	BB17	71,615	£380
30	Charley Uchea	BB8	73,882	£370

The Biggest Earner - Lateysha Grace

Lateysha Grace first hit the TV screens in 2012 at the age of 19 when she appeared on the Welsh reality TV series The Valleys. Since then she has gone on to star in Big Brother and her own MTV show - Million Dollar Baby.

After The Valleys was cut in 2014, she appeared in Big Brother in 2016 alongside contestants including Jason Burrill, Laura Carter and Alex Cannon. Earlier this year Lateysha also featured on Celebrity Ex on the Beach where she almost found love with former Royal Marine and model David McIntosh.

In September 2015 she gave birth to her daughter Wynter with now ex-boyfriend Ben Charles after tragically suffering a miscarriage the year before. Million Dollar Baby followed Lateysha on a mission to make Wynter worth a million pounds through posting on social media and creating their own brand.

Lateysha's Instagram Tips

In an interview with MTV in 2018, the 27-year-old revealed her top tips on how we can live our best Instagram lives.

She said: “I always just Google [captions]. I type in like ’positivity quotes’ or Drake lyrics. That’s all I do is Google stuff. And if you’re listening to songs in the car and hear a lyric you like then write it down because you can always go back and use that.”

On the perfect pose, Lateysha added: “I’m so terrible at posing believe it or not. My favourite angle is probably when I tilt my body to the side and look back. I think that is very fierce. Straight on is nice as well.”

She revealed her favourite filter was Aden but that she fiddles with settings including the brightness and contrast to get that perfect snap.

So there you have it, some quick and easy tips to make almost £4,000 per post on Instagram!

Methodology

We looked at the 97 eligible Instagram accounts of former Big Brother contestants and used Influencer Marketing Hub’s “Instagram Money Calculator” to predict estimated earnings, taking the highest value provided. Earnings are based on follower count and engagement rate on existing posts.

All data used was taken from active Instagram accounts, determined by regular social posting.

The Nation's Favourite TV Presenters Making Thousands on Instagram - Here's Who Earns the Most

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 14:26:00 +0100

With the nation being at home and lazing on beanbags more than ever before due to the coronavirus, the battle among TV channels to secure huge audience ratings has never been more fierce.

While the BBC may be winning the contest on the screen, on social media it’s a completely different story.

Having analysed the Instagram profiles of morning presenters who regularly appear on our televisions, we found those featuring on ITV are earning more than thirteen times the amount of money their BBC counterparts are on Instagram.

Our research shows presenters who feature on Good Morning Britain and This Morning can charge an average of £3,613 for a sponsored Instagram post.

In contrast, presenters on BBC news shows can command just £262, with those featuring on Sky capable of charging £122 per post on average.

This Morning’s Holly Willoughby has the potential to earn the most through Instagram out of all of the morning presents across the three channels.

With a staggering 6.8m followers, Holly could earn up to £17,264 per post. That would mean she would only have to be involved in 58 sponsored posts to make more than £1m.

Holly’s co-presenter Phillip Schofield is second and can command more than £8,100 per post with Rochelle Humes - formerly of The Saturdays - in third.

In fact the top ten biggest earners on Instagram are all ITV presenters including Piers Morgan, Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway.

Top Instagram Earners Of Morning TV

Rank	Morning TV Presenter	TV channel	Instagram followers	Earnings/Post
1	Holly Willoughby	ITV	6,800,000	£17,264
2	Phillip Schofield	ITV	3,200,000	£8,186
3	Rochelle Humes	ITV	2,000,000	£5,068
4	Ruth Langsford	ITV	931,000	£3,520
5	Kate Garraway	ITV	926,000	£3,512
6	Piers Morgan	ITV	1,200,000	£3,124
7	Alison Hammond	ITV	705,000	£2,670
8	Eamonn Holmes	ITV	672,000	£2,545
9	Dermot O’Leary	ITV	630,000	£2,386
10	Susanna Reid	ITV	515,000	£1,955
11	Ben Shephard	ITV	407,000	£1,541
12	Lorraine Kelly	ITV	365,000	£1,382
13	Charlotte Hawkins	ITV	201,000	£764
14	Dan Walker	BBC	143,000	£543
15	Louise Minchin	BBC	62,400	£323
16	Kay Burley	Sky	29,700	£192
17	Ranvir Singh	ITV	21,800	£174
18	Mike Bushell	BBC	21,300	£162
19	Sally Nugent	BBC	19,100	£157
20	Stephen Dixon	Sky	16,300	£132
21	Ben Thompson	BBC	14,500	£125
22	Adil Ray	ITV	13,000	£107
23	Gillian Joseph	Sky	2,684	£41

Dan Walker of the BBC is the highest placed presenter who doesn’t work for ITV. He ranks 14th and has the potential to earn £543 per post on Instagram.

Kay Burley is Sky’s highest placed presenter in 16th.

While Alison Hammond only ranks seventh compared to her TV colleagues, she fairs far better against the contestants she previously shared the Big Brother house with.

Last month we analysed over 300 Instagram profiles of past contestants on Big Brother and found that only Welsh reality star Lateysha Grace had the potential to earn more through Instagram than Alison.

With more than 1 million followers, Lateysha, who appeared in series 17 of Big Brother, can earn up to an eye-watering £3,110 per Instagram post.

Behind Alison in third was ‘Ex on the Beach’ star Chanelle McCleary, with Alex Cannon in fourth.

The full list of the big and not so big earners on Instagram following their appearance on the show can be found below:

Methodology

We looked at all of the presenters who regularly appear on weekday morning news shows across ITV, the BBC and Sky and used Influencer Marketing Hub’s “Instagram Money Calculator” to predict estimated earnings, taking the highest value provided. Earnings are based on follower count and engagement rate on existing posts.

What Does COVID-19 Look Like In A Kids Mind

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 14:03:00 +0000

2020 has been a horrible year for most of us and no one really knows when things will go back to normal and it’s likely we will be living alongside COVID-19 for a long time. Adults are exposed to the science and can understand what the virus is, what it looks like and how it works.

But, as kids bean bags suppliers and through our work with young people we know children are naturally more imaginative, less exposed to the facts and have a much brighter outlook on the world around them.

So, in an attempt to embrace what we have to deal with, we wanted to see the world through a child’s eyes and in particular how they view COVID-19. Does it seem like a big scary entity that they don’t really understand, a horrible little monster, or is it the opposite?

Here’s what we received when we requested drawings of COVID-19 from children across the UK:

But, while children have an open-minded and innocent view of the world, in this case it is important that they understand the implications of a global pandemic (even if they don’t know what it looks like), so we’ve asked child clinical psychologist, Lucy Russell to comment on how children view this type of event and how adults can communicate the implications and impact of something of this scale:

"Often a child's reactions to such an event will mirror the parent(s). So, if parents are able to stay calm and continue with life in as normal a way as possible, then the child will (very likely) pick up on all the verbal and non-verbal signs of containment and be able to do the same. If an adult is feeling panicky and out of control, they should try hard to manage this in front of the children, and seek support from friends and family to help themselves and their child feel safe.

"Adults should communicate the implications of the virus in the context of ensuring the child feels safe and contained. You can read more of my advice here, but to summarise, six strategies I recommend are:

Shift your (and their) focus to what can be controlled.
Limit access to the news.
Work on deep, slow breathing and consider mindfulness.
Focus on activities that soothe the senses.
Keep up as many routines as you can.
Notice and create positives out of adversity.”

So there you have it, that’s what the UK’s children think COVID-19 looks like, all sorts of weird and wonderful interpretations of something that has ruined 2020!

The World’s Most Relaxing Songs

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 13:43:00 +0000

We know just how important it is to relax, it’s why we make the greatest bean bags to kick back and chill on. But, with that in mind and after what has likely been one of the most stressful years on record for most of us, we wanted to help those out who are looking to just relax and switch off over Christmas!

So, we have put our heads together, crunched the numbers and have found the formula for the world’s most relaxing song...

With the help of data sourced from Spotify, we analysed over 2,200 songs from playlists that included the word ‘relax’, ‘relaxing’, ‘chill’ and ‘chilling’ to find the top 50 most common ‘relaxing’ songs, the top 10 as chosen by the public, include:

Top 10 Most Common 'Relaxing' Songs
Passenger - Let Her Go
Colbie Caillat - Bubbly
James Arthur - Can I Be Him
Norah Jones - Come Away With Me
Damien Rice - Cannonball
Taylor Swift - Cardigan
Ed Sheeran - Bloodstream
Lewis Capaldi - Bruises
Olivia O'Brien - Complicated
OneRepublic - Apologize

Top 10 Most Common 'Relaxing' Songs

Passenger - Let Her Go

Colbie Caillat - Bubbly

James Arthur - Can I Be Him

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

Damien Rice - Cannonball

Taylor Swift - Cardigan

Ed Sheeran - Bloodstream

Lewis Capaldi - Bruises

Olivia O'Brien - Complicated

OneRepublic - Apologize

Using our list of the top 50 most selected songs to relax to, we then set out on finding the average beats per minute (BPM), most common key and time signatures of the full 50, this then gave us the ‘formula for the world’s most relaxing song’, which is:

Beats Per Minute - 113
Key - C
Time Signature - 4/4

When we matched this formula against the biggest songs of 2020, we found the following:

The Top Most Relaxing Songs of 2020 (Descending In Similarity From Formula)
Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved
Doja Cat - Say So
Dua Lipa - Break My Heart
Lewis Capaldi - Before You Go
Lewis Capaldi - Bruises
Harry Styles - Falling
Halsey - You Should Be Sad

The Top Most Relaxing Songs of 2020 (Descending In Similarity From Formula)

Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved

Doja Cat - Say So

Dua Lipa - Break My Heart

Lewis Capaldi - Before You Go

Lewis Capaldi - Bruises

Harry Styles - Falling

Halsey - You Should Be Sad

Also, as it’s Christmas, we still want to get into the festive spirit while we chill out, so we also compared the formula to the top Christmas hits and we found a PERFECT MATCH!

The Most Relaxing Christmas Songs

Boney M’s ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ matches the formula exactly, so if you want to relax over Christmas, forget 2020 and keep in the festive spirit, this is the song for you!

Close runner ups, just one beat out from the formula were Band Aid ‘14’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ and Michael Buble’s ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’.

If you have some excited little ones refusing to settle down for the night, play one of these songs, sit them on one of our kids bean bags and they’ll be sure to get all sleepy for the big day!

Commenting on how music can help us to relax, psychologist Cristina Barcelo said:

"Music is scientifically proven to have a special effect on the brain, the body and even the emotional aspects of the human being,"

"If you’re feeling anxious, take at least five minutes of your day to sit down, take a couple of deep breaths and engage in relaxing music, it’s going to help you relax and increase the oxygen level of your body, which is also what creates the calming effect in the body, mind, and spirit."

So there you have it, if you’re looking to relax this Christmas, you can pop Boney M on and sink into your bean bag of choice to forget 2020 and all its events.

*All data correct as of December 2020.

Children’s Lockdown Drawing Habits Revealed

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 12:56:00 +0000

Is It A Bird Or Is It A Plane? Children’s Lockdown Drawing Habits Revealed

From building snowmen to helping solve tricky maths problems, many parents have been kept busy while homeschooling since the turn of the year.

While finding activities to keep children engaged can be tricky, drawing is a great way for kids to develop a number of fundamental skills while having a bit of fun at the same time.

In a bid to encourage more children to channel their creativity and to help parents in their homeschooling efforts, we have teamed up with artist Dan Pearce to provide expert tips on how to create the perfect drawing.

To discover the drawings children have been struggling with the most over lockdown we analysed more than 350,000 search terms which included the phrase 'how to draw'.

The 25 most searched terms were:

Search term	Avg monthly searches (March - December 2020)
How to draw a rose	27,100
How to draw a dog	27,100
How to draw a face	22,200
How to draw eyes	22,200
How to draw a unicorn	14,800
How to draw a cat	14,800
How to draw a nose	14,800
How to draw a girl	12,100
How to draw a dragon	12,100
How to draw lips	12,100
How to draw a flower	12,100
How to draw a horse	9,900
How to draw pokemon	9,900
How to draw hands	9,900
How to draw anime	8,100
How to draw hair	8,100
How to draw a butterfly	8,100
How to draw a tree	8,100
How to draw a cartoon	8,100
How to draw a car	6,600
How to draw a bird	6,600
How to draw a person	6,600
How to draw a lion	6,600
How to draw a star	6,600
How to draw an elephant	6,600

Helping children improve their drawings

While art requires lots of freedom and creativity, Dan has these top tips to help parents improve their child’s drawings:

1) Encourage children to be imaginative - Drawing is all about creativity and being able to express yourself so try not to limit children on what they can or can’t draw

2) Keep an eye on how hard they grip their pencil - One of the most common mistakes I see children making is they grip their pencil too hard. This restricts the outlines they can produce and often results in them having to make more corrections

3) Don’t get too fixated on the detail - While it can be tempting for parents to encourage children to pay close attention to the minor details in their drawings often this can result in them producing less creative pieces. Allow children to use their imagination and often they will produce their best work

Dan has also revealed his top hacks for drawing some of the most difficult outlines, these can be found at the bottom of the post.

The importance of drawing on a child’s development

Not only is drawing an entertaining activity for both children and parents, it can also have an extremely positive impact on other aspects of learning as well.

Here, child development expert and founder of the Good Play Guide, Dr Amanda Gummer explains the benefits of children drawing:

"Drawing plays a crucial role in a child’s development as it links to all three of the main areas - physical, cognitive and emotional.

"From a physical sense drawing helps to refine a child’s fine motor control through hand strength and coordination. It also encourages children to be creative and think flexibly - something which is important for all of the STEM subjects.

"Art is a great way for children to express their emotions and many children find it easier to communicate through their drawings rather than spoken words."

Our blog post discussing how parents can use drawing as a vehicle to opening up conversations around the difficulties their children may be facing during the pandemic can be found here.

Dan's drawing hacks

With our research highlighting the drawings children have been struggling with the most during the pandemic, Dan has revealed some of his best drawing hacks to help:

Drawing a rose

Drawing a rose requires quite a bit of intricacy because it is made up of a number of petals often of varying shapes and sizes. It’s easiest to make a petal shape out of card paper, cut it out and trace it repeatedly to get a number of petal shapes. Trace a few different shapes to add a bit more variety

Drawing a dog

I find it easiest to start with the dog's face pretending it is sitting in front of me. So, begin with the nose, mouth, face and ears followed by the body and tail. This gives you clarity of the pose the dog is likely to be striking

Drawing a unicorn

With a unicorn being a mythical animal you should have some fun and get creative. Why not make it a superhero pink unicorn with blue tentacles?

Drawing a face

It’s important to learn the ratio of the facial features. Always start with the oval shape and divide that up to the facial features - eyes, nose, ears etc. Believe it or not but the eyes are halfway between the top and bottom of the oval shape

If you’re looking at ways to make homeschooling all the more fun and relaxing for your children, why not take a look at our range of kids bean bags - the perfect lockdown purchase.

Methodology

We used Google Ads keyword planner to analyse more than 350,000 search terms which included the phrase ‘how to draw’ to discover the drawings children have been struggling with the most since lockdown.

The phrases which had the highest average monthly search volume from March 2020 to December 2020 were deemed to be the drawings most difficult for children to perfect.

Artists Who Have Ditched A Music Group For Solo Success

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 12:47:00 +0000

It goes without saying that music has helped to get us through lockdown - whether it’s motivation for yet another home workout or filling the silence as we lounge around on the sofa or bean bag. But the music industry hasn’t been short of its own drama...

Whispers of politics and jealousy often break up our favourite music groups, with certain singers stealing the spotlight whilst others are pushed to the back of the stage, and their names forgotten. Over the years, we’ve seen many lead singers ditch their music bands to chase a solo career. For some it led to chart breaking singles and grammy awards, but for others it left them wishing they’d stayed put in the group (sorry, Lee Ryan).

Within weeks of each other, Jesy Nelson from Little Mix announced she was leaving the girlband, and Olly Alexander, lead singer in Years & Years has recently done the same. But with both artists leaving successful music bands behind them, what is the appeal to suddenly perform alone?

Intrigued to find out more, we’ve looked back at the success (and failures) of other artists who have signed themselves away to solo careers, with the aim of predicting the stardom that lies ahead for both Jesy and Olly.

The Successes

Artist name	Monthly Spotify listeners	UK Top 10 singles	UK Number 1 singles	UK Number 1 albums	Number of singles	Rank
Eminem	39,838,626	33	10	10	56	1
Michael Jackson	26,323,426	44	7	10	63	2
Beyoncé	33,833,543	19	5	3	80	3
Robbie Williams	9,850,323	31	7	13	59	4
George Michael	11,554,869	23	7	7	47	5
Paul McCartney	10,173,278	16	3	7	111	6
Justin Timberlake	25,806,463	20	4	3	40	7
Rod Stewart	9,327,529	26	6	10	44	8
Phil Collins	15,790,366	13	3	6	49	9
Diana Ross	7,179,562	21	2	3	116	10

Looking into a range of solo artists, spanning across different genres and timelines, it is Eminem, otherwise known as the “Rap God” who comes up on top. What is less known about Eminem is his time as part of D12, where he kick-started his career in music and first tasted the success of chart-topping albums. Since leaving the hip-hop group from Detroit, Eminem has gained a huge fan base of over 39 million listeners on Spotify, having released 56 singles with 10 hits ranking at number one.

Closely following Eminem's Spotify fame are the likes of Harry Styles, Beyoncé and Camila Cabello, amassing millions and millions of loyal listeners who stream their music each month and proudly follow their solo act.

Michael Jackson, remembered as the “King of Pop”, ranks at number two for his solo success. At just 5-years-old, MJ started off as the lead vocalist for the Jackson 5, his family’s Motown group. However, the chart-topping career from the Jackson 5 was only the beginning for Michael Jackson; he later went on to release 63 singles as a solo artist, win 13 grammys and achieve the second best-selling album in history for ‘Thriller’. Safely moon-walking away from the Jackson 5...

Beyoncé is a shining example of the career that could lie ahead for Jesy Nelson. Beyoncé established her name in the R&B world as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child, scoring two UK number one hits with the girl group. After leaving Destiny’s Child in 2006 to launch her own solo career, Beyoncé has become one of the most celebrated women in the music industry. Beyoncé ranks as the third most successful artist since pursuing a solo career, and is the most successful female artist on the list. Whilst every singer dreams to be the next Eminem or Beyoncé, not every artist chasing this fame gets the same break.

The Flops

Artist name	Monthly Spotify listeners	UK Top 10 singles	UK Number 1 singles	UK Number 1 albums	Number of singles	Rank
Adam Levine	8,768,880	3	0	0	1	41
Liam Payne	7,688,910	2	0	0	12	42
Normani	11,596,354	1	0	0	6	43
Victoria Beckham	41,526	4	0	0	3	44
Brandon Flowers	679,570	1	0	2	2	45
Louis Tomlinson	4,437,422	2	0	0	8	46
Iggy Pop	4,278,590	1	0	0	10	47
Debbie Harry	108,967	1	0	0	12	48
Lisa Scott-Lee	6,024	1	0	0	4	49
Lee Ryan	2,869	1	0	0	9	50

Neither Lisa Scott-Lee, former singer in Steps, nor Lee Ryan, from Blue, have managed to secure a single UK number one since waving their groups farewell. Lee is ranked as the least successful solo artist, with a sad following of 2,869 on Spotify despite the nine singles he’s released (which is eight more than Adam Levine!). Both Lisa Scott-Lee and Lee Ryan had better luck in their former bands; Steps had three number one UK albums, and the boy band Blue had three number one singles and albums.

Despite the global success of his former boy band, Louis Tomlinson actually ranks in the completely wrong direction compared to the solo success of Harry, Zayn, Niall and Liam. Making the bottom five, Louis doesn’t have a UK number one single or album to celebrate his solo career. Instead, the success of 1D as the first UK group to have a debut album at number one in America, continues to outshine Louis’ nine singles.

As the rankings show, it could quite easily go either way for Jesy or Olly!

Methodology

We selected 50 solo artists who had left former music groups and collected data for the following: ‘Monthly Spotify listeners’, ‘UK Top 10 singles’, ‘UK Number 1 singles’, ‘UK Number 1 albums’ and ‘Number of singles’. We added a weighting to each different metric meaning we were able to rank each artist from 50 (being the most successful) to 1 (being the least successful).

Sensory bedroom ideas: how to create a sensory bedroom for young and SEN children

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 13:08:00 +0100

Without the right sensory room ideas to inspire your interior design, your child’s senses can be stimulated constantly even when they’re at home. Flashing lights, loud sounds and other forms of continuous chaos are now a part of our daily lives. And while some children can cope with all this input to a certain extent, others may find it difficult to keep some peace of mind in a world filled with sensory stimulation.

Luckily, more people are starting to realise the importance of sensory awareness and how some simple changes in your home can have a big impact on your child’s wellbeing. And no room is as important as their own private territory: the bedroom.

That’s why we’ve lined up some easy and budget-friendly sensory bedroom ideas to get your creative juices flowing. You’ll not only get specific sensory room ideas to design your child’s room (whether they’re a baby or toddler, tween or teen), but we’ll also share some general tips for managing sensory stimulation more effectively.

Ready to be inspired?

What is a sensory room?

A sensory room (also called sensory integration room) is designed to either calm or stimulate a person’s senses.

In most cases, sensory rooms are created to help reduce sensory stimulation in children who are overly sensitive to such stimulation, like kids with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Children’s rooms tend to be filled with bright colours and toys with flashing lights and sound effects. For some kids, this can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Sensory rooms for SEN children, on the other hand, will use calming colours and soft lights instead to help the child feel calm and safe.

It’s like baby-proofing a room, only in this case you’re protecting their mental instead of physical wellbeing.

If your child has certain needs that call for a sensory room, you may feel a bit overwhelmed at first. But designing a sensory room for your SEN child doesn’t have to be difficult – nor does it have to be expensive.

You just have to keep a few things in mind when designing the room. So let’s have a look at some of those sensory bedroom ideas below.

8 essential sensory bedroom ideas

1. Pick your colours carefully

One of the most important parts of a sensory bedroom is the colour scheme. Colours can either help your child relax or be a cause of added stress. So often the first thing to consider when looking for sensory bedroom ideas is the colour of the walls and the furniture in the room.

First, children with ASD or similar conditions tend to see colours with much greater intensity than children without ASD. That’s why you want to stay away from bright colours and use more neutral, muted colour shades instead.

Second, some colours work better than others. In particular, you should never use the colour red. Other potentially overstimulating colours include yellow, orange, and bright white. On the other hand, colours like green, blue, purple, brown, and black tend to have a calming and soothing effect.

2. Consider the lighting

Just like colours, lights can trigger many different sensory responses. Harsh light, in particular, can cause sensory issues for SEN children and teenagers of all ages. In fact, studies have shown that lighting is one of the reasons why children with autism have more trouble focusing in classrooms.

That is why sensory room ideas should always take lighting into consideration. Try to avoid bright colours and fluorescent lights. Instead, many SEN children respond really well to lava lamps or bubble lamps. Such lights work brilliantly as night-light alternatives as well.

Other ideas include dimmers so you can easily control the light levels and blinds to block out external light when needed. Lastly, avoid flickering lights or buzzing lamps as they can be very off-putting for your child.

3. Keep the noise down

Sounds are incredibly important when it comes to mental stimulation, especially when there are too many of them in a given environment. You want to try and block out as many external sounds as possible to give your child a serene, safe space in which they can choose their own preferred sounds to listen to (if any).

This starts with ensuring the windows and doors keep out as much sound as possible, opting for draught excluders and triple-glazed glass if possible. Other solutions include noise-cancelling headphones, playing music or sounds via a stereo, or investing in a white noise machine.

But bear in mind that every child is unique in what sounds they like. If you are designing a sensory room for your baby or toddler you may have to try out different sounds to see what they respond to best. Older children and teenagers, on the other hand, might already know what works best for them, so be sure to discuss this with them before making any purchases.

4. The importance of a good foundation

Flooring is another key element in any sensory bedroom design. Again, what works best differs for each individual child.

That said, there are two main points to consider when choosing the flooring:

1. Sound absorption
2. Safety

A porcelain floor doesn’t absorb any sound, which means every step taken or item accidentally dropped can be an anxiety-inducing experience for your child. The same goes for creaky laminate floors or old wooden houses.

Instead, many kids prefer carpets or other softer floorings.

5. Keep it tidy

Too much clutter can be a serious stressor and result in sensory overload, even when it’s their own stuff. So when organising sensory room ideas for your child you need to ensure that structured storage space is included in your plan.

For example, you can get an open cupboard with labelled storage bins that your kid can easily take in and out to organise their stuff in. This prevents clutter and the possibility of your child getting overwhelmed or lacking focus.

6. Toys and soft spots

Like any child, your kid probably likes to play with toys, although they may prefer specific sensory toys. Examples of sensory toys are special weighted stuffed animals or squishy stress balls for kids.

Similarly, children love piles of pillows and soft spots in their room to safely play, sit, and roll around. For many SEN kids, the only difference is that they might prefer sensory touch cushions over normal cushions.

They sometimes also prefer tactile soft chairs and bean bags over standard chairs. Such soft items are created to meet the specific sensory requirements of your child. For example, GreatBeanBags™ offer a kids’ bean bag range of sensory soft furnishings specifically designed for SEN children.

7. The softest spot of all

Your child’s bed is probably the most important part of the room. You can come up with dozens of great sensory bedroom ideas, but if you haven’t thought about the bed enough you might still end up with an overwhelmed and anxious kid every night.

Start with finding the right mattress for your child. Although a memory foam mattress tends to be the mattress of choice for many SEN children, it shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach.

There are mattresses that are specifically designed for SEN children and teenagers, but they do tend to be more expensive than other mattresses. We’d advise you to give several mattresses a try before making any purchase.

Another common sensory bed idea is adding a weighted blanket instead of a normal blanket. These blankets are slightly heavier than normal blankets. The extra weight and pressure help children feel calmer and sleep better.

8. Divide and conquer

If you have space for it, we’d recommend you try to divide the room into separate areas. Each area of the room can have a specific function.

For example, you want the area where the bed is to be completely focussed on rest and bedtime, so you want to avoid storing toys close to the bed. Instead, you can designate a specific play area where the kid can find all toys.

Dividing the room up like this helps add structure and prevent the kid from getting distracted by too many different items surrounding them.

Designing a sensory bedroom

Although many parents tend to get a bit overwhelmed at first, designing a sensory bedroom for your child doesn’t have to be that difficult. Neither does it have to be expensive.

By paying attention to some simple tips and guidelines you can help your kid feel calm and safe. So hopefully these eight sensory bedroom ideas have inspired you to design the perfect sensory space for your child.

Explore our collection of sensory bean bags to complete your design.

How to make the cosiest kids' reading corner

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 15:23:00 +0100

How to make the cosiest kids' reading corner

Creating a reading corner for your kid’s room encourages them to get lost in literature and doubles up as the ideal relaxation area. A lot goes into a great reading nook – from getting the right lighting to achieving the ultimate levels of comfort, there’s plenty to think about.

We’ve got you covered with this guide to making the cosiest kids’ reading corner, jam-packed with top tips from the experts in designing for young ones. Along the way, we’ll be looking into practical pointers for an easy environment to read in as well as ways to put together a cool space that your children will love.

Picking the perfect spot

All of the best reading nooks start with picking the perfect spot. Think of a comfy place to cosy up with a good book. It needs to be far enough away from distractions like the TV to allow for concentration, letting your child become truly absorbed in their stories. At the same time, find a spot relatively nearby so you can join in with reading sessions every now and again.

