Having small children in the house doesn’t mean you are sentenced to years of ugly cushion stains and slipcovers. Your space has to work for every member of your family. Trying to maintain a “magazine quality” home with two toddlers is virtually impossible. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a lovely space. The trick lies in your furniture choices.

In the Kitchen

Kids, big or small, spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It’s important to make choices that will let them feel comfortable and safe. Small tables are perfect for eat-in kitchens and toddlers. Save your dining room from the big messes! A round table is great for minimizing bumps and bruises on corners. Also, bench seating is perfect for kids to pile together at meal time.

If you have a high counter top or an island, you may also want to consider the types of stools you choose. A sturdy barstool, that doesn’t swivel or have a fabric seat is your best choice. It makes clean up a breeze, and kids can climb on and off easily.

In the Living Room

Almost every parent has had the experience of watching their toddler fall on, or near-miss, the corner of a coffee table. It’s not the best idea to have sharp edges or pointed objects scattered throughout your living room.

In order to create a safer environment for small children, consider using a round option. That way your little ones can run around without the corners catching their heads. You can also opt for an upholstered ottoman that serves as an extra seat and one less hard surface.

Kids have a way of creating messes out of thin air. Your living room furniture will have to pull double duty, serving as stylish elements while also working as storage. Ottomans typically open from the top and offer ample space to store blankets, games, and toys. If you have the space, get a few of them and add lots of extra seating and storage. You can also look for a Coffee Table that offers extra space inside. Some slide open while others offer cabinet style doors. These tables can offer a convenient place to stow all sorts of items that may pile up in the living room.

The Kids’ Bedroom

Once your children move from the crib to a “big kid” bed, the options are endless. If you have kids sharing a room, bunkbeds are a natural choice. They are wonderful for added storage and for a room shared by kids with an age gap. If your child has their own room, consider a full bed that will grow with them. A daybed is also a great option for sleepovers and overnight guests. Daybeds can also be a real space saver if your child’s room is on the small side. Plus, you don’t have to worry about an adventurous toddler jumping from the top bunk.

Make choices in every room that will let your child relax and be rambunctious while still maintaining the overall look and feel of your home. It might take a little more forethought, but a happy home is worth it!

You spend one third of your life sleeping, so if back pain is keeping you awake, your mattress has got to go. Studies indicate that night and morning back pain are tied to the type of mattress you have, your sleeping position, and proper support of your body. Having the right mattress will minimize your pain and maximize your rest.

Proper Alignment

You want the mattress to hold you in proper alignment from head to toe. You need the mattress to push up on your body to counteract your body weight. Now, that does not mean getting a super hard or firm mattress. Your body isn’t a straight line; it has curves, so a mattress must contour to support the curves and arches of your body. The Serta iComfort Blue Max is designed for gentle yet firm support and will hug the curves of your body.

A supportive mattress will dip down around your shoulders and hips, yet keep your spine in proper alignment. If a mattress is too firm, your hips and shoulders will be pushed up and you will wake up feeling stiff. The same issues can occur if a mattress is too soft. You want a mattress to contour to the shape of your body to hold it in its neutral alignment.

Avoiding Pressure

You don’t want the mattress to cause pressure to your body, causing painful points along your back. If a mattress is too hard, it can cause pressure that cuts off circulation and pinches nerves and will cause you to change positions throughout the night. The American Bedding mattress features a medium firm feel with a quilted foam cover and 2 inches of gel-infused layering. It’s designed for comfort for those looking for a firmer feel.

Sleeping Positions

Side Sleepers

Most side sleepers enjoy the fetal position with their arms and legs bent and curled in towards the body, and the spine is gently curved. This is the most common of all sleep positions, and it is often said to cause back pain or long-term back problems. This is partially true, but it is nothing a good mattress can’t correct.

Since this position is significantly curvier than others, pressure relief is vitally important. You do not want your shoulders and hips to take the strain every day for an extended amount of time. To allow your body to sink into the mattress, a softer and thicker comfort layer is needed. In most cases, the average side sleeper needs a comfort layer that is about 3 inches thick.

Back Sleepers

Sleeping on your back with your arms at your sides is said to be the best position, but it’s the least common. The recessed space in the lumbar area is really the only major gap created when you sleep on your back. A thinner top layer actually works best. Most back sleepers are satisfied by a 2-inch comfort layer

Stomach Sleepers

This is probably the least advantageous of the sleeping positions, from the stand point of back pain. If this is what makes you comfortable and is the only way you can fall asleep, then buying the right mattress can help minimize the negative effects.

