Posts Tagged ‘interior design’
Bedroom And Bathroom Renovation Ideas
Before making any home renovations yourself, it is significant to have a full picture of the areas you are planning to remodel in your home. There are bunch of renovation ideas than you can implement. It is critical that you get yourself informed of these ideas so that you will be able to maximize your home renovation plans and come up with various design choices and finally choose the best one that fits your preference.
Let us begin with the bathroom. At present, the bathroom is being acknowledged as one of the most important rooms of a house. Planning a renovation for this room must thus be carefully plotted. To get off the ground, examine the present situation of your bathroom. See how bad of shape it is and how much money you will have to spend if you do renovation. Carefully think of the sort of results you wish to attain, for instance you may want to increase the size of your bathroom.
After carefully thinking of the layout plan, the next thing you have to consider is what ornamenting style you want to put on: orthodox, modern or rustic? There are bunch of breath taking bathroom design available online, it is a great idea to go and see these and pick your choice. Your decision will affect the choice of faucets, light fixtures, etc. Next, ask yourself about the things you desire to add in your bathroom: a separate shower and bath? Do you want to bring more space under the sink? It’s time for you to discover the new techniques for efficient storage solutions. Are there any on-going problems in your bathroom you have to handle during the renovation process? Do you need to add a few more light sources? How about the ventilation? Make sure that you have invest some thought and consideration on the details before you make any last decisions for your bathroom renovation.
Let us go on to the renovation ideas for your bedroom. This is a thrilling part of the renovation process. The bedroom is our own personal sanctuary from the outside world. It gives us the opportunity to lie back, relax and read our favourite books. Since this is a room that most people dont visit, you can put on whatever you desire here. But do remember to have some sort of theme. Pick out the color that you love. Get bedroom furniture that are cozy and is a direct display of your personality and tastes.
Irrespective of what kind of home renovation you want, the best way to have things done the right way is to look for the help of professionals in this field. Describe to them what you want to do and ask for their advice. Through this, you are certain that you are on the right track for your home renovation plans and you are sure that your money is spent wisely.
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Tags: architecture, bedroom design, Family, home improvement, house design, interior design, interior designer, interior ideas, renovation
Common Mistakes On Managing Renovation Projects
A home remodeling or renovation project is not as easy as it may sound. Renovating a building is not just all about how it will look or function, but most importantly you have to consider what kind of materials are utilized during the renovation, how are you going to deal with your suppliers and contractors, etc. These of course will be handled by the person who will manage the project. Thus before a renovation project starts, one of the most vital decisions to be made is who will manage the project.
You can either engage a professional who will do the work or alternatively, you can manage the project yourself. If you choose to manage the work yourself, make sure that you have enough experience to deal with this. According to Gail La Grouw, the following are some common mistakes done by owners who have decided to take over the role of managing the renovation project themselves,
1. Poor Planning
Creating a good plan is a crucial part of your role as a project manager. The success of the project largely depend on this. Your plan must include as much detail as possible. You have to consider planning for contingencies as well.
2. Poor Materials Management
Buying of the right materials at the right time is a large task during renovation. Think about this task properly, as it can be a cause of delay to your schedule. You can also get additional cost if you do not have your materials at the right time.
3. Poor Record Keeping
Lodge everything particularly matters that have to do with finances. Record keeping must be done everyday. You surely will leave out something in your list if you do it in an inconsistent way. Record keeping will also let you know exactly where you are in terms of time and dollars against the plan specification.
4. Not Managing The Work Site
Most subcontractors are trying to cut cost by ignoring a number of rules and workplace safety items. This is a bad thing of course. Make sure that there is a proper insurance for their area of work.
5. Poor Communication
As home owners are not that familiar with terms being used for renovation, miscommunication can happen along the way. Make sure that when you do not understand things, clear it up, but never loose your confidence in front of your contractors of course.
6. Poor Change Management Control
All changes made during the renovation process must be documented and sign off.
7. Not Keeping Check of the Budget
Keep an eye with your budget, as most projects will overrun the initial estimate, make sure to add some percentage of your budget for your contingency plans.