The ideal place for a children’s reading area will be different in every home. It could be tucked up away in a bedroom or in the corner of a playroom. You don’t need a great deal of space for this – a cosy spot often works best! The key is to find somewhere that your kids can relax in with as little noise as possible, away from the hustle and bustle of the house.

Let there be light!

Thinking along practical lines, it’s pretty important to get the right lighting levels for a kids’ reading corner. But this doesn’t have to be just about giving your child some light to read by. Your choice of lighting is a chance to brighten up the room and take its decor to the next level: get creative with a string of fairy lights or a lamp featuring your kid’s favourite character from literature.

Make things personal

Now that your child has a well-lit snug for easy reading, it’s time to make this into somewhere they love to hang around in. Add a splash of personality to the space by creating a theme. Turning your kid’s reading corner into a space that reflects who they are will encourage them to spend more time curled up there with a good book – and you can help them add to the environment as they grow and develop new interests.

Of course, you know your kid best of all, so you’re the perfect person to decide when it comes to a personalised theme. In the past, we’ve come across some really cool ideas for reading nooks based on a child’s favourite animals and books. These inspired us to create two of our best-loved collections for kids: our nature-themed and book-themed bean bags.

Keep it comfy

When looking to let your child lose themselves in a good book, comfort is the most important element of all. The cosiest kids’ reading nooks we’ve come across centre around the perfect seating. Of course, you’ll want to discuss this with your little one and choose their favourite type of seat. As the experts in designing comfy spaces, we’ve got plenty of ideas you could run past them:

With seating taken care of, you can move on to accessorising the space for maximum comfort levels. A snuggly blanket or throw is a great addition that’ll help your young one to settle down for storytime, keeping them cosy and warm during the winter months. You could also pair your seat with a footstool so that your little literary explorer can put their feet up!

Leave room for storage

No kid’s reading corner would be complete without a handy spot to store their books. There are loads of options to explore when thinking about storage: you could keep it simple with a floor standing bookshelf that’s close to hand or go all out with a recessed wall shelf. Alternatively, floating shelves and book storage cubes are both ideal for creating a cool, contemporary look that you and your kids will love.

This guide has explored the ins and outs of creating a cosy kids’ reading corner, covering all of the most important elements to consider. If you’re looking to accessorise a reading nook for your child, check out our range of kids’ bean bags.

The Shocking Truth About Video Game Streaming

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:59:00 +0100

How video game streamers and their viewers may be destroying the planet

Since the launch of the website Twitch in 2011, streaming and the viewing of streams has risen to dizzying heights of popularity.

Every week MILLIONS of people from all over the world either upload their streams, live stream or watch the streams from their favourite gamers. Some - Ninja for example - have managed to make a very lucrative living off becoming a professional streamer. But at what cost?

Much is said about the impact of everyday household appliances using too much energy, TV on standby, leaving a mobile charger plugged in, putting the washing machine on again because you forgot to hang out your clothes, and so on. However, not much is said about the impact of gaming consoles - to play and to stream videos on.

To shine a light on the matter we have analysed Twitch data to calculate the impact Twitch viewers and game streamers are having on the planet - and which games are the most detrimental.

Video game stream viewers are responsible for OVER 919k TONS of CO2 a year... and these are the games responsible

As there are more stream viewers than actual streamers on Twitch, it should come as no surprise that they are accountable for producing the most amount of CO2.

Over the course of one year, 1.7m viewers spent over 896 BILLION hours watching streams on Twitch. When an average of the streaming energy use of popular plug-in consoles plus PC is used (0.07kWh), this equates to a massive 59.7bn kWh (59.7k gWh) per year, just on watching video game streams.

When we put that into perspective, that is enough energy to power Jamaica for 20 years or Cyprus for 13 years. It is also enough energy to power the Delorean time machine 49,350 times, giving Marty more than enough time to make sure his present and future was just right!

But what about the impact...

This level of energy consumption produces a lot of emissions. Viewers on Twitch are responsible for emitting 919m kgs (919k tons) of carbon dioxide per year.

This is the same as 399,000 flights from London to Florida, or the same weight as 9,000 adult male Blue Whales or 74,000 double decker buses.

In fact, it would take over 43.7million fully grown trees a year to absorb that amount of CO2. That is enough trees to fill 35,110 football pitches!

These are the 25 biggest energy consuming game streams being watched on Twitch, over the past 12 months

Rank	Game	Electricity used watching kWh	Co2 produced (t)	Cost (GBP)	Cost (USD)
1	League of Legends	6,853,684,714	105,527	£1,233,663,249	$896,114,479
2	Grand Theft Auto V	5,178,427,301	79,733	£932,116,914	$677,075,745
3	Fortnite	4,844,579,123	74,593	£872,024,242	$633,425,329
4	Call of Duty: Warzone	3,846,122,062	59,219	£692,301,971	$502,877,767
5	Minecraft	2,992,380,707	46,074	£538,628,527	$391,251,683
6	Counter-Strike: Global Offensive	2,978,752,608	45,864	£536,175,469	$389,469,818
7	VALORANT	2,881,482,575	44,367	£518,666,864	$376,751,830
8	Among Us	2,038,116,241	31,381	£366,860,923	$266,482,272
9	Dota 2	1,960,205,337	30,182	£352,836,961	$256,295,476
10	World of Warcraft	1,907,333,330	29,368	£343,319,999	$249,382,498
11	Apex Legends	1,822,803,234	28,066	£328,104,582	$238,330,247
12	Escape from Tarkov	1,704,350,866	26,242	£306,783,156	$222,842,683
13	FIFA 21	1,312,070,296	20,202	£236,172,653	$171,552,273
14	Rust	1,287,156,945	19,819	£231,688,250	$168,294,870
15	Hearthstone	1,108,050,122	17,061	£199,449,022	$144,876,778
16	Dead by Daylight	956,286,119	14,724	£172,131,501	$125,033,741
17	Rocket League	820,949,451	12,640	£147,770,901	$107,338,566
18	Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout	778,851,383	11,992	£140,193,249	$101,834,273
19	Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege	719,826,519	11,083	£129,568,773	$94,116,814
20	Teamfight Tactics	695,030,514	10,702	£125,105,493	$90,874,753
21	Overwatch	662,517,070	10,201	£119,253,073	$86,623,643
22	PUBG	639,362,315	9,844	£115,085,217	$83,596,175
23	Path of Exile	514,297,057	7,919	£92,573,470	$67,243,980
24	Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War	492,902,081	7,589	£88,722,375	$64,446,602
25	Genshin Impact	456,090,356	7,022	£82,096,264	$59,633,495

Video game streamers use enough power in one year to keep Gibraltar going for 24 YEARS

The streamers, although not as much as their viewers, still produce a large amount of CO2 emissions.

During the past 12 months, over 28.75m streamers on Twitch have spent 36.16 BILLION hours of stream time on the platform. Based on the average energy used for gameplay across the popular plug in consoles and PC (0.13kWh), this adds up to a 4.79 million kWh of energy used per year, resulting in 134 million kg CO2.

This would take 6.4m trees a year to absorb, filling 5.1k football pitches.

So what is this equal to? It may be a drop in the ocean, or the Ozone, compared to the viewers’ emissions but this amount of energy would still be enough to power Gibraltar for 24 years or the Falkland Islands for 262 years - just from one year of video game streaming.

These are the 25 biggest energy consuming games being streamed by gamers on Twitch, over the past 12 months

Rank	Game	Electricity used Streaming kwh	Co2 produced (t)	Cost (GBP)	Cost (USD)
1	Fortnite	699,564,390	19,659	£3,894,044	$2,751,337
2	Call of Duty: Warzone	456,032,255	12,815	£2,538,451	$1,793,542
3	League of Legends	331,440,620	9,314	£1,844,926	$1,303,532
4	VALORANT	284,247,653	7,988	£1,582,232	$1,117,926
5	Apex Legends	264,951,181	7,446	£1,474,820	$1,042,034
6	Minecraft	237,134,892	6,664	£1,319,984	$932,635
7	Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare	213,617,584	6,003	£1,189,078	$840,143
8	Grand Theft Auto V	171,456,884	4,818	£954,395	$674,328
9	World of Warcraft	135,335,571	3,803	£753,330	$532,265
10	Counter-Strike: Global Offensive	131,243,632	3,688	£730,552	$516,172
11	Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege	111,246,416	3,126	£619,240	$437,524
12	Dead by Daylight	100,177,388	2,815	£557,626	$393,991
13	Rocket League	92,315,298	2,594	£513,862	$363,069
14	Escape from Tarkov	84,006,939	2,361	£467,615	$330,393
15	Overwatch	79,699,084	2,240	£443,636	$313,451
16	Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War	9,630,051	2,238	£443,251	$313,179
17	Among Us	72,263,025	2,031	£402,244	$284,205
18	Destiny 2	69,764,933	1,961	£388,338	$274,381
19	PUBG	59,495,303	1,672	£331,174	$233,991
20	Dota 2	59,452,622	1,671	£330,936	$233,823
21	FIFA 21	56,898,517	1,599	£316,719	$223,778
22	Genshin Impact	49,221,846	1,383	£273,988	$193,586
23	Phasmophobia	44,203,171	1,242	£246,052	$173,848
24	Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout	41,102,711	1,155	£228,793	$161,654
25	NBA 2K21	41,003,483	1,152	£228,241	$161,264

The total damage

Although these figures are only based on one platform, Twitch, and do not include the likes of YouTube and other platforms used for game streaming, the total amount of energy used and CO2 produced by streamers on the platform is shocking.

In order to negate the impact their users are having on the environment, Twitch would have to plant 50.2 MILLION trees a year, an amount which would fill 40.2k football pitches (or 287 km2).

Too hard to imagine?

Well that electricity is enough to boil all the UK’s kettles four times a day (the UK average) for 17 YEARS! It is also enough energy to light the 20,000 bulbs on the Eiffel tower for over 40,000 YEARS or even watch every Friends series over 10 BILLION times.

Twitch users’ annual electricity consumption is the same as watching the whole of Breaking Bad 19 BILLION times

TV show	Episodes	Length of episode (mins)	Length of entire show (hours)	Total energy consumed (kWh)	Times watched with Twitch user energy
ER	331	48	265	19.3	3,334,714,161
The Simpsons	703	22	258	18.8	3,428,291,424
Lost	122	44	89	6.5	9,929,205,087
Friends	238	22	87	6.4	10,157,462,676
How I Met Your Mother	208	22	87	6.4	10,157,462,676
The Office	201	22	74	5.4	11,941,881,794
Game of Thrones	73	60	73	5.3	12,105,469,216
The Sopranos	86	50	72	5.3	12,273,600,733
Mad Men	92	44	67	4.9	13,189,541,086
Breaking Bad	62	44	45	3.3	19,637,761,173

As we can see those playing the games and creating the streams use a lot less energy than those viewing, so we suggest you get comfy on a gaming bean bag and play for yourself, rather than watching others do it!

Methodology

We used data from Twitch Tracker and Sully Gnome to collect the most streamed and viewed games per week, month and year on Twitch.

We then worked out the average streaming and game play energy consumption across Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X, PS5, PC, Monitor and TVs to give average kWh. This figure was used to work out the energy consumption of the games by multiplying the kWh figure by hours viewed/streamed per week, month and year.

The CO2kg and CO2ekg emissions were calculated by using the average CO2kg and CO2ekg emissions per kwh and multiplying it by the kwh figure for each game, figures are based on averages and therefore approximate.

Dream Job Alert! We are looking for a gaming bean bag tester

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 12:41:00 +0000

Got a new console for Christmas and want to spend a whole day playing guilt free? Well we are giving you the chance to do just that!

We are looking for the ultimate gamer to test our range of gaming bean bags to make sure they are up to the task of supporting long sessions of play.

Gaming requires a lot of concentration (your team is relying on you) and in order to concentrate you need to be as comfy as possible. This is why we need a real gamer to let us know which of our gaming bean bags are ideal for those long sessions of gaming.

The winner of this opportunity will be sent four bean bags to test over an 8 hour period (2 hours on each) and then asked to score each bean bag on comfort, practicality and durability. The highest scoring bean bag will be granted the “gamer approved” badge on site.

For this day’s work, the lucky gamer that lands the job will be paid £250 (which is £31.25 per hour) and will be able to keep the beanbags to do with as they wish (keep, donate, build a fort- the choice is yours!)

To enter, send an email to this address with the subject line:

I want to get paid to play games!

To this address: ~~competition@greatbeanbags.com~~

And tell us:

Your name and age
What your console of choice is
The game you are currently playing

The winner will be picked at random and contacted by a member of our team to organise delivery.

Good luck!

Terms & Conditions

The prize consists of one £250 prepaid credit card and four gaming bean bags in the colour of the winner’s choice.
The winner will have 7 days to respond, otherwise a new winner will be selected at random.
The winner will be required to take photos of themselves or have photos taken of them using the bean bags, these images will be used on the GreatBeanBags blog and on social media.
The bean bags are non-exchangeable and have no cash value.
There are no alternatives, such as cash or vouchers, to the prize on offer.
No returns or exchanges on the bean bags once delivered.
Competition closes at 23:59pm February 14th 2022, entries after this time won’t be counted.

By submitting an application, you consent to the following:

GreatBeanBags™ contacting you in relation to the application form.
Images and application copy to be used in external media and marketing activity going forwards, excluding email marketing.

Children’s Bedroom Ideas: How to Decorate a Kid's Room

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 11:08:00 +0100

Coming up with children’s bedroom ideas can be exciting but isn’t always the easiest thing to do. The goal is to choose decor that matches your kid’s personality and helps them to enjoy their new room, but equally works for them on a practical level.

Here, we’ve shared our 10 top tips on how to decorate a kid’s room. At the end, you’ll find toddler’s room ideas plus our advice on decorating bedrooms for older kids.

Use the links below to get to the section you’re most interested in:

How to decorate a kid’s room

Your young one’s bedroom isn’t just a place to sleep – this space should be versatile and multi-functional, giving them room to play, learn, relax and grow.

Thinking of children’s bedroom ideas that tick all the right boxes can be tricky, so we’ve put together this guide on how to decorate a kid’s room to give you a helping hand. Following the steps below will get you off to a good start.

1. Ask them what they’d like

The first step towards any successful kid’s room refresh should always be to get their input. Involving your child in the decision-making process is a sure-fire way to ensure that they’re happy with your choices and ultimately get the most out of their new room.

2. Craft DIY decor with your kids

Beyond getting your child’s thoughts on the decor, you could also ask if they’d like to be involved in the decoration process itself.

Patrick Tonks, our creative director, offers the following advice:

‘A hand-painted mural, some of their own artwork, or a few well-placed stickers can help your kid to feel that they’ve put their own stamp on the room and really bring the space to life. Redecorating your kid’s room is a great opportunity to encourage them to get creative.’

3. Pick a theme and colour scheme

Get your heads together to come up with a theme that reflects their personality. This will make it much easier to plan the other main decor elements with your kid, from colours and patterns to fabrics and furniture. Once you’ve got an idea of the theme they’d like, try showing them different options for colour schemes and furnishings so they can pick out the ones they like best.

If you and your child aren’t sure what to go for, there are tons of cool kid’s room theme ideas you could consider:

It can be tempting just to choose your kid’s favourite TV or film characters as a theme – and this is something that a lot of families go for. Just remember that they might grow out of the TV show (and the room) faster than they would if you picked something more generic.

Our animal bean bags are perfect for themed kids’ rooms

4. Light up the room

The right choice of lighting will brighten up your kid’s room and make it into a much more versatile space. Table and floor lamps are ideal for creating a reading nook that encourages your child to get lost in literary adventures (more on this below). You can also find quirky lampshades and light fittings to take the theme to the next level.

5. Create a reading nook

Your kid’s bedroom is the ideal place to create a reading nook. This’ll provide a cosy, inviting space for your child to snuggle up and get into a good book, whilst also acting as a focal point of the room. Learn more about how to decorate this part of your kid’s bedroom in our guide on making the cosiest kids’ reading corner.

6. Leave room for toys and playing

Reading is fundamental to your child’s development, but playing is too – make sure to save space for fun and games when planning out their room. As you may have already found, a kid’s bedroom can quickly become overcrowded during a redecoration, so it’s a good plan to earmark a toy zone in the middle of the room before it gets filled up. That way, your little one will always have space to play.

7. Introduce some unique bedroom storage

When thinking of children's bedroom ideas, storage is vital. A run-of-the-mill toy chest is a good place to start, but you could also think about bringing in some more innovative and unusual storage spaces.

Some clever storage ideas for kids’ rooms include:

Door hangers for storing toys and accessories
Multi-functional seating that doubles up as a storage box
DIY rolling under-bed drawers
Themed toy organisers
Recessed bookshelves

8. Keep it cosy

Comfort is also important for any kid’s room, and there are plenty of options you could explore to make your child’s room that little bit more cosy. Soft furnishings like throws, blankets and cushions are a must. And although we may be biassed, there’s nothing better than a kids’ bean bag chair or lounger for providing the ultimate in comfort and tying the theme of a room together.

9. Design for their age

As you compare ideas for your kid’s room, keep in mind their age as well as their preferences.

Safety and comfort should of course be the main priority for any toddler’s room (more on this below). Bigger kids and teens will naturally want to feel that the room matches their personality, so keep them involved at every stage of the redecoration process – read on for more tips on decorating an older kid’s bedroom.

10. But plan for the long term

Sticking with the theme of making the space age-appropriate, it’s sensible to futureproof your child’s bedrooms so that it can grow with them as their interests change. Of course, you can always refresh the room as they get older, but choosing some more neutral colours and furnishings can help you to avoid making major changes a year or two after you’ve redecorated.

Toddler’s room ideas

When it comes to toddler’s room ideas, the first thing is to make the space safe. You can childproof the room by:

Securing loose furniture with child-safety straps
Installing safety plates on sockets
Buying cordless blinds
Fitting a soft carpet with rugs for play
Keeping small items out of reach
Avoiding or covering any sharp edges

To ensure your toddler’s bedroom is as accessible as possible, try adding some ground-level storage so they can grab their toys easily without having to reach up. A small bookshelf at floor height will also encourage your child to pick up books and get into reading from a young age.

If you’ve got the space, a low table and chair set can be a great idea for a toddler’s room. Not only will this provide an area for them to draw, read and play, but they can also use it as a support to help them practise standing up as they start to totter about.

Patrick had this to say about the redecorating a toddler’s room:

‘Of course, your kid’s room should be fun as well as stimulating. Creating a den is an awesome way to get your child on board with the redecoration, giving them the opportunity to have some input whilst also keeping them entertained. A play tent is the perfect place to start if you’re planning a semi-permanent den. Some scatter cushions will also help to make it a comfy space.’

Older children’s bedroom ideas

As your child grows up, their personality and interests will naturally develop, so the key to redecorating an older kid’s room is to make sure that it reflects who they are.

With this in mind, the process of coming up with older children’s bedroom ideas is likely to be much more collaborative. Kids tend to want to get more involved in redecorating their room as they reach school age (and even more so if they’re in their early teens).

Speak to them in advance and pick out a theme. Whatever this might be, just make sure that it’s something that they’ll love for years to come so that the room is future-proofed. Your young one may even want to help with choosing the furnishings, particularly if they came up with the idea behind the bedroom themselves.

Giving your child room for new hobbies as they get older is also important. Timing the redecoration around their birthday or Christmas will mean that you can treat them to a present for their room, whether this a game you’ve heard them talk about or that new telescope they’ve been after.

What next?

This guide has offered some cool kid’s bedroom ideas, plus some tips on how to decorate the ideal room for toddlers and older children. We make kids’ bean bags that are suitable for all ages from toddlers to teens, providing a comfy and stylish finishing touch to your child’s room.

Explore our bean bags for kids

Keen to keep reading? If you’ve enjoyed this post, you’ll love our guides on:

Gaming Room Ideas for the Ultimate Setup

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 13:37:00 +0100

Finding the best gaming room ideas is the starting point for achieving the ultimate setup. Whether you’re a console or PC gamer, you’ll want to create an epic gaming setup that matches the awesomeness of your favourite titles and offers the comfort you need for endless hours of play.

This all starts with selecting the right room for your new gaming space. Once you’ve decided on that, there’s plenty more to consider: what will you need to max out on comfort, how can you choose the perfect theme – and which gaming room decor will complement it?

Read on for tons of gaming room ideas and inspiration on the following and more:

Which room should I turn into a gaming space?

With the right approach, any room in your house can be made into an awesome gaming room. Common choices for gaming setups around the world include bedrooms and living rooms, but studies, loft spaces and even basements can work well too. So long as your new gaming room is warm and comfortable, you’re good to go.

How do I turn my bedroom into a gaming room?

Bedrooms are a go-to option when it comes to creating a new gaming room. With a bedroom gaming setup, you’ll have easy access to a nearby bed to crash out in after a late-night gaming session – and you can also make the space your own without impacting the rest of the house with your gaming room decor.

But how can you turn your bedroom into a gaming room? See our top tips below:

Make sure your monitor or TV screen is positioned away from windows to avoid glare.
Pick out a versatile gaming desk or go for comfort with a gaming bean bag for console gaming.
Consider adding wall storage such as shelves for your games.
If you plan to play late into the night and your bedroom shares a wall with someone else’s, think about adding soundproofing (or just invest in a decent set of gaming headphones!)
Create a chill out area so you can take a break from time to time.
Complete the ultimate bedroom gaming setup with a partition that separates your bed from the gaming area to keep you in the zone

Living room-gaming rooms

Living rooms are another classic choice when it comes to creating the ultimate gaming room setup. It’s likely that your lounge is already part way there, with a comfy sofa to sit on and something to play games on (whether that’s a TV with console or a computer). All you need now is to find a theme and pick some gaming room decor that fits with it.

Gaming room ideas for small rooms

If you’re designing a gaming setup in a smaller space, the key is to think multi-functional when it comes to furniture. As you pick out a media unit for your TV, opt for one that boosts the amount of storage space you have available, with a usable surface on top and lots of deep drawers underneath. Your choice of lighting and gaming room decor is also key here: a large wall mirror won’t take up any extra space, but this is an effortless way to help light bounce around the room and make it feel much bigger.

When thinking of gaming room ideas for small rooms, compact fittings and furniture are essential. Provided that you’ve got enough room to chill out, a smaller sofa or bean bag couch is the ideal option for console gaming. The same is true of your gaming chair – bigger isn’t always better when it comes to comfort. By minimising the footprint that your furniture takes up, you’ll save plenty of space so you can pick a larger TV or monitor to level up on immersion. This way, you can still have an awesome experience even with a small bedroom gaming room.

What should I put in my gaming room?

Once you’ve chosen where you’ll position your gaming room, you can start thinking about what stuff to put in it. Here, we’ve considered all of the essentials, from desks and comfy seats to the storage and the ideal gaming room accessories. These tips apply whether you’re designing a gaming room for adults or converting your kid’s bedroom into a space that doubles up as a gaming zone.

Gaming desks

If you’re a PC gamer, then a good desk will always be the core of your gaming room setup. Make sure that your chosen room can fit a reasonably sized desk – you’ll need all the space you can get when it comes to adding a widescreen gaming monitor or two, decent speakers, an ergonomic gaming keyboard (and the rest!) The bigger you can go, the more versatile your gaming room will be.

Maxing out on comfort

Comfort is a key part of any extended gaming session. Your choice of seat will naturally depend on the type of games you like to play:

PC gamers will benefit from investing in a high-quality gaming chair (your back will thank you in the long term). Just remember that you can still sit comfortably without a huge chair if you’re designing a small bedroom gaming room.
If you’re more of a console player, then a gaming bean bag is the way to go for a cushy gaming setup. Of course, we may be biassed, but we’re also kind of the experts!

Our Luxury Woven Triangle Bean Bag

Picking out gaming room accessories

Other important gaming room accessories include things like scatter cushions for added cosiness, blackout blinds to stop glare on bright sunny days and a Wi-Fi booster if your space is a little far away from the router. If you’re truly aiming to make the ultimate gaming room setup, then you might also want to think about a well-stocked mini fridge and drinks shelf to keep you going on those long-haul sessions.

Storage for your games

Storage is often overlooked when it comes to ideas for a new gaming room. Whether it’s a well-placed drawer, a shelving unit or just a large chest, make sure that you’ve got somewhere to store all of your games, controllers and other accessories.

How can I decorate my room for gaming?

So, you’ve taken care of the practical stuff, but how are you going to decorate your new gaming room? Don’t sweat it, you’ve come to the right place! Read on for some gaming room ideas and inspiration on choosing a theme, colour scheme and other gaming room decor.

Choosing the best gaming room theme

The theme of your gaming room will tie everything together, so it’s a great place to begin when it comes to the decor.

Retro-inspired gaming rooms are a really popular option even amongst younger games, and you’ll find plenty of cool items online to fit with this theme (including vintage arcade games if that’s your thing!) More of a next-gen gamer? You could theme your gaming room around your favourite console, games developer or video game franchise.

What colour is good for a gaming room?

When deciding a gaming room colour scheme, keep your chosen theme in mind. Looking to create an Xbox-themed spaced? Then green is the obvious go-to. A Nintendo gaming room, on the other hand, would naturally have red at the core of its colour scheme.

Below, we’ve considered some of the pros and cons of the other colour options you could pick for a gaming room:

Black – a classic option for gaming rooms everywhere, black is ideal for creating a space in which you can immerse yourself in games without any distractions (but be wary of the fact that black can make a small room feel oppressive).
White – on the other hand, white can be used to make a gaming room feel more expansive. This minimalist colour palette also gives you plenty of opportunity to find accessories that complement the space.
Orange – a bold and bright colour like orange makes a statement; it’s also a great choice if you’re going for a retro theme.
Pink – you could link your gaming room to a fan-favourite franchise like Kirby with a hot pink colour scheme. You’ll find tons of gaming chairs, desks and accessories to match online.
Grey – if gaudy colours aren’t your thing, then a neutral grey colour scheme could be the way to go. Grey is a popular colour choice for other forms of interior design, so it offers the ideal way to connect your gaming room with the rest of the home.
Blue – blue is another quintessential choice for a gaming room. Why not pair blue furniture with matching LED lighting to give the space a cool glow?

Whichever colour you opt for, check out our range of coloured bean bags to find the perfect addition to your new space.

Posters, lights and other gaming room decor

And now we come to the finishing touches of any good gaming room. If you’ve chosen a solid theme, it’ll be easy to find the right posters and other decor to tie the space together. Many modern gamers also choose to add RGB lighting to complete the ambience. Simple LED tape is an easy DIY option to achieve this effect, but you could also consider colour-controlled uplighters for a more contemporary look.

What next?

This guide has looked at some cool gaming room ideas for creating the perfect setup, with inspiration that applies whether you’re designing a sprawling open plan space or just a small bedroom gaming room.. Found it useful? Check out our other gaming blogs and articles.

If you’re looking for the ultimate in comfort to complete your new gaming room, look no further than our selection of purpose-built gaming bean bags.

Explore our gaming bean bags

The UK's Laziest Counties

Wed, 04 May 2022 11:25:00 +0100

Do you consider yourself a couch potato? Is it your dream to spend the day doing the bare minimum? Our Lazy Scale has revealed that you’re not alone.

We challenged the nation to answer a series of questions truthfully in a bid to find out how lazy Brits really are. From their exercise habits, the number of takeaways they order and how much sleep they get a night, we were able to analyse which county ranks highest for their bad habits.

