Category Archives: lighting

Proper Ways to Relaxify Your Home

Posted on by

The modern times are inexorably speeding up our daily tempo and cramming our schedule, leaving little time for our mental and physical recuperation. The frenzied professional life has led many people to make conscious efforts to slow down their pace a bit, and lay back.

What better way to heal than to retreat to your warm, homely abode. Still, if the place is constantly cluttered and disorganised, you’ll end up with an opposite effect. Read on to find out how to redecorate your home in order to create a peaceful and soothing atmosphere.relaxify 1

Bathroom haven

If you’re lucky enough to have a large tub or a massage bath, you’ve already ticked off a major entry of your remodelling list. No matter if your bathroom is small or spacious, a simple tub and bath pillow can turn it into your own private oasis where you can soak in after a long shift.

When illumination is concerned, favour natural light above all. In addition, some dimmers and lamps are also great for soft light experience that doesn’t strain your eyes. For special occasions, strategically place cupped candles and tiny flower vases at the counter.

When furnishings and accessories are in question, consider trading your regular towels and rugs with some plush, fluffy variants. Lastly, hang a few humidity-proof replicas to add an arty touch to your home spa.relaxify 2

Living room chilling

Begin your living room relaxification by making a more optimal furniture arrangement. Identify the focal point of the room (coffee table, fireplace, etc.), and reassemble it around a favourite piece to make a new, intimate lounge nook. Blaring colours and busy prints can turn up the energy of the room, so opt for neutrals and off-white to eliminate major distractions.

Textures wise, incorporate some fluffy additions like we did in the bathroom. Enjoy your weekend movie nights rolled up on a comfy couch in your soft blankets, and resting on delicate, velvety pillow cases. A task or floor lamp fixtures can work splendidly in providing a cosy ambience, as opposed to bright overhead lights.

Rooms that are constantly hot can have an adverse effect on our brain function and make us even more exhausted. That’s why it’s highly important we allow our whole body to rest in a moderate temperature setting by installing a quality AC unit, we learn from Sydney-based air conditioning installation experts.

Give this space a homely tone by surrounding yourself with dear heirloom pieces, family portraits and other beloved possessions. At the end of the day, put all the objects you moved back to their place for a tidy, uncluttered layout.relaxify 3

No place like kitchen

Kitchen is a favourite gathering place that unites the entire family with its alluring smells, delectable dishes and warm, family atmosphere. Since this place is already marked as a relaxing and homely space, we should focus more on regular cleaning and decluttering.

Keep the items you use daily accessible and nearby. For instance, group the preferred spices on the closest side of the rack. Take time to wipe and reorganise your pantry and cupboards every now and then. Get rid of the food that has expired or has been sitting opened for a while, and make a shopping list for the items you’re out of. Wipe down all the surfaces you can reach.

Design your own prepping and cooking area and keep the unnecessary tools out of your way. Additionally, put together a special, separate wine or coffee corner with a portable wine rack or a coffee machine and the related paraphernalia.relaxify 4

Sleeping paradise

There’s no proper bedroom without a quality mattress that suits your needs (preferences may range from firm to feathery soft). Also, introducing some Egyptian cotton or silky beddings in white or pastel tints are sure to bring you some sweet dreams. However, if you’re still having troubles falling asleep, resort to the devices that play ocean sounds or any special sound from the offer that calms your nerves, and paint the walls in soft blue or green shades.