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Tags: bedroom design, Business, home improvement, home interiors, house design, interior design, kitchen design, renovation, renovation contractors, Singapore interior design companies
How To Implement Feng Shui For Your Kitchen Renovation
Kitchen in the world of Feng Shui epitomizes sustenance and prosperity. How you set up things in your kitchen can greatly impact your health and your wealth. In this article we will discuss the different Feng Shui points that you can implement whether you are just about to design your kitchen or if you are about to do renovation.
1. Kitchen Position. When applying Feng Shui in your kitchen, the first thing you need to think about is the location of the kitchen. Ideally, the best location for the kitchen is a space that you don’t see when you enter the house, this would of course be the back of your house.
A view of the kitchen upon getting into the house would make your life revolve around food which most often than not can lead to eating problems.
If you already have your kitchen situated near the entrance of your house, you can implement certain renovation and designing techniques that would divert the attention of any person entering into your house away from your kitchen. A good idea would be to hang curtains that would hide your kitchen.
2. Kitchen layout. You should design the layout in such a way that the cook can clearly see the doorway. Feng Shui consultants also suggests that it is good to have a something reflective in the kitchen. So utensils that are stainless are the way to go. It is also recommended to add mirrors behind the burner, as Chinese think that by adding a reflective burner, you are in away doubling your wealth.
3. Kitchen Lighting. Incandescent bulbs or halogen lights are the most recommended for kitchen. A well lighted kitchen is good for Feng Shui. Lights must be situated such that no shadows are casted while preparing and cooking food.
4. Kitchen appliances and utensils. There must be a grouping among the appliances and utensils in the kitchen. You need to separate fire elements from water elements.
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Tags: bedroom design, Family, home improvement, home interiors, house design, interior design, kitchen design, renovation, renovation contractors, renovation Singapore, Singapore interior design companies
Fireplace Screens And Matching Tools
Fireplace screens have become part of the d?cor of many homes. Online, you can look at pictures of screens and read about the styles, sizes and more. A screen is part of the protecting function of your fireplace, keeping sparks and ashes enclosed will protect your home from fires.
The screen is an important safe function of the fireplace. In order to get screens that fit properly measure the front and add 3 to 5 inches to the height of the fireplace opening. Add 10 to 12 inches to the width of the opening. You are allowing for covering past the opening, therefore giving you maximum protection. Another reason for buying screens larger than the opening is for stand-alone screens so they will not tip over.
Depending on the style of your fireplace, you can pick a screen that fits “all designs”. These usually stand alone and as one panel although the choices are many for stand-alone screens. Allowing extra inches gives room for folds but using common sense decides what you need to add to get the right size.
Screens are for protection and for efficiency. A fireplace is a great source of heat and can be lost if the screen works against you. Glass screens and iron screens give more control over the heat and how much comes off your fireplace instead of going up the chimney.
Choose from wrought iron, graphite, curve glass, brass, and bronze screens just to mention some of the choices. Check out the accessories that come in matching sets with cleaning tools, fire starters, hearthrugs, wood holders, and candelabras are just some of the matching extras.
All you need are your measurements and time to look at fireplace screens. You can stay within a budget and still choose from an assortment of styles and prices. You will not be disappointed with a fireplace screen during the cold winter months.
Jeff Bridges has always enjoyed a warm fire on a cold winter’s night he currently helps run a fireplace screens website, which promotes fireplace screens in all shapes and styles.
Tags: Arts, design, Family, Fireplace Accessories, Fireplace Screens, Home, home decor, house, interior design, parenting, product reviews
Enjoy A Renovated Home And Its Increased Value
After long-term use, when the walls of your house display crevices, roofs start leaking or the paint starts peeling off, it’s time to understand the immediate need for renovation. There are some important factors to the renovation of a house that need to be focused on to make sure that everything turns out as expected.
Where exactly does your house need the renovation and what all elements need to be substituted must be first decided upon. For instance, if the available space is no longer sufficient for your growing family you may think of extending the house or you may try to carve out a portion of your vacant space for making a car garage. Similarly, installing new cabinets or ventilated.
Old electrical appliances installed in the kitchen and other parts of the house can either be mended or disposed off to purchase new ones, so that the interiors too appear fresh and new along with the remaining parts of the house. A sensibly planned renovation will make your house a delightful place to live in.
People very often also want to renovate their house to be able to attract potential buyers. When the intention of uncommon. But if the rise in the ultimate price that the property fetches in the market is lesser than the money spent on renovating it, then the owner might have to repent for his extravagance later on. It is hence always judicious to call in experts who can rightly guide you in your investment decisions regarding renovation and interior design of your property.
