The Better Sleep Council is a non-profit organization devoted to educating the public about the importance of sleep to good health and about the value of the sleep system and sleep environment in pursuit of a good night’s sleep. Following is their list of 10 Tips To Better Sleep.

1. We all  have too much to do, so take time out and recharge yourself by getting a good night’s sleep. The quality and quantity of your sleep can make all the difference in how productive you’ll be the next day. Here are ten tips to help you get the sleep you need and deserve.

2. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule, including weekends.

3. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.

4.Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.

5. Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.

6. Finish eating at least two to three hours before your regular bedtime.

7. Exercise regularly. It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.

8. Avoid nicotine (e.g., cigarettes, tobacco products). Used close to bedtime, it can lead to poor sleep.

9. Avoid caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.

10. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. It can lead to disrupted sleep later in the night.

Sincerely,

Randi K. 4th Generation Family Member

Did you know for every $2 you spend at a locally owned business, more than 68¢ remains in Milwaukee? It’s true! When you shop at a national chain, only 43¢ stay in the community. Locally owned businesses maintain Milwaukee’s unmistakable style. When you’re in Milwaukee, you know it! You’re local. We’re local. So shop local and shop BiltRite!

BiltRite Furniture is proud to feature the exclusive best available “Design it Yourself” Tailor Made Collection from Temple furniture. Temple Furniture is all made in the USA at their factory located in Maiden, North Carolina, and is a family owned and operated business, just like us! Temple is celebrating their 50^th year in business this year. You can design your own sofas, chairs, sectionals, loveseats, etc. by picking your exact fabric, arm, back, firmness, and base. First, choose from 3 sofa sizes (75”-85”-95”). Also sleepers, loveseats, chairs, ottomans, theatre sectionals, or a full line of sectionals are available for custom designing.  Next, begin to uniquely tailor your selection to best suit your needs by choosing from 12 arms, 7 backs, and 6 styles. The construction is 8-way hand tied coil spring bases. So come in to BiltRite Furniture and custom design your own upholstered furniture. It’s as easy as 1,2,3…and you can choose from 504 custom designs, 900 fabrics, and 900 colors!

Sincerely,

Randi K.

4th Generation Family Member

Living in a small space like a condo or senior-living facility brings its own decorating challenges. If you live in an apartment many of your options may be determined by your landlord’s rules.  But don’t let them be limitations!  There are plenty of creative ways to transform your apartment, condo, or other small living space into a beautiful, comfortable home.  Try some of these ideas to open up space, add personality, and make the place feel like yours.

Let there be light
Reflected light makes a room feel bigger, so use interesting lighting, and glass items to open up small spaces.  Layering multiple light sources – a window, a floor lamp, and a wall sconce (some don’t need to be hardwired) – also helps to make small spaces look larger.  You can visually double the size of a room thanks to the illusion of depth created by a hanging mirror.  Take advantage of the space beyond your windows and use minimal treatments, such as blinds, that can be opened wide to draw the eye beyond the wall.  Glass-topped dining tables or coffee tables virtually disappear, giving a sense of openness.

Rearrange
It’s the best trick to make yourself feel like you have a whole new apartment.  As you experiment, you’ll find different ways to use your limited space.  Try an arrangement that breaks your room into several functional zones.  Float furniture away from the walls to create groupings – TV-watching zone, dining area, home office – to make the most use of your space.  Opt for flexible pieces that can be easily moved – tables with fold-down leaves can do double duty against the wall or in the middle of the room.  Modular furniture, such as a sectional sofa that splits up into smaller pieces can be arranged in different combinations – they may fit up the stairs better than a traditional sofa too! We also have reclining sofas and come-apart sofas that are great for delivering  to  small areas that other stores cannot. Many of our sofas, loveseats, sectionals and reclining options can come apart for easy delivery. These pieces are perfect for attics, basements, second floors, narrow spaces and tight delivery situations.

Take it UP!
Visually increase the height of your room with tall furnishings.  Vertical lines draw the eye up, so try a tall bookshelf.  One with open shelves, known as an étagère, offers display space as well as always-useful storage.  You can create the same heightening effect with artwork hung high on the walls.  Your favorite art or photographs will also add color and personality to drab apartment walls.  Small nail holes are easily spackled over when you move out, but there are options for picture-hanging hardware that doesn’t damage the wall.

Make an entrance
Literally!  If you don’t have an official foyer or hall, creating one with a console table or hall tree is a snap.  An entrance is more than just a place to hang coats, leave shoes and drop keys; it’s a welcoming area that sets the tone for the rest of your home.  Depending on the size of the area by your door, you could fit a shallow bookshelf, a small bench, and a basket for gloves and scarves.  Add a mirror for taking a last quick check how you look before heading out.

Get creative with your small space solutions, and make the place a reflection of yourself.  Just because you don’t own your apartment doesn’t mean you can’t make it yours.  If it’s full of your personal touches, it will feel more like home.

Sincerely,

Randi K.

4th Generation Family Member

Now is an excellent time to update your home and add a few new touches to refresh your living space. Not all home modifications need to be huge alterations. There are always inexpensive ways to add a little relevant décor to your home, or simple ways to bring in a few of the hottest trends.

Color

Right now rich reds, yellows, and shades of orange are great choices when aiming to make a room feel cozy.  A splash of color creates warm, inviting rooms with all-season appeal.

For relaxation and cool, gray and yellow are the color combination of choice. All shades of gray are popular – the perfect neutral base upon which to add a dynamic burst of color. Driftwood grays are calm and restful while a touch of yellow will provide a highlight. A bold pattern on some accent pillows creates a sophisticated standout look.

The color of the year, tangerine, is prominent in today’s design palettes.  Look for it on everything from pillows and throws to lamps and rugs.

Accessorize

Accent pillows allow you to change up your décor seasonally and keep your room looking fresh and new throughout the year.   You can find a wide array of colors, fabrics, and designs, making it easy to match them to your style or to add a touch of the current trends.

For a hot on-trend look, you may wish to incorporate colorful and inspired Ikat and Navajo patterns into your accessories.  Design motifs for these textiles usually include organic shapes, geometric prints, and tremendous graphic interest.  An Ikat or Navajo inspired pillow, curtains, or upholstered accent chair provides an instant and current update to your décor.

To make a room more intimate, include a quilt or a throw draped over a chair or the back of the sofa. Right now chunky sweater-inspired knits are popular for blankets and rugs to add a textural interest to any room.

Décor

A key look on-trend now is gray washed finishes, inspired by the French antique style.  The patina of grainy wood, unfinished with a gray or white wash, offers a rustic feel that can be dressed up or down.

If you’d like to bring in a piece of accent furniture, a great option for fall can be found in the upscale vintage looks inspired by French flea markets. Incorporating vintage-inspired fabrics, can soften your décor.  Vintage color illustrations reproduced on natural fabrics like linen create a fresh mix of old style with new material.

Fur is in.  Faux fur and animal prints bring a funky flare and texture.  Today’s faux fur is made from materials that look and feel like the real thing.  Place a faux fur throw on a chair as an inviting accent.  An animal print rug or faux skin can bring a strong visual interest as well.

Hosting Guests

Don’t underestimate the transformative power of new bed linens or a set of towels to update a room.  As you prepare to host out-of-town guests, you may want to consider a fresh addition to the guest room, so that guests will feel that special welcoming touch within your home.

Sincerely,

Randi K.
4^th Generation Family Member