There’s no correct way to relaxify a house that works for everyone, but there are certain things that may do the trick. Check out our tips and choose the best options for your living environment

5 Easy Ways To Make Your Home Sustainable

Posted on by

These days, the environment is on the forefront of the news. With major problems like climate change and pollution, it’s more important than ever to improve your home’s energy efficiency and sustainability. You’ll save money and make your home more marketable, all while helping make the earth a little greener.

roof with plantsThis guide will show you easy steps for how to immediately improve your home’s energy efficiency. Green home improvements like installing more effective insulation and preventing allergens through the use of smarter flooring are easy steps to a better, more cost-effective home. With a lower electricity bill, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make these green changes sooner. That said, you’ll also save money in the future when it comes time to sell your home. Green home improvements dramatically increase the value of your home and make it much more attractive to potential buyers. Here are some easy ways for you to start earning money and saving the earth.casementfeatureshot4

Energy-efficient windows

Whether you’re building a new home or remodelling, energy-efficient windows are a great option for reducing the costs of air conditioning. They limit thermal exchange between the inside and outside of your home, decreasing power costs. When you shop, look for windows with a low U-factor score, as this indicates better insulation. Another easy step to maximize your windows’ energy-efficiency is to opt for a double-glazed option. With this feature, you won’t have to worry about the dust on blinds or the low-energy efficiency of curtains.

Roofing

Just like installing energy-efficient windows, energy-efficient roofing materials will keep your home well insulated. You’ll want to speak with roofing professionals about the best option for your home, as you may benefit more from roofing choices that prevent leaks or icicles if you live somewhere with harsh winters. In general, you’ll look to restore your roof and improve your roof insulation with energy-efficient roofing materials. You may decide on specially designed, heat-reflective roofing material, which is made to reflect sunlight and limit heat absorption. Depending on your budget, you may also implement a green roof, which will help you to manage stormwater and improve insulation. This works best with flat roofs, commonly found in urban areas. Updating your roof is a powerful way to create a greener home.

shuttered windowsEnergy Star Appliances

You can easily seek out green products by looking for Energy Star appliances. Your appliances may draw the most power and resources from your home, making it vital that you choose the best. When shopping, you’ll notice an Energy Star sticker on your product that indicates it meets certain environmental standards set forth by the EPA. It’s a government-regulated qualification that makes for a well-trusted source of information. It’s recommended to look at your appliance’s label and compare how much energy each model will use, in order to make smarter, data-based decisions.

HVAC installation

One of the biggest costs of owning a home is heating and cooling throughout the year. This makes proper use of HVAC systems vital for a cost-effective living space. This starts at the beginning, with installation. Your HVAC tech should follow the environmentally-friendly Quality Installation guidelines, which outline the best practices for installing an HVAC system with maximum efficiency. With the help of your HVAC professional, you’ll have pure air and an efficient home in no time.

Flooring

If you can eliminate allergens with smarter flooring, you’re one step closer to a greener home. To begin, you’ll probably want something easy to clean, like vinyl or another hard surface. Materials like carpet typically accumulate dust, which make life difficult for those with asthma or allergies. Look for sustainable materials like bamboo or hardwood, though it’s important to specifically ensure that the specific material and brand you’re using is actually environmentally-friendly, and not merely marketed as such. With smarter flooring, you’ll eliminate allergens and improve your health immediately.

It is vitally important to implement green improvements for your home. It’s better for the earth and clearly better for your wallet. By following this simple guide, you’ll start saving the earth and saving money in no time.

Finding the right design and size of chandelier

Posted on by

Interior designing is an art where you need to combine various colors, textures, and designs to get the unique look for each room. The perfect interior would be the one that merges the effect of furniture, furnishing, wall textures, artifacts, and lighting in such a way that it adds elegance to the entire room. Lights are used to illuminate the space but the same will amaze you when used for the decorative purpose. Chandelier is one such form of decorative lighting that sets the mood and brings the grand look to the entire space. Huge chandeliers have been the part of royal palaces from ages but now they come in more contemporary designs to fit the modern residences and commercial spaces.

chandelier-1009618_640All chandeliers may look impressive in the showroom but the idea is to find the right design and size that will add that striking look to the entire space.