Sensible budgeting is also necessary before any renovation is carried out as that way you will be able to keep a check on the expenses. Some added expenditure beyond what the contractor has estimated might be needed during renovation, and the budget has to be prepared while keeping this emergency requirement in mind.
If the total expenditure is coming out too high then you can even consider availing a home renovation loan. There are various renovation loan schemes with flexible payback plans available and you can make use of them to renovate your home.
A new interior design, along with overall renovation is sure to turn your house into a pleasant abode, where not only will you feel great but will also obtain a heightened value of your property in case you plan a resale.
Learn more about interior design and uncover how does property renovation increase the net worth of your property rapidly.
Tags: building renovation, home improvements, home renovation, house improvements, house renovation, interior design, interior upgrades, investment property improvement, Marketing, property upgrades, remodeling, renovation, rental property improvement
Points To Remember While Constructing A Modern Office
Office designs have come a long way since the times when they were popular just as good looking luxurious designs that served no useful purpose. Nowadays it is almost universally accepted that good office design reflects the work philosophy of the company and boosts the productivity levels of the staff, besides ensuring employee retention.
Flexibility, openness and sustainability are the important elements that define a modern office, so you have to consider these when constructing a new office. These objectives cannot be achieved unless a prudent choice of office interior design and office system furniture for the new setup is made, and for this some key factors need to be taken into consideration.
As the first step, it is important to understand what kind of operations will be carried out inside the office. This consideration along with the total floor area of the office will help you decide on what design will fit the office. Designing the layout must also include an estimate of how many people will be working in the office currently and in the coming years.
There must be area for cafeterias and meeting rooms besides enough space for office desks, chairs and other office system furniture. Recreational zones, which can be equipped with pool tables or chessboards, are also very essential as the staff can use them to unwind after long periods of work. Besides, the office should be planned in a manner that ensures optimum space usage without being too crowded.
A perfect office interior design should be minimalist and use soft colour schemes, devoid of any loud and garish elements that make it difficult for employees to concentrate on their work. The interiors must also have sufficient light, so that there is not a single unlit corner in the office.
Modern office system furniture with its smart looks and flexibility to meet employees’ needs raises the productivity of the workforce and gives customers a better feel about the company. However, ergonomics is a vital consideration for choosing office desks and other office furniture, as badly designed furniture leads to health risks for the staff.
You can choose ‘green’ furniture if you want to project an image of an environmentally conscious company before clients. You will take an active approach against ecological degradation if you opt for this kind of furniture, which is usually made from organic fabrics and recycled products. To further build on this theme, you can opt for energy efficient lights and other electrical devices that lower energy usage.
It is always a sensible idea to hire a seasoned office interior designer so that your office incorporates all the positive aspects of beauty, utility and safety that are important for of an ideal office.
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Tags: Business, interior design, interior designer, Marketing, office design, renovation, retail design
Fundamentals Of Retail Design
The core objective of a retail space is to offer an environment in which the retailer can effectively advertise and sell goods to the consumers, and where the consumers can buy those products with ease. That is why retail design, which is the design of retail outlets and spaces, deals with not only the standard features of architecture and interior design, but also components of ergonomics, marketing, and graphic design.
While designing a retail space, it is important that the specific requirements of that particular retail space are taken into consideration. For example, an art gallery would require a completely distinct design and structure from that of a supermarket. When the design is developed, a number of factors have to be taken note of, like the kind of goods on sale, the role played by the sale persons in the sale of the goods and the quantity of the items that have to be showcased. Also, in some retail areas, items just have to be exhibited, while in others, the buyers would also like to test the items in the premises. The retail design chosen would therefore differ accordingly.
In addition to the practical details of a retail design, the attractiveness of the retail area from the point of view of the customers should also be taken into account. It is essential that the environment of the retail store looks amicable to the buyers so that they are encouraged to purchase the items. The designing of the retail space can immensely contribute in this regard. There should also be space within the store for promoting the goods through advertisements to enhance the likelihood of a sale.
Further, the retail space atmosphere should make a lasting impression on the purchasers so that they come back to the store and purchase more items. Thus, an expert retail designer must focus extensively on the environment of the retail space that will make sure that the purchasers enjoy and have an excellent shopping experience.