The last thing a stomach sleeper needs is a soft or thick comfort layer because there are little to no recessed areas to support. Plus, if you sleep on a softer surface on your stomach you are likely to hyperextend the lumbar area. Firm, thin comfort layers are ideal. There can be an inch of softness to provide cushioning to bony areas, but the firmness should be met by the body to avoid creating an unnatural backwards curve of the back. You will also want to take special care when choosing a pillow if you sleep on your stomach. The right pillow can minimize neck strain.

Testing the Mattress

When you’re trying out the mattress, you should be able to lie in one position without moving around for at least a few minutes. If you can do that, you’ve found a good mattress.

“They are no different. God planted my soul in my mom and I was born here in the land of privilege. God planted their soul over there, that’s where they live and that’s what they know. We are just so fortunate, but they are no different from us.”

Lori Berwick left for Haiti on October 12, and spent a week with other people from Louisiana hoping to make a difference in the Port Au Prince region. She was part of a group traveling with Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. This was her second trip to Haiti, her first was a mission trip in 2017.

“I was on the medical team this time, I took vital signs then passed them off to the doctor. Then after they saw the doctor we’d see to it they got vitamins and any medication they need,” she said.

There was a special woman that stuck out to her on this trip. A new mother who came in with her 22-day old baby. The woman was very ill and the child was only 5lbs, but Lori, her team, and charitable Haitians were able to get the new mother the help she needed.

“She came in and could barely walk, it was decided she needed to go to the hospital. We took up a donation from all of the people there so we could get her taken to a hospital,” said Lori. “We were told after the fact that if she had not gone to the hospital that day she would not have survived much longer.”

They were able to check on her the next day and the woman was much improved. A highlight of the 2017 trip turned out to also be a highlight of this experience. Louisiana Reach Haiti has been working for quite some time to build an orphanage. They’ve been fundraising for a while. Last year there was only a wall around the property and a well. This year Lori got to be there for the opening celebration.

“We got to be there for the ribbon cutting, that was really neat,” Lori explained. “One of the members on our team was very excited because it had an indoor bathroom and most orphanages there do not have indoor bathrooms.”

She said the ceremony was touching and they’ve already started housing children. Lori explained that if you want to donate you can go to the Louisiana Reach Haiti website.

“Before the ceremony it wasn’t raining or anything, yet there was a rainbow.”

 Lori said the children were grateful and excited for their new home. She even got to see a familiar face from her mission work last year.

“Kwisno was there, I could see the recognition in his face and we held each other’s hands. But he’s 14 now, and the people over there are just people like us, so 14-year-olds over there are also too cool to get too excited.”

Lori manages the accounting department at the Home Furniture location in Lake Charles and has been with the company for 24 years. She says her coworkers have been incredibly supportive of her mission work, and will continue to support her when she leaves for Haiti again next year. She’s planning to go on a third mission trip to the area in October of 2019.

Home Furniture is focused on continued community support for all of its locations. The greater Baton Rouge area is no exception. Throughout each year, employees donate their time and money to Pat's Coats for Kids and are proud to be a sponsor.

“This is something we gladly do every year,” says Larry Williams, manager of the Home Furniture location in Baton Rouge. “We’ve been involved for over a decade and always give a monetary donation.”

For every $20 donated, a new, high-quality coat is provided for a child in need in the capital area. It’s all part of the Pat’s Coats for Kids drive which buys coats for kids in parishes including Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, as well as Charter Schools of Baton Rouge.

WBRZ is hosting the annual Pat’s Coats for Kids coat drive now through Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

“We appear on WBRZ to present our check and try to inspire other businesses to do the same,” says Larry.

For the past 30 years, Pat’s Coats for Kids and the Baton Rouge community have distributed more than 250,000 coats to meet the challenge of keeping the children in our area warm during cold winter months.

Larry says it’s not just the Baton Rouge business community that can help, everyone is welcome to donate. For more information on drop off locations, follow this link.

However, there’s more to recliners than just kicking your feet up. What’s the best type of material? Oversized or Sleek? Power? Glider? Swivel? There are many options to consider. Here’s what you need to know before making the purchase.

Upholstery

One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make when choosing a recliner is whether to go with leather, microfiber, or fabric. It will likely have much to do with what type of furniture is already found in your living room. A casual, contemporary oversized recliner might look a little out of place in a more traditional or formal living room. Match the style of the recliner to the style of furniture currently in the living space.

If you are starting from scratch, you’ll have to consider your lifestyle. The most popular choice is leather. Leather is durable, easy to clean, and a bit pricey. It’s also easy to scratch, so if you have pets, you may want to take special care. Microfiber is also very popular. It can mimic the look of leather or suede, is easy to care for, and is less expensive than real leather. It’s a great choice for homes with pets and children. Fabric is also another option. It cleans up well and offers endless patterns and color options.

