Ever feel like there just is not enough light in a living room to sit down and comfortably read a good book or look over some business documents? Could you relax in an overly illuminated living room? Such thoughts come up when there is an imbalance between task lighting and ambient lighting. Understanding the difference between these two lighting types and using them effectively can help you bring harmony to the lighting in your home.
Basics of Task Lighting
You might be surprised to find out just how much of a role each room plays in the lives of its inhabitants. Rooms are often used for both work and relaxation. You may find yourself answering emails on the living room couch or playing a classical guitar piece in your bedroom. These activities contribute to and define the overall function of a room and typically require more than ambient lighting from overhead fixtures. That is when task lighting comes into play. Task lighting is fundamentally any lighting that helps to facilitate a particular visual task. In a residential setting, that job may be reading, writing, cooking, sewing, or even eating.
Task lighting can take on many forms, including desk lamps, track lighting, or fluorescent fixtures under cabinets. Efficiently distributing task lighting throughout a home requires carefully identifying the function of each room and choosing the right type of lighting.
Instead of going further into the theory of task lighting, why don’t we take a look at the rooms of a standard home and suggest some task lighting solutions for each one.
Bedroom
The bedroom is where you start and end your day. It functions as both a place for daily preparation and a quiet place of relaxation before turning in for the night. If you are like most people and enjoy reading or occasionally working in bed, you will most definitely need some task lighting. Though there are quite a few options available, one of the most practical solutions is to have a lamp on each side of the bed. Doing so allows one partner to read while the other sleeps. You may choose to place a table lamp on each nightstand or install wall lamps that will keep you from having to reach too far to turn the light on or off.
Bathroom
The most important aspect of a bathroom is the vanity, as it plays a large role in morning preparation. Most people make the mistake of placing a recessed ceiling fixture over the mirror or buying a vanity with built-in overhead lighting. But lighting from one side casts shadows on the face. The best way to balance vanity lighting and get rid of shadows is to place vertical fixtures on both sides of the mirror. The center of each fixture should be at eye level. You want the vanity to be very well lit. Use fixtures with dimmer controls if you are afraid of overdoing. In doing so you will ensure that any person who uses the vanity will be able to get the illumination he or she needs. This setup may not work for some vanities due to the layout of the bathroom. In that case, overhead lighting may be the best option available. Just remember that the goal is to evenly illuminate the face without shadows.
The shower is another key spot in the bathroom. A single recessed ceiling fixture will usually provide the lighting you need, but you may not need a dedicated fixture if the shower is open or has a glass door.
Living Room
Every living room should have a seat with a floor or desk lamp to accommodate reading and writing. You can make one lamp work for multiple seats by placing it on an end table connecting the sofa and another seat. The lamp should not be too bright, as the living room should still retain its relaxing atmosphere even when the lamp is turned on. The goal of lighting the living room is to create enough light to do the things you need without breaking the atmosphere that invites you to come kick back and relax.
Kitchen
The work that takes place in a kitchen is often intricate and requires carefully planned task lighting to achieve both maximum efficiency and pleasure. Lighting a kitchen effectively usually involves a combination of both ceiling fixtures and lighting under cabinets. Recessed spot lights are a great way to focus light on the key work surfaces of the kitchen. The one drawback is that recessed lighting tends to be more difficult to install than its alternatives. A more flexible option is track lighting with halogen bulbs. Track lighting is easier to install and is more versatile since the direction of each head can be individually adjusted. Extra lamps can also be added to a …
interior
Having a Hoot With Interior Design and Owls
Are you looking to introduce a new theme into your interior design or home decor? Choosing something new is all down to a matter of taste and opinion but if you just want to be trendy and current, there are plenty of pointers available in the home sections of high street shops and stores. If you like the idea of having an “owl” theme in your home, then you are in luck, because (at the time of writing) owls are incredibly popular, not just for home items but for clothes, toys and many other things as well.
We are talking about the home, so what you can do to introduce the wonderful owl to your decor? Here are just a few quick ideas.