To create a good retail design, it is essential to have a fair understanding of promotion basics, space planning and some idea of buyers’ psychology, along with other things. It is essential that the owner of the retail space understands these concepts in order to inform the designer about his particular requirements and the retail designer comprehends them to properly execute as per the needs.
Designing the store interior well is very critical, but there is one other thing that must be kept in mind. The outside design and look of the store must also be appealing to draw buyers to the store so that they come in and look at the goods.
Learn more about the best Interior Design firm providing an entire spectrum of Retail Design services.
Tags: Business, interior design, interior designer, interior designing, Marketing, office design, retail design
Benefits Of Buying Flueless Gas Fires
Flue principally means the opening for smoke in a chimney. Flueless pieces of equipments have been available from quite some time in the markets. Such gismos have been used in America and Japan for quite a few years now. It is just presently that the population in the United Kingdom has also started to use it. It is, in fact, very beneficial, and much better in terms of safety than the conventional fire places.
The major help that flueless gas fires offer is that they are very uncomplicated to fix in the house. Nowadays, majority of houses are not structured with an inbuilt fire place and a chimney. Hence, they make the job of Santa a bit more difficult for him. Modern houses are not equipped with passageways or flues for the smoke to escape from the house. Therefore, individuals think that they will never have their dream fire places in their accommodations. For new houses, flueless gas fires are the best and the wisest option.
An advantage with flueless gas fires is that they can be simply fitted in any part of the house, provided that the room has a gas connection. In contrast to the conventional fire places, flueless fireplace can be easily built, and requires just a minimal building work. These fireplaces blaze without throwing ash on the floor, which is highly effective in maintaining cleanliness in the house.
Another point to note is that flueless gas fires are eco-friendly. Flueless gas fires have a catalytic converter that converts potentially toxic and harmful gases, like carbon monoxide, into harmless gases, that is, into carbon dioxide and water vapour. Filters are not needed in this case, and it saves time, energy and, the most important of all, money.
No doubt, its first time installation price is high, but it proves to be much cheaper than the conventional fire places in the longer run. Since you do not need to use logs in it, the fire continues to blaze for the whole night. Hence, it saves price of buying wood as well as energy, which is another eco-friendly thing. They can also be installed at various prices.
Flueless gas fires are hundred percent efficient. While it is operating, no heat is lost through the chimney, as is the case with old fire places. This also means that more heat remains in the room itself, which warms up the rooms quicker than the competitor.
However, there are a number of areas in the house that remain cold, like basement or the loft, where one cannot even think of installing fireplaces. Hence, it is highly recommended to take advice from an expert of the field, before choosing a place, for its installation. These can be easily installed in any wall or a plane.
For these reasons, flueless gas fire is a much better option for generating a pleasant atmosphere at house, without experiencing any conventional tortures. Most of the individuals do not understand the fact that it is an additional insentient bonus.
Tags: buying flueless, Contemporary Gas Fires, Electric Fires, fire place, flueless gas fires, Gas Fires, Home, interior design
Shabby Chic Can Benefit Those On A Budget
Have you ever heard of the design Shabby Chic and wondered what exactly the style is? Well here is a look.
Flexibility is key if Shabby Chic is your goal, because the term itself has different meanings depending on who’s using it. It’s kind of like deciphering real estate ads. Where “cute” or “cozy” might mean a house so small the mice are hunchbacked, Shabby Chic can mean something of character that has a few scratches, or something of quality that’s fallen on hard times. Its value lies in its original quality and its durability, making it worth the effort to fix it up.
Decorating your home the Shabby Chic way is a great idea when working with a budget. Just $100.00 can get you a long way with thrift stores and yard sales, especially family attics.
If you’re able to find furniture which looks like it has had its years worth, paint peeling, tarnished copper, and even the scratches you’ve come across a great furniture piece for Shabby Chic.
When prowling secondhand shops and flea markets for your Shabby Chic, look for faded quilts, especially patchwork designs. Keep alert for old fabrics with patterns such as Cabbage Rose, lace curtains and tablecloths, and comfortable overstuffed armchairs that just need a little TLC.
Here are a few tips on designing your own Shabby Chic room.