Overall over 26,000 people have taken part. Want to see how you compare with the rest of the UK? Check out the top 30 laziest counties below.

The 30 Laziest Counties in the UK

Buckinghamshire residents are the most sloth-like in the whole of the UK. Completing on average 2 hours of exercise per week, just over an hour of walking a day and getting 7 hours of sleep a night.

Despite being located on the banks of the Thames and home to the Vale of Aylesbury, its residents would prefer a day on the sofa to a walk in the hills.

In second place is Greater London, who despite raking up an impressive 88 minutes of walking a day, find themselves ordering at least 3 takeaways a week. With more than 8,000 takeaways available to residents in the Greater London area, it’s no surprise that the pull to order entices them multiple times a week.

For the third laziest county we head west to Bristol. Totalling 7.35 hours of sleep, Bristolians are getting an extra 30 minutes in bed than the average UK resident. However this extra sleep isn’t helping them up their step count with residents only walking for 79 minutes a day.

Rank	County	Walking Rank	Sleep Rank	Takeaway Rank	Exercise Rank	Total
1	Buckinghamshire	6	9	20	11	46
2	Greater London	22	6	3	16	47
3	Bristol	4	7	9	28	48
4	Midlothian	1	11	22	15	49
5	South Yorkshire	5	22	17	6	50
6	Antrim	3	44	2	4	53
7	Berkshire	8	26	11	8	53
8	City of London	11	30	1	17	59
9	Down	2	42	7	9	60
10	Northamptonshire	30	5	38	2	75
11	Essex	29	24	12	10	75
12	Tyne and Wear	13	38	14	13	78
13	West Midlands	34	33	6	5	78
14	Greater Manchester	31	40	5	3	79
15	Bedfordshire	23	27	4	25	79
16	Glamorgan	12	25	36	7	80
17	Nottinghamshire	21	15	25	19	80
18	East Sussex	10	4	47	26	87
19	Leicestershire	19	8	27	34	88
20	Wiltshire	24	12	41	12	89
21	Lancashire	36	17	16	22	91
22	Cheshire	27	13	21	31	92
23	Kent	16	29	28	23	96
24	Hertfordshire	15	48	18	20	101
25	Surrey	25	39	24	14	102
26	Lanarkshire	50	28	8	18	104
27	Suffolk	17	35	32	21	105
28	Fife	42	2	13	51	108
29	Derbyshire	33	10	23	43	109
30	Norfolk	20	16	47	32	115

*the lower the overall score, the lazier the county

Takeaway City, The 10 Regions Who Just Can’t Stop Ordering In

County	Rank	No. Takeaways
City of London	1	4.4
Antrim	2	3.5
Greater London	3	3.3
Bedfordshire	4	3.2
Greater Manchester	5	3.2
West Midlands	6	3.2
Down	7	3.0
Lancashire	8	3.0
Bristol	9	2.8
Merseyside	10	2.8

With over 2,075 people for every fast food restaurant in West Central London, more takeaway options are at their fingertips than anywhere else in the country, therefore it’s no surprise that people in the City of London have at least 4 takeaways a week. Busy schedules and long commutes can definitely put Londoners off cooking a meal when they get home, so why not open a takeaway app and get your food delivered straight to your door?

It’s not just Central London that loves a takeaway but Greater London also ranks third for their takeaway frequency, ordering in more than three times a week.

In second place we see that Antrim residents are also a big fan of ordering in, averaging at 3.5 takeaways a week. Completing 78 minutes of walking a day and 2.5 hours of exercise a week, this Northern Irish county comes in sixth on the lazy scale.

The 10 Counties Who Can’t Help Hitting Snooze

County	Rank	Minutes of Sleep/ Night
Cumbria	1	459
Fife	2	458
Cornwall	3	448
East Sussex	4	448
Northamptonshire	5	445
Greater London	6	442
Bristol	7	441
Leicestershire	8	440
Buckinghamshire	9	439
Derbyshire	10	439

Home to one of the most beautiful nature spots the country has to offer, Cumbrians way of life is more outdoorsy than metropolitan. Studies have shown that fresh air can make us feel calm and tired, therefore spending time outdoors during the day can make you feel more tired by the time you go to bed. Completing a total of 93 minutes of walking a day and 3.2 hours of exercise a week, this could definitely have a positive impact on how sleepy Cumbrians can be, helping them get an impressive 7.65 hours of sleep a night.

Fife comes in second, clocking 7.63 hours of sleep a night, roughly 30 minutes more than the national average. Whilst residents in Fife and Cumbria are sleeping soundly, down in Cornwall residents are managing just under 7.5 hours of sleep, ranking in third for getting the best snooze in the UK.

According to the NHS, most adults need between 6-9 hours of sleep every night, which means those at the bottom of our scale are in serious need of some extra “zzzs”. To improve your general wellbeing and combat tiredness, it’s important to programme the brain and internal body clock to a set routine.

Dr Lindsay Browning, psychologist, neuroscientist and sleep expert for And So To Bed, said: “When we sleep, our brains physically repair our bodies and regulate important hormones which control the functioning of our bodies during the day. If we don’t get the right amount of sleep or the right kind of sleep then our bodies will not be properly repaired during the night. For example when we sleep our brains wash away the build-up of amyloid plaques which can cause Alzheimer’s disease.

“Also, if we don’t get enough sleep then our brain doesn’t regulate the hormones that control our hunger drive (ghrelin and leptin) leading to weight gain and obesity. Also, we know that our bodies produce our immune response during our sleep and therefore if you are not getting the right amount of sleep, your immune system will be compromised, leaving you at risk of getting more seriously ill with infections or diseases.

“People who get too little sleep (less than 7 hours per night), or too much sleep (more than 9 hours per night) have been shown to have increased all-cause mortality risk.”

The 10 Counties Who Get The Least Amount of Exercise Per Week

County	Rank	Exercise per week (minutes)
Aberdeenshire	1	136
Northamptonshire	2	139
Greater Manchester	3	150
Antrim	4	152
West Midlands	5	155
South Yorkshire	6	156
Glamorgan	7	157
Berkshire	8	157
Down	9	160
Essex	10	163

Motivating yourself to get up and get moving takes a lot of effort, but it’s essential for us to stay healthy and improve our wellbeing. The NHS recommends that to stay healthy we must do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, seems pretty achievable right?

Well, unfortunately some counties aren’t quite hitting that target.

Residents in Aberdeenshire are only clocking up 136 minutes of exercise, which is a little over 2 hours per week. However, they are clocking up an impressive 141 minutes of walking per day, potentially rambling on their impressive seacoast or hiking up Ben Macdui.

In comparison we have Northamptonshire, who only achieve 139 minutes of exercise per week. Ranking in tenth place on our lazy scale, these residents would rather tuck into 2 takeaways a week than exercise for more than 2.5 hours a week.

Third, and getting the recommended minimum amount of exercise a week is Greater Manchester. Getting 7 hours of sleep a night and walking for 92 minutes a day could certainly influence Mancunians to get into a healthy routine, however they might need to learn to say no to their 3 takeaways a week.

Although we all love to lounge in our bean bags, it is important that we keep moving throughout the day too and get enough sleep at night. Save bean bag lounging for soaking up summer sun on an outdoor bean bag or while you are playing your console on your gaming bean bag.

Methodology

The Lazy Scale tool was created in 2019, since its launch it has gathered 26,190 people’s data from all over the UK. For the purpose of the study being fair, counties with less than 100 respondents were omitted from ranking.

The rankings were based on getting the least exercise, walking least, sleeping most and having more takeaways to reveal the laziest county.

11 Small Living Room Ideas: Layout & Design

Thu, 12 May 2022 15:48:00 +0100

A small living room needn’t feel cramped and cluttered. With a considered approach and a few bright ideas at your disposal, you can make the most of your lounge no matter how compact it is. All the best design projects start out with a little research, so you’re in the right place.

Here, we’ve shared 11 small living room ideas for a spacious, stylish and cosy finish. Read on to discover tips on layout, design and how to furnish a small living room, with smart tricks to open up the space and answers to the all-important questions like where to put the TV.

Along the way, we’ll discuss:

Minimalist small living room ideas

1. Cut out clutter

In true Marie Kondo spirit, one of the simplest ways to max out on space in a small living room is just to declutter. Reducing the amount of furniture, sticking to minimalist decor and keeping things tidy can go a long way when it comes to creating the illusion of spaciousness.

Of course, you can still make room for the essentials. No living room would be complete without somewhere comfy to sit and a table to sit your coffee on, but less is always more when it comes to decorating a small lounge.

2. Cohesion is key

Aiming for a cohesive style is pretty high up on the list of minimalist small living room ideas. And a consistent colour scheme is a good place to start. Too many contrasting colours can make a space feel busy and crowded, which in turn can create an unwanted sense of confinement. Instead, opt for a neutral palette to make the room feel more open.

Your interior design choices should also be fairly uniform: mixing traditional and contemporary styles can work well for more expansive spaces, but a compact lounge will benefit from a more unified aesthetic.

3. Free up floor space

Open floor space is a vital element of any living room design – even more so when there’s less space to work with. There’s nothing wrong with a rug to break things up a bit, but covering up the floor with furniture and decorations can make a small room feel even smaller.

Top tips for freeing up the floor include:

Keeping furniture towards the edges of the room
Opting for a mini coffee table
Wall mounting your decorations
Choosing wall lighting.

Clever tips on how to furnish a small living room

4. Downsize (or forgo) the sofa

Most would agree that a comfy sofa is the central component of any lounge, yet there are options to help you reduce the footprint that it takes up. A small sofa with thin arms offers you somewhere to relax without taking up too much of the room’s profile. You could even cut out the sofa altogether and go for alternative seating instead.

Patrick Tonks, our creative director, offers these tips:

“There are plenty of possibilities to explore in terms of seating ideas for smaller living rooms – a loveseat, small bean bag couch, or some cosy armchairs can provide the comfort you need yet still leave enough space for everything else. Many of us are now choosing to forgo the full-size sofa in favour of more modern compact seats.”

Our Luxury Woven Couch Bean Bag

5. Choose wall storage options

Sticking with the theme of saving space, wall storage is an excellent way to keep the centre of a small lounge free. From floating shelves to ladder bookcases, there are many different types of low-profile storage you could consider. A floating cabinet is the ideal option if you’re looking for a covered living room storage space.

6. Use mirrors strategically

One of the most effective small living room design ideas is to position mirrors strategically around the room. A well-placed wall mirror will reflect natural light here and there, helping to make the space feel that bit more expansive. By a trick of the eye, a large mirror can also create the illusion of depth so that it seems like there’s more of the room than there really is.

7. See-through furniture

Transparent tables and chairs are perfect for a smaller lounge, and are particularly popular in Scandinavian interior design. Made from glass or acrylic, these stylish, contemporary items of furniture allow light to bounce around. Clear furniture also gives the impression of additional floor space beneath it and makes a room feel less cluttered.

8. Create a cosy corner

When space is at a premium, make the most of the corners of the room. This is a great spot for a snug. You might try adding a small corner sofa with a mini side table – or even one of our floor cushions bean bags for maximum comfort. Rather than letting this area end up as wasted space, create a cosy corner where you can snuggle up with a good book in the evenings.

Our Corduroy Floor Cushion Bean Bag

Breaking down barriers

9. Open up to other rooms

For those with the opportunity to make more substantial changes, opening up to other areas of the house is a brilliant idea for a small living room. This can take many different forms. For a nod to vintage interior design style, you could simply add a hatch that goes through to the kitchen. Alternatively, you might want to remove a section of wall to connect the space to a hallway – or spare no effort and create a fully open plan space!

10. Let in the light

Many of the small living room ideas we’ve touched on so far relate to light – and, of course, the best way you can let light flood in and open up the space is to put in some extra large windows. Floor-to-ceiling glass not only offers the natural light you need to make a room feel more sizeable, it also gives a sense of added height.

11. Connect to the outdoors

Perhaps the best way to design a small lounge that looks larger is to bring the outdoors in. Whether you prefer the look of sliding doors or bifolds, a new set of patio doors will transform the space so that it feels less oppressive and serves as more of a functional living area. During the summer months, you can leave these wide open to let the breeze in and help you cool down.

Where to put the TV in a small living room

The final point to consider is the TV – where should it go when space is tight? Whilst modern flat-screens make this somewhat less of an issue, TV units can still be incredibly bulky and intrusive in a confined space.

You could think about some of these options if you’re wondering where the put a TV in your small living room:

Go for a recessed TV that sits flush with the wall
Mount your TV on a wall bracket
Find a floating media unit to free up floor space underneath
Pick a TV stand that folds away
Install a moveable cover or book shelf that conceals the TV.

What next?

This guide has explored some of our favourite small living room ideas, offering tips on how to design a layout and furnish the space in a way that makes it feel more expansive.

If you’ve found this post useful, you might also enjoy some of our other resources:

Looking for a bean bag to complete your living room design? We make an awesome range of small bean bags that’ll complement the space without crowding it out.

Explore our small bean bags

How to Decorate Your Uni Room - Decor Ideas

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 15:42:00 +0100

As you get ready to head off for university, you probably have 101 thoughts racing through your mind – who might you meet, what should you be taking with you and how will you decorate your uni room when you get there? Of course, we can’t help with all of these questions. But if you’re looking for some inspirational uni room decor ideas, then you’ve come to the right place.

You might be moving into halls as a fresher. Or perhaps you’re returning in second year to live with your friends in student digs. Either way, the bedroom that awaits you is going to be pretty bland and sparse. Don’t just put up with a grim grey box of a uni room. Have some fun with decorating and make it a space that you love coming back from lectures to with the simple tips below.

Read on to learn how to decorate your uni room in this guide. You’ll find tons of great pointers from our creative director Patrick, a graduate in Product Design with a flair for the coolest decor.

1. Brighten up the space with a lively colour scheme

The classic student bedroom is bare with boring colours (at least when you first move in!) Your new home is almost guaranteed to have four grey or magnolia walls, a bed, desk, wardrobe and little else. The best starting point is to pick a vibrant colour scheme. Of course, you won’t be able to paint the walls or make any major changes when you get there, but you can still theme your uni room decor around your chosen colour.

Patrick has the following advice to offer about choosing a colour scheme:

“A pleasing pastel blue works well if you’re keen to create a peaceful environment to come back to. Gorgeous greens and multi-coloured themes are also great choices for making a statement with your uni bedroom. As you consider different colour ideas, start looking for furnishings early on and make sure you can find stuff that matches nicely before making your decision.”

2. Consider the lighting situation

When it comes to decorating your uni room, fairy lights are a must-have. A staple of uni room decor for decades, indoor string lighting is ideal for creating instant ambience in even the most drab of spaces. These types of lights are a versatile choice, too. You could simply hang them around the corners of your bedroom with command hooks – or make a light-up photo display for one of your walls.

Your typical out-of-the-box uni room will just come with one solitary pendant light in the middle (and this may not even come with a shade in some student housing). So why not upgrade your main light with a cool lamp shade that complements your chosen colour scheme? From here, you can think about adding in some secondary lighting with a desk lamp or two, which will also come in handy for late-night study sessions.

3. Create a cosy haven to hide away in

After a hectic week of lectures and socials, your room should be a place where you can escape to when you want to get away from it all – so choosing cosy uni room decor is priority number one. The beds themselves are often basic and uncomfortable, so consider versatile seating options like a floor cushion bean bag that you can lie on or sit back against, or if you’re a keen gamer, a gaming bean bag chair, which also makes comfortable primary seating.

Our eco fur floor cushion bean bag in brown bear

4. Bring the outdoors in

Patrick’s top tip when it comes to decorating your uni room is to breathe life into the space with plants:

“Instantly liven up your bedroom by bringing the outdoors in. If you’re particularly green-fingered, then some trailing plants and Insta-worthy monstera can be the perfect additions. On the other hand, if you’re not keen on the idea of looking after houseplants, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a few hard-to-kill succulents – or even something artificial!”

5. Make the space your own

When it comes to making a university bedroom your own, choosing a theme that says something about your personality is a great place to start. But there are also loads of other ways to put your own stamp on the space through your decor choices:

Make a photo collage with pictures of your home friends.
Choose some posters of bands or places you’ve travelled to (these can also give you a great talking point during Freshers Week!)
Bring a painting from your favourite artist – or something you’ve made yourself.

6. Decorate the walls of your uni room

You’ll probably want to cover up at least one of the walls in your uni bedroom. At best, you may just have four dull walls that would look much better broken up a bit. In some cases there could also be unsightly patches or marks left behind by previous tenants. Bringing a large poster or wall hanging with you is an easy solution, enabling you to turn at least one grey wall into a work of art (or cover up a few holes here and there if needed).

7. BYOB (bring your own bedding!)

Depending on the type of student accommodation you’re moving into, you may actually be required to bring your own bedding anyway. But even if your student halls come with bed linen provided, this will often be very rudimentary. Take some of the comforts of home with you by bringing along your duvet, pillows and any extras you might want like blankets. This is also a great opportunity to complement the theme of your room.

8. Add a full-height mirror

It’ll be worth looking online to see if your new uni room comes with a full-height mirror already, but if not then it’s certainly worth investing in one. By allowing light to bounce around, a mirror helps to increase the amount of natural light and gives the illusion of more space in what could otherwise be a pretty cramped room. Of course, this new accessory will also make it much easier for you to get ready before a big night out.

9. Avoid losing your deposit

Patrick’s final piece of advice for your student bedroom decor is to decorate carefully and make sure you get your deposit money back:

“During all the excitement of decorating your uni room, you can soon fall foul of the rules that’ll determine whether your deposit is returned to you at the end of the year. And with the average student house deposit sitting at just under £300, this is a key point to bear in mind from a financial point of view.

“Before you start decorating, write down a full inventory of all of the existing items in your uni room, then take photos to show where everything is – this’ll make it easy to put it all back as it was at the end of the year. When hanging wall decorations, always stick to command strips instead of pins or nails to prevent any damage to the walls.”

10. Don’t forget the practical stuff

As well as looking nice and creating the right atmosphere, your uni room decor also needs to make the space into a liveable environment that supports you through your time as a student. Storage is an often-overlooked area: boxes that slide under your bed are a great idea, and you may want to consider a desktop bookshelf to keep everything organised without taking up floor space.

Other key practical considerations for decorating your uni room include:

Bring a cork board and a calendar to help with planning deadlines around social stuff.
Check whether your room comes with a comfy chair for sitting at the desk (and consider buying one if not).
Make sure you’ve got enough coat hangers.
Take spare bedding and a few sets of towels so you can wash them on rotation.
Invest in a decent extension lead.

Next steps

This guide has covered some top tips on how to decorate your uni room, highlighting a range of decor ideas to get you started on the right track. Found it helpful? You may also want to take a look at:

If you’re looking for a bean bag to complete your uni bedroom setup, you could consider:

Floor Cushion Bean Bags

Bean Bag Chairs

Bean Bag Loungers

Cosy Living Room Ideas: Design & Decor

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 13:54:00 +0100

Cosy Living Room Ideas: Design & Decor

Most of us would love to have a cosy living room that looks great too – and these two ideals needn’t be in conflict with each other.

Some ultra-modern lounge designs can be minimalist to the core, emphasising open space and clean lines at the expense of the occasional throw or scatter cushion. But it’s more than possible to marry contemporary interior design with that sense of cosiness we all crave.

It all starts with sourcing the right cosy living room ideas. So if that’s where you’re at in your design journey, then read on for some top tips. Along the way, we’ll be touching on the best kinds of soft furnishings to try, as well as tricks you can play with light and colour to create a space where you can really relax and hunker down.

How to make a living room cosy

A snug living room sanctuary offers somewhere for you to curl up and unwind after a long hard day – the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life. To help you achieve this vibe without breaking the bank, we’ve pulled together our best laid back living room design ideas below.

1. Choose a calming colour scheme

The conventional wisdom is to opt for a relatively neutral palette for your colour scheme (perhaps a light ochre or linen white tone). But in reality much darker and warmer shades can also produce a calming effect. For example, pairing a deep green feature wall with a corner sofa or floor cushion is a great way to create a cosy snug.

All of this really depends on your personality. For some, darker tones create the right ambience to snuggle up in; others find environments like this claustrophobic. Go with a colour scheme that works for you and those you live with.

2. Layer up touchable textures

The cosiest living rooms not only look inviting, but feel that way too. Pick out a textured sofa to nestle down on – and try adding an ultra-soft throw. This is an awesome way to accentuate your chosen colour scheme, particularly when combined with some matching scatter cushions to complete the look.

3. Soften the space using floor coverings

Even if you have wooden flooring, you can make your lounge soft underfoot by introducing some tactically placed floor coverings. A comfortable rug made from a material like eco fur will offer the cushioning effect you’re after. The thicker the pile, the better!

4. Satisfy the senses with relaxing scents

Consider all of the senses when picking out cosy living room ideas. A scented candle or diffuser can go a long way towards creating an inviting atmosphere that you’ll love to settle down in, as well as making the room feel much more homely. Lavender, camomile, and jasmine are all said to be some of the most soothing smells to choose from.

5. Introduce some warm lighting

Bright white lights can sometimes feel too harsh and clinical for a relaxing lounge setting. Instead, choose bulbs that offer a warmer glow. If you can install dimmer switches, having the option of lowered lighting always helps with creating a stress-relieving ambience. Alternatively, it’s possible to achieve the same effect with a well-placed floor or table lamp.

6. Think practical – keep it toasty!

Make sure your lounge is well insulated to create the cosy environment you’re after. Double or even triple glazing is a great place to start, but you may also want to consider things like thicker curtains, extra blankets, and potentially draught excluders for the doors. Of course, decent heating from radiators, a separate heater, or even a fire is also a must.

If your living room has a fireplace, make the most of it by creating a focal point. Simply adding a new modern mantelpiece helps to draw the eye, encouraging guests to sit by the fireside and stay snug on long winter nights. For houses that don’t have a chimney, another option is to install a contemporary electric fireplace to keep everyone nice and warm.

7. Consider some comfy seating accessories

The sofa will often be the cosiest spot in a living room, but this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. Try adding some alternative comfy seating, whether this is a squishy slab cushion or a giant monster bean bag to lie back on (like the super-soft eco fur monster bean bag pictured below).

8. Stick to soft materials

Throughout all of your furnishing choices, make sure to use softer materials wherever possible. Velvet is an excellent option, instantly adding a touch of vintage luxury with its smooth nap. If you’re keen to keep a more modern-looking lounge, luxury woven offers an equally silky feel yet is often used in more contemporary designs.

9. Lay back on low-level furniture

Our final idea for a cosy living room relates to the profile of your furniture. Low-level sofas and chaise longues are certainly on-trend, but they’re also the key to designing an environment that’s literally more laid back. What’s more, you can use low-backed seating to create zones in a larger room, helping to make the space feel snug but not cluttered.

What next?

Hopefully this guide has inspired you with some cosy living room ideas to apply in your own home. Enjoyed reading? You may want to check out some of our other posts:

If you’re looking for the perfect addition to your new space, explore some of our comfiest bean bag styles:

Eco Fur Bean Bags

Bean Bag Loungers

Monster Bean Bags

Loft Bedroom Design Ideas

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 11:55:00 +0100

When we talk about loft bedrooms, this can really be anything from a small converted attic space to a more expansive full-height room on the top floor of a house. Whichever type you’re working with, this guide offers a variety of useful loft bedroom design ideas that will be applicable to your situation.

Some would argue that an attic bedroom might not be the most desirable spot. But with the right approach and some interior design tricks up your sleeve, you can soon turn this into one of the more sought-after places to sleep in your home. Read on for our top tips on working with the often-unusual shape of loft bedrooms and capitalising on some of their more unique features.

1. Let lots of natural light in

Compared to rooms in the lower part of the house, a loft bedroom gives you bags of opportunity to bask in natural light. If the space has sloped walls in line with the roof, consider adding a large pitched roof window. These are ideal for flooding the room with sunlight during the day, but can easily be fitted with blackout blinds so you can sleep in when you want to.

Some attic rooms may also have the potential for a skylight. Budget permitting, this is a loft bedroom design idea that’ll keep the natural light pouring in at all times of day. As with any type of large bedroom window, make sure that you’ve got some way of blocking the light out, too. You can find contemporary skylights with remote-controlled blinds for this exact purpose.

2. Get creative with storage

The angle of the walls is one of the unique challenges of a loft bedroom (or opportunities, depending on your outlook). Among other things this can affect your options when it comes to storage. Underbed storage is perfect for items that you don’t need every day. For other things, low-level shelves at the edges of the room can help you to squeeze in extra stuff in what would otherwise be wasted space.

In some cases, the shape of the room may also mean that there’s no chance of fitting in a conventional wardrobe. Sound familiar? Fear not – there are plenty of ways to get around this. One option is to invest in a bespoke fitted closet that follows the lines of your walls. But these can be pretty pricey, so you might want to think about alternatives like a chic hanging clothes rail.

3. Introduce low-level seating

Making the most of the room’s edges is key to any successful loft bedroom design. And if you’re not already using this space for something else, you could always consider adding some low-level seating. Try adding a bench or a bean bag cushion to create a little reading nook or chill-out zone in one of the corners (areas which often go unused in a loft space).

4. Make it inviting

Naturally due to their location, some attic rooms can feel isolated and cut off. To prevent this, focus on making the space as inviting as possible through your choice of loft bedroom design ideas. Lush soft furnishings and ambient lighting produce a more welcoming environment. By segmenting the room with furniture and creating new ‘zones’ to relax in, you can also counteract the feeling of being detached from other parts of the house.

5. Experiment with the position of the bed

If you’ve already tried finding the perfect spot for the bed in a loft room, then you’ll be all too aware of the challenges of doing so. Positioning it next to a wall might be ideal for freeing up floor space, but you may end up banging your head on the sloped roof when you wake up. Ideally, if there is a section of flat wall, reserve this area for the bed.

One alternative is to place the bed in the centre. With larger loft bedrooms, this can be a decent option as you can afford to take up a little space in the middle of the room and leave a few gaps around the edges. In less expansive attic rooms, you may want to position a chest of drawers next to the top end of the bed. This’ll act as a sort of headboard and also ensure you’re taking advantage of the gap behind for storage.

Wherever you decide to put it, we’d recommend choosing a bed that’s relatively low to the ground if possible (particularly if there’s not much height to play with). Attic bedrooms tend to feel more open and spacious when you opt for low-level furniture.

6. Create different levels

Similar to ‘zoning’, you can also introduce new areas to an attic room by building vertically, whether that’s through a mini mezzanine-type structure or just a raised bed with a ladder. This loft bedroom idea works well if you’re looking to design a multifunctional space, as you can use the part of the room underneath the bed to add storage, a work space, or even a gaming nook complete with seating.

In the example below, the designer has maxed out the utility of a relatively small attic room by using the area underneath a raised bed for storage and a shelving unit. Depending on your preference, this setup can also work the other way around – with the storage on top and the bed underneath.

7. Bring the outdoors in with a balcony

Granted, this may not be an option in some cases due to budget or planning permission constraints. But a small balcony is the ideal solution for connecting an attic room with the outdoors and stopping it from feeling claustrophobic. It’s also a brilliant way to capitalise on the views if you live in a scenic area.

Next steps

Over the course of this guide, we’ve looked at a range of different loft bedroom design ideas, from small tweaks like adding unique storage and moving the bed around to more substantial changes such as adding in a new balcony. Hopefully you’ve found some inspiration whatever the size and scope of your attic room renovation plans.