Hallway – For most homes, the hallway is the entrance to the house and the first place to make an impression when entering. How about an owl inspired mirror directly facing your front door? It will certainly make an impression on your guests when they enter and it will make a statement that you are right up to date with your home design. An owl shaped clock could also be really cool in the hall. It’s often a place people look for the time as they head out the door and it will add further to your growing theme.
Bedroom – The bed is always the quickest and easiest way to introduce something new to your room. You could treat yourself to a brand new duvet cover that has a cute owl print on it. A tastefully chosen owl picture or painting can make a feature of a bedroom wall whilst complimenting your bed. If you are lucky enough to have fitted sliding wardrobes in your room, then some owl themed transfers on the doors will again make a feature.
Living Room/Dining Room – There are endless ways in which your owls can be implemented into these rooms, whether it’s cushions/covers, curtains, tablecloths, rugs, ornaments and pictures. It’s just a case of deciding what you like without completely going owl overboard!
Bathroom – Once again, you will be spoiled for choice when trying to bring owls into the bathroom with some lovely pieces available. There are trinket holders, toiletry jars, toothbrush holders or even a trendy shower curtain!
Not only will you have the theme you want but also have a bright and trendy look throughout your owl inspired home.…
Interior Design Tips That Will Have You Decorating Like A Pro
Very few things will gratify a home owner or apartment dweller more than a successful go at interior design. From choosing the furniture to arranging accents, interior design can be really fun. Continue reading to learn great advice that will help you make your home look like something that a professional did!
How the room will be used is a consideration to take into account when planning a room design. For example, a colorful palette of primary colors is well-suited for a playroom or child’s bedroom. Those same colors wouldn’t be appropriate for an office, however.
You want to maximize the space you have when adding a home office. Lighting is essential to work spaces, along with a comfy chair and desk. You need to focus on creating an office where you will love working. This also means improving the look of your space.
Think about how much light is available in a room when you are considering your design. If a room doesn’t have that many windows, you might want to go with a lighter shade of paint or wallpaper so that the room doesn’t seem like a cave.
Get rid of all of your clutter before executing your interior design plan. Every house can use some cleaning, closet-emptying, and clearing out dusty items no one misses. Think about donating items or selling them at a yard sale.
When you are redesigning a child’s bedroom or playroom, make it fun! This will help them to feel comfortable instead of designing the room the way you would like. Make sure that everything is easy for them to access. Look at it as your kid would and get rid of possible hazards.
Be creative when using framed pictures. Remember that they are also a design element of your room. They do not all need to be properly lined up with one another. Try your best to put up angles and patterns. Altering white spaces can improve the mood of any room in your house.
When you are creating a plan for interior design, do not go off the deep end. Yes, a bit of personality is welcome in any home, but steer clear of trendy choices and crazy accessories when choosing permanent fixtures. If you want to sell in the future, unusual decor might deter buyers. If you simply cannot stop yourself from putting your stamp on the property, be sure that your decor is simple to remove.
If you have the desire to increase the amount of light in a room, add mirrors so that they are across from your windows. Use a large mirror to reflect light, making it appear as though there are two windows in the room. This will brighten the room.
No matter where your starting point is, you can take your rooms to amazing places. Interior design projects bring out the inner artist in anyone. Hopefully this article has provided you with some fresh ideas you can put to use around your home to create the look you have been dreaming about.…
Beautify Your Home’s Interior With These Handy Tips
A lot of people are interested in making their homes stand out. Many people fail to decorate their home properly unfortunately. The article below provides information and tips that can help you transform your home from simply tolerated to the best on your block.
If you are redecorating your room, you need to pick the right colors. Be aware of colors that work together and which will clash, so your room appears balanced and tasteful. Also avoid using too many bold colors in the same room.
For an interesting interior design look, try using a variety of patterns and textures to the room you are decorating. Used properly, textures and patterns can add contrast. Think of combining opposites to get the idea: soft and hard, shiny and muted, smooth and rough. Contrasting patterns or textures lend a modern, contemporary look to a home.