Factors governing the selection of chandelier

Chandeliers vary in size, design, effects, and controls. If you are buying the this big piece of light for your home then you have to consider following three factors –

  • Design
  • Size
  • Glitter or glaze
  • Controls for dimming
  • Power Consumptioncrystal-chandelier-from-the-czech-republic-pixabay

Design – Design is completely a personal choice as there is no rule of thumb governing the selection but whatever design you select should go in line with your room décor. If you have designed the room with royal touch and grand furniture then traditional or royal looking chandelier is the best pick. There are contemporary designs available too for the households having modern interiors. The modern designs mostly comprise of chrome and nickel finish with glazed glass molded in straight lines and simple curves.

curtain-chandelier-pixabaySize – Size of the chandelier would be decided from the size of the room. It should not be too big or too small for the room, and you must opt for the right size based on the rule given below –

  • Take the measuring tape and run it across the length and breadth of the room to get the exact measurements in foot.
  • Add these dimensions taken in foot and note down the number.
  • The number you have noted would be the chandelier diameter in inches.

Above rule will give you a rough idea about the size of chandelier that will be the perfect fit for your room. You can deviate a bit from this size to accommodate your favorite piece of light in the room.

Glitter or Glaze – Use of chandelier is more decorative than illuminative. Too much of glitter would make the whole place uncomfortable, so you may check whether the bulbs are throwing direct light or have glazed cover to make the light low. Exposed bulbs would throw lot of glitter and heat in the room, which would turn it into unwelcoming experience altogether. Before buying the chandelier, see how much light it throws and in what direction to make an appropriate buying decision.villa-cortine-palace-chandelier-pixabay

Dimming Controls – If the chandelier meets with your design and size requirements, but the lighting is too bright then you can look for the dimming controls. Some good chandeliers are offered with dimming controls that would let you control the light falling on the objects below. You can get these controls fixed later as well to regulate the amount of light.

Power Consumption – New age chandeliers are offered with LED fittings to reduce the power consumption. Your choice should be environment friendly, hence look out for the lighting choices that consume less power and offer grand design.

The apt chandelier would add brightness and style in the best possible way. Don’t just go by looks or price as there are many other factors to look for in chandelier to add the grace and glory to the space.

Bedroom Lighting Tips

Posted on by

Bedroom might be the trickiest room to choose lighting for. Even though dark rooms are better for sleeping you still need to have in mind some other activities that take place in there. Remember that bedroom is the place where you dress up in the morning and read at night. Because of that you will want you bedroom to be lit properly. Even though the standard lighting is ideal for most of the rooms, you can play with the style in your bedroom and choose to light it differently. Be sure to remember the following things when you are choosing lights for your bedroom.bedroom lighting 1

Think about the size of the room

Many people buy as many lights as necessary in order to light every corner of the bedroom. Too many lights will actually make the room crowded and feel smaller than it really is. Instead of doing this, you should think about the size of your bedroom and choose the light proportionally to it. So for most of the standard-size bedrooms 3 lights is more than enough. Two smaller lamps and a light on the ceiling is something most of the people choose to go with. For bigger bedrooms, you can add some interesting light pendants.

bedroom lighting 2Make sure lamps fit the style of the room

Bedroom is the only part of your home that has absolutely nothing to with guests and rest of the house. That is why you can design the whole room in a completely different style from the one in the other rooms. Whichever style you choose you have to make sure your lights fit into it completely. If you are going with more classic look a good-looking chandelier is a perfect choice. On the other hand if you are going with a more minimalistic style you can add some beautifully simple lamps which are quite a hit today.bedroom lighting 3

Choose the color of lampshades

No matter if it is the color of the lamp shade or the bulb itself, even the smallest change in color will alter the whole look of the bedroom. White lamp shades are the most common choice but if you want your bedroom to be different, you can choose some other colors. Light colors like yellow will make the room more alluring, while red will create more romantic atmosphere. Bedroom is the most personal room in the house so there is no reason why you should not go for the color you like the best. Changing the colour of your lamp shade is not too hard and you should be able to do it by yourself.