If you’ve enjoyed this post, you may also want to read:

Looking to complete your new loft room design? Take a look at our selection:

Floor Cushion Bean Bags

Bean Bag Chairs

Bean Bag Loungers

Open Plan Living Room Ideas

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 11:51:00 +0100

Those who have open plan living rooms already will tell you that the reasons behind this trend go far beyond style. Free and unrestricted living areas are also an incredibly functional option, allowing you to create stronger connections with other rooms in your home, be this the kitchen, dining area, or both.

In this guide, we take a look at our top 10 open plan living room ideas. Along the way, you’ll find tons of useful advice from the creative team at GreatBeanBags. Read on to discover tips on everything from how to decorate an open plan living room to ‘zoning’ the space into areas that serve different purposes.

Use the links below to find the sections that you're most interested in:

1. Connect up with other parts of the house

The classic option is to go for an open plan living room-kitchen-diner. If you’re looking to create an even more expansive space, you could consider opening up the living room to your stairway and landing as well. You can use this mezzanine design tactic to carve out an impressive double-height setting, with the added advantage of being able to call out to people upstairs from the comfort of your sofa.

Those who opt for this all-out open plan living room idea would do well to consider zoning the space as highlighted by the example below. Without clearly defined cooking, eating, and seating areas, rooms like this can start to feel quite jumbled together.

2. Create flow between areas with uniform flooring

A great way to emphasise the connection between your open plan living room and the dining area is to pick uniform flooring throughout. Wooden floorboards or rectangular tiles are both ideal for designing spaces that flow together. The direction in which you lay the flooring is key here: you can draw the eye towards a passageway or focal point by laying along the width, whereas lengthway flooring helps to make the room more sweeping and expansive.

3. Zoning: how to divide an open plan living room

Although it might seem incompatible with the central idea of open plan living, zoning is actually one of the core principles of this interior design style. A completely undivided space can feel too vast, creating the effect of a cold and empty art gallery rather than a cosy room that you’d like to relax in. To counteract this, try separating the space out into distinct functional areas through your design choices (a classic staple open plan living room idea).

When it comes to subtly suggesting different zones, the arrangement of your furniture and decor is a brilliant place to start. Large floor rugs, sofas, and bean bag chairs can be used to design a comfortable seating and relaxation section of the room. If you’re looking to mark the boundary between the kitchen and dining area, a well-positioned island unit is the perfect solution.

Your choice of lighting is also a brilliant way to suggest divisions in the room. Read on for more on this.

4. Use colour to tie it all together

Colour is pretty important when it comes to crafting an impressive open plan space. Once you’ve decided on your paint or wallpaper, you can then make nods to this core shade in your colour scheme through upholstery and decorations in other parts of the room to make cross-connections. This could be as simple as picking out matching curtains and walls, or as subtle as finding a candle in the same tone as your kitchen cabinets.

5. Make it minimalist, but with a personal touch

It’s no secret that minimalist interior design marries well with open plan living rooms. But a lack of clutter doesn’t necessarily have to mean a lack of character. You can keep your furniture and decoration relatively sparse, yet also inject some personality. By its nature, this will be – well – personal to you. It could be that you’re green-fingered and choose to ornament the space with a few choice houseplants, or you could opt to showcase some works by your favourite artist.

6. Focus on multi-functionality

One of the challenges of designing a large open plan room is the need for it to perform the functions that would otherwise have been spread across several different rooms. Careful zoning of the space from the outset will help you out here. Beyond the traditional seating, cooking, and dining areas, you may also want to consider introducing other useful zones such as a writing desk or reading or gaming nook to maximise the room’s utility.

7. Find your focal point

Perhaps the most vital open plan living room idea is to identify and design around the focal point of the space. This could be a unique ornament, a statement light fitting, or simply a spotlit island counter. Whatever you choose, ensure that the rest of your decor and furniture are arranged so as to emphasise the main talking point of the room. A fundamental element of interior design, your focal point should catch the eye as soon as you enter the space and leave a lasting impression.

8. Never forgo comfort

Even the most contemporary open plan rooms need a cosy spot or two. After all, what use is a beautiful home if you can never relax in it? Choose a sofa that complements the aesthetic, yes, but don’t forget that you’re also after a comfortable perch to lounge around on, whether you prefer a firm, supportive settee or something a little softer.

Although we may be biassed, there really is nothing better than one of our eco fur monster bean bags to complete the look of an open plan living room whilst immediately upping the comfort factor.

9. Opt for portable furniture

An excellent practical open plan living room idea is to pick out furniture that can be moved around effortlessly when you fancy a change of layout. Getting the feng shui of a large, multi-functional room right is no mean feat, and you can make things easy on yourself by choosing relatively lightweight portable items (it might be worth re-thinking that oversized hardwood coffee table!)

10. Let your lighting do the talking

Our final tip is to use cleverly thought-out lighting to achieve all of the aims we’ve discussed so far. As in the open plan space pictured below, you can use spotlights in combination with a bank of pendants to accentuate the different zones in the room – conversely, uniform lighting between two or more areas can help to suggest continuity.

Next steps

This guide has offered 10 open plan living room ideas to help you make the most of the space with stylish yet practical interior design. Enjoyed reading? We have plenty of other blogs that might also appeal to you:

If you’re looking to complete an open plan design, look no further than our collection of high-quality UK-made bean bags:

Get paid to watch football! Apply to become a bean bag tester during the World Cup 2022

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 15:05:00 +0100

Are you all set for the World Cup next month? Well, we’re on the search for England’s ultimate superfan to test out our latest range of football-themed bean bags….and the best news is you’ll make a small fortune while doing it!

That’s right, if you go above and beyond to cheer on your footballing heroes then we want to hear from you. From new chants to replicating the hairstyle of your favourite players we know children across the nation are England mad.

With World Cup fever set to sweep through the UK we have four bean bags for you to review including our brand new Champion Football Bean Bag. The lucky winner will be asked to test the bean bags in two out of England’s three group stage games - that’s one bean bag per half of football.

Not only will you get to keep all four bean bags, you’ll also receive £40 per review (£160 in total) as well as a World Cup goodie bag full of England accessories. Your feedback will be used to improve the product for thousands of other footie mad fans.

So if you’re aged 16 or under and are available to test the bean bags between 7 & 9pm on Friday, 25th November and 7 & 9pm on Tuesday, 29th November as England take on USA & Wales respectively, then this could be the perfect role for you.

To enter, email ~~competition @ greatbeanbags.com~~ with the following:

A picture of what you’re planning to wear to cheer on England at the World Cup. Face paint, England flags & hats, we want to see it all!
A short description of why you are England’s biggest superfan and what makes you the most qualified person to review our bean bags

Please include the subject line ‘I am England’s biggest superfan because’ in your entry. You will need a responsible parent or guardian to submit the application on your behalf and written consent will need to be provided in order for us to use the submitted photos.

To get you in the mood, take a look at our latest range of kids’ bean bags. Do you have a favourite?

Good luck & ‘It’s coming home!’

Terms & Conditions

The prize consists of one £160 prepaid credit card and four bean bags in the colour of the winner’s choice.
The winner will have 4 days to respond, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The winner will be required to take photos of themselves or have photos taken of them using the bean bags. These images will be used on the GreatBeanBags blog and on social media.
You must be available to test the bean bags between 7 & 9pm on Friday, 25th November and 7 & 9pm on Tuesday, 29th November.
There are no alternatives to the prize on offer.
No returns or exchanges on the bean bags once delivered.
Maximum age to enter this competition is 16
Competition closes at 23:59pm on Wednesday, 9th November 2022, entries after this time won’t be counted.

By submitting an application, you consent to the following:

GreatBeanBags™ contacting you in relation to the application form.
Images and application copy to be used in external media and marketing activity going forwards, excluding email marketing.

How to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:42:00 +0000

By adopting a few simple design tips, you can make the most of a small bedroom and avoid it feeling too cramped. From clever colour choices to the strategic placement of mirrors, this guide takes you through all of the key points to consider when planning the layout and decor of the space.

If you’re interested in a particular small bedroom idea from the list below, use the links to navigate between sections:

1. Use light colours

The best starting point is to use light, airy colours on the walls and floors. Pale hues reflect light, making the space feel open and airy. Choosing a simple white or light grey tone gives you a blank slate to build on with the rest of your colour scheme, leaving you with plenty of options when choosing upholstery and furniture.

2. Opt for a low-profile bed

With more compact rooms, the bed is likely to be the main feature in terms of furniture. Choosing one that sits close to the ground is a good plan for a number of reasons.

Firstly, your guests’ first impressions will largely be based on how much of the space seems occupied: aside from picking a single bed, your only option here is to reduce the height that it takes up, so a low-profile frame is a great choice. This type of bed also tends to come with built-in storage, or just the perfect amount of room to hide away a few under-bed storage boxes out of sight.

3. Cut the clutter

In the same vein, reducing the amount of stuff on show always goes a long way towards making a small bedroom look bigger. It’s best to keep any surfaces relatively uncluttered. And if you do go for bedside tables, stick to just a small table lamp.

4. Consider wall lights

Floor space is precious in a small bedroom. A modern floor lamp might look great in a more expansive space, but introducing one to a room that’s already quite closed in is only going to compound the issue. Wall lighting is your friend here, particularly if you can find something that sits relatively flush with the edge of the room.

5. Choose compact furniture

Continuing with the minimalist mantra, compact furniture is a must-have if you’re looking to make the most of a small bedroom. We’ve touched on your choice of bed frame already, but other items of furniture don’t necessarily need to be quite so low-height. You can easily maximise on storage by choosing a taller wardrobe and chest of drawers (provided that they aren’t too deep).

If you’re looking for a cosy perch but can’t find room for a mini sofa or accent chair in your bedroom layout, take a look at our range of smaller bean bags.

Our smaller cotton wedgie bean bag

6. Incorporate mirrors

Another trick for making a small room look bigger is to incorporate mirrors into the design. Mirrors bounce light around, which will naturally make the room seem brighter and more spacious. You can amplify this effect by strategically positioning a mirror close to a window, or opposite an area of the space that would otherwise be short on light.

7. Use storage wisely

When space is tight, it's important to use storage wisely. Look for furniture with built-in storage, like a bed with drawers underneath and a dresser with extra-deep drawers. And be sure to take advantage of vertical space with tall bookcases or shelving units. If you’re looking to keep the room completely free and decluttered, your best bet is just to store things elsewhere (aside from the absolute essentials).

8. Add greenery

A touch of greenery can help to make a small room feel fresh and inviting. Add a miniature potted plant or two, or hang a few small baskets from the ceiling to breathe some life into the space without occupying any of the floor. Keep in mind, though, that the secret lies in not going overboard. As with all elements of a small bedroom design, less is more when it comes to plants.

Next steps

This guide has explored some of the best ways to make a small bedroom look bigger. By following these simple small bedroom ideas, you can create a beautiful and functional space that feels much more expansive than it really is.

Keen to keep reading? Check out some of our other blogs:

Cool Man Cave Ideas for the Ultimate Design

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 08:20:00 +0000

When it comes to finding the perfect man cave ideas, men of all ages and backgrounds can agree that the hardest part is starting out with the right design and theme to express their individuality. Once you’ve decided on this, the rest is easy: ideas for unique decor, tech, and other features will flow naturally and before you know it, the space will be complete.

This guide offers the inspiration you need to get cracking with an awesome man cave design whatever your situation. From building on a budget to converting an entire garden shed into your personal haven, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover top tips and tricks from our creative director, Patrick Tonks, whose own man cave is the envy of the team here at GreatBeanBags.

Along the way, we’ll cover:

Picking the theme of your man cave
Choosing the right location
Man cave decor
Designing within constraints
Next steps

Picking the theme of your man cave

It all starts with the right theme. A particular pitfall to avoid here is choosing a central concept that you’re only into right now. You’ll want to get years of use out of your new man cave, so a timeless favourite makes a much better option for the theme of the space.

As a film buff, you’re unlikely to go off your favourite titles anytime soon, so in this case a movie mogul theme might be the way to go. Alternatively, those who are into gaming – and always have been – could choose a gamer-themed man cave (if this sounds like you, check out our guide on creating the ultimate gaming room setup).

Finding it hard to decide? Many of our customers have designed man caves at home, and as a result we’ve seen a diverse range of other awesome themes that you might want to consider. Some cool man cave ideas we’ve come across include:

Tiki bars
Sports themes
Office man caves
Billiard rooms and casino-style spaces
Recording studios
Home cinemas

Choosing the right location

Bedroom, basement, garage, or garden shed? When weighing up the different areas of the house for your man cave, there are plenty of possibilities. The key lies in selecting a location that offers the right amount of privacy and all the amenities that you’re keen to have.

Read on as we unpick the pros and cons of the different man cave locations you could opt for.

Bedroom man caves

The classic option is to convert a spare bedroom into a man cave – or even a portion of your own room if your home situation allows for this. Many guys choose to go down this road for one simple reason: easy access to a bed you can crash out on.

The key questions to ask yourself when designing a bedroom man cave are:

How will you divide up the sleeping area from your chill out space?
Will other members of the house be annoyed if you make noise late at night? (And if so, will you need to soundproof the room?)
What man cave room decor can you choose to differentiate it from other bedrooms?

Basement and garage man caves

Not everyone has a basement or garage in the first place, but many who do end up converting them into man caves.

Just the right level of sequestered (yet still not too far from the fridge), these spaces can make lovely little hideaways. You just need to equip them with the right gear, whether this is nothing more than a comfy perch and a TV or a full-on bar and entertainment area.

Garden man caves

If you need to shut off completely every now and then for some alone time, then the garden is the ideal spot for a man cave. There are several options open to you.

Simply kitting out an existing shed with cosy flooring, a TV, mini fridge, and a bean bag sofa can work nicely. Of course, you’ll need the room to be watertight and have an electricity supply if this is the way you choose to go. What’s more, this route doesn’t exactly lend itself to the most customisable space.

Our luxury chenille sofa bed bean bag is the ultimate complement to any man cave.

Aiming for something a little more ambitious? Another potential plan if you have the funds available is to design a bespoke garden bar for your new man cave. This way, you’ll have the freedom to choose exactly where you position the room; you can also pick the layout based on what you want to get out of it.

Man cave decor

From the furniture to the wall art, the type of man cave decor you choose will have a huge impact on the ambience of the room. And there are quite a few points to keep in mind when putting together the perfect man cave.

The first item to think about is the furniture. This is the foundation of the man cave, and should be comfortable and in keeping with your chosen theme. Popular choices include items like recliners and bean bag chairs, but you may also fancy investing in bar stools if you’re designing a space where you can share a drink with friends.

Wall art is also key to creating the right atmosphere. Whether you opt for posters, paintings, photographs, or something else altogether, the right pieces can complete your theme and tie the space together. Think about the type of atmosphere the wall art will create: sports memorabilia, for example, can create a fun and active environment, whilst hanging up masterpieces from your favourite artist can create an air of sophistication.

Finally, don’t forget about the accessories. Pool tables, dart boards, and arcade games are all go-to choices, but that shouldn’t necessarily dictate your decisions. Your chosen accessories can be the ideal way to stamp your personality on the space and nothing is too wild: if you fancy a DJ booth or a tabletop gaming area, then go for it!

When decorating a man cave, the most important thing to remember is to have fun. Don’t be afraid to mix and match items to create a unique look. With the right pieces, the man cave can be the perfect place to relax, entertain, and kick back.

Designing within constraints

So far we’ve touched on some ideas that might not be possible for every soon-to-be man caver owner. Thinking practically, many of us will have to design within space or budget constraints. Read on if you’re looking for small man cave ideas or ways to design a man cave on a budget.

Small man cave ideas

Creating a small man cave doesn’t mean that it won’t be just as inviting and comfortable as others. It just means that you’ll need to be a bit more creative and get the best out of the space.

One of the best ways to make a small room look and feel bigger is by utilising multifunctional furniture. For example, you could opt for a sofa bed, or an ottoman that can be used for storage and seating. This will not only save you space, but it’ll also help you to keep the area looking neat and organised.

Other handy small man cave ideas include shopping around for all-in-one entertainment. Invest in multi-game systems which occupy less shelf room, as opposed to individual consoles. There are tons of retro games console packages out there on the market at the moment, and many of these offer great value for money as well as a way to reduce wasted space.

Lighting is also key to a small man cave design. Zoning the space with different levels of light can make it seem larger, so consider a miniature desk lamp or two in addition to the main light in the room. Introducing mirrors will also help to bounce light around and give the illusion that the space is more expansive than it really is.

Designing a man cave on a budget

If you’re looking to design a man cave on a budget, a seriously cost-effective method is to use inexpensive materials. Reclaimed wood is a great option for creating a rustic feel, as is upcycling old items of furniture that can be picked up cheaply from online marketplaces and second-hand stores. Wherever possible, going for the DIY route rather than buying new is your best bet.

You can add a custom touch to your man cave without breaking the bank, too. Wall stencils and adhesive stickers are a low-cost way to create bespoke designs. An even simpler and cheaper option is simply to include an accent wall that supports your chosen theme and colour scheme.

Next steps

With a bit of creativity and determination, creating the perfect man cave doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. To help turn your vision into a reality, this guide has taken you through some of our top man cave ideas and advice on how to put them into practice.

Found it useful? You may want to check out some of our other content:

Looking to complete your new man cave design? Take a look at our selection:

Floor Cushion Bean Bags

Bean Bag Chairs

Bean Bag Loungers

How to Design a Nursery: Nursery Decor Ideas

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 15:30:00 +0000

With a little one on the way, the design and decoration of their nursery will often get relegated further and further down your to-do list as the rest of the prep mounts up. But it’s still important to create a safe and soothing environment for your baby’s first years, and hopefully plan out a room with the potential to grow with them, too.

To that end, we’ve put together this guide on how to design a nursery, jam-packed with expert interior design advice to help you make a special space for your child. We’ll explore everything from essential safety preparations through to unique nursery decor ideas along the way.

There are lots of points to go over. If you’re looking for top tips on one particular aspect of the nursery design, click the links below to navigate to it:

1. Location, location, location

Before you whip out the mood board and start sketching out your nursery room ideas, let’s take care of the practical stuff. Picking the location of the nursery is a vital first step for soon-to-be mums and dads. Of course, your baby’s new room needs to be near your own: even with baby monitors to help out, you’ll be thankful that you chose an adjacent or nearby room for the nursery during nights of interrupted sleep with your little one.

Beyond this, think about factors like how easy it is to keep the room warm and how much natural light that will enter the nursery at different times of day. With short infant sleep cycles guaranteed to begin with, it may not be ideal to choose a room with an east-facing window for your baby, as this could interrupt their daytime naps without proper lighting control (more on this below).

2. Start with safety

When designing your baby's nursery, safety will of course always be the main priority. Much of this is second nature to expecting parents, but it can’t hurt to review the ideas you already have in light of official guidance with something as important as this.

Thankfully, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) offers some top tips to help you create a safe and secure environment for the newest member of your family to thrive in:

Make sure your baby's sleeping space is fStarree from any potential hazards, with furniture securely attached to the walls and books and toys stored on shelves out of reach.
Choose the cot carefully – all beds and cots newly purchased in the UK should conform to British Safety Standards BS EN 716:2008, but if you buy second-hand, take a look at these standards first.
Buy cordless blinds and keep baby monitor cables secured out of reach.
Test any electrical items routinely, and ensure that they’re fitted with appropriate fuses.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the nursery.

Once you’ve ticked off all of the essential safety considerations, it’s time to move onto the fun part – picking out the decor for your baby’s room.

3. Choose the perfect colour palette

Soothing tones are a natural choice for nursery decor. Muted colours like pale blues, greys, and creams help to create a calming and peaceful atmosphere. Prospective parents can also achieve the same effect with pastel shades, which have the added benefit of introducing a splash of colour into the room and setting the tone for your chosen theme.

Looking to make a more stimulating environment? Chromatic, primary colours are great for a newborn’s development, particularly as they begin to distinguish between different colours. Recent research has shown that infants spend more time looking at bold, bright shades of red and blue than other colours on the spectrum, so these could be the ideal choice.

4. Think carefully about storage

We’ve already touched on the importance of storing playthings out of reach, but there’s plenty more to consider storage-wise as you design the rest of the nursery.

A chest of drawers is a staple piece of nursery room furniture that’ll serve you well as your young one grows, with tons of room for everything from clothing and blankets to toys. Make sure to pick one with deep drawers, and don’t forget safety stops to prevent them from being pulled out. You can then complement this with a changing table, many of which come with adjustable or removable shelves for fully customisable storage.

Then there’s the perennial question of how to store toys in a nursery. Lining a wall with shelving units gives you the option of putting games, books, and other trinkets on display, but still keeping them away from the cot to ensure your baby’s sleep isn’t disturbed. Underbed boxes work well if you’d prefer somewhere to store things completely out of sight and out of mind until playtime.

5. Control the level of light

Lighting is key when designing a nursery for your baby. Naps throughout the day are definitely par for the course during the early stages of development, so as a new parent you’ll want to ensure that you can block out sunlight from your little one's sleeping area. Black out blinds are a fantastic option in this regard. Just make sure to buy cordless ones, or keep any cords well out of reach of the bed.

There are plenty of other bright nursery room ideas to consider vis-à-vis lighting. Being prepared with a nightlight is a good place to start: Made for Mums points out that, even if your child doesn’t develop a fear of the dark, a nightlight is still a practical addition because it’ll help you with nighttime feedings and checking on your baby without needing to switch on the main light.

Closely connected to this point, we’d always recommend that you avoid harsh lighting and install dimmer switches if possible. Bright lights can be overstimulating whatever your baby’s stage of development, and having the opportunity to control the lighting level will help them to get much-needed rest during their early years.

6. Make it cosy

We all know that cosiness is king for any baby nursery design. And at GreatBeanBags, this is undoubtedly our area of expertise.

There’s so much you can do to make a soft and comfy space for your young one to thrive in, from layering up touchable textures with blankets and cushions to designing a cosy kids’ reading corner for use as they grow and develop. Whatever furnishings you shop around for, be sure to look into the materials closely and favour the softest fabrics.

We may of course be biassed, but our bean bags for toddlers make the perfect addition for upping the comfort factor in your child’s new nursery. The best-selling indoor / outdoors kids armchair bean bag is the ideal choice in terms of cosiness and versatility, with an adorable shower-proof design made of soft woven polyester which is just as much at home outdoors as in the nursery!

The indoor / outdoors kids armchair bean bag from GreatBeanBags

7. Stimulate the senses

Cot toys and baby mobiles have long been a mainstay of the classic nursery setup for good reason: they’re a tried and tested way of keeping your young one occupied, stimulating their senses and encouraging them to develop from an early age.

There are plenty of options to get your baby's mind and senses ticking. Hang a bright multi-coloured mobile above their cot and watch them reach out for a dynamic tactile experience – or simply lie there and be captivated by shapes, patterns and music. Rattles are also amazing for introducing vibrant colours and keeping those little hands busy!

8. Pique their curiosity

As well as offering a safe and comfortable space for your newborn at home, the best nurseries will also serve to pique their curiosity as they grow older.

To some, it might seem ahead of schedule to include a small bookshelf and seating area in a baby’s room. But doing so might just encourage them to pick up their first picture book at an early age, igniting their imagination and opening up a new world of possibilities. Head over to our guide on how to make a kids’ reading nook if you’d like to learn more.

Thinking beyond books, the unique features of a nursery can also help to inspire your little one. Children are naturally curious about their surroundings, and the decor and design of your baby’s room can feed into this. If you have one available, choosing a more unusual room with nooks and crannies is a good place to start in this regard. You can then enhance this with intriguing wall art and hanging displays.

9. Leave space to grow

Amidst all of the excitement leading up to your family’s new arrival, the temptation to fill the space up altogether can be strong. And yet a more minimalist nursery design will often bear fruit in the longer term as your child grows (along with the requirement for toy storage space!)

Your little one won’t have much need for a playing area right away, but you’ll thank yourself later if you cordon off a placeholder zone for this purpose and leave it relatively untouched right from the start. As with many aspects of designing your baby’s nursery, all this comes down to in the end is future-proofing.

10. Get designing!

Kids’ interior designers are often asked when is the best time to start designing a nursery – as with many aspects of preparing for the arrival of a new baby, the short answer is that there’s no time like the present! Pick out some of your favourite baby nursery ideas from this guide and take to the drawing board.

Next steps

Hopefully the nursery decor ideas in this article have given you some food for thought when it comes to the design of your baby’s new room. If you’ve enjoyed reading, take a look at our kids interior design blog for more fun and inspiration.

In search of the perfect item to complete the nursery design? Look no further than our eclectic range of kids’ bean bags.

Chill Out Room Design Ideas

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:01:00 +0000

A chill out room is a key part of the modern home. With rates of anxiety and depression rising around the world, we all need a space in which to relax and unwind to get away from the chaos of everyday life – and where could be more apt than in the safety and comfort of your own place?

To that end, the interior design experts at GreatBeanBags have put their heads together and created this guide on chill out room design in the home, chock-full of relaxation room decoration ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Along the way our creative director, Patrick Tonks, will walk you through the whole process, from furniture selection through to creating the right ambience.

Short on time? Use the links below to jump ahead to the sections that interest you most.

1. Have a clear out

To create a space that evokes zen and tranquillity you’ll want to ensure the room is clear of clutter and distractions. Less really is more when it comes to creating a calming chill out room. Start by thinking about what you really need in the space - can you give anything away to a new home or donate it to charity? Once you’ve had a clear out, you'll be ready to make a start on decorating your space.

2. Choose clever storage solutions

It’s true what they say, out of sight, out of mind. If you’ve decluttered but there are still some items you can’t bear to part with, you can use nifty storage solutions to clear up your space. For example, in your living room, you could try a coffee table with hidden drawers or a storage unit with baskets to organise your things.

Utilising unused space like under the bed, smaller alcoves and hallways is another way you can maximise your storage space.

3. Decorate with a consistent colour palette

Colours evoke certain feelings and emotions so you’ll want to make sure you choose the perfect palette to complement your space. Neutral, earthy colours are great for creating a relaxing space. If you don’t want to stick to beiges and creams, you could try a sage green, dusty pink or even a pastel blue.

Whatever colour palette you choose, the key is to make it flow and avoid too many clashing colours – unless that’s your style of course.

4. Choose comfy furniture

For the perfect relaxation room, you’ll want to choose furniture that is both practical and comfy. Once you have your essential furniture like a sofa, bed, table and chairs, you might want to consider adding some alternative comfy seating. GreatBeanBags offers lots of options to suit every room in the house including bean bag chairs, bean bag sofas, monster bean bags for larger spaces and even gaming bean bags for those who like to chill out by escaping reality entirely.

Real Leather Bean Bag Chair from GreatBeanBags

5. Bring the outside in

We all know that spending time in nature is a great way to relax and unwind. Incorporating plants into your chill-out room design is a great way to do that without having to take a step outside. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing and a great way to reduce stress, but they are also great for purifying the air. Not green-fingered? Don’t worry, there are lots of low-maintenance plants to choose from or there are some great artificial options too.

6. Opt for ambient lighting

Whilst being practical, ceiling lights can often be too bright for spaces where you want to create a calming atmosphere. Rather than relying on the main ceiling light, dot various lamps around the room. This will create smaller pools of light, adding a layered effect to lighting making it much softer and easier on the eye. We’d also suggest opting for warm white bulbs rather than cool white. This will help add warmth to your room.

You could also try alternative lighting such as salt lamps. Women’s Health suggests that salt lamps provide added benefits such as improving air quality and increasing happy hormones - however, this isn’t fully backed by scientific evidence.

