Colour can be Your Best Choice
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Still the most important factors to consider before selecting Bedcovering for any accommodation property are: location; property style; clientele; practicality; and affordability.
With today's advanced technology in fabric weaving, yarn dying, product manufacturing and a much higher level of style input, all from within Australia, the options in bedcovering on offer to our industry are no longer limited, which was the case even less than five years ago. Colour is now also a very important ingredient, which has been missing from commercial furnishings of the past.
With the introduction of modern, practical and functional products like the practical fitted bedcover, bed wrap and railroaded quilted products in a new modern style of bedspreads and cap-tops, the whole image of this 3½ to 4½ star property area has totally changed for the better. It has now become a sensible and exciting challenge to just update or totally refurbish the rooms of any property, rather than persisting with the boring, low quality and stereotyped products of the past.
A common complaint in particular from accommodation management throughout New Zealand, is the extra costs involved with staff time and laundering a third sheet bed presentation or quilt cover daily.
As we are all aware the white bedcovering concept has become a very popular look worldwide, originally taken from premium end five-star hotels and resorts that do understand how to impeccably present and continually maintain this bedcovering look. Perhaps that look should have stayed with these premium properties because there are many very poor examples of this style of bed presentation appearing in less than five-star complexes, where a more simplified and practical bedcovering style with modern colour and high fade resistance would have been the correct option and also given the property more credibility. While the 'white look' is quite often seen as an indicator of hygiene from both property owners and guests, that is not always the case and there are now easily laundered and hygienic options available in other bedcovering looks.
When dressing a bed using this white look, the bed needs to be presented perfectly and the bedcovering laundered daily. Accommodation properties with higher star ratings and on site housekeeping can charge a higher tariff that ensures they can maintain an extra white sheet or quilt cover on a daily basis. Due to the recent uproar after media coverage in relation to the hygiene of accommodation properties, including some five-star properties with the white look, the average guest is becoming travel savvy and can see when corners are being cut especially when it comes to the presentation and cleanliness of the bed they will be sleeping in.
A neat, fresh and up-to-date refurbishment of a room at an affordable budget can be achieved just by selecting the correct bedcoverings for your style of accommodation property. They must have consistent smart presentation that takes little time in bed making and be easily launderable, even on site if required. Obviously, you should choose fabrics that absorb minimal every day staining that will translate to less laundering costs. No matter what the bedcovering style chosen, whether it be white linen or woven bedcover, it is imperative that hygiene is a key factor and the most discerning guest can see that your bedcovering is laundered often and they will feel satisfied and very comfortable.
A few of the practical, affordable and very sensible options are as follows:
The practical fitted bedcover
The practical fitted bedcover has been designed, woven and manufactured purely with the needs and wants of the accommodation industry in mind. This fully reversible and extremely affordable bedcover is woven with heavy duty, flame retardant and washable yarns making it an easy choice for properties that are looking for a long term, no hassle bedcovering solution. The pillows can be exposed in both the full length bedcover or the cap top. The extra long top that is tucked down the back of the bed, can also be used as a long top and cover the pillows if desired.
The bed wrap
The bed wrap was developed for accommodation properties looking for a simplistic contemporary bedcover with the same functionality of a bedspread and with ease of bed making. Bed wraps are an unquilted bedcovering style made from purpose woven fabrics that are easy to launder often. The bed wrap offers a stylish modern look and it can be used for warmth like an extra blanket as it is not fitted in the corners.
The horizontal quilt style bedcover
The horizontal quilt contempo style bedcover, is a modern version of the traditional bedspread that can be offered in a number of different looks. While fabrics, designs and colours that are offered are very different to the drab and poor taste commercial looks of the past, the major improvement is the fresh new styling of horizontal quilting with a narrower channel which totally transforms the product to now fit in to the modern era of attractive accommodation bedcovering. Contempo is finished with 150gram polyester quilting fill and the backing fabric is of a higher quality cotton/polyester that will also last the long life of this beautiful yet hard wearing bedcover. This quality of product can also handle regular laundering.
The choice does not need to be difficult when replacing bedcovering, no matter what the room type, accommodation type, or budget your property must work to. All of the important issues such as style, colour, hygiene, practicality and affordability can be well and truly covered and as seen here in the few examples shown, there are options to suit every application in 3½ to 4½ star properties.
Erin Coman
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