Traditional, Rocker or Push-back

The traditional recliner is a two-position chair, either sitting straight up or reclined. The person sitting is required to pull a lever or press a button to create the motion. A rocking recliner combines the rocking motion of a rocking chair with the functionality of a recliner. It also comes in glider and swivel options. A push-back chair reclines without a switch or button. The person simply uses their own weight to push the back of the seat into a reclining position.

Size

Depending on the size of your living room and the size of the person who will be using the recliner the most, there are multiple size options available. The majority of people are looking for a single-person recliner, but sofa and love seat recliners are also available. Some love the look of a smaller, sleek model, while others want the feel of an oversized recliner with pillow-like cushions. It’s a good idea to test a few out in the store before committing to a size.

Keep in mind that the standard recliner needs approximately six inches of space from chair back to wall to fully recline. Even if you purchase a smaller recliner, plan on giving it a bit of space.

Nice Touches

Many recliners are available with extra features including built-in cup holders, power lift, storage, and much more.

Expect to pay around $275 to $350 for a basic recliner and up to almost $1200 for one with all the bells and whistles. However, there are lots of amazing options in between those price points. Do your research, test a few out, then make your decision.

Most families struggle to make time for one another. Kids have countless activities ranging from sports to school to parties. Parents often work long hours in an office, then they have to keep the household running after hours. Finding time together as a family is difficult, but family night doesn’t have to be a scheduled evening. Just coming together to watch a movie or eat dinner can help the family unit stay together. Your furniture choices can go a long way in helping to spark family discussions, fun gaming, and family hang-out sessions.

Living Room Arrangement

Think about how your living room is structured. Is your standard 3-cushion sofa facing the TV or is it facing the other seating? Is your sectional sofa the only seating in the room? Put some thought into the arrangement. Try to arrange your furniture to inspire conversation first and a good view of the TV second. For example, look at how the Traemore Living Room set is arranged in the display picture. Notice how the sofa faces the oversized chair and how every piece allows for multiple people to sit together. This is perfect for a family looking to reacquaint themselves.

Large sectional sofas like the Dellare Sectional with a Chaise naturally mimic this arrangement and they let an entire family effortlessly gather around the TV or table for a night spent together.

Try to choose an ottoman or coffee table for the center that will allow for board game nights! Choose a large surface area that can hold a board or game pieces securely, and don’t forget about video game night. On most gaming consoles, families can play together, so choose an entertainment center that houses your games and movies without sacrificing style.

Dining Room

If it’s hard to get your family together in the living room for hours at a time, consider the dining room. Everyone has to eat, right? Choose a table that seats all of your family members comfortably, without having to drag out an extra stool.

For larger families, go with something like the Madison County Set. It seats 6 and has storage underneath for game night. Smaller families may appreciate the intimacy and versatility of a round table and families with small children could really benefit from bench seating. That way the little ones can all pile on together!

Game Room

Not all homeowners are lucky enough to have an extra room dedicated to games, but if you are, it’s perfect for family time! The best bet in this room is a sectional sofa for seating and a pub style dining room set for eating and board games. Keep the atmosphere more casual in the game room than in the rest of your home. Try to have multiple pillows or ottomans for more seating and arrange the furniture so that the gaming surface is the center of attention. This should naturally place your family facing each other for fierce faceoffs!

Use the space you have to encourage your family to interact. Talk to one another, share a meal, and enjoy your time together.

Break out the scarves and pumpkin spice lattes, fall is here! Well, maybe it’s still a bit warm out, but you can still enjoy the coziness of the season by getting your living room in the mood. Dial up the warmth and coziness factor in your living room and spark some movie nights and conversation for those chilly evenings ahead.


Trade Tables for Ottomans
A soft, plush ottoman is a perfect way to make your living room feel cozy and warm. They’re great to rest your feet on, and with the addition of a tray, can serve perfectly as a coffee table as well. Ottomans can also serve as extra seating! Keep an eye out for one (or two, depending on the size of your room) with storage options.
You can also opt for an ottoman in a warmer color to help add a cozy touch to your space. Look to browns, reds, and oranges.


Sofa Tables
Sofa tables are versatile pieces of accent furniture. They can be pushed against a wall or against a sofa. They act as easy barriers to separate different areas of an open-concept living area or to separate seating arrangements. This really adds warmth in a large space or one with high ceilings. A simple wooden sofa table provides storage and helps create zones in a large space. Moving furniture away from the walls creates a much more intimate seating area, and a sofa table can help create the space.


Sectional Sofa
If you have a large space that feels a little cavernous, maybe a game room or a garage that has been converted to a living space, a sectional sofa can help bring the room together. Sectionals take up more space than a living room set and promote close seating that adds to the warm atmosphere. They feel less formal than a typical sofa and invite guests to stretch out!