7. Pick calming scents

It's a no-brainer that candles are a staple when it comes to chill out room ideas and they can really help add the finishing touches to a room. If you want to go the extra mile you could also try a ‘crackle’ candle to add that extra little bit of ambience to a room without the need for a real fireplace.

If you’re not a fan of candles, there are lots of other natural alternatives such as a humidifier with some essential oils. These often come with inbuilt lighting options so you’ll also be able to add some additional mood lighting to your room.

8. Experiment with cosy textures

Adding some texture to your room is a quick way to add a level of cosiness to any space. Don’t be afraid to mix and match here. There’s no end of options available and you can add a variety of different textures. This could include adding rugs, blankets, pillows and furniture upholstery.

Our bean bags are a great way to add a bit of texture whilst offering a practical, cosy seating solution. You’ll be spoilt for choice with a range of different fabrics including corduroy, faux fur, luxury chenille and designer velvet.

9. Keep electronics tidy

You want your space to be an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A quick way to ensure your space is cosy and inviting is by keeping electronic devices to a minimum so you can be free from distractions.

With many of us now working from home, it’s likely that your spare room or even bedroom may have become a makeshift office during the working week. With that in mind, it’s important that the room still remains a space in that you can find some peace in.

Keeping your workspace tidy won’t only keep you more focused at work, but it will also ensure you utilise the space when you’re not at work. There are lots of easy ways you can make sure that your workspace is free from clutter. For example, for a cheap and easy DIY job, you could purchase some cable trunking to hide any unsightly wires. Alternatively, for a quicker fix, you could opt for a cable tidy box or basket for your desk.

10. Find decor that makes you happy

Blank walls can make a room look unfinished and art is a great way to put your stamp on a space. Not only does it add texture to a space but it can also reflect your personality and have mood-boosting benefits.

Artwork doesn’t just have to be photos and prints. If you're musically inclined, you could hang your instruments on the wall. Not only will this declutter your space or ensure they’re not hidden away in cupboards, it’s also a great way to reflect your personality and interests. As they’ll be closer to hand, it might also encourage you to pick them up and play them more - another great way to chill out.

You’re ready to create the perfect chill out room!

Hopefully this article has got you feeling inspired and you’re ready to create the perfect chill out space. For more inspiration, check out our tips for creating a cosy living room.

We have lots of bean bag options for a variety of different chill out rooms. Explore below:

Bean Bag Chairs

Bean Bag Sofas

Bean bag cushions

The Ultimate Music Playlist To Stop Your Children’s Temper Tantrums

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:13:00 +0100

As a parent, there is never a convenient time for your child to throw a tantrum. The explosion of kicking, screaming and crying is a sight that most of us will do near enough anything to avoid, but sometimes it’s impossible and you just have to roll with it.

There are many tried-and-tested methods when it comes to preventing a full blown meltdown. Whether that involves a quick cuddle or getting cosy with their favourite book, sometimes it works, but not always…

To end the nightmare once and for all, we’ve stepped up to the job with a tantrum-proof method.

Ready to support all parents in their time of need, we’ve created the ultimate music playlist to bust a temper tantrum. The playlist has 40 songs on it which have been carefully selected based on our tantrum-busting formula.

While music may sound like an underwhelming fix when your child is red in the face and throwing their arms around, it can be effective for de-escalating these outbursts.

Dr Liam Gilligan, clinical psychologist, specialising in children and families, said: “Music can be helpful for catching a child’s attention in that very early stage of a tantrum, providing a much needed ‘hook’ for a distraction.

“This can be more effective if the song is brought on quite suddenly or is a favourite of theirs. Songs that children know well where they can easily join in, such as nursery rhymes or popular music, can work by shifting a young person to focus on something much more interesting.”

Having analysed more than a thousand nursery rhymes on Spotify, we identified the 10 most popular songs of all time - with ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ being crowned the winner. To create our ‘tantrum-busting formula’, we worked out the average key, BPM and time for these 10 nursery rhyme tunes.

Using our new ‘tantrum-busting formula’, we searched every music genre to find the closest match for key, Beats Per Minute (BPM) and time signature - and from there, we could identify not only the best music genre to stop a meltdown but also the top songs in each genre. Ultimately, giving us the first ever tantrum-busting playlist for kids.

Eager to know the best songs to boost your child’s mood? Check out the top 40 below.

The tantrum-busting music playlist - top 40 songs

Taking the top spot is ‘Check Yes Or No’ by American country singer George Strait. Any parents who are Strait fans are in luck here, as the BPM from this song is an exact match with our tantrum-busting formula. Next time your kid has a wobble, play ‘Check Yes Or No’ first!

It’s safe to say that any child listening to this playlist will grow to have an eclectic taste, as heavy metal track, ‘Midnight Sun’ by Kreator and Sofia Portanet came second.

In third place for its success in stopping an outburst is ‘Call It Love’ by electronic dance artists, Felix Jaehn and Ray Dalton.

Rank	Song Name	Artist
1	Check Yes Or No	George Strait
2	Midnight Sun	Kreator, Sofia Portanet
3	Call It Love	Felix Jaehn,Ray Dalton
4	Another One Bites The Dust	Queen
5	Crocodile Sashimi	Big Jöcks
6	Woman	Doja Cat
7	Bones	Imagine Dragons
8	Baba O'Riley	The Who
9	There Won't Be Anymore	Charlie Rich
10	Somebody Like You	Keith Urban
11	Unwritten	Natasha Bedingfield
12	Porgy (I Loves You Porgy)	Bill Evans Trio
13	Party Time	T.G. Sheppard
14	Why Don't We Just Dance	Josh Turner
15	SHUT UP	Hayes Warner
16	Love Can't Be Reset	LIMITED LIFE, Finnet
17	always	Dimside
18	Wild Night	Michael Calfan, Hannah Boleyn
19	Body Like A Back Road	Sam Hunt
20	That's The Way Love Goes	Janet Jackson
21	Good Times Roll	The Cars
22	Need You Now	Lady A
23	Irresistible	MORVN, DJ Fluke
24	Bad Memories	MEDUZA, James Carter, Elley Duhé, FAST BOY
25	Las Chicas	JØRD, Almanac
26	Everywhere	Fleetwood Mac
27	Conductor	Metal Church
28	Master Of Puppets	Metallica
29	Don't Stop Believin'	Journey
30	Unstoppable - R3HAB Remix	Sia, R3HAB
31	Nataaoki	Natanael Cano, Steve Aoki
32	Magic Signs	Rhapsody Of Fire
33	Nabbed in Nebraska	Anvil
34	Love Again - Imanbek Remix	Dua Lipa, Imanbek
35	Brazil	Declan McKenna
36	Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O 14: 1. Allegro molto appassionato	Felix Mendelssohn,Kyung Wha Chung,Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal,Charles Dutoit
37	Comptine d'un autre été, l'après-midi	Yann Tiersen
38	Up De Flats	Gemma Dunleavy
39	Seven Nation Army	The White Stripes
40	Irresistible	MORVN, DJ Fluke

While there are some unusual songs taking the top three spots, famous British rock band Queen came in closely at number four with their legendary hit single, ‘Another One Bites The Dust’.

Other more recent songs from popular artists were featured in the tantrum-busting playlist, such as Doja Cat with ‘Woman’, often celebrated for its fusion of Afrobeats, pop and R&B, and ‘Unwritten’ by pop queen Natasha Beddingfield, from her debut album.

Sia is another popular artist who can be safely played near small children, with her sleeper hit, ‘Unstoppable’ and so can the viral TikTok song ‘Brazil’ by Declan McKenna.

While the tantrum-busting playlist is made up of 40 different songs from a wide range of genres, electronic dance music appears most frequently compared to any other genre.

For any parents who want to be transported back to their youth listening to dance music - whilst dealing with a grumpy tot - they have a total of nine dance/electronic songs to shuffle.

The tantrum-busting music genres ranked

When it comes to the most tantrum-proof genre, pop music is an exact match with our formula, earning its title as the best genre for parents to play when their kid has a meltdown.

For any parents who love their R&B music, you’re in luck as this genre came in second place for managing a strop, and, taking another musical turn, country music - best known for its ballads and dance tunes - ranked third.

Rank	Genre
1	Pop
2	R&B
3	Country
4	Classical
5	Dance/electronic
6	Jazz
7	Indie
8	Rock
9	Heavy metal
10	Garage

Garage music was found to be the worst type of music to play in front of your child - being the most likely genre to bring on a meltdown, rather than prevent one.

Unsurprisingly, heavy metal and rock music followed with a similar incompatibility score when it comes to soothing little ones.

10 top songs most likely to kick-start a tantrum

As a parent, knowing what songs will calm a tantrum is helpful, but so is knowing the songs to skip to prevent one from happening in the first place.

To help, we’ve listed the worst songs you can play to your child, so you can avoid - those which won’t help! Top of the list is Sam Fender. Save yourself now from an outburst by removing Fender’s song, ‘Will We Talk?’ from your playlist.

We know it’s catchy but Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' iconic duet, ‘Islands In The Stream’ is just as likely to result in tears around your child, so dance past that song too.

Heavy metal fans won’t be crowned parent of the year any time soon either - especially if they play ‘The Wolf You Feed’ by Nita Strauss - as this came third for being the worst song to play in front of kids.

Rank	Song Name	Artist
1	Will We Talk?	Sam Fender
2	Islands In the Stream	Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers
3	The Wolf You Feed	Nita Strauss, Alissa White-Gluz
4	Heartbreaker	Mariah Carey, JAY-Z
5	Back In Black	AC/DC
6	Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys	Waylon Jennings,Willie Nelson
7	Violin Concerto No. 10 in G Major: Largo	Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Zhou Qian, Toronto Chamber Orchestra, Kevin Mallon
8	Arabella	Arctic Monkeys
9	I'm Still Standing	Elton John
10	Fill My Little World	The Feeling

As a mature grown up, you may assume that classical music for children will be a soothing influence… but think again! According to our formula, the classical song ‘Violin Concerto No. 10 in G Major: Largo’ sits in our top 10 for bringing on a mood.

Popular artists like Elton John and Mariah Carey are also named in our list to avoid.

Patrick Tonks, creative director at GreatBeanBags, said: “Tantrums are a normal part of being a parent and luckily most children will grow out of them eventually. Even still, these meltdowns can feel insufferable at times which is what led us to the fun idea of creating a tantrum-busting music playlist.

“The data pulled out some interesting results, and it was music to our ears to find that popular songs by artists like Fleetwood Mac to Doja Cat can take over from the tired nursery rhymes that are typically played on repeat as a new parent.

“Next time your child throws a wobbly, get them comfortable on one of our kids’ bean bags and pick any of these tantrum-proof songs.”

Other top tips for stopping a child’s tantrum

The most effective way to manage a tantrum is with distraction. Young children often have a very short attention span, so doing something to quickly try and move them on can be helpful. Parents, you can play the official tantrum-busting playlist here.

Dr Liam Gilligan, clinical psychologist, added five expert tips to help parents deal with tantrums, including:

1. Avoid getting angry or shouting

In that moment, the most important thing for adults to do is stay calm and try not to let our own emotions overwhelm us.

Getting angry or shouting isn’t helpful and will often just keep a meltdown going. Instead, this reaction will teach a child that this is the best way to manage difficult situations.

2. Your child’s tantrum isn’t an attack on you

It's often helpful to remember that this outburst isn’t personal. Children aren’t giving you a hard time, in fact they are having a hard time themselves.

What they need from you as their parent is to help them to learn how to better manage these big feelings, how to express themselves and feel more in control - you need to model the reaction to stress.

3. Comfort them with physical touch

Some young children benefit from physical contact at these times to help them feel less overwhelmed, so you can offer them a hug. Importantly, don’t just grab them in these moments, as this will likely worsen the behaviour.

4. Ignoring the behaviour can be helpful

If it is safe to do so, sometimes it’s best to try and ignore the bad behaviour. A good rule of thumb is, praise the good and ignore the bad as much as possible.

You can still be near them, and occasionally check in with them to see if they are ready to move on, or praise them for stopping some of the more unhelpful behaviours.

5. Be consistent

It's important to be consistent. Don’t give in and change your decision just to make the episode end sooner, otherwise children will learn to use this as a way to get their own way or maintain control of a situation.

6. Try to recognise the tell-tale signs

Tantrums are best managed before they reach the point where the child is in full flow. Instead, aim to better anticipate and meet their needs, or intervene if you notice them starting to struggle with their emotions.

This also includes figuring out any particularly difficult or challenging situations that typically lead to this kind of response, and having plans specifically for those ahead of time.

Methodology

To identify the songs most likely to stop a kid’s tantrum, we used the step-by-step process below:

Step 1: Researched 1,500 nursery rhymes songs

Step 2 : Shortlisted the 10 most popular nursery rhyme songs on Spotify

Step 3: Pulled out the average key, BPM and time signature for the top 10 nursery rhymes to generate our ‘tantrum-busting formula’

Step 4: Used the formula to analyse 10 music genres on Spotify and pulled out the average BPM, key and time

Step 5: Identified the 40 most-compatible songs and music genres to create our ‘tantrum-busting’ music playlist!

Teenage Bedroom Ideas

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 10:01:00 +0100

When looking for teenage bedroom ideas, there's plenty to take into account. For many teens, a bedroom is more than just a place to sleep. It's a place for them to relax, hang out with friends, and study (or so they say). When investing time and money into redesigning their space, you'll likely be considering the longevity of the design.

With all this to consider, designing a bedroom space for your teenage boy or girl can feel like a daunting task. If you're unsure where to start, we've put together some helpful tips and ideas to help get you thinking of practical ways to decorate your teen's bedroom giving them a space to enjoy as they mature.

1. Get your teenager involved in the design process

Whether you're designing a teenage boy's bedroom or a teenage girl's bedroom, a good place to start is in the planning. Whilst it might be tempting to jump in and take the lead on the design, it's really important that their space reflects them and their personality so you can be sure they'll love it for years to come.

Before hitting the shops, you could encourage them to create a mood board to plan out their ideas and designs. Social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram are great places for bedroom design inspiration. This is a great chance for them to get creative and plan by putting ideas for their bedroom down on paper.

Giving them ownership of the project is a great way to instil responsibility to help them understand budgets when decorating a room. It will also give you a chance to work on the project together as you'll be able to offer feedback on their choices.

2. Opt for a neutral base with pops of colour

When designing any room, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is what colour to paint the walls. Choosing a neutral colour pallet on the walls and furniture will ensure the longevity of the design. You could then add pops of colour through switchable decor such as bedding and soft furnishings. Trends come and go and teenagers are prone to quickly change their minds but these elements can be easily changed and updated as they grow.

3. Include decor that reflects their personality

For a teenager, a bedroom is a space that reflects them and who they are. Including and displaying items that reflect their personality and hobbies that they're passionate about can achieve this. You could decorate plain walls with posters from their favourite band, football shirts from their favourite team or photos of their favourite memories with their friends.

4. Choose practical furniture

Investing in new furniture can be costly and you'll want to ensure that the furniture you include in your teen's bedroom design will last them for years to come. Choosing furniture in neutral tones such as white or black will suit a range of teenage bedroom ideas and there will be less chance of your teen outgrowing the design. Additionally, a bed with a pull-out spare bed can be a great option so your teenager can enjoy sleepovers with their friends, or if they need a larger bed in the future.

5. A space to hang out

If your teen enjoys spending time in their room hanging out with friends, you could consider including some seating options in the room. Bean bags are a great choice if the space is limited as they are often more compact and can be moved and stored easily when not needed. GreatBeanBags offers a range of bean bags to suit a variety of decor styles including classic bean bag chairs, wedgie bean bags and even gaming bean bags for teens that enjoy spending time on their gaming console.

Luxury Chenille Tri-Gamer Bean Bag from GreatBeanBags

6. A space to study

Incorporating a study space into your teenage bedroom design is a great way to give them a quiet place to study away from distractions. Opting for a desk with inbuilt storage will also help to maximise the use of the space whilst allowing them to organise their things to help them stay more focused and productive. The desk can also function as a dresser or place for them to play their video games if that's what they enjoy.

7. Organisation and storage to hide the clutter

Including lots of storage solutions such as shelving, drawers and bookcases is a great way to ensure the space is clear of clutter especially when looking for small teenage bedroom ideas. Utilising under-bed storage is a great option to keep their space tidy and organised without taking up additional space in their room. The storage doesn't need to be hidden either. By adding shelving, they can display items such as photos, memorabilia, candles and plants. These are all great ways to liven up a room whilst adding a personal touch.

8. Customisable mood lighting

Customisable mood lighting is an easy way to add practical lighting whilst also adding a pop of colour that will suit a variety of teenage bedroom ideas. There are lots of options when it comes to mood lighting without the need for re-wiring or installing new light fittings. You could add self-adhesive strip lights along a headboard, under shelving or behind a desk. Or you could opt for a colour-changing light bulb in a lamp they already have. With endless colours for them to choose from, your teen will be able to adjust the lighting depending on the time of day and their mood.

Next steps

Hopefully, this guide has given you lots of useful ideas for your teenager's bedroom. Explore our other guides for more home decorating tips:

Our bean bags are the perfect addition to any teenage bedroom. Explore some of our bean bag chairs:

Bean Bag Chairs

Wedge Bean Bags

Gaming Bean Bags

Living Room Ideas on a Budget

Mon, 22 May 2023 09:14:00 +0100

Living rooms are at the heart of a home. It's where you relax, spend time with family and occasionally eat. If you're looking to update your space but you're on a budget, you might be reluctant to do so.

Thankfully there are some simple, budget-friendly ways to redecorate your living room. In this guide, our experts will give you some budget-friendly ways to give your living room space the much-needed refresh it needs. Incorporating these small changes can make a big impact on your space.

Upcycle second-hand furniture

If you're on a budget then investing in brand new furniture might not be an option. Instead, you could consider updating a piece of furniture you already own or purchasing a piece of second-hand furniture.

Upcycling is a really simple and effective way to transform furniture and it can be done relatively cheaply too. You could consider sanding down the item and repainting it, or switching out and updating the hardware. Upcycling works particularly well if you're looking for shabby chic living room ideas on a budget as it can add a rustic feel to your furniture.

Give the walls a new lick of paint

One of the most effective ways to transform a living room on a budget is by giving the walls a new coat of paint. Paint can transform both the mood and shape of a room. If you're looking to brighten your space, opting for lighter shades is an effective way to do this. On the other hand, if you're looking to create a more cosier feel, choosing paint with warmer darker tones can create this effect.

You can also get creative with paint. It's often traditional to keep your ceilings white, however, in a recent trend, we've seen people opting to paint their ceilings in alternative colours. If you have high ceilings, opting for a darker shade of paint can give the appearance of a lower ceiling making the room feel cosier.

We'd always recommend testing out potential colours you think you like as paint can often look very different depending on the amount of light entering the room. Place testers on each of the walls and compare them across the course of the day. You'll notice how the colours change as the day progresses.

Create a feature wall with wallpaper

Another great way to transform a living room on a budget is to create a feature wall using wallpaper. With thousands of designs to choose from, there are plenty of options to suit every style.

Brick effect or wood panelling effect wallpaper is a great way to add texture to the space without having to splash out on expensive materials. Using this wallpaper in areas such as a chimney breast or alcoves is a great way to utilise and highlight the space and add a focal point to the room.

Refresh your soft furnishings

A budget-friendly way to refresh your space is by updating soft furnishings like blankets and pillows. Repurposing your current pillows by purchasing new covers can be cheaper than purchasing new pillows. These can be switched out as and when you decide without having to commit to one colour scheme.

Add additional seating with a bean bag

If you enjoy entertaining or having friends over, then additional seating is a must. Bean bags offer a great budget-friendly solution to doing this. If your space allows, you could also opt for a bean bag to add a cosy reading corner to your living room.

At GreatBeanBags, we have a variety of sizes and styles to choose from. Use our handy sizing chart to determine what size bean bag you need for your space.

Velvet Teardrop Chair Bean Bag from GreatBeanBags

Give your sofa a new lease of life with a sofa cover

Sofas are usually one of the most expensive items in a living room and purchasing another if you're on a budget might not be achievable. Instead, you could opt for an elasticated sofa cover which will allow you to change the colour and material of the sofa without having to commit to purchasing a new one.

Sofa covers are available in a range of sizes, colours and textures and can be a quick, high-impact way of updating your space. They're also a very practical way of protecting your furniture against spills or accidents.

Create a gallery photo wall

If you've got a lot of blank space on your walls, adding photos and artwork can be a great budget-friendly way to add a touch of personality to the space. You could opt for a gallery wall with a collection of frames and photos of your favourite memories. Alternatively, you could add photo ledges for a more contemporary look.

If you're artistically inclined, then you could consider creating the artwork yourself. This is a fun way to get creative whilst saving your pennies.

Add mirrors to make the space feel larger and brighter

If your living room is on the smaller side, you could consider adding mirrors to make the space feel larger and to add depth. Not only are they very useful to have, but their ability to bounce light around a room will make a space feel brighter and more spacious.

To achieve this, mirrors are best placed either opposite or directly next to windows. For a high-impact look, you could consider adding a large floor-standing mirror. However, if space is limited, a mirror placed on the wall will work just as well.

Include a rug to zone the space

If you have an open-plan living room that's connected to a dining area or kitchen, you could consider zoning the space by using an area rug. Rugs are a great way to add texture and colour to the space whilst also providing other practical benefits. If you have wood or laminate flooring, adding a rug will help insulate the floor allowing your space to retain more heat.

When choosing a rug to zone a space, a common mistake is choosing a rug that is too small. You'll want to make sure the rug is large enough to have the desired effect. Ideally, the rug should be wider than the furniture in your living room. If this isn't possible, you could opt for a rug that allows for the front legs of your sofa and chairs to be placed on it.

Update your curtains to make the space feel bigger

Curtains are a practical way to make your living room warm and cosy, particularly in the cooler months. But did you know that the way you hang them can alter the shape and appearance of the room?

You might not have previously given this much thought. Positioning the curtain rail slightly above the window, it will give the illusion that the walls are taller and the window space is bigger. If you're opting for a more luxurious feel, choosing curtains which slightly puddle on the floor is a great way to achieve this.

Next steps

Redecorating your living room doesn't have to be expensive. By incorporating these budget-friendly ideas, you will be able to transform your living space without breaking the bank.

Looking for more decorating ideas for your living room? Explore our other blogs:

Pantone Colour of the Year Bean Bags

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:31:00 +0000

2024 is the 25th Pantone Colour of the Year announcement, and Peach Fuzz has been revealed as the new colour that will take the year by storm.

According to Pantone, this velvety gentle blend of pink and peach tones "captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others, and enriches the mind, body, and soul".

At Great Bean Bags, we’re not into the metaphysical, however, we make stunning bespoke bean bags in this gorgeous colour, to help you to transform your home with 2024’s Pantone Colour of the Year.

Our Peach Fuzz Bean Bags

Our Peach Fuzz bean bags are part of our velvet range, and can be explored by selecting the pink colour below each product. There’s a wide range of models in a variety of silhouettes to choose from!

However, our flagship piece designed to celebrate Pantone Colour of the Year, is our teardrop scoop-shaped bean bag, with stunning curves and pleats we think are beautifully accentuated in Peach Fuzz.

This bespoke product, like each and every bean bag we make, is made by hand in Nottingham UK. Prices start at just £89,99.

The Ultimate Barbie Bean Bag

This year’s Pantone Colour of the Year is a perfect choice for fans of the recent box office smash, Barbie Movie, or for those with young fans of the film.

So, whether you’re looking for the perfect Barbie bean bag for your child or an adult in your life, we’ve got you covered with a wide range of bespoke Peach Fuzz bean bags, in sizes ranging from small, for little ones, to positively huge, big enough for multiple people.

A Great Pairing

Our sumptuous velvet bean bags are warm, supremely comfortable, and perfect for the colder months.

However, our Faux Fur Throws are a great accessory to pair with our Peach Fuzz velvet bean bags, for winter days or evenings spent in your bean bag. There’s a number of colour options that would pair beautifully with our Pantone Colour of the Year bean bags, with Arctic White, and Panther Black amongst our available colours.

Pantone Colour of the Year Bean Bags from GBB

At GreatBeanBags, each and every bean bag we offer is made from safe, upholstery-grade fabrics, and our entire range adheres to all relevant British Standards.

Our bean bags are no novelty! They’re bespoke pieces, made here in the UK, the good old fashioned way. Your order will be assigned to one of our single skilled machinists who will make your piece by hand on the same day of order, inspect it, and sign it off for next day delivery.

So, you can rest assured our Pantone Colour of the Year bean bags are high-quality furnishings you'll enjoy for years to come.

Don't just take our word for it. Our skilled team have made first class seats for Virgin Atlantic, Bean Bags for the Love Island Villa and Big Brother House, the ejector seat used by Daniel Craig’s James Bond, in “Spectre”, and much more.

Celebrate Pantone Colour of the Year and shop the finest in Peach Fuzz furnishings with GreatBeanBags.

Garden Bean Bags VS Traditional Garden Seating

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:46:00 +0100

Whether you’ve got a large garden, a simple yard, whether you spend your summer months enjoying life on the patio, or on your apartment’s small balcony, you'll have spent time endlessly scrolling through websites full of boring and homogeneous options, looking for the perfect outdoor seating for you.

At GreatBeanBags, we believe our garden bean bags are the ultimate seating choice, trumping traditional garden seating in almost every way. In this blog we dive into why.

Why Choose Garden Bean Bags Over Traditional Outdoor Seating?

Made from weatherproof materials

Traditional outdoor seating is usually made from wood or metal, materials that respond poorly to the inclement weather the UK experiences throughout most of the year. As a result, these traditional seating options lose their aesthetic appeal rapidly, in many cases, rotting or rusting before the year is over. They’re also often very expensive, making them an expensive investment for a short term solution.

Our garden bean bags are made from our indoor/outdoor material, which we developed to enable us to offer you any of our bean bags as an outdoor model.

UV and water resistant, treated to enable them to be easily wiped down to help them maintain their stunning appearance long into the future, and woven to make them breathable in the warmer months, these outdoor furnishings are the ultimate outdoor seating option.

Easily moved and kind to your lawn

Traditional wooden or metal garden seating is typically very heavy, making it hard to move around. Want to move your chair to catch the moving sun? Good luck!

Their weight can also take a toll on your lawn or decking, leaving it damaged and unattractive, and not to mention, pose a threat to young children running about the garden.

Our garden bean bags are the perfect weight, finding the ultimate balance between being a substantial, quality outdoor furnishing, and being easily moved by a single person.

They’re also lawn and decking-safe, and ideal for gardens enjoyed by small children, who are unlikely to hurt themselves should they collide with your light weight bean bag seating. There’s also no risk of finger trapping, or unwittingly injuring pets.

More Easily Stored

Unlike traditional outdoor seating, which even for owners of large properties is difficult, or nigh on impossible to store, garden bean bags can be easily disassembled for space-saving storage in sheds, garages and loft spaces throughout the colder and wetter months.

This can help extend the already impressive lifespan of our outdoor bean bags, or they can simply be covered, or regularly wiped down, to maintain their aesthetic appeal and protect your investment.

The storability of our garden bean bags is also perfect for those with smaller outdoor spaces, helping you declutter your garden or patio when the sun disappears, or when you need to extend your outdoor space.

Garden Bean Bags Are More Comfortable & Versatile

There are few things less satisfying than walking out into your sundrenched garden with a tall refreshing drink, and sitting down onto a hard and uncomfortable wooden or metal chair.