If you have family members who have tons of stuff stored in their attics or basement and they don’t want to dispose of it in the trash, ask if you can go through it. Guarantee you’ll find one or more items that will come in handy for your design.
If you have furniture which you want to keep but still create that Shabby Chic design. Try painting the furniture pieces and then sanding them in different locations to give it that worn look without it actually being worn. Just $5.00 on paint and sand paper and you have yourself a new piece of furniture.
Grays, pinks, greens, blues, creams, and whites are great colors to use in your design. You can use the neutral colors on the walls and then add the other colors throughout with linens, throws, and window treatments.
Place an old scarf over your dresser and night stands to give it a great look. Pillows, pillows, and more pillows is another way to top your furniture such as your bedding.
You’ll have to learn to look past all the scratches and dents in furniture and think of it as the new life which is coming out from underneath.
No matter what your design comes out to be in the end, Shabby Chic is the way to go!
Tags: Family, home decorating, interior design, shabby chis decor
Decorating Your Home With Round Area Rugs
If you are unsure about which area rug is for you, a quick solution is to choose a round area rug. This option will avoid the chances of you buying what seems to be a perfect rug, only to find that it is too small, too big, or the wrong shape for the room. Whether they are rich, deep-hued Persian or plain pastels, round area rugs provide instant drama when added to a room. You are sure to find one to go with your design as they some in virtually every dcor theme and work with any room shape.
The two main materials used in making area rugs are natural fibers and synthetic. Both have their advantages. The natural fibers are more eco-friendly then the synthetic but the synthetic is stronger.
If you want a rug that offers a wide variety of colors and won’t fade or stain then you may want to purchase an acrylic rug. One of the most popular rugs is the polypropylene area rugs. These rugs are not only durable but they are stain resistant as well. These rugs are also round. The nylon rugs are a not a comfortable rug but they are very durable and easy to maintain. These rugs are great in the kitchen and the bathroom. Wool area rugs are the best rugs. Wool rugs have a natural air filter material that is very soft. Cotton area rugs are even softer than the wool rugs. Cotton rugs don’t last that long. Jute area rugs are soft rugs but they can fade easily when they are left in direct sunlight and they are very sensitive to moisture. Sisal area rugs are great for everyday wear. Jute, sea grass, and bamboo are good choices as far as material is concerned. But they are best used in areas without a lot of traffic.
Round rugs work well in any room but the overall design of the room will determine how well they fit in. a bathroom rug can double up as a drying mat as well as serving as the centerpiece of the room. A square or rectangular rug can fold or crease but this does not happen as easily with a round rug. Water damages natural fibers and wool so make sure you choose a synthetic rug.
A lot of people will use an area rug as padding for their furniture. But covering them up with a sofa in your living room is a waste, especially if you have an oriental rug. Use the middles of the room to place your rug and if you have kids they can also use it for playing with their toys.
The design of a round area rug needs to complement the design of your room. A more streamlined look can be created with a well-chosen rug pulling all the design elements together. Your chosen rug should at least match on of the dominant colors in a room. Opt for neutral pieces like black or beige area rugs if you are not sure about what your design theme is going to be. Look for bright red area rugs to create instant flare in a room, especially if you are feeling bold.
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Tags: Family, home accessories, home decorating, interior design, round area rugs
Add Coziness to Your Room with Unfinished Pine Furniture
Do you feel daunted by the thought of picking your own wood furniture? There are so many different woods and styles to choose from. So which wood can give you that cozy room feel and still give you the freedom to create something unique? That will be pine. Unfinished pine furniture is a great option as you can finish it with paint, varnish and even lacquer to make it suit your room style. Read below for some hints on how to buy the best unfinished pine furniture.
Pine furniture is less expensive when compared to most other wood pieces. This is especially true when you purchase the unfinished furniture and that is the reason why it is the most popular choice among all wood furniture. The unfinished pine furniture can be painted, stained or could be covered with a clear coat of varnish. The grain and knots in the pine provide a unique look to the furniture. This furniture can blend well with other kinds of woods and you can try mix and match with those pieces.
Unfinished pine furniture can make a room very cozy. By applying the finish yourself you can decide which sort of style you want. It could be rustic or modern, dark or light. By using pine furniture you will find that it makes the room look lighter and not filled with heavy dark bookshelves etc.