Add Throw Pillows and Blankets
A throw blanket here and there adds texture, color, and yes, warmth. Having a blanket or pillow nearby instantly makes your guests feel more at home. Added bonus: you can curl up on a chilly evening. Plus, the pillows and blankets can serve as pops of warm color and can easily be changed out or stowed away when the cooler weather is gone. Choose fall colors to really create a festive and charming atmosphere.


Create Groupings
If you have an open concept home or a home that is separated by archways, consider multiple seating areas. It could be as simple as a sofa and two accent chairs in one area, then a sofa, love seat and coffee table in another area. Use rugs and sofa tables to help designate the zones. One area could have the TV as the focus and the other could be a center for conversation.

Creating groupings of furniture is more cost effective than you think. This could be as easy as adding two accent chairs to a living room set. Use the sofa and the two accent chairs in one area, and the love seat and oversized chair in another.

You can also add a few touches here and there like tall potted plants, fall foliage in vases, and warm lighting to make your space more inviting.

• The Space

  Choose a space that gives you plenty of room to spread out. Maybe the other side of your home office? Or the spare bedroom? It’s easy to create a multi-use room if you have the right pieces of furniture. If you have a spare bedroom, consider adding a daybed to make the room appear more multi-functional without crowding floor space. Bedrooms are ideal for craft rooms because they come with closets for extra storage!

• Reimagine

  The key to choosing the right furniture pieces for your crafting space is to reimagine their use. Don’t go for plastic tables with flimsy bins. Choose sturdy furniture that will help your crafting space blend in with the rest of your home. Just because the Amarillo Door Chest is “meant” for the bedroom doesn’t mean it can’t store crafts! Choosing bedroom furniture is ideal because your craft room will most likely have to serve as a guestroom from time to time. Making smart choices will make your overnight guest feel more at home.

• The Table

  Don’t just look to work benches; your crafting space should have a nice, sturdy table with lots of storage. It should also be taller than the average table. If you are sharing your crafting space with another room, it doesn’t hurt to have a table that looks great as well. Here’s a tip: try dining room tables such as the Messina Pub Table. It’s tall, stylish, and has lots of storage. It won’t scream “crafts” like a table with plastic storage drawers. It’s perfect for a multi-use space!

• The Storage

  It’s perfectly fine to head over to the dollar store and buy plastic bins to store your crafts. They are cheap, functional, and will not break the bank. But where will you store those plastic bins? How will you organize the chaos? That’s where high-quality shelving comes in. While the bins themselves can be on the cheaper side, you should splurge on sturdy shelves to manage your storage.

  The Scrimshaw Accent Cabinet is great for hiding away unsightly plastic bins. It will help keep your craft space neat and tidy while keeping your bins at arm’s reach. Dresser or Chest of Drawers is great for smaller items like beads and fabric scraps.

Plus, these items look great in a guest bedroom! When your crafting space must serve another function, these items will look uncluttered and clean.

• In the Kitchen

  Don’t let mail and small appliances take up space on your counters. Look to storage pieces that can put your clutter neatly out of sight. The Madison County Dining Room Server would look great tucked away along your kitchen wall. Furniture pieces like this have drawers for documents and cabinets for larger appliances. No need to keep your pressure cooker on the counter when it can be neatly tucked away.

• In the Living Room

  Toys, blankets, books, and more can easily pile up on sofas and side tables. Look to multifunctional furniture to help you organize your living room. Not only do ottomans serve as a place to put your feet up and add extra seating, but some also act as storage, like the one by Bolton. These ottomans typically open from the top and offer ample place to store blankets, games, and toys.

  Coffee tables are also a great place to keep things out of the way. Some slide open while others offer cabinet-style doors. You may want one that actually lifts to reveal convenient storage. Side tables are also wonderful for hiding toys and books. The Ivy Chairside table offers a quaint drawer for your remote or phone chargers.

  Entertainment centers can be the ultimate stylish storage space. While many serve as the perfect place for your TV, other options offer a ton of extra space for all sorts of gadgets. The Vincente Entertainment Center has display shelves as well as barn-style doors to keep gaming consoles and DVDs out of sight.

• In the Bedroom

  Clothes and shoes have a way of piling up in the bedroom. Kids’ bedrooms offer unique storage challenges with sports equipment and toys thrown into the mix. For an adult’s bedroom, look to dressers, chests and even TV stands to accommodate your needs. Make use of the many drawers and cabinets to keep clothes and shoes off the bed or floor.

  In kids’ rooms, try under-bed-storage -  These drawers make use of normally empty space. Bunk beds can also come with options like drawers in the staircase. Wardrobes are a nice solution for bulkier items like backpacks and sports equipment.