Even the cushions that can be added to traditional outdoor seating do little to protect against the hard materials sticking into the backs of your legs/thighs, and to cushion your back, leading to a rather stabby and uncomfortable sitting experience.

Our garden bean bags are the most comfortable outdoor seating options on the market, moulding to you, to support your body and its natural curvature for unparalleled comfort. They can also be moved into different shapes to support different sitting orientations, making them hugely versatile.

Unlike inflexible traditional garden seating, which is either heavy, or built in a way that ties you into particular seating arrangements, outdoor bean bags like ours offer you total versatility.

Offer a Greater Range of Aesthetic Options

Style-conscious seekers of outdoor seating will have no doubt discovered that traditional garden seating is a pretty dull product category, with few stand-out designs to help separate your garden from any other. Beyond accessorising with cushions, there are not many aesthetic options available.

Our garden bean bags are available in a wide range of colours, including purple, sunflower yellow, orange, pink, red, lime green, olive green, forest green, sky blue, royal blue, navy blue, white, grey, brown, black and beyond, so you can sun yourself in style this summer.

Buying from GreatBeanBags

Bean bags are no novelty item! At GBB, the products we make, including our garden bean bags are luxury outdoor furnishings made by hand in Nottingham UK by skilled stitchers, from safe, upholstery-grade fabrics.

We’ve made bespoke seating for the Bond movie, “Spectre”, TV shows like Love Island and Big Brother, and our entire range of bean bags adheres to all relevant British Standards. You can be sure of our quality.

At GreatBeanBags, bespoke doesn’t mean long waiting lists and lead times. We make your bespoke piece by hand on the day of order, and send it out for free delivery the very next day.

5 Reasons to Get a Bean Bag Gaming Chair

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 08:47:00 +0100

For both casual gamers and serious enthusiasts, elevating the gaming experience can be an endless pursuit. At the centre of the journey to gaming perfection is the chair, the throne from which you beat the bosses and wonder the worlds of your favourite games.

As market-leaders in high-quality bean bags, we believe a bean bag gaming chair, like those in our extensive range of gaming chairs, is the perfect choice for gamers looking for the ultimate gaming experience. In this blog, we explore why.

Elevate Your Gaming Experience With a Bean Bag Gaming Chair

1. The most comfortable gaming chairs on the market

Comfort can significantly improve your gaming experience, helping to more fully immerse you in gameplay.

Sitting uncomfortably can not only impact your body (which we’ll tackle in an upcoming point) but negatively impact your cognition. Sitting comfortably, by opting for a bean bag gaming chair over a traditional gaming chair, can help you to overcome lethargy and fatigue, and broaden your mental capacity, improving your gaming performance.

Our gaming bags are luxury furnishings designed and manufactured by hand in Nottingham UK from high-quality materials, and deliver years of gaming comfort. No hard plastics or metals here, our models are available in designer velvet, faux suede, chenille, corduroy, cotton, faux leather, and beyond, helping you sink into the gaming experience and escape the real world.

2. A chair that moulds to your body

If you’ve spent any amount of time researching gaming chairs, you’ll know that ergonomics is a key consideration. In fact, it’s spawned an entire industry of often rather expensive dedicated game seating options.

When it comes to traditional gaming chairs it’s recommended that you try lots of different models to find the perfect one for your body and gaming preferences, and to ensure that your body is supported and protected from injury during long sessions.

Choosing a bean bag gaming chair like those in our range can help to prevent musculoskeletal pain and injuries to the back, neck and shoulders. How? Unlike traditional gaming chairs that require adjustable features to enable you to tailor them to your seating preferences, our gaming bags mould to you, supporting the unique natural contours of your body to provide support. That’s a smart chair!

Be sure to consider the number of hours you spend gaming, and your size and height, to select the perfect gaming bag model from our range. Check out our hi-back models, available in a variety of different materials, for maximum support.

3. Unparalleled versatility to game how you please

While traditional gaming chairs are only as versatile as their adjustable features, a bean bag gaming chair offers you total flexibility, enabling you to game exactly how you please.

Beyond being able to mould to your body, you can physically change the shape of our bean bag chairs for a tailored gaming experience, changing the depth and angle of the seat, back and neck support, and the general shape of the model.

This means whether you’re a PC/Laptop gamer, prefer Playstation or Xbox, Switch/other handheld consoles, or enjoy a mix, you can customise the shape of your bean bag gaming chair for your specific application.

Traditional gaming chairs feature hard plastic armrests that can lead to a feeling of containment while gaming, being sat at an improper distance from your mouse, keyboard or monitor etc, and lead to trapped nerves and other injuries if set up incorrectly. Our gaming bags are perfect for the animated gamer, with nothing restraining your movements and distracting from your gaming immersion.

4. Easily moved and stored away

For many gamers, the environment in which you escape reality and enter the virtual world is key to immersion and the ultimate gaming experience. Whether you have one room you favour for gaming, or whether you move around the house based on your mood or the activities of others you live with, a bean bag gaming chair is the perfect option, offering you the ability to move your bean bag from room to room with ease.

To give you greater flexibility in terms of gaming environment, we can also manufacture our gaming bags in our indoor/outdoor fabric, so they can be used outdoors and withstand the elements they’re exposed to.

Often, those living with gamers feel that their treasured elaborate gaming setups, including often large traditional gaming chairs, are cumbersome and not especially attractive.

If this resonates with you, opting for a bean bag gaming chair is a must, as they are more easily stored away to help you keep your home tidy, keep the peace with those you live with, and ensure fights and first person shooters are contained to the virtual world.

5. A broad range of aesthetic designs

Unlike traditional gaming chairs, which tend to come in one design and look like a souped up office chair, our range of bean bag gaming chairs are available in an extensive range of silhouettes, fabrics (which we’ve tackled in point number one of this blog), and colours.

Our gaming bags are perfect for the house-conscious gamer who wants to match their gaming throne to their home’s interior design.

Choose from lime green, peach fuzz, midnight blue, red, mustard, yellow platinum grey, sand, camel, mocha, black and beyond to game in style.

Buying from GreatBeanBags

While you might consider bean bags to be a novelty item, at GBB, all the products we make, including our gaming chairs, are luxury furnishings made by hand in Nottingham UK by skilled stitchers, from safe, upholstery-grade fabrics.

We’ve made bespoke seating for Big Brother, Love Island, and even the Bond movie, “Spectre”, and our entire range of bean bags adheres to all relevant British Standards.

However, when you shop with GBB, bespoke doesn’t mean long waiting lists and lead times. We make your bean bag gaming chair by hand on the day of order, and send it out for free delivery the very next day.

5 Reasons To Choose a Bean Bag Stool

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:56:00 +0100

In the UK, we take the term “putting your feet up” seriously, both literally and figuratively, and as a result, no living room is complete without a pouffe, ottoman, or footstool.

As bean bag specialists, we believe the bean bag stool is the ultimate alternative to these traditional foot rests, and one that offers a greater range of benefits beyond those of the humble pouffe and footstool.

It’s time to take a load off your feet, in style. Let’s explore the 5 reasons you should opt for a footstool bean bag.

Why Choose a Bean Bag Stool Over Traditional Alternatives?

Unparalleled Comfort

Unlike traditional footstools and ottomans, a bean bag stool blends sumptuous comfort and support, to offer you a more comfortable feet-up experience.

No hard wooden frame digging into your ankles. No discomfort due to the fabric not being thick enough to cushion the heels of your feet from your footstool’s wooden construction. Once you go bean bag, you’ll never go back.

When required, traditional footstools are also used as emergency seating at parties, family gatherings, and during the holiday season.

While your cousin might say they don’t mind being relegated to the footstool every Christmas, their face usually tells a different story once the discomfort sets in. By opting for a bean bag stool, you can not only relax in unparalleled comfort, but offer your friends and family the most comfortable emergency seating available. You’ll be making excuses to cut the party short, and get your favourite footstool back.

Available in a Wide Range of Fabrics, Colours & Sizes

Seeking out the perfect footstool for your home can be a tricky endeavour. Footstools are usually manufactured to accompany a brand’s range of sofas, and as a result, are often expensive, and available in only a limited range of colours and fabrics.

While our bean bag stools are the perfect accompaniment to our bean bag chairs and sofas, they are priced affordably (especially for bespoke pieces), and are available in a huge range of fabrics and colours, enabling you to match your piece to your existing traditional sofa and chairs, or create a bespoke statement piece tailored to your space and unique taste.

At GreatBeanBags, we offer our footstool bean bags in chord, velvet, faux fur, real and faux leather, and even luxury chenille fabrics to add a touch of luxury to any living room, and even brightly coloured woven fabrics, perfect for childrens’ bedrooms or play rooms.

What's more, while traditional footstools tend to be sold in a single size chosen by the manufacturer, we offer you the ability to tailor the size of your bespoke bean bag stool to your application and available space. Browse our range today and choose from four sizing options ranging from Medium to XXL.

Bean Bag Stools Offer Greater Versatility Than Traditional Options

Footstool bean bags offer excellent flexibility and versatility, not only making super comfortable emergency seating, as explored above in this blog, but making great comfortable chairs for little ones too.

Our bean bag stools make excellent space-saving seating for children’s bedrooms, playrooms, and are an excellent option for children’s parties. Larger sizes can seat 2 little ones.

Childless adults can also enjoy the brilliant versatility of these footstool bean bags by ‘going large’, turning your piece on its side, and forming it into a big sumptuous, ultra comfortable tub chair.

Available As Outdoor Models

At GreatBeanBags, you can order any of our products, from our flagship chairs and sofas to our footstools, in our indoor/outdoor fabric.

This fabric delivers the same quality and stunning aesthetics as our wide range of standard fabrics (and looks just as wonderful in front of your sofa or favourite chair), but can also be used outdoors, as and when the weather allows.

Our indoor/outdoor footstools are UV and water resistant, lawn-safe, child-safe, and treated so they can be easily wiped down to help maintain their appearance long in the future. They also make excellent garden party seating for when you're in a pinch.

Browse our range and order your bespoke bean bag stool today.

Lightweight and Easily Stored

Unlike traditional footstools, ottomans and some pouffes, our footstool bean bags are lightweight and can be easily stored away. Simply cover them and store them in your loft space or garage. You can even remove the bean bag filling to store your piece away in the tightest of storage spaces.

No need to worry about little ones running around and potentially harming themselves bumping into your footstool, or trapping their hands or feet. They're child-safe.

No need to worry about simply reaching down and dragging your bean bag stool across your hardwood flooring. They’re lightweight, and don’t contain a wooden frame or legs, making them floor-safe.

Buying from GreatBeanBags

Bean bags are no novelty item! At GBB, all our products, including our bean bag stools, are luxury outdoor furnishings made by hand in Nottingham UK by skilled stitchers, from safe, upholstery-grade fabrics. Our entire range adheres to all relevant British Standards.

Here, bespoke doesn’t mean long waiting lists and lead times. We make your bespoke piece by hand on the day of order, and send it out for free delivery the very next day.

Having made seating for TV shows like Love Island and Big Brother, and for the Bond movie, “Spectre”, you can be assured that ours are high-quality products you can trust.

High-Quality Commercial Bean Bags

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 12:28:00 +0100

As market-leading manufacturers of bespoke bean bags, we not only help to transform the homes of our customers with our high-quality furnishings, but work with businesses like yours to create commercial bean bags for your premises, event, or to support the work you do.

We’ve worked alongside fashion brands like Adidas, New Balance and Vans, tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, Skybet, Tinder and O2, F&B brands like Budweiser, Coke Zero, Deliveroo, and KFC, some of the most watched shows in television, like Love Island and Big Brother, and brands from the world of music and entertainment like Spotify, Beats, Capital FM, Veu and Everyman cinemas, to create the perfect custom seating for their launches, events, festivals, and HQs.

We also manufacture specialist commercial bean bags for the education and healthcare sector, helping to make the future’s brightest minds happy and comfortable as they learn, and supporting patient health across the UK.

Like all our products, our bean bags for commercial settings are manufactured by hand, from the highest quality materials, in Nottingham UK, by a team of dedicated craftspeople.

Our Range of Commercial Bean Bags

Branded & Bespoke-Shape Bean Bags

If you’re interested in creating personalised bean bags that help to promote your brand or event, our skilled team can brand any of our bean bags with your logo, producing bespoke, high-quality furnishings that also help to drive brand awareness.

We can also create branded commercial bean bags in bespoke shapes and designs, such as the berry-shaped pieces we manufactured for Crabbie’s Ginger Beer, as well as installation-style creations, such as The World’s Biggest Bean Bag, that our team made for Anya Hindmarch’s London Fashion Week event.

With screen printing, transfer printing, and dye sublimation printing capabilities, we can support all manner of printing requirements and budgets. Whatever your application or event, whether indoors or outdoors, no matter your specific requirements, or the number of branded pieces you need, we can help.

Unbranded Bespoke Bean Bags for Businesses

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a modern twist on traditional venue seating for your hotel, rooftop bar, spa, cinema, gallery, museum or school, we can supply you with bespoke unbranded commercial bean bags in any quantity.

Commercial Bean Bags for Education

At GreatBeanBags, we work with pre-schools and secondary schools across the UK, helping to support the comfort of students of all ages with high-quality, versatile seating tailored to their age group and setting. In fact, we’ve supplied ESPO, the UK education sector’s biggest procurement service, with our commercial bean bags for schools.

From our bright and colourful range of primary school models, which include both indoor and outdoor models, and even bean bags shaped like fruits, vegetables, and your pupil’s favourite barnyard animals, to our larger secondary school models, which include double seaters and giant floor cushions, and are available in a huge range of colours; we’ve got you and your students covered.

We also make a range of waterproof sensory bean bags for SEN pupils, the tactile nature of which help to reduce their anxiety and create a feeling of safety.

Bean Bags for Healthcare Settings

We’re proud to specialise in manufacturing a wide range of high-quality products to help support patient health in medical and healthcare settings across the country.

Our range of care chairs, ward loungers, lower limb support tools, kneeling mats, birthing mats, birthing partner loungers, and sensory bean bags, are made from our waterproof, antimicrobial, urine resistant, technical healthcare fabric which allows moisture vapour to migrate away from the body heat and pressure source, to enhance patient comfort. Maternity mats and large couch pieces are filled with foam for a more supportive and defined shape.

All of our commercial bean bags for healthcare settings feature sealed seams to prevent the ingress of fluids, and can also feature printed instructions for use if required.

Browse our full range to find the perfect models for your organisational needs.

Creating Bean Bags for Your Business

At GreatBeanBags we have a tried and tested process we use to bring your commercial bean bags to life, and guide you from concept to final finished furnishings.

We get started by establishing how you found us, whether that be a direct or indirect historic connection, via organic search, or social media etc.
Discuss your product requirements, application, printing needs, and the bean bag style, colour and fabrics you’re interested in. We’ll also explore budget constraints and required quantities, before providing you with a quote.
With a brief established, and having identified the perfect personalisation printing method for your project (either screen printing or transfer printing for small high volume logos, dye sublimation for colour matching and wide logos, or in some cases embroidering your logo onto the panels of your items before it’s made), we pass this information to our design team.
We produce a working sample to give you a true-to-life impression of how your space or event will look when filled with your required quantity of commercial bean bags. This is also the stage when both parties confirm their agreement to proceed with the project.
Our team will create a schedule of work, establish factory workflow, train/brief key machinists on your design requirements, before commencing production.

Looking for branded or unbranded bespoke bean bags for your premises, brand launch, event or festival? Contact our team today to get the ball rolling and start creating the ultimate alternative seating for your application.

Traditional Sofas Vs Bean Bag Sofa Alternatives

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 15:49:00 +0100

Have you started looking at your sofa a little differently of late? Is the familiar sense of contentment missing when you take a load off your feet at the end of the day?

If your sofa’s fabric has become worn out and is looking a little tired after years of use, or no longer provides the support you’ve come to know and expect, if it’s no longer big enough for you and your newly extended family, or if your taste in interior design has changed, it could be time to replace your traditional sofa with one of our bean bag sofa alternatives.

In this blog we explore 5 reasons you should consider a bean bag sofa over a traditional model.

5 Reasons to Consider Bean Bag Sofa Alternatives

1. Offer Greater Comfort & Tailored Support

While your sofa no doubt once offered you support, it did so via the hard, wooden structure found in all traditional sofas, that by its stationary nature actually restricts your body’s ability to move, and fails to support specific parts of the body, resulting in discomfort.

Our sofa bean bags are full of magic beans, which mould to your unique form to provide unparalleled comfort and support tailored to you no matter how you like to sit. They also fill the areas around your neck and the base of your back, areas that traditional sofas leave unsupported, for hours of comfortable relaxation.

All of our bean bag sofa alternatives hold their stunning shapes thanks to the filling we provide with each order, but filling can be removed, or additional filling ordered, to accommodate your unique seating preferences, whether you like a firm seat, or a soft squishy one.

2. Bean Bag Sofa Alternatives Are More Affordable Than Traditional Sofas

High-quality traditional sofas, like the popular 3-seater models found in homes across the globe, can cost anywhere from £1000 to upwards of £3,500. Even more affordable mass produced models start at around £400.

At GreatBeanBags, our bean bag sofa alternatives are bespoke furnishings, built by hand to order by our skilled stitchers and machinists in Nottingham, from UK-sourced, upholstery-grade fabrics, and tailored to your unique taste.

However, despite the quality of our bespoke sofa bean bags, their cost is significantly lower than traditional sofas, with prices for our largest 3-seater Couch models (which most closely resemble the shape of a traditional sofa) starting at just £264.99.

Even our stunning handmade 3-seater Luxury Chenille Couch model, measuring a whopping L 200cm x D 90cm, costs only £370.99. Not chump change, but a world away from the price of luxury traditional sofas of a comparable quality that can cost over 8 times the amount.

In short, our bean bag sofa alternatives offer you more comfort and support than a traditional sofa, and greater versatility and aesthetic control for significantly less.

3. Available in a Greater Variety of Shapes

While traditional sofas, like the ubiquitous 3-seater you’re likely replacing, are available in a range of colours and materials, their silhouette usually remains the same.

Typically, if you’re looking to make a design statement with your living room seating, selecting a traditional sofa model in any colour that isn’t a neutral tone, grey, or chocolate brown is usually your only, rather limited, option. Unless, you choose a bean bag sofa like ours!

We offer bean bag sofa alternatives in 7 stunning shapes, to help you find the perfect bespoke piece for your space. Here’s a whistle stop tour through 4 of the 7 silhouettes in our sofa range.

Couch Models

GreatBeanBags were the first company to make a bean bag in the shape of a traditional sofa. We made our first bean bag couch model back in 2006 for ITV, and they’re the original and best alternative to a traditional sofa on the market today.

Our couch models are also the ultimate temporary bed for overnight guests. Simply take the filling sacks out of the arms and backrest, turn the bag over, and just like that, you’ve got a bed more comfortable than any air or camp bed.

Lounger Models

Our sofa models don’t feature arm or backrests, giving them a sleek, minimal silhouette that makes them a highly versatile model.

Enjoy your lounger as a comfortable, sumptuous sofa to recline on with your family, a daybed, enabling you to kick all the way back, fold it against a wall to use it as a comfortable chair, or turn your lounger on its side to make a comfortable hammock.

Settee Models

For a more compact silhouette, plenty big enough for two, our settee models are an excellent attractive alternative to traditional sofas.

The model's more compact shape makes them excellent for kids’ rooms, gaming spaces, and even reading/vinyl nooks, with space for a friend or parent too.

Monster Models

Our Monster bean bag sofa alternatives are the biggest sofas in our range, and on the market today.

Need a lot of room to relax? Got a large family who all like to chill out together? Whether you need the ultimate multi-seater, or an enormous single seater, our square, super-sized monster sofas are a must see.

Perfect to make a modern angular statement at home, or to draw attention and weary legs at your commercial premises or event.

Be sure to also check out the square sofa models, recliner sofas, and ingot sofas that make up the rest of our range of sofas.

4. Bean Bag Sofa Alternatives Offer You More Aesthetic Control

At GreatBeanBags, our range of bean bag sofas are available in a wide range of materials, colours and sizes to help you design the perfect piece tailored to your unique taste, your home’s interior design, and your available space.

Choose from models in high-quality, child-safe corduroy, cotton, faux fur, faux leather, faux suede, luxury chenille, velvet materials, and even our indoor/outdoor fabric for pieces that can be used inside and out.

Browse a huge range of colours, from mustard, pink, black, grey, brown and walnut, to red, blue, green, purple, yellow and orange, to cream, straw, white, and even animal print/fur finishes, like zebra, tiger, leopard, panther, kangaroo and arctic fox.

Our sizes are the largest on the market, ranging from the smallest sized lounger models measuring L 100cm x W 80cm, to our large monster sofa models measuring L 130cm x W 130cm x H 90cm, and even our largest 3-seater couch models measuring a whopping L 200cm x D 90cm. Read more about our sizes to ensure you order your bespoke piece in the right size.

As manufacturers of bespoke bean bag sofa alternatives, if you can’t find your favourite sofa silhouette/shape in the perfect material and colour combination, at the right size, contact our team to discuss a totally bespoke model.

5. High-Quality Furnishings That Stand the Test of Time

All of our bean bag sofa alternatives are high-quality, bespoke furnishings, made by hand in Nottingham UK, and comply with all relevant British standards.

This quality is reflected in the durability of our products, which maintain their stunning aesthetic appeal for years, withstanding years and years of family fun.

No matter which uk-sourced material you choose for your sofa, it can be easily spot cleaned to protect your investment and help your bespoke piece look its best long into the future. Our guide to how to clean and maintain your bean bag offers more detailed spot cleaning tips for each of the materials we offer.

Furthermore, unlike traditional sofas, if years down the line your bean bag sofa begins to lose its shape or desired firmness, you can refill it with new beans to transform your sofa back to its original glory. The future’s looking comfy!

Browse our range of bean bag sofa alternatives today.

Our Top 5 Reading Nook Design Ideas

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 11:22:00 +0000

Whether you’re a lit-loving book fiend and collector, who finds gateways to new worlds behind every cover, or prefer your books read to you by smooth-voiced narrators, our collection of reading nook ideas can help you to create the perfect space to sink into the stories you love and savour every last word.

The first step in creating a cosy reading corner is identifying the perfect space. You could repurpose an empty closet/wardrobe, utilise under stair space, loft space, commandeer existing underutilised rooms across the home such as landings, spare bedrooms, conservatories, dining rooms, and even create a reading corner within your living room by transforming bay window alcoves, or via creative use of zoning.

Now that you’re mentally calling in the tradespeople, or suddenly seeing nook potential in underutilised corners of your home, read our top 5 reading nook ideas to keep the inspiration flowing.

Create the Nook of Your Dreams With Our 5 Reading Nook Design Ideas

1. Zone and Accessorise With Rugs

If you’re looking to create a cosy reading corner in your living room, or within any room of your home with an existing designated purpose, rugs help to break up and define different zones within a single space, without disrupting the conventional flow or structure of these spaces.

Rugs are especially effective zoning elements when sized appropriately to sit under all, or a great deal, of your nook’s furniture, so be sure to consider rug size alongside the other elements in this list of reading nook ideas.

To break up the hard edges of the room or zone, pairing curved furniture with a round rug can work well, otherwise, selecting a rectangular rug is usually the safest bet. If the furniture of your reading room, or the room around your zone, is neutral, and you don’t have lots of wall art, rugs with bold colours or patterns can add aesthetic interest and serve as a feature. Otherwise, a neutral rug is likely going to be best.

2. Chair Comfort is Critical

Beyond your book or e-reader, your chair might be the most crucial point to consider when reading our collection of reading nook ideas.

There’s no chair on earth as comfortable as a bean bag chair, and as bespoke bean bag manufacturers, we’ll guide you through choosing the right model for your reading nook.

At GBB, our models span compact designs to down right stately ones, and are available in a wide range of sizes, fabrics, and colours, to help you select the perfect model, and match its design to your nook.

For readers for whom space is in short supply, small bean bag chair models like our wedge models provide a sumptuous seat, back support, and won't overwhelm your nook, while our chair and armchair models have a more conventional silhouette, offer lower back support, and a larger seat.

If you lean towards traditional interior design styles, and are creating a cosy reading corner in a larger space, or have a whole room dedicated to your reading, our layZ models are perhaps the ultimate bean bag chair.

If you prefer to lay back with your reads, explore our recliner and lounger models, and if space isn’t a factor, our couch models enable you, your partner, child, and even the dog, to enjoy your reading nook together.

3. Float Away With a Footstool

Put your feet up, sink back into your chair, and truly immerse yourself in your book by adding a footstool to your reading nook.

Bean bag footstools offer a wider range of benefits beyond those of traditional pouffes and footstools. Benefits that make them the perfect addition to any book nook, and a key consideration for anyone creating a cosy reading corner in their home.

Comfort - Doing away with uncomfortable wooden frames, and featuring high-quality, sumptuous fabric that actually supports and cushions your feet, bean bag footstools are the most comfortable on the market.

Wide Range of Designs - Unlike traditional footstools, our bean bag models are bespoke, and available in a range of colours, and in corduroy, velvet, faux fur, real and faux leather and luxury chenille fabrics, enabling you to match your footstool to your chair, wall colour, or any other textiles across your nook.

Though these points are enough to secure footstools a place on our list of reading nook ideas, the low weight of bean bag footstools is another excellent benefit, helping to make your nook child-safe (light, no hard edges and no way to trap fingers), and protecting the flooring of your nook, thanks to their light, wood-free, leg-free construction.

4. Explore Side Tables and Book Storage

Whether you’re creating a cosy reading corner within a living room, or commandeering an entire room/existing space for your reading pleasure, no reading nook is complete without a side table.

Whether it’s for resting down your drink or snack when flipping the pages, placing down your e-reader and charger for hands-free reading, putting your phone just out of reach enough to escape into your story, or as an aesthetic statement, a side table is a must, and a reading nook idea you shouldn’t skip.

Every book-lover knows that books are the ultimate ornament/accessory, so be sure to explore the many affordable side table designs that enable you to store and display your reads, to help you accessorise your nook in style.

Carefully consider your available space, whether you’re trying to create a traditional or modern aesthetic, whether round or square designs are more suited to your space and desired look, the aesthetic impact of metal, wood and glass materials, and whether you’d like a single or multi-tiered design, as these decisions will help to form your nook’s aesthetic.

If this wasn’t enough to secure their place on our list of reading nook ideas, side tables are handy to hold not only decorative accessories, but a candle or incense burner, to help you set the tone of your nook with scent.

Whether you’re transforming a room into your very own reading nook, or creating a nook within a living room, wall-mounted bookcases, or repurposed fitted shelving, are an excellent way to display your books and lend your nook a library-like aesthetic.

5. Lamps are Key to Creating a Cosy Reading Corner

Lighting is an essential point on our list of reading nook ideas, not only practically speaking, for physical book readers who don’t have backlighting built into their favoured paper editions, but to create ambience and set the mood of your nook.

Both table and standing lamps are an excellent cosy lighting option for reading nooks, and a great way to add depth and height to your space.

Depending on the size of your nook, and either the light around your reading nook zone or in your dedicated reading room, you could opt for just one kind of lamp, or use both table and standing lamps, and match or mismatch these models to help you achieve your desired aesthetic.

For a more traditional look, wall lights could also be an excellent and practical option, depending on your space and the positioning of your seating.

Fairy lights are a cosy nook essential, and if this were a longer list of reading nook ideas, would likely deserve their own dedicated section. While they may be best when paired with existing lighting, fairy lights add a warm and calming atmosphere to the space, and look fantastic when trailed along shelving, outlining mirrors or other furniture you may have in your nook, or when used inside a mason jar or bell jar as a stunning lamp.