This kind of furniture is very affordable. You can find them at reasonable prices sold at big-box retail stores. Another source to buy this unfinished furniture pieces are at IKEA where they have a full range of mass-produced unfinished furniture including pine.
You will just have to put together the pieces with some patience but it’s not too difficult. You can also find unfinished pine furniture at resale shops and yard sales. If the piece of furniture is in good condition, you can even strip and refinish them as per your taste.
There are few more things to keep in mind before you decide on this furniture. The quality of this furniture varies widely. Pine is more pliable when compared to most of the other hardwoods but if you construct them well, they can last for even decades.
Check for the amount of knots on the wood as too many knots will make the wood weaker. Pine has a very unique grain and lots of people will want to show it off so just be sure that it doesn’t have too many knots.
You can personalize unfinished pine furniture by painting or stenciling thereby providing flexibility even in your child’s room. Refinish and repaint them as your child’s tastes changes.
Tags: decorating, furniture, Home, home improvements, interior design, product reviews, unfinished furniture, unfinished pine furniture
Master Bedroom Decorating Scheme
The master bedroom has the privilege of having the biggest space among all the bedrooms in the house. This makes decorating it so much fun! You can decorate as you please without having to worry of stuffing the bedroom into a crowded place. The master bedroom can have secondary spaces for activities you like doing.
Creating your own special nook in your master bedroom can be done many different ways. One easy way to do it is to pick a corner, and set up shop! You can designate a different space by adding an area rug to it. A rug centered in the middle of the space tends to block it off from the rest of the room. Add a comfy chair, small table, and lamp and voila! Your reading nook is complete. If your master bedroom is large enough and you want a television nook, then you can put a small television stand and television, in front of an area rug. Complete the look with your favorite chair and lamp and your television nook is in place. Area rugs are easily attainable online as well. This will cut some time off of your day of running errands! With a simple click of your mouse, the accessory for your nook will arrive at your front door.
Decorate the bedroom to suit you and your husband’s interests. If both of you like to read, then the reading nook is perfect. If you like watching movies, the TV nook is a great idea too. Colors are ideally low-toned, neutral or light to create a relaxing, soothing ambiance. Even an all-white motif is okay if you don’t like too much fuss with the wall paint. You can always brighten or darken the bedroom with the use of fabrics as in the beddings, cushions, area rug and curtains.
Whether your idea of unwinding is having a good book to read, watching television and movies, or doing puzzles, you should find a way to incorporate this into your master bedroom. Above, you saw tips on how to incorporate television and reading areas. You can also create a craft corner! Set up a small table where you can either scrapbook, do jigsaw puzzles or write letters and journal. A corner desk is ideal for this, as they don’t take up quite as much space as an actual table. Feel free to leave your things out if you don’t mind looking at a little clutter on a table. This way, your hobby is at your fingertips when you have the time to get back to it.
There are many ways to decorate the bedroom. Just think of what you can do with colors, decors, fabrics and accessories, and the ideas are endless.
Tags: bedroom decorating, Family, home decorating, interior design, master bedroom decorating
How To Benefit From LED Lighting In Your Kitchen
Great kitchen lighting design typically utilises a large amount of lighting (which means more than just installing a few extra ceiling roses). Kitchen lighting needs a variety of types of lighting for different areas and purposes. The absolutely worst way to illuminate a kitchen is using bright fluorescent ceiling strip lights. They’re certainly very bright – but also flat, cold and guaranteed to give you a headache into the bargain.
Clearly, a major problem with central ceiling roses in a kitchen is that they create dark spots and you are always casting your own shadow onto worktops. A popular solution is to fit a number of halogen down lights in a pattern in the ceiling to produce uniform general light and install extra lighting specifically for worktops and hobs etc.
This does indeed work quite well, but brings its own set of problem: halogen lamps run at very high temperatures; they don’t last well; and they are pretty much the most expensive possible way to light a kitchen. Over ninety percent of the cost of incandescent lighting in general (and halogen lamps in particular) is the electricity they consume.
This one fact helps explain the growing popularity of cool, super energy efficient LED kitchen lights. For mains powered lighting you simply replace all existing GU10 halogen lamps with equivalent GU10 LED lights. For low voltage systems, you first replace existing 12 volt transformers with a smaller number of constant voltage 12 volt LED drivers (each can power a number of light fittings) then replace MR16 halogens with LED light bulbs.