Make sure the pieces of furniture you choose are more than just “pretty.” Functional furniture should be stylish and useful. Keeping your house clutter-free is essential to a relaxing atmosphere.

• Play with Scale

  Try pairing large and oversized art with a table that fits the space. It always sets a chic tone. Investing in the perfect statement piece pulls together a dramatic entryway that leaves a lasting impression. The Midland Sofa Table would look great with an oversized painting hanging above it. The table is narrow and stylish and would allow the artwork to be the star of the entryway.

• Textures Count

  You can create an expectation of the décor to come with a mix of textures in the entryway. Consider a dramatic faux fur rug paired with an understated table. If your rug makes enough of a statement, consider a smaller table or hooks to hang coats.

• A Sitting Place

  Not all entryways have to feature a table. Many can accommodate a quaint place to sit. A small accent chair with a chic round table looks welcoming and functional. Add a lamp and a small picture frame or two, and it can also serve as a nice reading area to watch the world go by from your front door.

• Functional

  The perfect entryway isn’t just a place to “walk in”. It’s also a place to store coats, shoes, umbrellas and more. It can be a mudroom as well as a beautiful glimpse into your home. The Kennedy Storage Bench is the perfect piece for any entryway. Pair it with a wall of paintings or family pictures for a cozy feel, or you can opt for something like the Nero Hall Tree. It features hooks for coats, a drawer or keys and mail, and shelves for shoes. It’s also minimal enough to accommodate a small accent chair and statement rug.

• A Long Walk

  If you have a spacious entryway, consider a full treatment of design. Go bold with your lighting, make your art pop, and add multiple pieces of furniture. A large entryway can shine with a seating area for two using understated accent chairs and a small table. Think about topping off the look with a bench. If the space you are working with seems oversized, make sure you make it feel cozy with lamps, rugs, and personal touches.

Consider the rest of your home when decorating your entryway. If your home is more traditional, stick to that theme. Don’t have a contemporary entryway flowing into a traditional living room. It’s all about setting the tone of your home for your guests.

It may take a bit of creativity, but you can make your small room feel spacious and cozy. Just look for furniture pieces with a minimal footprint and maximum potential!

The heart of your home is often the place you gather for mealtime. For many families, that could be a separate dining room or eat-in kitchen. Often times this space is overlooked and outfitted with a simple table and one or two accent pieces, but a dining room can be so much more if you embrace the special time you spend around the table.

• The Table

  Let’s start with the most important feature of the room, the table. A dining room without a dining room table is, well, just a room. Make sure you choose a table that suits both your space and your needs. Opt for a table that fits comfortably within the room, meaning you’ll still have enough space to move chairs and walk around the table comfortably.

  If space is limited, a smaller, round table lets you fit the largest number of diners in the smallest amount of space. For larger spaces, a long, rectangular table with extending leaves works for both everyday use and for the holidays

• Lighting

  Lighting is a key feature of any room. Think of all the ways you use your dining room. Ample brightness is perfect for helping out with homework, while soft lighting is much better at creating an intimate dining atmosphere. The real key is layering; make sure to use a mix of lighting sources including floor lamps, wall fixtures, and windows.

  The shape of your light fixture is also important. Choose a shape that complements your dining table. For example, hang a rounded fixture above a round table and choose a linear fixture to hang above longer and rectangular tables.

• Display Your Style

  Make a style statement by displaying a favorite collection of dishes. Show off your wedding china or your grandmother’s tea set. Choose a Curio, console cabinet or two that help your displays make a statement. The right collection can add a personal and formal touch to any dining room.

• Eclectic Seating

  Mix and match your seating by using benches combined with chairs. Turn a nook into a cozy, casual dining area with banquette seating and even a wingback chair. Also consider accent chairs for the corners of the room that can be pulled up to the table for larger gatherings.

• Wine Storage

  Whether you have a large built-in storage unit or a small storage option, displaying your wine bottles gives your space a sophisticated flair. Some tables, like the Mystic Cay, offer wine storage within the dining table. Or you can opt for something more traditional like the Scrimshaw Accent Cabinet.

Don’t ignore your dining room; let it serve multiple functions within your home.

If you have a dedicated home office, consider yourself fortunate. Most people work the hours away in a spare bedroom with a desk or in a corner of the kitchen. In most cases, home offices must serve a dual purpose as a guest room, a craft room, toy room, or multiple offices for the adults in the home. There are many ways you can make a shared office space work for you. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when decorating.

Choose a stylish futon rather than a bed, or maybe a day bed that takes up less space. Start thinking about the room as your office that also works as a spare bedroom instead of the other way around.

Add a white board for tasks and visualizing, a shelf for books, and a coffee corner with a place to put snacks and drinks. You can easily fit all of this into your home office with the right furniture.