A good tip if you are interested in your interior design is to be sure you are up-to-date with current style trends. Don’t show that you’re stuck in the 1970’s, with gold shag carpet! Look at other people’s decorating ideas and check out design magazines for inspiration.
Use some creativity when you are working with framed pictures. You should remember that your artwork is a design element of its own. Pictures and posters can be hung in different angles to improve the appearance. Consider mounting them on the walls in creative patterns. Utilizing the surrounding space effectively can alter a room’s mood and create interesting effects.
A lot of people have smaller rooms that are begging to seem larger. Lighter colors help make smaller rooms feel and look bigger. If you use dark colors in small spaces, it can make the spaces appear smaller than they actually are.
Whenever you are painting one of your rooms, be creative. The Internet is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to this topic. When you are creative with the designs on your wall, you can transform your room from boring to fantastic in no time at all.
All your furniture should not have to be facing towards the TV in the family room. You can take advantage of other parts of the room by arranging furniture to create features like a conversation space. You can use this area if you want to have a nice cu of tea with a friend and catch up.
Display your collections! If you have three of anything, you are already a collector. If you are the owner of three of the same kind of vases, this is a collection. Three pictures counts as a collection. Display your collection in an obvious place, and it will make a great conversation piece.
As the above article has demonstrated, adding a fresh, exciting look to your home’s interior doesn’t have to be hard. Follow the steps laid out in this article and soon you will have a home that is worth coming home to. Use the tips listed here in designing the house of your dreams.…
Interior Design Tips You Should Know About
A lot of people today desire to improve their house’s value by making their house stand out. Many people fail to decorate their home properly unfortunately. Fortunately for you, the below article provides some simple tips on interior design that is certain to make your home stand out from others in your neighborhood.
You must know what you want to do with a room before you begin to make changes to it. Moods can vary, depending on how you feel as it can be wild or someplace that is nice and relaxing. Choosing a mood before starting will make your decisions more cohesive and more fluid.
The color scheme you choose can make or break your next interior design project. Your room will look tasteful and well-balanced if you choose colors that go well together. Avoid using a lot of bold colors in a single room.
A great interior design tip is to include different patterns and/or textures into whatever room you are designing. The intricacies of the patterns and textures will draw eyes to the pertinent details of your room. If you aim to give a room a more contemporary look and appeal, you’ll want to include pattern and texture in its design scheme.
Whenever installing wall art, make sure it is being hung at eye level. Hanging your art too low or high can really disrupt the look of a room, and can even give the appearance of a smaller room.
When designing your child’s room, try to see it through their eyes. Think about what they like so that they can appreciate how you redecorate their room. Everything should be easy to reach and easy to store. Look at everything from a child’s point of view and remove potential hazards.
If you are thinking about redecorating your kitchen, come up with ideas that are outside the box, especially with the counter tops. Less traditional materials like wood, cork or concrete can really make a statement. Also, these materials will not break the bank, which allows you to use money on other things.
Get your creative juices flowing with framed pictures. They can have a big impact on the overall look of the space. Do not limit yourself to just hanging them in a straight line. You could hang them at angles or in thought-out patterns. Taking advantage of all of the white space can enhance the mood of the house.
When designing your home, go with your own taste. While it should appear nice for company, you’ll be living in it. With that said, do what you want, even if you are afraid that someone else might not like it. The decision is yours alone. You may not like it further down the road, which means you can always redesign it then.
As you now know, it’s easy to make your home look brand new and exciting. Use everything you learned from this article so that everyone wants to come to your home. This advice will help you make your house look like your dream home.…
Interior Design Tips Tricks And Techniques For Any Home
Interior design can be a difficult subject to tackle. The best method of resolving this issue is learning all you can about this subject. The ideas provided in this article will help to give you the confidence to get started on your own design projects.
An excellent suggestion when it comes to home renovation is always considering the room’s usage. If you are decorating you child’s room, you may want to use lively and vivid colors that match well with their personality. Those same colors wouldn’t be appropriate for an office, however.