The three main aspects to consider when installing LED spotlights are: luminosity (brightness); colour temperature (how cool/blue or warm/yellow); and beam angle. Try to match these as close as possible to the characteristics of the halogen lamps you might otherwise have considered using.
It has become the norm to measure brightness according to wattage, but the wattage ratings for LED light bulbs are approximately 10% compared to normal incandescent or halogen bulbs of the same brightness. Accordingly you should look to replace a 35w halogen lamp with 3-4w LED and a 50w with probably a 5w LED.
Color temperature describes how cool or warm a light appears. LED lights are available in a variety of white color temperatures (and also, colors) but since it has always been easier to manufacture blue LEDs, many cheap LEDs tend to have a cold/bluish tinge. Go for warm white (color temperatures below 3500K) for a reasonable approximation to the kind of white light normally associated with halogen lamps.
The narrower the beam angle (45 degrees for example) the tighter and more spot-like any light will appear, while 120 degrees gives an even spread of light and eliminates hot-spots and glare. Arguably the best LED spotlight presently on the market as a direct replacement for halogen spots is the Zenigata LED from Sharp.
A critical component that determines how artificial light actually appears is not the light itself but the surface on which it is shining. To create a warm feel simply direct spot lights at warmly coloured areas (clay tiles, wood or just a wall painted in warm colours). If a dramatic effect is what you’re after, try shining blue LEDs at either dark or reflective surfaces – blue LED light bounced off granite or steel can appear stunning.
Use lights with differing characteristics against different textures and colors to obtain different effects in specific zones in the kitchen. There are so many options, especially with LED strip lighting systems for accenting plinths, coving, worktops and just about anything else you could think of. The best advice though is stick with just one or two ideas – you’ll be surprised how stunning even a modicum of LED kitchen lighting looks.
Tags: decor, design, Home, home improvement, interior design, kitchen, kitchen design, kitchen lighting, LED kitchen lighting, LED lighting, LED lights, lighting, lighting ideas
How to Make Your Kitchen and the Eat in Area Look New
Kitchens are one space which you never really thing about decorating since it’s usually just for cooking. By decorating the place with a few items here and there you’ll notice it will seem much cozier. Kitchens are of course one area of the home that can be small but cost a pretty penny to update so make sure you are aware on what exactly you’ll be taking on if you decide to update your kitchen.
Instead of remodeling the kitchen try updating it with a few different techniques. Try new paint to update the feel of the room’s decor and changing window treatments. If your appliances are a bit newer and at least match you won’t have to worry about updating these at this point. Just a few different changes may make the space seem larger and cleaner.
Cabinets are another thing you may change in a kitchens design. You either can paint them or spend a few bucks on new handles for the drawers and cabinets. That will be a small change that will go a long way. Since there are so many different types of handles out now for purchase you’ll find one that best fits your style and design of your kitchen space.
If you have enough sunlight coming into your kitchens window you can always purchase a great hanging plant or even one you can place in the window to give it a great natural feel. If you aren’t looking for anything which needs to be watered, silk arrangements are a great way to go as well and still look real. Another great touch is old bottles which you can fill with colored water to look like oil and vinegar. It’s a great touch to a traditional kitchen style and will also act as great decor.
Canister sets are great to keep on the counter and if yours are a few years old try replacing them with a different tone which has a design or a different color that blends in with the rest of the area. They are inexpensive and will get their pennies worth! If you aren’t someone who likes to spend if they don’t need to replace something, add a stencil onto the existing canister sets if applicable. That will create a look of new ones with only spending a few dollars on the paint and stencil.
Most flooring in the kitchen and eat in areas are either some type of hardwood or vinyl flooring. Vinyl floors can come in squares or sheet goods, but it doesn’t matter because in the winter it can be cool to walk on. Consider using an area rug in the colors of your kitchen under the dining table. This not only helps with the cool floor but it will also keep the floor from being scratched by chairs being scooted around and if you have hardwood floors, scratches can be detrimental.
The last little items which you can place around the kitchen for a bit more decor is candles. These will add colors along with great scents when lit. If you have enough counter space try purchasing a fruit basket which you can place real fruit or even fake in as a great little decoration.
Tags: Home, home decor, interior design, kitchen