Make it cozy by adding special touches here and there. Add a rug that denotes your desk area as a work zone and add pillows to your futon or chair. The point is to make this section of the room a place you want to spend time in!

The point is to embrace your office space, even if it’s in a multipurpose room. Dedicate your corner of the house to getting things done!

Lori Berwick left for Haiti on October 12. Going with a group from the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home from Louisiana, she’s hoping to make a difference in the Port Au Prince region. She is part of a group traveling with Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.

“Last year I was on the Vacation Bible School Team,” explains Lori. “We saw 200 kids a day. We’d color with them and play, tell them Bible stories. It was really something to see. It was a lot of fun.”

Lori works at the Home Furniture office in Lake Charles, where she manages the accounting department. She has been with the company for 24 years and says her coworkers have been incredibly supportive of her mission work.

“It’s a great place to work,” she says. “Next week is actually Boss’s Day, but I’ll be in Haiti so they gave me a gift early. They gave me a bunch of snacks to take on my trip.”

Lori says her work family and her family at home have been supportive of her since she first made a trip to Haiti last year. As a mother and grandmother, it is the Haitian children that made the most impression on her as she recalls her trip from 2017.

“We went to an orphanage, and every child just wants to have someone to hold. I was the last one to get off the van and I remember one little girl standing there waiting. She was so happy to see me. She was so excited that there was one person left on the van - that she would have someone - she grabbed my hand right away.”

Lori says she’s really looking forward to one event in particular this year.

“There’s one group, Louisiana Reach Haiti, and last year they bought the land for an orphanage. They’ve been fundraising for a while. Last year there was only a wall around the property and a well. This year we’ll get to see part of the complex set up, they are ready to start housing children.”

Lori explained that donations can be made at the Louisiana Reach Haiti website and when the page opens, her little friend from last year is featured.

“The boy smiling in the pink and white shirt, with the thumbs up, I met him last year, that Dusty! It would be wonderful to see him again.”

She’s not sure which team she’ll be on this year, but she is looking forward to the trip with the same anticipation and excitement from a year ago. It’s a week-long trip that will undoubtably make a difference in so many lives.

When to Shop

The furniture industry tends to operate on a biannual schedule. New styles of furniture hit retail floors every spring and fall, so if you’re looking to get a deal, you’ll want to start shopping in the months immediately before the new styles reach stores.

That means you’ll want to shop toward the end of winter (January and February) or the end of summer (August and September). Retailers will be discounting their old stock during these months to make room for the new styles. Presidents Day and Labor Day weekends are especially good times for sales. This is by no means set in stone. Your local furniture store may have additional sales at different times throughout the year. But for general purposes, the sales outlined above are a good rule of thumb.

What to Buy

If what you are looking to buy is not on sale at the moment, there’s a good chance it may have a price cut in a few months. The trick is to be patient and wait for what you want.

Mattress and Beds

Buying a bed and a mattress often go hand in hand. You can easily drop thousands of dollars to complete a bedroom with a comfortable mattress. While it may be worth every penny, it’s still a big purchase. Waiting for bedroom sets and mattresses to go on sale is a great way to stay within budget. Many furniture store websites have a sale section on the menu. A quick glance could save you hundreds.

Living Room Sets

Clearance

Even if the furniture store of your choice isn’t offering a blowout sale, they will still have items on clearance. Most of the time, stores have an entire section of their website dedicated to clearance items. You can find deep discounts on everything from individual recliners to entire dining room sets. The clearance section is especially great if you are looking for that one piece to complete your room!

But before we go any further, it’s essential to style this new bedroom with your child. Make him a part of the process. Let him know the do’s and don’ts for the new space and set a budget. Remember, this room could be with him for a while. Be sure both of you are considering his needs in the future and not just his interests at the moment.

1. Storage Space

   This is important to any pre-teen or teenager’s room. Try to find storage solutions as you buy new furniture. A bed that also has drawers, a nightstand with storage underneath, and even an ottoman to house bedding are all great options. Think about multi-use furniture that will help maximize the space of your son’s bedroom.

2. Beds That Age Well

   One of the best places to add storage and find a focal point for the room is the bed. Your child probably has sports gear, clothes, school supplies and other items to stow. This Duncan Full Bed has room for two rows of drawers and is big enough to grow with a teenager’s body. It doesn’t overwhelm the room and will still look appropriate during the teen years.

3. Study Space

   Although your elementary schooler may claim they don’t need a study space, a time will come when they have to spread out. Create a creative space that can serve as an area for puzzles now and a study space in the years to come. This Flynnter Desk has a large surface area to accommodate drone building now and a laptop in the future. It will also add a bit of grown-up flair to the space.