Inspired? It’s time to make those reading nook design ideas a reality. Good luck, and remember us for your cosy bean bag chairs and footstools.

Tons of Kids’ Bedroom Ideas and 5 Rules to Follow

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 11:43:00 +0000

Is your son or daughter’s room looking tired? Do you open the door, only to close it as quickly as possible before the nagging sense of obligation to fix it up again can sweep over you?

In this blog, we explore tons of kids' bedroom ideas, from simple decorating choices, to bespoke furniture ideas, categorised by which of our 5 rules for childrens’ bedrooms they relate to.

5 Design Guidelines & Over 30 Helpful Kids’ Bedroom Ideas

1. Decorate With Fun in Mind - Think Bright & Bold

Creating a room that your child loves is critical to their well-being, and because there aren’t many children who’d opt for floor-to-ceiling neutral tones, exploring bold, bright, fun or imaginative decorative choices, or furniture pieces, is key.

The wallpaper trend is still going strong in 2024, and is at the top of any list of kids' bedroom ideas, due to the large number of options to consider, and its powerful ability to transform a room’s aesthetic.

All over wallpaper - The same wallcovering design on the walls and ceiling. While this works with any wallpaper, it can be especially effective with traditional-style small, tight floral designs, damask and paisley-style prints, which help to create a cosy cocoon-like feel.
Bold wallpaper designs - Think big abstract shapes, oversized florals, animal designs, bookcase designs, and designs that reflect your child’s favourite TV show, movie, book etc.
Geometric wallpapers
Whimsical designs - Consider prints that feature popular woodland, mountain and jungle scenes, landscape designs, or for a more traditional style, William Morris-style prints.

As an alternative to wallpaper, hanging a tapestry can be an excellent option, and a great way to inject some texture into the room. Similarly, murals, both painted and wallpaper versions, are another great way to add some personality into the room, especially rooms that are otherwise neutrally decorated.

Other popular decoration-related kids’ bedroom ideas are:

Painted ceilings - Consider flat colours in muted tones or pastels, or more inventive designs such as the night sky, blue sky and clouds, or a striped circus tent design.
Bold wall art and either wood wall-mounted lettering to spell out your child’s name, or bespoke wooden signage, available in a wide range of colours.
Opt for a fun novelty bed, or for older children, a statement headboard.

2. Make the Room Uniquely Theirs

Creating a room that reflects your son or daughter’s personality helps to boost their sense of identity, and seeing this identity expressed in their space in turn boosts self esteem and helps them feel understood. Explore the following kids’ bedroom ideas to create a space that is uniquely theirs:

Adorn the walls with their interests, be that skateboards, surfboards, sporting equipment, music gear, books, gaming controllers, collectable figures or soft toys.
For fashion-conscious children, or kids who love dressing up, consider adding attractive open clothing racks. This also adds texture to the room.
If your child is involved in music, dance, or is a budding youtube creator, you could create a raised platform, as a kind of stage, to encourage their hobbies, and dedicate their room to these passions.

3. Comfort Comfort Comfort

Comfort is critical to creating the perfect children’s bedroom, and this goes beyond finding the right bed. As manufacturers of bespoke bean bag furniture, we know a thing or two about creating comfortable spaces, and have a few unique kids’ bedroom ideas to help you create a room that is as comfy as it is cool.

Bean bag chairs offer unparalleled comfort, and come in a wide range of silhouettes, sizes, fabrics and colours. From traditional retro-style bean bags, to armchair models, high-back wedge models, and large-sized models for spacious rooms, there’s a bean bag chair for your son or daughter’s room.
If space allows, you could also explore bean bag sofas like couch models, low profile lounger models, and recliners to explore. These models also make excellent, and exceedingly comfortable, air bed alternatives for sleepovers.
If your child is a keen gamer, bean bag gaming chairs are a great way to provide comfort and support, while lending a softer more textured aesthetic to the room over typical hard black plastic and leather gaming chairs.
Cute colourful wooden or plastic stools are a common feature of many children’s rooms, and feature on many lists of kids’ bedroom ideas, but by opting for a bean bag stool, or larger bean bag cube models, you can harness all the same benefits with added comfort. They’re also child safe due to their light weight, and high-quality soft materials.
Bold, patterned, colourful, cushioned rugs and throws are an excellent way to add flair, texture and comfort to your child’s room.
Floor cushions or alternatives like our triangle models, can turn the smallest area of floor space into a cosy corner, or a space for reading and lounging.

4. Explore Zoning - Turning a Room Into a Whole World

Zoning is hugely effective in creating different spaces dedicated to different activities within your child’s room, to help them make the most of their space, and focus on their various activities.

From sleeping, to relaxing, reading, doing homework, and engaging in their passions and interests, zoning concepts are perhaps the most powerful and transformative in our collection of kids’ bedroom ideas, and the ultimate way to create a unique space for your child.

Consider building a window seat
Transform wardrobes, closets or alcoves into dedicated spaces to draw, read, play games, or do homework.
Explore creating a book nook to encourage reading and improve literacy skills.
For larger renovation projects, explore building wooden fort-like spaces out from the walls to create a hideaway nook. These make great places to read, play with toys, or sit with an ipad, and double as excellent storage space. There are also children’s forts available to buy on the market, like this one, but many products in this category fall more into the temporary teepee, tent and den category of product. Similarly, creating usable spaces off the ground, accessible via ladders and slides, are a popular option.

There are tons of bed-related kids’ bedroom ideas that can create an exciting zone, or even multiple zones, within your child's room. Don’t sleep on these:

Add a seating nook to the end of the bed - this is especially useful in smaller rooms.
Consider installing curtains around the bed to create a cosy cocoon and provide a sense of privacy.
Explore high sleeper beds to create spaces beneath them for relaxing, playing, homework or gaming. Similarly, consider bunk houses as an option.
Build a box around the bed to create the feeling, and perhaps aesthetic, of their own little house, within their bedroom.
Build a box, out from the ceiling above their bed, to create the clear aesthetic of a dedicated sleeping zone. The ceiling box can be papered or painted in a different print or colour to the rest of the room to accentuate this space within a space.
If you’re looking for kids’ bedroom ideas for rooms shared by multiple children, consider bed stacking and bunk-style designs to fit as many as 4 beds in a single room, and maximise floor space.
If both of your children share a room, consider symmetry to create two separate sleeping zones on each side of the room that mirror each other.

5. Storage is Key

Almost frightened by the sheer amount of “stuff” your children accumulate? Stuff that’s never as tidy as you’d like it to be. It’s no surprise that storage solutions feature heavily on every list of kids’ bedroom ideas you can find.

Here are our ultimate storage ideas:

Don’t overlook the classic ottoman
Wicker baskets - Still super popular and now available in a range of attractive shapes including cute animals
Platform bed, and under-bunk storage
Under window seat storage
Bookshelves and cube shelving units
Full-wall storage is super popular in 2024 - for good reason
Got an original fireplace? Turn it into a stunning toy cupboard

Sufficiently inspired? Start implementing your favourite points from our collection of kids’ bedroom ideas, and remember the 5 rules to guide you.

Top 5 Things to Consider When Choosing School Chairs

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:04:00 +0000

Imagine any classroom or communal space across your school without its chairs. Odd isn’t it? These super functional items are critical to students’ learning and social experience, so it’s important to choose the perfect school chairs for your school and students.

We can help. Remember this short checklist of considerations when making your choice.

The School Chair Checklist

1. Comfort, Comfort, Comfort

Comfortable students are more relaxed, and therefore more engaged, focused and effective. Seems obvious right? Though there are plenty out there, we don’t really need scientific studies to know that making students comfortable helps to improve wellbeing and academic performance.

When choosing your school chairs, the comfort basics are to ensure that each class has application, age, height and size-appropriate seating, that offers a comfortable seating position for students, and ensures their backs are supported adequately.

But you can go further. Research shows that offering a choice, to enable students to sit as they feel most comfortable, increases engagement, motivation and creativity. So, why not explore the following alternative school chairs, in addition to your typical classroom chair:

Wheeled chairs, and adjustable stools that swivel, wobble, or rock, are great for students who need movement while they work.
Bean bag chairs are perhaps the ultimate choice for comfort. Browse our wide range of chairs, or our school-specific range, (including Armchair, Mini armchair, Secondary Seat, Secondary Chair, and Wedgie models, which all offer back support). All our bean bag chairs are available in a huge range of sizes, fabrics and colours.
Oversized floor cushions, like our Primary Scatter model, and those in our Sit-On Cushion range, can be a great option for certain applications and settings.

2. Different Chairs for Different Settings and Spaces

While your science lab is likely to need tall stool seating for the high worktops typically found in these settings, and your ICT suites and computer rooms are likely to need wheeled office chairs, when it comes to choosing school chairs for other classrooms and school spaces, one size does not fit all.

As we touched on in the point above, you can provide a range of chair types in a typical classroom, with different kinds of seating around different tables across the room, and provide students with a choice.
Similarly, certain classes that require creative thinking, discussion and collaboration, may be better equipped with more comfortable, alternative school chairs.
Promote relaxation, comfort, and communication amongst students by adding sofas in your communal student areas. Consider both conventional models, and bean bag alternatives which are not only easy to clean, but available in a wider range of shapes and sizes, so there’s one for every space.
Kit out your library and study spaces with sumptuous armchairs where students can relax with a book or focus on their work. Traditional-style bean bags, bean bag armchairs, or our Bookworm model, are a great alternative option for this application.
Consider outdoor seating options when choosing your school chairs. Creating spaces for your students to calmly come together outdoors, could help to cut down on mischief making at break times.

3. Versatility & Flexibility

The versatility of school seating is key to helping you to get the most from your investment.

In a similar vein to our previous point, when shopping for school chairs, be sure to explore seating options that are suitable for a range of school spaces, classroom layouts, and lesson types across multiple school departments and settings.

Seating that can be adapted to serve a range of needs is also worthy of investigation. There are many options to explore, but for alternative seating, certain bean bag chair models can be moulded into different shapes to help facilitate a range of applications, like our Secondary Slab model.

Remember that lightweight and easily cleaned, stored, stacked, and folded school chairs are enormously useful for teachers, cleaners, and students alike.

4. Durability, Quality & Longevity

Your students work and play hard, and the school chairs you choose for each area across the school need to be made from durable, high quality materials to ensure they last longer than a term, and can stand up to your students’ hammering.

When exploring options, look for testing certificates, note the thickness of frame, and the materials used to gauge your chosen seating’s durability.

Our bean bag chairs, sofas and stools, are used across schools, colleges and universities across the UK, due to their durability, high-quality UK manufacturing, upholstery-grade materials, and ease of cleaning.

Ensuring that your chosen school chairs come with an appropriate warranty is also key, to give you a course of action, should they not be able to withstand the harsh school environment.

5. Chair Design & Colour

Choosing aesthetically pleasing school chairs, or seating with a strong visual identity, can positively impact the engagement and motivation of your students, help to improve their mood, confidence, morale, and boost their participation in tasks and discussions.

While opting for traditional seating can give the impression that your school has a stiff, hard, and perhaps old school approach, opting for more modern school chairs in brighter colours can connote a more dynamic and bold approach to learning.

What’s more, colours can help you to create the perfect space for its application. Bright colours can help to maximise their creativity and willingness to learn, while using neutral tones can help you to create a calm atmosphere.

At GBB, we can support your school with bean bag seating made in a range of fabrics, in almost any colour you can imagine, including patterned designs. We can even brand your bean bag chairs with your school's name, logo and colourways.

We also offer seating models in a range of fun designs, such as fruit, vegetables, book covers, animals, and more.

So, remember our checklist on your search for the perfect school chairs for your school, and keep GreatBeanBags in mind for your alternative seating.

Essential Sensory Equipment for Education & Healthcare Settings

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:36:00 +0000

It's estimated that 5-16% of the UK population is impacted by symptoms of sensory processing disorder (SPD). This figure increases significantly in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism, and ADHD, of which sensory processing difficulties are a common feature.

The increasingly common addition of sensory equipment in school classrooms, educational settings at all levels, and healthcare environments is key to supporting children and adults to engage with and regulate their sensory needs, reduce their anxiety/frustration, improve their focus, and enhance their learning.

In this blog, we’ll explore 7 kinds of sensory products perfect for schools, educational institutions and relevant healthcare environments.

List of Top 7 Sensory Equipment Must-Haves

7) Fidget Toys

Small, affordable to acquire and easy to store, fidget toys provide a consistent, reliable and comforting sensory experience that helps children and adults overwhelmed by the sensory input around them, to manage stress and anxiety, relax, focus their mind, and improve/regulate their mood. This makes a stock of fidget toys a must-have addition to any education and healthcare setting.

6) Balance Boards & Body Rockers

Balance Boards

Some children with Autism and SPD struggle with balance and coordination. Balance boards can be an invaluable piece of sensory equipment for educational and therapeutic settings, helping to support childrens’ balance and coordination, face their fears of activities or materials that impact their ability to maintain a balanced position, and improve their confidence. They’re also an excellent tool to use under the desk, for school students of all ages with fidgety feet, and those who respond better to subtle movement when they work.

Body Rockers

Body rockers are similarly useful tools for healthcare settings and early learning and primary schools, that provide proprioceptive (body position) and vestibular (movement) sensory stimulation, to help develop motor skills and bodily awareness. The rocking nature of these products also serve to relax and soothe the user, maximising their benefits in therapeutic applications.

5) Sensory Mats & Wall Panels

Equally at home in learning and healthcare settings, sensory play mats are a great solution to help develop sensory integration, motor skills, balance and coordination.

Sensory Integration - By encouraging children to engage with a range of textures, and stimulating the proprioceptive (Body position) and vestibular (movement) senses via the feet, sensory mats develop childrens’ tactile sense.

Motor Skills - This key piece of sensory equipment offers a safe, fun way for children with Autism, SPD, and/or ADHD to practise their motor skills, develop their strength and endurance, and improve bodily awareness.

Balance & Coordination - The variety of materials and textures featured on sensory mats challenge childrens’ balance and coordination, and provide the opportunity for children to practise adjusting their movements to each surface, to help develop these skills.

Sensory wall panels do the same thing, via the hands, and are a similarly worthy addition to your space.

4) Sensory Lighting

Sensory lighting stimulates the senses via visual, and in some cases, tactile sensory input.

By exposing the user to a range of engaging and relaxing lighting effects (from muted to bright, from still to pulsing, in a range of colours), sensory lighting helps to calm the mind and body, reduce anxiety and stress, lift the mood, develop motor functions, and improve focus, communication and social skills.

This essential type of sensory equipment can be implemented across therapeutic and appropriate school spaces via Fiber Optic lights (light curtains, showers, tails, bubble tubes), and sensory ceiling panels.

3) Interactive Touch Screens, Panels & Projectors

Interactive Touch Screens

Interactive touch screens (both in wall and table form) are a worthy addition to therapeutic and educational settings, to support children and adults with autism and sensory difficulties, for whom these products offer the opportunity to learn and communicate in new ways, make connections with others, and develop cognitive function.

They’re also equally at home in care homes, for residents with dementia, offering the same benefits, in addition to helping to develop cognitive function.

Interactive Electronic Wall Panels

Electronic sensory wall panels use colour, light, sound, and in some cases respond to sounds made by the user, to stimulate and encourage engagement with the senses, and develop communication, visual tracking, motor skills, coordination and understanding of cause and effect.

Sensory Projectors

Sensory projectors are also excellent pieces of sensory equipment that enable you to provide immersive environments within your learning or therapeutic space, that help to encourage discovery, create enjoyable learning opportunities, and help to develop the senses.

Other projection products offer more calming benefits, and help to relax, distract and support sleep.

2) Sensory Dens & Cabinets

When overwhelmed by sensory input and busy spaces, having a designated, predictable sensory space, can help to reduce the anxiety of children with sensory processing difficulties, helping them to feel calm and safely contained.

These sensory dens can be anything you’d like, from little teepees or tents filled with your choice of fidget toys, sensory lighting, floor cushions (like those in our range), pillows, blankets and reading/writing/drawing books, to commercially available dens, which span simple designs to elaborate, fully kitted out sensory soft play models.

On the other end of the product spectrum are sensory cabinets, which offer a private, designated space for sensory play, creative activities, reading, reflecting, or calming down/re-centuring, and often feature integrated LED lighting to help calm users and stimulate the visual senses.

Both kinds of sensory equipment are excellent immersive, multisensory solutions to implement across education and healthcare settings, and are available at a wide range of price ranges.

1) Sensory Seating

Sensory Bean Bags for Education & Healthcare Settings

Sensory bean bags might be the ultimate in sensory seating. At GreatBeanBags, we’ve been manufacturing market-leading sensory bean bags (in Nottingham UK) for many years. Our sensory models are sold via third party resellers, we supply them to education and healthcare institutions of all kinds across the UK, and direct to parents for use at home.

Essential sensory equipment for schools and therapeutic environments, sensory bean bags provide deep touch pressure input to support body awareness and proprioceptive feedback. They envelop and mould around the body to create even pressure input through the body to regulate the user’s sensory responses, and their soft low-noise fabrics offer both tactile and auditory sensory benefits.

The supremely comfortable nature of these bean bags supports relaxation and decompression, and their lightweight, plastic-free construction makes them child-safe, floor friendly, and highly portable so they can be used for students and patients of all ages, and moved around your premises as required.

Our sensory models are available in 13 colours, and a range of sizes, so you can create the perfect models for your unique application.

Wishing you a successful sensory shop! We hope this has helped you to identify the right sensory equipment for your organisational needs. If we can support you with sensory bean bag seating or floor cushions, contact our team today.

The Adult Bean Bag Revolution

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:34:00 +0000

At GBB, we sell a huge ton of bean bags. Homes across the UK and beyond are furnished with our bespoke bean bag chairs and sofas (and those of our competitors), yet we find the adult bean bag revolution manages to largely escape the pages of interior publications and websites, leaving the uninitiated in the dark to these ultra comfortable, attractive and versatile furnishings.

Gone are the days when bean bags were novelty items, or something bought just for children and teens. In this blog we’ll explore why bean bag seating should be on your radar and in your home.

5 Reasons for the Rise of the Adult Bean Bag

Models for the Whole Home

If the term “bean bag” makes you think of a traditionally shapeless, broadly spherical bag of beans, then we’re about to blow your mind. The market is full of stunning adult bean bag chair and sofa models, in a variety of attractive silhouettes, fit for any home.

From our retro bean bags, which most closely resemble a traditional bean bag, to armchair and sofa models which make excellent traditional seating alternatives, to gaming chairs, outdoor models and beyond, there’s a model to transform almost every space across your home, inside and out.

So, whether you’re refreshing your living room, kitting out an office, man cave or kid’s room, creating a reading nook, updating your gaming setup, or getting your summer garden seating in place, consider a bean bag.

Offer Aesthetic Versatility (Seating Without Compromise)

Beyond the availability of a wide range of models, the ability to select from a huge choice of fabrics and colours is another reason adult bean bags are a popular option for renters and homeowners looking to achieve a specific aesthetic.

At GreatBeanBags, we offer our chair and sofa models in around 15 stunning colours, and 10 fabrics: leather, faux leather, cotton, corduroy, faux suede, faux fur, luxury chenille, designer velvet, our outdoor fabric, and a range of patterned fabrics.

Short on space? Got a large space to fill or a large family to seat? No problem. Bean bag seating is available in a range of sizes to help you find your perfect fit. At GBB, we offer sizes ranging from small - XXXL.

Unlike traditional seating, bean bag alternatives offer you unparalleled aesthetic control to style your home, your way.

Help to Improve Posture

As we get older, sedentary working conditions lead to poor posture, which if unchecked, can lead to physical health problems.

Though this may be surprising, bean bags actually help to improve posture, making adult bean bags a popular choice for those noticing their slumped form, suffering occasional discomfort, or looking to protect their health as they get older.

Naturally enhance muscle activation: While leaning or sitting for extended periods of time weakens our muscles (leading to poor posture), finding ways to activate the muscles in your back, core and legs helps to support muscle activation. Adjusting to a comfortable seating position when seated on a bean bag chair or sofa, activates these muscles, strengthening them, and improving your posture over time.

Improve spinal alignment: Spinal alignment is key to proper posture, and bean bag seating is an excellent way to ensure the correct alignment of your spine. Bean bag chairs and sofas, by their nature, mould to your body, supporting your spine’s natural curve, and improving your posture.

Relieve Back Pain

If it’s too late to prevent the aches and pains, bean bag seating can be a great way to relieve back pain, which could be why adult bean bags are growing in popularity amongst older people.

While their efficiency will vary when it comes to back injuries or particularly severe conditions, bean bags can help to relieve aches and pains caused by lifestyle-related causes of poor posture in a range of ways:

Reducing pressure on joints and muscles, by conforming to your body’s natural shape, unlike traditional seating which applies pressure to pressure-sensitive parts of the body.
Improving circulation by supporting the even distribution of weight, reducing pressure on blood vessels and enabling free, natural movement.
Enhancing muscle activation and improving spinal alignment (as covered in the posture-related point above).

It’s important to say that while the internet is full of reports from users who have experienced significant postural improvements and reduced their back pain with bean bag seating, there is no available scientific research to support users’ anecdotal evidence.

Affordability Over Traditional Furniture

At GreatBeanBags, we make our adult bean bags to order, via traditional manufacturing practices, in Nottingham UK.

Despite the bespoke nature of our products, our range of bean bag chair and sofa models are significantly more affordable than traditional armchairs and sofas (though more expensive than a mass-produced bean bag).

We also offer fast turnaround times, manufacturing orders the day they’re received, and shipping them out the following day. Something unheard of when it comes to traditional seating.

Considering this, and their wide range of benefits (some of which we’ve explored here), it’s no surprise that the adult bean bag revolution shows no signs of slowing down.

Browse our range of bean bags today to find the perfect model - or models - for your home.

Essential Home Office Setup Ideas

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:14:00 +0100

For professionals in largely digital industries, the work from home (WFH) revolution is here and now - no matter what luddite leader types, still tied to their bricks and mortar, may say.

Whether you work flexibly, splitting your time between the office and home, or work from home full time, creating a workspace that supports your productivity and comfort is key.

In our run down of essential home office setup ideas, we hope to help you identify the elements you need to create your ultimate workspace. Your very own WFH haven is a short read away.

Get Remote Ready With Our Home Office Setup Ideas

Finding the Right Desk

Many of us spend 36 hours a week sitting behind a desk. Therefore, it’s key to ensure you select a model that is not only comfortable, but able to facilitate your required equipment and preferred workflow.

Ensure your desk's height can support a comfortable seating position, for those long days hammering away at the keyboard, and that your legs/knees comfortably and naturally fit beneath it.

Consider the computer and electronic equipment needed for your day-to-role to identify if a curved, multi-tiered, standing, L-shaped, or standard desk is right for your needs, and if a model with a keyboard drawer, storage drawers or open shelving could help to support your workflow.

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Office Chair

It’s widely reported that the sedentary nature of office work isn’t great for our health, so a comfortable and supportive seat is an essential home office setup idea.

Whether you opt for a traditional wooden or leather chair, an armless low-backed chair, or more contemporary, highly adjustable models with back, neck, and armrests, make sure your chosen model can keep you comfortable as you work, and support your body as required.

Secondary Seating

However, to combat those particularly gruelling 8 hour days sitting in one place, itching to break the unnatural monotony, having a second seating option in your home office can be a great way to satisfy the urge for movement, while staying focused and productive. And there’s no greater choice for this secondary seat, than a beanbag chair.

Offering unparalleled comfort, moulding around your body and conforming to your sitting position, rather than forcing your body into an unnatural position that doesn’t support your spine’s natural curvature, they’re the ultimate choice for a secondary seat.

What's more, bean bag seating like ours is available in a huge range of colours, fabrics, sizes, and models, ranging from traditional armchair silhouettes, low-backed designs, high-backed chair models, and beyond. For those seeking home office setup ideas for larger spaces, opting for a beanbag sofa model as your secondary office seating can help you to incorporate a comfortable reclined position into your workflow, or when paired with a footstool, help you to take a load off while you work.

Functional Workspace Essentials

Monitors

For many remote professionals working from their homes with company laptops, a standalone monitor is a must to improve visibility, reduce straining, and facilitate a more comfortable, less hunched, seating position. For highly detailed data-led work, expansive document work, and more creative roles in graphic design, video, and audio, two monitors can be beneficial, and help to immerse you in your tasks.

Keyboards & Mice

Professionals who spend their days clacking away at a keyboard may find a high-quality external keyboard and mouse to be an essential home office setup idea, to help increase typing and clicking efficiency and accuracy, and minimise the aches and pains associated with the cramped nature of laptop keyboards and trackpads.

Microphones

Audio is a factor for anybody in a remote role requiring virtual communication, and for individuals in creative sectors, could be even more pertinent. Today, it’s very easy and affordable to set yourself up with a good sounding microphone perfect for your needs, whether you need an industry standard voiceover model, or a simple USB microphone like those typically used for gaming.

Quality Cabling

Technological mishaps between the hours of 9-5 are always more annoying and panic inducing than those that occur after work hours in our personal time.

With deadlines, customer/client/employer demands to meet, and tasks to juggle, opting for quality computer cabling, and even having a supply of spares, is one of the most important, fundamental points in our list of home office setup ideas.

Be sure to choose high-quality, dependable:

Chargers for your laptop, wireless accessories, and the mobile phone you use for work.
Power and connecting cables (powering your printer, computer or monitor, and connecting your laptop to your monitor for example).
USB adaptor ports (to plug in your printer, keyboard, mouse, external hard drive, SD card etc).
Surge protection power strips.

Additional Home Office Accessories

Laptop Extras

Laptop stands may seem like a superfluous purchase, but they actually offer a whole host of benefits, and for many, are an essential home office setup idea. Available in adjustable and nonadjustable models, laptop stands help to support your comfort by improving your posture, reducing physical discomfort and minimising eye strain. They can also help to declutter your workspace, and improve your laptop’s airflow and cooling.

Desk-Based Extras

Desk mats are increasingly popular, powerful, home office essentials that help to:

Style your home office.
Create a zoned workspace and defined spaces for your equipment.
Protect your desk.
Improve your comfort when writing, typing, and using a mouse.
Reduce the sound of typing and items coming into contact with the desk.
Improve mouse and keyboard functionality.
Wirelessly charge your devices (model dependent).

Though, when it comes to the ultimate desk-based extras, there’s perhaps no object more important for textual learners, professionals in ideas-based roles, and those who don’t have the sharpest memories, than a notebook.

WFH Vibe Setters

As a remote worker, you have the freedom to work your way, and in this section of our list of essential home office setup ideas, we hope to help you do just that, by tailoring your workflow and workspace to your unique preferences.

Electronics

Whether you’re a fan of listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or music while you work, kitting out your workspace with a quality pair of headphones or speakers is key to boosting efficiency, productivity, and contentment.

Ornamental Elements

Styling your workspace to reflect your unique sense of aesthetic is crucial to creating a space you feel connected to, and in which you feel contented and focused.

Whether you prefer to work with bright light or more subtle mood lighting, ensuring your office is equipped with the optimum lighting for your unique preferences (via desk lamps, string lights, and primary ceiling fittings) is key to reducing eye strain and fatigue, and creating an ambience and atmosphere conducive to productivity.

Plants and artwork are more than merely important aesthetic tools, working to define the look and identity of your space, they have a powerful calming effect, helping to minimise stress and anxiety, and increase concentration and productivity.

