Faux fur cushions can prove an effective way of creating a fun atmosphere in the living room, according to one writer.

In a Terrys Fabric article, Helen Green states that the use of textiles in this part of home can help people to reflect their personality through their choice of decor.

Ms Green notes that as entering someone's house can instantly give an idea of what they are like, those keen to make a good impression may want to consider filling their living room with items made from a range of different textiles.

These pieces, she claims, include the use of silk and faux fur throws, as well as faux fur cushions.

She states such products "can really cause you and your visitors some surprise as well as creating an atmosphere of fun and curiosity".

Earlier this month, John Wilson, owner of CRI Interiors, told the Columbus Dispatch that faux fur throws can help to give a home a more romantic atmosphere.

An ice hockey player has revealed how she and other sportsmen and women were able to relax on bean bag chairs during last year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Speaking to the Edmonton Journal, Shannon Szabados – who was part of Canada's gold medal-winning women's ice hockey team at last year's games – notes that in the time between training and competition, the athletes' lounge located in their accommodation block "was always packed".

Not only did the room provide competitors with internet access, but there was also a ping-pong table and a big-screen television.

And it appears the athletes had the chance to relax in comfort, as Szabados claims the lounge contained a number of bean bag chairs.

"We were always there watching other people's races or events. Those were great times," the goaltender states.

But Canadian athletes may not be only ones to be using this kind of furniture. Susan Redman noted in a recent Sydney Morning Herald article that an increasing number of homeowners are purchasing bean bags, as they seek out "less conventional" items of seating for their living room. 

Thousands of music fans in New Zealand brought bean bag chairs and other items of seating in order to enjoy an outdoor concert.

Saturday (February 19th) saw the More FM Winery Tour come to the Wharepai Domain in the Bay of Plenty region of the country, Sun Live reports, with some 3,500 people turning to up to see the show.

And it appears bean bags played a key role in the event, with such furniture among that brought in by the crowds to sit on while watching the acts – which included Midnight Youth and Opshop – perform.

Headlining was folk-pop singer Brooke Fraser, who was noted for giving "a stellar performance".

Co-promoter Brent Eccles tells the news provider that the show drew in the "biggest crowd ever".

"We may well have had our strongest lineup to date, but whatever it was we certainly stuck a chord with the Bay of Plenty tonight," he claims.

Last month, the Northern Star reported that the Cinema Under the Stars event in Lismore, Australia saw hundreds of people sit on bean bag chairs and other soft furnishings while watching The Fantastic Mr Fox.

Underprivileged children in Malta have been given the chance to chill out on bean bag chairs, it has emerged.

Gozo News reports a new sensory and relaxation room has been built for young people staying at the Fra Diego residential home, which is run by a group of Franciscan Sisters.

Such a facility aims to provide a range of sensory experiences and as well as featuring a bean bag chair also includes a solar projector, floor mats and bubble column.

Funding from the project was provided by the Vodafone Malta Foundation, the non-profit division of the telecoms firm which supports programmes that contribute towards social change.

Speaking to the publication, Fra Diefo Mother Superior Josephine Xuereb claims that Franciscan Sisters are committed to promoting the "welfare and social wellbeing" of the children who are entrusted in their care.

"For this reason the need was felt for a relaxation room that would give the children some physical and mental rest and would complement the therapeutic programme that they are all undergoing," she states.

Last month, the Naperville Patch reported the Fischer Middle School in Aurora, Illinois had received a grant to purchase bean bag chairs and other items for its sensory room, which is used by those students who have autism. 

Bean bag chairs are being deployed in one US city to help those children with special educational needs to calm down.

Speaking at a House Education Committee hearing, Dan Sheppard, director of student services in McMinnville, Oregon reveals that relaxation spaces have been established in a number of classrooms across the city, The Oregonian reports.

These areas contain bean bag chairs and textured surfaces which he claims can help pupils with disabilities to relax. Such spaces also mean that teachers no longer have to physically restrain disruptive students.

"We don't want to see a child being restrained over and over again," he states.

Such efforts come as the city's school district recorded 72 instances of teachers physically restraining pupils in 2007 using items such as rope and tape, however since introducing non-contact tactics – which include the use of bean bag chairs – this fell to six in 2009.

But as many school services in the state are said to not yet be following the example of McMinnville, the use of bean bag chairs in the classroom could well rise.