4. Beds for Buddies

   Sleepovers are coming! Round-the-clock Fortnite sessions take up time and space! Consider a gaming space with a futon if you have the room. This adds two beds to a small area and eliminates the need for sleeping bags or blow up mattresses.

5. The Walls

   It may be tempting to cover the walls in bright blue and have a mural of dinosaurs, but those decisions may not age well as your son starts to mature. Consider a neutral beige or grey and showcase his favorite colors or characters in the bedding or easy-to-change curtains. There are also decals that leave your walls no-worse-for-wear if he has his heart set on certain elements.

6. Entertainment

   Likely, his TV, gaming center, and study notes are all on the same machine: a laptop computer. Make sure your child is able to keep their computer at arm’s length. Go for nightstands that have a large surface area, like the Dark Pine nightstand. It also has the added bonus of storage drawers. A nightstand or console cabinet can serve as a TV stand and gaming console as your child’s interests develop.

Just remember to make choices that age well and won’t need to be changed in a few years. Your son’s room should be a place he can be himself away from the stresses of the day. Make his needs the focus of the space.

First Grown Up Bedroom

No more roommates! No more studio or dorm room! This bedroom is for your first apartment or starter home. Chances are space is not on your side here, and that’s OK. A full or queen-sized bed is going to be perfect here, and you’ll want to find a bed with built-in storage. Maximize your space! The Emily Queen Bed offers so much drawer space you may be able to skip a chest.

If you need more storage, look for sleek dressers to hold your necessities. A contemporary style lends itself to furniture with a minimal footprint. Bedroom sets can really save you some time and effort in a small room like the Hunter Bedroom set. It offers tons of storage and will accommodate a smaller space.

Couple’s Space

Out of the small apartment and into a larger space for two! You have a bit more room, but now it has to accommodate two people. That means more drawers, storage, and a bigger bed! Chances are your new digs come with an actual master bedroom, but you want to keep a budget on your radar.

Go for a queen or king-sized bed. Put a little thought into the mattress and find something comfortable for co-sleeping. You can go a little more ornate on the bedframe and focus less on storage. The Raquel Queen bed features a very grown-up style!

You’ll need two nightstands with emphasis on storage, like the Champagne Nightstand. It will have to hold your phone, eReader, actual books, a laptop and more. Also, you can and should splurge a bit on a dresser and chest, like the one from Brashland. It can hold enough for two people without overwhelming a room.

A True Master Suite

It’s a big moment in everyone’s life when they finally settle into a master suite. You now may have a couple of kids or fur-babies crawling into bed with you every night. Your bedroom is a place to read, watch TV, and unwind.

Go with a king-size bed that has ample room for stretching out. The headboard by Westerly would look magnificent in a room with high ceilings. You may want to invest a bedroom set, like the Cheyenne set, that offers storage and style.

One of the great things about a true master suite is the sitting space you can create. Select cozy accent chairs like the Bellamy chair and TV stands with an added fireplace! You can make this room an oasis for the whole family! Choose what makes you happy and focus on the calm and uncluttered.

Luckily there are more than a few furniture options out there to help create comfortable spaces for your pets!

Living Room

This may be the area of your house where your pet spends most of their time. If you are in the market for new furniture, there are lots of options that will make life with a pet easier. However, if you are looking for a simple solution for already existing furniture, consider throws. A few strategically placed and easy-to-wash throw blankets will help preserve your furniture. However, not all pets follow the rules and will sometimes wander away from designated spots. In that case, it’s important to choose fabrics that hide stains and won’t attract fur.

• Leather is durable and stain resistant making wiping away fur a breeze! The O’Kean Loveseat is perfect for pets. It’s easy to maintain and looks great! One word of caution: if your cats still have their claws, be careful they do not use the leather to sharpen them. Even leather can’t stand up to kitty claws. Also, keep your dog’s nails trimmed; puppy claws can also leave a lasting mark on leather.

• Microfiber is a synthetic fiber with very thin strands that can be made to look like suede or leather. The Shiloh Reclining Sofa is actually microfiber! It doesn't rip or scratch easily, and cleaning up pet hair is not time-consuming. All you need is a lint brush, or sometimes even your hands will do the trick! Most stains come out of microfiber with soap and water. Stubborn stains can be outed with a mild cleaner.

• Patterns and texture help hide everyday issues like dirt and pet hair. They also help camouflage small stains until they can be properly cleaned by a steamer. The texture on the Reed Loveseat makes pet hair impossible to spot.

Office Space

If you work from home, your pet is likely your most interesting co-worker. Try to make your home office a welcoming place for your furry friend. Invest in a rug where they can keep you company comfortably under your desk. Also, you may want to have a plush accent chair for older pets who don’t like the hard floor. Just try to spot the fur on the cool Blume Swivel chair!