Add some bedside fixtures

bedroom lighting 4There are some alternatives for nightstand lamps which might just be what you are looking for. Pendant lights and sconces are becoming more and more popular. They free you up much space since there is no need for a big nightstand when there is no lamp on it. You can put them up on the wall so that light comes at the perfect reading angle. You can find many different types of led wall lights online. Make sure you choose the one which will match the style of the whole room. This of course does not mean that night stands are done. If there is enough space you can combine bedside light fixtures with a lamp on the nightstand.

Add closet lights

Many people say looking for clothes in dark closet gives them hard time. If you are among them you should install led lights inside of your closet. These won’t use too much energy but will still help you look for your clothes. Fluorescent led light will also help you tell the color of your clothing. If you decide to do this, just make sure light bulb is nowhere near the cloths as you do not want your favorite pieces of clothing to get damaged.

Whichever type of lights you choose make sure the lighting in the room perfect for relaxation. Do not overdo it and choose only as much lights as the room can fit. Remember that this is the room where you can play with the design as much as you want.

Attaining a Truly Effective Kitchen Design

Posted on by

Kitchens are considered task-oriented rooms, and that is why function should be put before the form when considering kitchen design. Smart space organization should be supported by the features of a well-designed kitchen. It can be achieved in many ways, by implementing various kitchen layouts (L-shaped, U-shaped, or galleys). Here some tips for designing your kitchen effectively and taking advantage of the available space.kitchen design 1

Power Sources

When it comes to supplying power to your kitchen appliances, safety is a prerequisite. Modern kitchens are filled with various appliances, like toasters, blenders, and microwaves, and each one of them needs a power socket. Some of them have short power lines that cannot be spanned across the kitchen, while power strips in a kitchen is not safe for that environment. Each appliance should be placed into its predesigned space so not to obstruct power or gas lines.

kitchen design 2Lighting

As the kitchen is a task-oriented room, lighting fixtures should be combined in order to fully illuminate the room. You can mount a central fixture and support it by various side lights in order to light up all the shadowy corners. Add under-cabinet or wall mounted lights and direct them on the countertop, because it is what every workspace requires.

The Importance of Having Storage

Not including enough storage in kitchen planning is a capital mistake. First of all, store the appliances within cabinets if possible, so to keep the countertop free of clutter. If your overhead cabinets do not go straight up to the ceiling, there will be a gap that cannot be used for anything, and unused storage room does not go in your favor. Use base cabinets with spacious shelves and deep drawers for storing pots and pans. Sometimes, due to bad placement of the pipes, kitchens are designed with important elements placed in a poor location, claim Hazlet-based plumbing professionals. In that case, a professional plumber should relocate the plumbing for a better element placement.kitchen design 3

Kitchen Floor

The best option for a kitchen floor is probably natural stone. It can give your kitchen a rustic, yet luxurious look. Avoid placing hardwood floors because they are not stove, refrigerator or sink-friendly, even though they might look captivating at first. Linoleum floors, despite being slip resistant and cheap, are considered quite old fashioned. If you decide for the natural stone option, remember that you will have to reseal it now and then, because of the porosity of the material.

Safety Comes First

There are various things you can do in order to maximize the in-kitchen safety, especially if there are small children running around the house at all times. Place slip resistant floors, rubber inserts under kitchen rugs and rounded countertops. If your kitchen is yet to be equipped, prevent accidental burns by buying a kitchen set that includes an oven mounted at adult height. If the elements are arranged in the right way, you will have a good visibility of the front gate and backyard children play spot.

Starting Fresh

A piece of advice for people that are about to move or have just moved into a new home: take your old appliances and recycle them, or leave them in the old house. Technology should be new and up-to-date, and if you bring them into your new kitchen, they will stand out. Do not try to save money on kitchen appliances, because it should all be about quality and safety.

Smart space organization is the crucial thing when one ones to achieve a truly effective kitchen design. It is not a complicated business, but it will increase safety, bring maintenance requirements to a minimum, and make your job a whole lot easier.