Meanwhile, teacher Megan Boyd told RecordNet.com that she read out loud to her creative writing students while they sat on bean bags so they could get an idea of what it is like to be read to as a child. 

Hundreds of people in Australia sat on bean bags and other soft furnishings in order to watch a film under the night sky.

A Northern Star article reports that some 2,000 people attended the Cinema Under the Stars event in Lismore, New South Wales last weekend to watch The Fantastic Mr Fox in the open-air.

With the screening organised by the Newcastle Permanent Building Society, the publication notes Hepburn Park "was transformed into an outdoor cinema" as the smell of popcorn drifted in the air and jugglers and stilt-walkers provided entertainment before the film started.

And it appears bean bag chairs also played their role in creating a cinematic atmosphere, as viewers relaxed on such seating – as well as other items of furniture – to watch the Wes Anderson-directed feature.

However, there could be further chances for people to sit on bean bag chairs to watch films in the open air. A spokesperson for the building society claimed this year's event had been a great success and that it would return in 2012.

Malaysian newspaper the Sun Daily recently reported that the TGV Cinema on Penang Island includes a Beanieplex, a bean bag-lined hall that allows people to watch films in comfort.

An English teacher in California has revealed how her students sat on bean bag chairs while she read to them.

Speaking to RecordNet.com, Megan Boyd indicates that as part of her creative writing class at the Venture Academy, Stockton, her pupils were set to pen their own children's stories.

However, before they began, she was keen for them to relive the experience of being read to as a child. As such, she held a story-time session for her students, where they sat on bean bag chairs and pillows as she read to them.

"They said no one's ever done that before. They don't remember teachers reading to them like that. I thought it was sad they missed that experience," Ms Boyd states.

Michael Cantley, a 17-year-old student at the Talking Leaves Job Corps educational centre in Oklahoma, recently told the Tahlequah Daily Press how the facility incorporates bean bag chairs to allow people to relax and concentrate on their studies. 

With today (February 14th) being Valentine's Day, those keen to create a romantic mood in their home may want to bear in mind one expert's advice and use faux fur throws and pillows.

Speaking to the Columbus Dispatch, John Wilson, owner of CRI Interiors in Victorian Village, Columbus, reveals that people wishing to give a room an amorous and loving atmosphere should add "anything that feels extravagant".

And as Mr Wilson notes the use of pillows and faux fur throws can help to achieve this, he claims that there is no need to spend a vast amount of money on soft furnishings.

Having things of sentimental value, images of romantic places and "rich draperies" could also help people looking to give their home that loving feeling, he adds.

Adrienne Chinn, director of Adrienne Chinn Design, recently reported that the use of throws and pillows in the home "can bring in lots of fun colours in a space".

Bean bags can play a vital part in creating a cool-looking bedroom for teenage boys, according to one interior design expert.

In an article for Terry's Fabrics, Helen Green points out that opting for a sports theme could prove effective for parents keen for their sons to have an aesthetically pleasing room.

The installation of floor-to-ceiling shelving, she claims, can provide somewhere to put athletic paraphernalia, such as footballs, tennis racquets and hockey pucks, as well being a place for a television, radio and other appliances.

However, it appears that bean bag chairs could also form part of such a room. The writer notes that it is possible to purchase bean bags which look like footballs.

Parents may also want to invest in sport-themed luxury throws. Ms Green suggests wooden floors can be deployed in this room and accessorised with such soft furnishings.

In a 2010 post on the blog, the writer stated that bean bag chairs can be an effective item of furniture for those keen to decorate children's rooms while sticking to a budget.

Bean bag chairs are becoming an increasingly popular item of furniture for use in the home.

This is according to Susan Redman, who notes in a Sydney Morning Herald article that one of the current interior design trends is seeing homeowners purchase "less conventional" items of seating for use in the living room.

And in doing so, the writer states, people are taking inspiration from 1970s design trends and buying bean bags.

Ms Redman adds that the popularity of low-slung pouffes is also on the rise.

She goes on to claim that many living rooms continue to be decorated in neutral colours, with lounges being accessorised by "cushions in many shades of white".

However, it appears that luxury throws as well as bean bag chairs and cushions can also help to give a home a new sense of style.

In a recent article for Terry's Fabrics, Helen Green advised people to accessorise rooms "with beautiful fabrics", suggesting that throws can be draped over a bed or sofa in order to give a sense of glamour.