Bedroom

Maybe when you brought home your pet, you swore they’d never take over the bed, but somehow they always find a way in! If you have a large pet, or multiple pets, it may be time to get a bigger mattress so everyone can get a good night’s sleep. Also, a mattress protector is never a bad idea.

If you have space, you can add a loveseat or chair to your bedroom that can serve as a reading space and a place to entice your pet to sleep other than the bed. If you are OK with your dog or cat on the bed, consider some pet stairs or a low-profile bedframe to make it easier on their backs and hips when climbing.

You’ll also want to choose some bedding that won’t show off the hair your cutest family members leave behind.

The right mattress can be life changing!

1. Allergies

   If you find that your allergies seem worse at night or first thing in the morning, keep reading. Dust mites are a huge cause of most allergies. Those little mites love an old mattress, but there are ways to combat the problem.

   Memory foam and waterbeds are good options to keep dust mites at bay. Waterbeds aren’t as popular as they used to be, but foam mattresses are becoming much more popular. Serta iComfort is perfect for allergy sufferers. The memory foam cuts down on allergens while offering a good night’s rest

2. Back Pain

   This is one of the most common reasons for replacing an old mattress. Old mattresses will gradually lose the ability to provide proper support. As the layers lose their compression and shape your body will no longer feel supported in the mattress. This typically manifests in the form of back aches and pains

   You need to look for a high-quality innerspring mattress. The more quality mattresses have stronger springs and will be individually wrapped. If the springs are individually wrapped, they contour better to your body and have less transfer of motion.

   Many innerspring mattresses also offer the added luxury of a pillow top, which can help relieve pressure points. The Englander King Size Laurel Pillow Top offers plush quilted layers with the support of an innerspring.

3. Supporting Your Sleep Style

   Figure out what kind of sleeper you are to find the perfect mattress. Stomach sleepers, for example, need more support than back or side sleepers so their lower back doesn’t arch, which can cause pain. An innerspring mattress would work best.

   Side sleepers should avoid extra-firm mattresses since their bodies will unconsciously start rotating into a prone position in order to get sufficient support. A side sleeper may be more comfortable with a memory foam mattress.

   Back sleepers can get away with just about any mattress as long as it is high-quality and does not cause the back to lose its natural curves.

4. Staying Cool

   Do you notice that you are sweating a lot at night? It may be your mattress. If you are prone to being hot, the old rule of thumb was to avoid memory foam. But times have changed. Many of the top-rated mattresses offer a mix of both springs, foam, and cooling gel. This Beautyrest features an advanced pocketed coil technology combined with multiple layers of advanced memory gel foams. It offers support, cooling action, and pressure relief. It is perfect for keeping your body cool and supported.

The right mattress will help you get a good night’s rest. Sleeping well means you can face the day and tackle new challenges head-on. Listen to your body, and choose the mattress that is right for you.

1. A Bed That Grows

   Adding storage to the bedroom is never a bad idea. Your girl probably has sports gear, clothes, and school supplies to stow. The Duncan Full bed will grow with her as well as add drawers to help keep her room uncluttered. A full bed is perfect for a growing child! It doesn’t overwhelm the room and will still look appropriate during the teen years.

2. Study Space

   Although your 10-year-old may not be hitting the books nightly, those years are coming. Cultivate a creative space that can serve as an area for crafts now and a study space in the years to come. The Bolanburg desk has a large surface area to accommodate construction paper crafts now and a laptop in the future. It will also add a bit of grown-up flair to the space.

3. Room for Guests

   No doubt there will be overnight guests in your future. Slumber parties are a rite of passage! The Trina Daybed can help ensure guests get a good night’s rest. It also cuts down on the amount of floor space a double bed requires. If you have limited space, this daybed is a must.

4. Colors

   It may be tempting to cover the walls in pink or purple, but those colors may not age well as your girl starts to mature. Consider a neutral beige or white and showcase her favorite color in the bedding or easy-to-change curtains. You can also use an accent rug to add a pop of whimsy and color to the space. Just make sure these elements are easy to update as the years go by.

5. Entertainment

   You may not want to put an entire entertainment center in your child’s room, and that’s OK. Nowadays their TV, gaming center, and study notes are usually on the same machine—a laptop. Make sure your girl’s computer is at arm’s length. Go for nightstands or accent pieces that have a large surface area, like the Hanna Nightstand or the Ecko Accent Cabinet. These also have the added bonus of storage drawers. This nightstand and accent cabinet can serve as a TV stand and gaming console as your child’s interests develop.

As long as you take the coming years into account, there really are no wrong choices. Your girl’s room should be her sanctuary. Keep things peaceful and calm and you’ll be on track.