The mood of your room should be your first decision, as your design elements should work off of this characteristic. There many types of feelings a room an have such as inviting, cozy, energizing and even bold. Choosing a mood before starting will make your decisions more cohesive and more fluid.
If you are interested in interior design, you may want to invest in art. No matter what your personal feelings are for fine are, the addition of a single painting can have a powerful effect on the look of a room. A beautiful painting provides helps to focus your mind on the look of your space, and it can really get you started on your decorating endeavors.
Keep a child’s theme when you are decorating the room for your son or daughter, and put their wishes first. Keep in mind that a child does not see a room in the same way that you see it. Make sure everything is accessible. Try to get a look at the room from a child’s perspective and eliminate anything that would cause problems.
Framed pictures can be used in many creative ways. They are also an important aspect of a room, so don’t neglect them. Pictures and posters can be hung in different angles to improve the appearance. These can be placed in different angles for a unique effect. Altering white spaces can improve the mood of any room in your house.
Consider what function a room must serve before you attempt to decorate it. Think about the amount of people that will occupy the room and what their purpose will be. Also consider your family and frequent visitors when decorating your front room, but when designing bedrooms, consider the person the room will belong to.
Consider applying wallpaper to only half of a wall. Materials are often expensive. A great way to save some money is to only wallpaper part of your walls. Put a bold border around the wallpaper and then paint the other half of the wall with pain that compliments it. Doing this will save you money and leave you with stylish walls.
Are you going to be painting one of your rooms? If so, be patient. In the event that you do this, you may end up hating the color you selected. You should try out some samples and paint them, and then give it some time. See how the samples look in different lighting. Seeing a color on your own wall may change your overall opinion of the fit.
It’s common for people to fear the whole interior design process. But, having knowledge on the subject is the best way to get your project completed. Keep a copy of this list handy and you will always have access to the information needed to keep your home looking beautiful.…
Give Your Home Interior A Makeover With These Quick Tips
Do you like a nicely decorated home, but feel intimidated by interior design? Once you get into interior design you can truly make your home look good. Keep reading for great ideas that can help.
A nice tip for interior design is including various textures or patterns into the room you design. Different patterns and textures add detail and accent each other. If you are designing a room to look more contemporary, patterns and textures are a must.
Get creative when choosing counter-tops for your kitchen. You could go with granite, but other materials like cork, wood and concrete are also options. They can be less costly than other options and will give the kitchen a unique style of its very own.
Ensure that you are keeping track of all the latest trends. You wouldn’t want to appear to be stuck in the 1970’s with outdated decor. Therefore, you should search around and discover how others are renovating their homes nowadays.
Each room in your home should be decorated on the basis of its intended purpose. Ask yourself how many people will be in this room at the same time and what they will be doing. For instance, if you are improving your living room you should make sure their is seating for your family and potential visitors, but if you are working on a bedroom, you should make that room more personal.
Do not jump right into putting paint on the walls. Pick out a color scheme that you know you will love. Paint samples can help you figure out the perfect fit for your room. Take a look at how the paints look in various lighting throughout the day. Seeing a color on your own wall may change your overall opinion of the fit.
Hard surface flooring can cause a room to feel cold and hostile; to warm it up, use large area carpets or throw rugs. Make sure you turn your rugs every now and again so they stay evenly worn. Changing locations or a quick flip or spin can help extend your rug’s good looks.
Don’t be afraid to use your creativity if you are going to paint a room. The Internet is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to this topic. Trying new approaches with painting can lead to a boring looking room come alive in a very quick time.
Mirrors are a great way to open up small spaces. The mirrors will create the illusion of a bigger room and you can make your house look better. Invest in a beautiful mirror to facilitate your interior design project.
Round up a collection. Collections are groupings of like items placed together in a tasteful manner. For instance, three vases make a collection of vases. Three pictures also makes a collection. Group them together for a great display and get people talking!
Based on what you now know, you will be more aware of what works well within interior design. Now that you’re aware of what to do, get started on your home today. Include the tips you learned today into your own interior design projects and turn your once drab home into something amazing!…