In your entire life your home is the most expensive thing you will ever buy. It is also where you spend most of your time. You do not need very much time for the most easy home improvement projects though many people like to spend the evenings and weekends fixing up their place.
Lighting Placement for Home
We all know the significance of the correct lighting in a home. Getting the right lighting in a home is one of the biggest challenges faced by households. Fixing and installing decorative and designer light fixtures is not enough. You should be able to segregate the places at home on the basis of lighting density. Apparently, some places would require more light, while some wouldn't!
Here are some tips that will help you create a proper lighting plan for your home improvement project and it will make sure that you use the right amount of lights at the right places.
Lighting Goals
It is important to have a firm determination of how you would like to project your house. Each room should appear bright, while exhibiting warm and comforting ambiance.
For instance: If you want your bedroom to appear cozy and comforting, you can use more of dim yellow lights or cove lights for better effect. On the other hand, study room should be bright and using white LED lights that can exhibit an active and energized environment.
Multiple Light Sources
This is more effective in studio and compact apartments, where you don't have much space for different activities.
For instance: putting up floor lamps in the dim corners next to your couch or reading chair is a good option. You can also install LED lights in the base counters of your kitchen to increase the visibility. The prime focus is to make every corner of the house functional..
but there has been a lot of transformation in the designs and overall look of chandeliers. There is a wide variety of modern and contemporary chandeliers that you can explore. The key is to buy modern, elegant and slim chandeliers to make a room appear sophisticatedly aesthetic. You may consider buying small and long bulbs, wooden covered lights, crystal finishes, faux candles and so on. Do not forget to measure out the space before buying a chandelier for your home.
Experimenting with lights can help you bring out the best of the ambiance in your home. Consulting an interior design can be a good step if you have any doubts choosing the lighting system for your home or office.
Home Energy Saving
More and more opportunities for energy conservation are becoming available to individuals hoping to benefit from cost-saving and energy saving innovations.
The advantages to these energy saving strategies are evident in the lower energy bills that green home owners experience.
The following energy saving tips can be implemented in your current home or in the green house plans you are planning to build.
- Replace the most frequently used conventional light bulbs with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs that have the Energy Star rating and you will save money on your energy bills and help the environment.
- If you have electronic equipment sitting around your house that you are not using, make sure they are unplugged. An old stereo, a DVD player, the toaster, the microwave and other electronics suck energy even when they aren't in use. The best solution to this problem is to unplug appliances that are not being used.
- Seal and insulate your home well to protect from drafts and air leaks. The attic and basement areas are frequently the biggest culprits of lost air. If you aren't sure how to locate the leakiest areas in your home or if you need a consultation about insulation, contact an energy auditor for help.
- Save water by only watering your lawn and plants when necessary and during the coolest part of the day. Turn water off when shaving and brushing your teeth. Fix leaky toilets as soon as possible, a leaky toilet can waste some 200 gallons of water each day!
- If you are building a new home consider green power as energy sources. Wind and sun are two renewable energy sources that can be captured and used as energy in your home. Solar panels and wind turbines can offer a steady supply of electricity to your home.
Home Gardening
Gardening is a very satisfying experience which some people pursue as a hobby and some do it to enhance the beauty of their home. Growing different types of trees and flowering plants help in flaunting an aesthetic home garden. Thriving plants catch everyone's attention and get admired by the visitors and guests.
There are many factors that influence the growth of plants like soil, water, sunlight, minerals, etc. If all these are provided in the right quantities then the plants grow in a healthy manner. It is crucial to know about a few basic things if you are planning to start a home garden--
Soil -- Good quality soil ensures that the plants get all the nourishment they require. Soil provides many nutrients that are essential for the growth of plants. The type of soil can help in determining whether a specific variety of plants can be grown in it or not. Some plants can grow well in loamy soil and some can even thrive in soil that has high sand content. It is important to know what kind of plants you can grow in your home garden.
Temperature and Light -- Different plants have different requirements of temperature and light. Some plants require ample sunlight for growth and some can grow indoors in artificial light. Similarly, temperature also affects the growth of plants as some of the plants are equipped to handle extreme temperatures and some can survive only in moderate climate. Each variety has its own specific requirements and you should know about them before planting.
Landscape -- A well designed landscape contributes in making your garden look appealing. If you are planning to construct a small pond in the garden then you can grow some aquatic plants in it like Lily, Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce. Cactus and succulent plants that retain water blend well in rocky or desert landscape.
Type of plants -- Select the plants as per your requirements so that they serve the purpose well. If you have a large area then you can plant shady trees and many other ornamental plants. In case if you do not have a lot of space then you can grow plants that require lesser area. You can also grow herbs, vegetables and fruits in your garden. Home grown vegetables and fruits are fresher and healthier as compared to what you get in the markets so you can try growing them in your home garden.
Tools and Techniques -- Make sure to purchase the basic tools that are required for gardening like spade, trimmers, scissors, pruning saw, trowel and rake. If you have the right tools then you can maintain your garden well. Pruning and pinching are common techniques that help in the growth of plants and they can be mastered with time.
These are a few basic things that you should consider before planning out a garden. All these factors will help you choose the right kind of plants for your garden. Once you have planted the seedlings you have to take care of them by providing proper nourishment. You will be amazed to see the flower laden branches when the plants are in full bloom and the sight will give you utmost satisfaction.
It is no different when it comes to your home decor that everyone likes a breath of fresh air. You'd love to redecorate after seeing the same stuff in the same place for years as they are boring except you don't have plenty of money to spend on these extra frills. The above easy home improvement tips will help you to improve your value of home on a budget.
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