Furnishings

Incorporating soft furnishings like cushions and throws into your home office can have a big aesthetic impact, injecting texture and colour into your room design. Actualise this important home office setup idea by browsing our range of bean bag cushions to pair with your office chair or secondary seating. Choose from a range of sizes, fabrics, and more than 10 stunning colours, to identify the perfect cushion for your workspace.

We hope you’re now suitably inspired and ready to piece together the perfect WFH setup. Be sure to keep us in mind when it comes to kitting out your home office with the ultimate in comfortable seating.

5 Essential Gaming Setup Ideas

Tue, 20 May 2025 09:50:00 +0100

Is your gaming space looking a little lackluster? Won XPs for function but need a side quest in design?

If it doesn’t light you up, call to you to sit down and relax, and spark within you an unquenchable thirst to game, then it’s likely time to give your space a little love, and our gaming setup ideas are here to help.

You won’t find gaming equipment tips here - that’s all on you and how you like to game, but we hope the following ideas will help you to transform your gaming space into one that elevates your gaming experience and enhances your home. GLHF!

5 Gaming Setup Ideas to Transform Your Gaming Space & Experience

1. Give Your Space an Identity

Many of us give a lot of consideration to the interior design of our home, to ensure that it aesthetically reflects the people we are, and our unique sense of style.

This same level of careful thought is often not extended to rooms or spaces dedicated to our hobbies or interests, which because we’re lucky enough to have them at all, often end up looking a little plain. So, and this might be the most important point in our list of gaming setup ideas, give your space a visual identity that speaks to your interests and personality.

Whether you give your gaming space a theme (be that a retro arcade vibe, a trendy space-age gaming aesthetic, one based around your favourite game), or commit to a conventional type of interior design (like minimalist, bohemian, industrial, scandinavian etc), choose your colour schemes and decorative choices like flooring, wallpaper, murals, and 3D wall panels, wisely to create a look that calls you to sit down, relax, and immerse yourself in gameplay.

2. A Comfortable Chair that Pulls an Aesthetic Punch

A comfortable gaming chair is key to reaching gaming nirvana - that perfect state of being connected and immersed in the worlds of the games you wander - and there’s perhaps no option more comfortable than a bean bag gaming chair.

Gaming ergonomics has birthed an entire industry of dedicated, rather expensive gaming chairs, which differ enormously from model to model, and should be tried in person to ensure your chosen model adequately supports your body and gaming preferences, to help protect you from injury. This is why finding the right gaming chair is such an important point in our collection of gaming setup ideas.

Unlike traditional gaming models, our bean bag gaming chairs (made to order in the UK), contain no hard plastics or metals, mould to your body and support its natural contours and the curvature of your spine, to support your back, neck, shoulders, and prevent musculoskeletal pain and injuries. So, take your time browsing models that provide the support you need, like our Hi-Back gaming models.

Bean bag gaming chairs like ours are also available in a wide range of silhouettes, fabrics, and colours, so you can game in style, and match or contrast your gaming throne to your room/space’s design.

3. Features That Make the Space Uniquely Yours

Having established a visual identity for your gaming space, which we cover in our first gaming setup idea, it’s time to consider smaller yet aesthetically powerful decorative features that make the space uniquely your own, help connect you to the space, and create the ultimate environment for immersive gaming.

Consider art prints, travel/cultural prints, movie/music/gaming/ posters, or photographs from your life.
Explore throws and cushions for your gaming chair (and other chairs and sofas in your gaming space), rugs or vibrant gaming mats, and desk mats to add texture and aesthetic interest to your space.

Got other hobbies? Perhaps incorporate your music or sporting equipment, the crafts you make, and even the things you collect whether that be games, books, comics, DVD’s, CD’s/Vinyl, or models/figurines etc into your room’s design.
Plants are a great way to add texture and natural elements into your space, bring the outside in (to silence any criticism that you should spend less time gaming and more time touching grass), and minimise stress and anxiety, support concentration and productivity, and improve mood.
Speakers are a key feature of many gaming spaces, helping to facilitate full immersion into your game, strengthening the connection between you and the game, and helping to blur the line between game and reality. This is why soundproofing is perhaps one of the most essential gaming setup ideas in our list, for the good of your family and neighbours!
Consider attractive 3D acoustic tiles, fabric-wrapped acoustic tiles, wooden absorption panels with a range of attractive decorative designs, acoustic panels that flash like starlight or with the capability to display imagery, or there’s always traditional, less attractive, foam panels.

4. Storage Options

Storage is often overlooked when designing new spaces, but when thoughtfully considered, it can not only offer you the storage solutions you need, but play a big aesthetic role in the look of your gaming room/space. So, while storage might not sound particularly interesting or important, don’t skip this essential gaming setup idea.

Consider gaming-specific storage cabinets, typical storage cabinets or bookshelves in your room’s style of design, storage bins and woven baskets, to declutter your gaming space and display the possessions that contribute to its aesthetic impact, inspire you to game, and represent you and your interests.

Wall-hung pegboard panels, dedicated gaming wall mounts, and floating shelving are great options to store and display your collection of games/controllers/headsets/keyboards, and even DVD/CD/vinyl/comic collections. You can also find game cartridge holders or ornamental game card cases, which make excellent, practical, decorative additions to any gaming desk, side table, or cabinet.

5. Lighting That Sets the Vibe

Lighting may be the final point in our list of gaming setup ideas, but it’s certainly not the least important. In fact, lighting is essential to creating atmosphere, ambience and mood, so select your light sources carefully to create the look and vibe of your perfect gaming space.

Consider lighting options like:

Back-lit monitors
Desk lamps
LED wall signs
Light strips/bars (either wall-hung or floor/desk-standing)
Wall-mounted lighting panels (popular in hexagonal shapes)
Rope lights
Fairy/String lights
Curtain lights
3D LED Ceiling Clouds (recent viral gaming room trend, and DIY videos can be found across TikTok and Instagram).

We hope we’ve helped inspire you to transform your gaming room, from a functional space to an inviting gaming haven. Be sure to contact us today if you have any questions about our bespoke, UK-made bean bag gaming chairs.

The Best Outdoor Furniture to Style Up Your Summer

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:38:00 +0100

Spring 2025 has been one of the warmest in recent memory, and has broken records for being the sunniest and driest on record. With summer around the corner, it’s time to ready our outdoor spaces, in the hope that the best is yet to come, and a long summer in the sun awaits.

If your brief daydreams of the summer approaching were interrupted by images of your creaky, rusted or rotting garden furniture, then this list of 2025’s best outdoor furniture options is here to help.

The Best Outdoor Furniture To Style Up Your Outside Space

Before you can begin selecting furniture, consider the style of your property and its interior design, and establish whether your outdoor space will continue with or contrast from the style you’ve established indoors. This will help to guide your decision making when it comes to the materials, finishes and aesthetic styles of the pieces in this list.

Choosing Outdoor Seating

Seating is key, not only to the design of our gardens, patios, porches and balconies, but our comfort when enjoying these outdoor spaces.

At GBB, we believe the best outdoor furniture is not only stylish, but high quality and long lasting, to offer you value for money. When it comes to seating, this means chairs that offer you years of sun-soaked sitting, and maintain their visual appeal long into the future.

A hanging chair is the ultimate statement. A classic wooden garden bench deserves a place in any garden. And there’s no denying the timeless look of a set of wrought iron chairs (complete with table). However, if you’re looking for a more contemporary look, want to utilise colour to bring your garden design to life, and want to invest in outdoor seating designed to withstand the elements for years to come, outdoor bean bag seating could be the ultimate choice.

We enable you to order any of our bean bag models (spanning chairs, sofas, recliners, and floor cushions) in our indoor/outdoor material, a treated, UV and water resistant material that is durable, breathable, and able to be easily wiped down to maintain your chair’s stunning appearance.

GBB also believes that the best outdoor furniture is the most comfortable, and there’s no outdoor seating more comfortable than the body-moulding and supporting nature of bean bag seating.

Unlike wood, iron, and plastic seating, which is often aesthetically lacklustre, outdoor bean bag seating like ours is available in over 15 different colours to help you style your outdoor space to your unique taste, and is lawn-safe and easily moved and stored.

Tables

Zoning is a great way to utilise your whole garden or outdoor space, and tables are a great way to create different zones (or areas) for different functions.

If space allows, you could opt for a dining table where family or friends come together, and in a second area have a side table and chairs meant for reading and reclining in the sunshine, or a bistro or bar-style table and chairs for evening drinks and snacks.

If you have a small garden, yard or patio, it could be wise to opt for a single small-medium sized dining table to serve as the hub of your space. From wooden models, to wrought iron, to metal (which are often available in a wide range of colours so you can match your table to coloured outdoor seating), to wicker and plastic, there are a huge range of options available to help you achieve a particular aesthetic. Also consider low tables, paired with floor cushion seating, for a bohemian or eastern-inspired feel.

When it comes to choosing the best outdoor furniture for porches and balconies, a bistro-style table and chairs, or opting for attractive wood, concrete, or metal side tables to prioritise the comfort and design of your seating may be the best solution.

Decorative Features

Focal points are as important in garden design as they are in interior design, so be sure to inject some into your outdoor space.

For gardens, yards and large patios, consider a fire pit/bowl, chimenea, or patio heater, as well as a bird feeder, or lawn/garden ornament or sculpture to help lend your space an aesthetic identity.

Whether you’re seeking the best outdoor furniture for smaller outdoor spaces like balconies, porches or small patios, or expansive rolling gardens, consider any of the following decorative features to style up your garden.

Potted plants (try elevating your potted plants with a plant stand to ensure you make a feature of them in spaces likely to contain other plants).
Floor lanterns
Stake sculptures (which can live in plant pots or beds of all sides)
Drinks trolleys on wheels, which in smaller spaces can be used as a highly attractive way to display plants and ornaments while doubling as a side table, and in garden dining spaces, can make a stunning serving aid for dinners and gatherings.

Additional Accessories

No list of the best outdoor furniture would be complete without vibe-setting accessories that lend your space a unique sense of character.

Consider decorative wall-mounted screens, mirrors and art to add aesthetic interest to these otherwise uninteresting surfaces, and explore outdoor rugs to add texture to your space and create defined zones.

Ambience is a key factor in how connected we feel to a space, so pay close attention to features like hanging lights, string lights, candles, battery powered lamps, and glass windchimes, suncatchers and lanterns, to create and reflect light across your space.

We hope our list of 2025’s best outdoor furniture options has sufficiently inspired you to ready your outdoor space for summer. Have any questions about our outdoor bean bags? Contact our friendly team today.

So, You Need a Bean Bag Refill?

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 13:57:00 +0100

Bean bags are the ultimate alternative seating, offering unparalleled comfort that you’d be hard pressed to find in even the most luxurious traditional chairs and sofas. - Until the beans lose their bounce that is.

If your bean bag chair or sofa isn’t offering the same body-moulding cushion and support that it once did, and no longer pulls a blissful sigh from your chest, it’s time for a bean bag refill.

While it can be tricky and/or costly to restore the bounce of traditional seating cushions, with bean bag chairs and sofas like those we manufacture in Nottingham UK, it couldn’t be easier. But first, you have to make a choice about filling.

Types of Bean Bag Filler

EPS Beans

At GBB, our bean of choice, both for our bean bag seating and the bean bag refill bags we offer, is the EPS bean.

Expanded Polystyrene beans (EPS) are the most lightweight option, perhaps the most comfortable, they maintain their cushion and form for longer periods of time than other fillings, and are heat and moisture resistant.

This makes EPS-filled bean bag seating lightweight and more appropriate for outdoor use, though our outdoor-specific bean bag seating, which contains these beans and a specially designed fabric, is perhaps the ultimate choice for outdoor applications.

Micro Beads

While some micro bead manufacturers market them as a bean bag refill option for DIY bean bags, reputable bean bag furniture brands like us don’t recommend micro beads for our seating.

The size, and ungiving nature of micro beads makes them too hard and unable to produce the level of cushion and support we demand from our super sumptuous, ultra comfortable seating.

Foam/Memory Foam

Foam may rival EPS beans in terms of being a long lasting filling that springs back to form time after time, but it can be heavy (especially memory foam) and is less resistant to heat and moisture which can lead to mould, and the foam clumping together.

Unlike other bean bag refill methods, memory foam doesn’t offer the same tactile response that a classic EPS-filled bean bag chair or sofa does, something that will be missed by any fan of high quality bean bags.

Natural Fillings

Similarly, natural fillings like actual beans, large seeds like buckwheat, rice, and even sand, hay, and sawdust have been used in bean bag seating over the years, but they’re not optimal options.

Many beans, seeds and grains of rice are required to adequately fill a bean bag, making the seat heavy and adding pressure to the seams of the chair. They’re also hard, ungiving, offer no cushioning, and are therefore not conducive to a comfortable experience. Sawdust, hay and sand are similarly nonoptimal bean bag refill options, due to the weight of the seat when filled, and their inability to mould to your body as effectively as EPS beans.

Types of Bean Bag Filler

EPS Beans

At GBB, our bean of choice, both for our bean bag seating and the bean bag refill bags we offer, is the EPS bean.

Micro Beads

While some micro bead manufacturers market them as a bean bag refill option for DIY bean bags, reputable bean bag furniture brands like us don’t recommend micro beads for our seating.

The size, and ungiving nature of micro beads makes them too hard and unable to produce the level of cushion and support we demand from our super sumptuous, ultra comfortable seating.

Foam/Memory Foam

Natural Fillings

Similarly, natural fillings like actual beans, large seeds like buckwheat, rice, and even sand, hay, and sawdust have been used in bean bag seating over the years, but they’re not optimal options.

The Ultimate Bean Bag Refill Option

At GreatBeanBags, we’ve tried and tested every type of bean bag filling, observing their benefits and shortcomings to find the ultimate filling for our bean bag chairs and sofas, and our refill sacks.

We find 3-6mm virgin EPS beans to be the perfect choice, offering greater support, body-moulding comfort, and cushioning than micro beads, foam, and natural fillings. Unlike other bean bag refill options, EPS beans don’t clump together as easily, offering you longer periods of sumptuous comfort, before you need to replace your filling.

Our Refill Sacks

To make refilling your bean bag chair as easy as possible, our filling is sold in sacks. No loose beans here.

This means, when you have to replace the filling in your GBB bean bag, you simply swap out the existing sacks for new ones. Got a bean bag chair and sofa from a different manufacturer with loose beans inside? No problem, simply empty the beans and replace them with our filling sacks. No need to open or empty the sacks, that would defeat the point of this quick and easy solution.

We offer our bean bag refill sacks in 4 sizes:

2 cubic feet = 1 x 2 cubic feet sack
4 cubic feet = 2 x 2 cubic feet sacks
6 cubic feet = 3 x 2 cubic feet sacks
8 cubic feet = 4 x 2 cubic feet sacks

If your bean bag is looking or feeling a bit tired, we recommend topping up around 15 to 20% of the original amount of filling. So, for one of our large bean bag chairs, which comes with 10 cubic feet of bean bag filling, a 2 cubic feet top-up should do the job. No need to break the bank by replacing the contents of your bean bag entirely.

This is just a general rule of thumb, so be sure to contact our team if you have any questions about the right size of refill sacks for your bean bag.

Safe Bean Bag Refills

The virgin EPS beans in our refill sacks are flame retardant and comply with the British Furniture & Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations.

Don’t remove the beans from the refill sack to ensure they don’t pose a choking hazard to children and pets, and to stop them from escaping into the bean bag seat.

You can buy refills from our filling page. Contact our team if you have any questions.

Let’s Talk About Furniture for Rental Properties & Air BnB's

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:10:00 +0100

For landlords of rental houses and apartments, opting to furnish your property can help you to maximise your tenant pool and increase interest in, and drive demand for, your listing.

In this guide to all things furniture for rental properties, we’ll cover why you should consider furnishing your property, and the kinds of furniture you should consider.

Why Opt to Furnish Your Rental Property?

While families looking for a long-term property or couples renting their first home together may seek unfurnished properties, the convenience, flexibility and lower bar to entry offered by furnished rental properties is appealing to:

Families and couples looking for a short-term rental property
Young professionals
Corporate tenants
Students
Single people (first time renters or those with a history of renting)

But, choosing furniture for rental properties takes careful consideration. In fact, 2/3's of UK tenants say they’re prepared to pay more for a well-furnished rental home, while between 23-26% report that dated, poor-quality furniture is a reason for them to discount a property. Choose carefully, and you could create a space that tenants fall in love with.

If you’re prepared to store your furniture, you could also offer your property in both states of furnishing, to widen your tenant pool further.

Got an Airbnb property? Your choice of furniture is equally important, helping you stand out from the many other listings in your area, and drive bookings.

Choosing the Right Furniture for Rental Properties

When approaching furnishing your rental property, you first have to decide whether you’re going to offer a fully furnished (featuring all the furniture your tenants could need), or part-furnished property (featuring only the basic essentials).

But before we dive into the perfect furniture for rental properties, let’s tackle some general rules of thumb to guide your search:

Find durable furniture and furnishings that balance quality, attractiveness, and affordability. Buy once, cry once. Buy cheap, buy twice.
Provide a fully functioning quality kitchen and bathroom with adequate extraction and ventilation.
Be generous with lighting
Choose hardwearing flooring that is durable and easy to clean - such as tiles, laminate flooring, engineered hardwood etc.

Your Furniture for Rental Properties Checklist

Part-Furnished Must Haves:

When it comes to seeking furniture for part-furnished rental properties, consider the core pieces that make a space feel homely and comfortable, but leave room for your tenants to add to the space with their own furniture choices and personalise the space to their unique taste.

Part-furnished properties should have:

Core Living Space(s): A sofa and armchair, media unit/TV stand/TVmount, coffee table and sideboard, dining table and chairs, and an office desk and check for remote working or gaming.

Consider bean bag sofa and chair models like ours as an affordable, unique, stylish, ultra comfortable, easy-to-wash alternative to traditional seating. Enabling your tenants to personalise their seating by purchasing a new bean bag cover in their choice of colour from your chosen manufacturer, they’re an excellent option for landlords seeking furniture for rental properties.

Bedrooms: Wardrobe, chest of drawers, bedside table, a bed frame, and a mattress if you so choose (which should be replaced at least every 8 years).

Fully Furnished Rental Properties & Airbnb’s:

You’ve no doubt curated the furniture and aesthetic elements in your own home over many years, or most of your lifetime, but when it comes to finding the perfect furniture for rental properties it’s a blank slate. There’s a lot to consider!

This is why some landlords choose to buy furniture packs from specialist landlord furniture companies, while others want to give their rental property a personal, curated aesthetic, and save some money in the process. If this is you, this checklist is for you.

The following items are in addition to those covered in the part-furnished section:

Core Living Space(s): Console tables, custom shelving, ladder shelving, side tables, standing lamps, sofa cushions, floor cushions (great for a reading nook), and throws.

Bedrooms: Ottoman, chests, luggage stands (for holiday rents) and storage units for clothing organisation.

Kitchen: Kitchen island and bar style chairs, new oven tray, kitchen bin, cooking utensils and holders, microwave and toaster, cutlery, plates and plans (especially for Airbnb properties).

Bathroom: Bathroom mirror, bathroom bins, toothbrush holders, soap dispensers, toiletries storage, and toilet brush.

Cleaning Equipment: For short-term renters and Airbnb guests, cleaning equipment like a mop and bucket, vacuum, dustpan and brush, ironing board and iron, and maiden are a great addition.

Decorative Elements: No list of furniture for rental properties would be complete without touching on key decorative essentials required across all kinds of rooms, like light fittings/ceiling light shades, rugs, mirrors, wall art, table lamps, ornaments and clocks.

So, go! Go create the most in demand rental property out there. Seating is going to be a major consideration in buying furniture for your rental property, so if you have any questions about bean bag seating, don’t hesitate to contact our team.

The Best Seating for Small Spaces

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:26:00 +0100

Small spaces can be tricky to furnish, and seating is often the biggest challenge.

Whether you’ve got a small living room, kids’ room, reading nook, gaming room, or garden room/summer house in mind, our guide to the best seating for small spaces is here to help you find the perfect option for your needs.

Considering Your Space

The 2:3 interior design rule is a great way to visualise where your room contents should be positioned, and how much space you have to play with.

Divide your space into two areas, the first taking up around 2/3's (where your sofas/main seating, furniture and dining tables should be), and a second area (where smaller items should be positioned) taking up the remaining third of the room.

Finding the right seating for small spaces requires you to first consider what other furniture pieces will join your seating in the largest 2/3's of the room. Otherwise, how will you know if, for example, squeezing a 2-seater sofa into your tiny living room would be overkill, or whether a loveseat or dual armchair set-up would be more suitable. Don’t skip the 2:3 rule.

Expanding Your Space

Now you have a plan of what will go where, we recommend next considering how to expand your space, and what role your seating could play in the overall room design.

Pull furniture away from the walls
Use light colours and neutral tones to create the illusion of a greater sense of space. (Should your seating provide a splash of colour?)
Draw the eye upwards to create the illusion of height via vertical shelving, dynamic curtains, vertical panelling, statement-sized standard lamps etc.
When choosing furniture or seating for small spaces, be conscious of size, and choose smaller pieces that feel proportionate to the space.

Exploring Seating for Small Spaces

2-Seater Sofas

Excellent options for small living rooms, if space allows. Be sure to explore sofa alternatives such as bean bag sofas, which are offered in a greater range of sizes, shapes, fabrics and colours than traditional sofas.

Love-seats

Perfect for couples looking for compact, cosy seating for small living rooms, reading spaces and garden rooms. Love seats seat two, with a smaller footprint than a typical small 2-seater sofa, making them excellent seating for small spaces.

Armchairs

"Armchairs" is a hugely broad category, spanning an enormous range of designs, offering near endless aesthetic options. From a classic silhouette, to tub models, womb chairs, Barcelona models and beyond, armchairs could help you make a big visual statement.

So, if space in your sitting room is in short supply, or you’re trying to make more of your layout, perhaps a double armchair option is the way to go. There’s also nothing like an armchair for a reading space or cosy garden room/summer house setup.

Bean Bags

When it comes to finding seating for small spaces, don't overlook bean bag options. As market-leading UK manufacturers of bean bag furniture, we offer a wide range of chairs and sofa models, in a huge range of shapes/designs, materials, colours, and sizes.

We offer 3 to 5 different size options for each of our models, to enable you tailor your bespoke seating to your room, and most exacting aesthetic tastes. Though, unlike traditional furniture, bean bag seating can be squished into the smallest of nooks, and larger models can be broken down into smaller interliners to aid access to hard to access spaces.

Thinking of a shapeless traditional bean bag, or a kids-only product? Think again. Our range of chair and sofa models are made by hand, to order, in Nottingham UK. We make bespoke furniture, not novelty items.

Benches & Loungers

For longer yet narrow spaces, options like upholstered bench chairs and chez lounges can be a great comfortable option. Be sure to also check out alternative options, like our bean bag sofa beds and lounger models.

Floor Cushions

Another often missed category when looking for seating for small spaces, floor cushions can be a wonderfully comfortable option for children's play rooms, reading rooms, yoga/meditating spaces and beyond.

Gaming Chairs

The market is full of gaming chairs, each claiming to be the most ergonomic and comfortable options. However, if your gaming space is in a communal area, if it's shared with others, if style is especially important, or if you’re looking for a single versatile gaming-centric seating option, alternatives like our bean bag gaming chairs can be a worthy, more comfortable and attractive option.

Supreme comfort doesn't mean less support. Bean bag gaming chairs mould to your body and support its natural contours and the curvature of your spine, to support your back, neck, shoulders, and prevent musculoskeletal pain and injuries.

Good luck! We hope we’ve helped you to approach finding the perfect seating option for your small space. Remember, don’t skip bean bag options, and contact our friendly team if you have any questions about a bespoke chair or sofa for your room.

The LARGE Bean Bag Boom - Why Big is Better!

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 13:01:00 +0000

Online searches for large bean bags have exploded over the last few years, and as bean bag furniture market-leaders, we've experienced increased sales across our ranges dedicated to big and beautiful chairs and sofas.

As manufacturers of the market's biggest bean bags, we know a thing or too about these popular furnishings.

In this blog, we’ll explore the potential driving forces behind the ‘go-big’ bean bag boom, why you too should opt for larger or even giant bean bag furniture, and delve into our offering of bespoke, sumptuous, supersized models.

What’s Driving the Boom?

Interior Design websites/publications have covered increasing sofas sizes rather widely this year (2025), with many tracking the evolving trend of homeowners opting for bigger sofas than ever before.

With the “go-big” trend, homeowners are making a feature of their seating, and using the potentially imposing aesthetic to make a comfort-first visual statement. This trend, paired with an increased popularity in models like L-shaped models, which are often already huge, is creating a buying culture where big is beautiful.

This of course extends to the bean bag furniture market, where large bean bags are becoming a mainstay in homes, gardens/outdoor spaces, and commercial spaces.

Why You Need a Large Bean Bag

As designers and manufacturers of bespoke bean bag chairs and sofas - and the originators of the large bean bag - we’ve seen our biggest models used in countless homes across the country, as well as commercial properties/spaces, at events of all kinds and beyond.

Homeowners

A great way to make a visual statement and create an all important focal point with your seating. We cover the wide range of aesthetic options available later in this piece.
Large bean bags are excellent for open plan living, and service as a stylish centrepiece of the room. There’s plenty of room for the family on these things!
While traditional sofas, especially large ones, can be difficult to fit down the tight hallways of Victorian homes, or into rooms with limited access, bean bag seating can be broken down and assembled in your space. Choose a bean bag for a no compromise large seating solution.

Businesses

Large bean bags are equally popular choices for commercial properties, where large sofas have become a feature of the modern workspace, offering staff the option to sit back and settle into their work.
Schools, colleges and universities ‘go big’ in common areas to provide comfortable, communal seating that students love. In fact, they’re rarely empty, offering you the assurance that your investment is well placed.
We’ve worked with a huge range of household name brands to create branded, custom shaped, or entirely custom bean bag seating for indoor and outdoor corporate events, launches, music and food festivals, film events and beyond. We even worked with designer Anya Hindmarch to create The World’s Largest Bean Bag for her London Fashion Week event. Need event seating? Go big, make a statement, and choose unparalleled comfort with our large bean bag furniture.

Going Big with GreatBeanBags

At GBB, our chair and sofa models are available in 3 main sizes: Regular, Large and Huge.

For large bean bags, explore our Large and Huge sizes or discover our Monster bean bag models. All these models seat at least between 2-3 people.

Large Sizes

Large chair models range from 70cm x 115cm - 105cm x 100cm, and Large sofa models range from 110cm x 110cm - 175cm x 80cm.

Huge Sizes

Our Huge chair models range from 90cm x 115cm - 140cm x 130cm and Huge sofa models range from 175cm x 140cm - 200cm x 120cm.

Monster Range

Our Monster bean bag models are a fantastic option for those who want an immersive experience - a sofa that hugs you (and your loved ones) back. These models measure 130cm x 130cm.

Bespoke Bean Bags Tailored to Your Taste

At GreatBeanBags, we manufacture our bespoke pieces, to order and by the hands of skilled stitchers and machinists, in Nottingham UK. When you order from us, bespoke means bespoke.

That means, we don’t just enable you to choose from a range of large bean bags. We enable you to choose your favourite model, and choose from a range of colours and fabrics to tailor your bespoke piece to your home’s interior design.

Bespoke doesn’t mean long waiting times. Our pieces are made on the day of order and are sent out for free delivery the next day.