Don’t you just love being part of the internet influenced world of today? Along with the possibility of staying in touch with loved ones all over the globe, and finding out various sources of information within seconds, we also have the chance to do some shopping online without even leaving our homes.
In a time when it’s unimaginable to go through the day without some sort of electronic device, or let alone without the internet, it’s needless to say modern households have a great number of devices (read three devices per person in a family on average) and appliances that are used on a daily basis. Sure, we’ve become so attached that we can see all the benefits of the tech world, but at what cost?
If paying for the devices wasn’t enough, we see an increase in the amount we get to pay in the form of electricity bills; that’s also without mentioning the rest of the expenses. So, what’s a way out of this, if there is any? Opting for solar energy by purchasing solar products, of course. Everyone knows Australia is the sunniest country, since there’s more solar coverage (more direct normal irradiance) per square metre than anywhere else on the planet.
It’s important to do your math before you actually carry on with the purchase of solar products (e.g. off grid package – solar panels, inverters, MPPT regulators, batteries) so you’d know how much of coverage it is you require, based on the amount of usage of electricity in your household. This ensures the solar powered system you install provides the sufficient amount of energy. What’s so desired about these systems is the chance to go off grid, and the fact you actually use renewable energy that doesn’t harm the environment.
The next step would be to make a thorough inspection of your home, and see whether the insulation is at a satisfactory level. If you want to count on successful check-up, equip with a laser thermometer and head to the openings such as windows, doors, floors, vents, and light switches, so as soon as you notice a temperature difference, you’d know where there’s leakage.
Gaps can easily be fixed with insulation foam. Speaking of insulation, it’s also advisable to insulate your water heater, and make sure the fridge gets regular check-up and maintenance – the two are huge wasters of energy in your home.
Another aspect you should pay attention to is the lighting. Sure, we all need lighting, there’s no way around it, but you can at least install dimmer light switches so you’d use the appropriate amount of energy at the appropriate part of the day, and get to create a soothing atmosphere at that. Don’t forget, prudent baby step choices lower the bill, and help save the planet in the long run.
Changing our whereabouts is something we both enjoy and fear at the same time. The prospect of starting anew with a blank canvas that you yourself have the power to paint on is surely motivating. But on the other hand, having so much responsibility can be a tricky thing. What if you end up not liking what you’ve created? Or what if you’re like most of us, on a tight budget and don’t know what are the home décor accessories to invest in? To help you get started, here are a few steps you can take to tastefully decorate your place without having to spend a fortune.
Resist the Urge to OvercrowdExcited to be moving in a new place, people will often completely accessorise it with one exhilarating shopping trip. However, it’s much better to live with your home a bit in order to better understand the space and get inspired from it. Shop for all the staple furniture first, and only than start to gradually decorate it. This will give you the chance to discover an interior theme. Even if you already have in mind the style you’d like to capture consider this – Every theme is beautiful on its own as long as it’s in the appropriate amounts. Recently, the Cape Cod theme is one very popular request. I bet you’ve already seen it least a couple of times so you know the basics. The usual blue and white nautical palette in small amounts captured on your pillows, artwork with sailor motifs and materials that capture the coastal vibe such as rattan will capture the effect without the room becoming a cliché.
Know Where to Save and Where to SpendConsider the wear and tear aspect and don’t blow your money on toss pillows or décor that you will have to replace after a season or two. However, feel free to splurge on bigger-ticket home décor accessories such as a large area rug, or an original art piece. Investment pieces like that can be the little black dress of your interior design look, the foundation you will use to built on. Later, you can use affordable and replaceable items such as a throw blanket for your sofa, some candles as coffee table décor, and other charming home décor accessories to pull the look together.
Anchor the Room’s Design with a Focal PointIn every story, there are leading characters and supporting roles. And the same holds for your interior design story. Choose a few home decor accessories that will be impressive enough to capture the spotlight, while the rest of the décor should be toned down as to not overwhelm the space. For instance, a good dramatic point can be a bold art piece above the mantel in the living room, a large wall clock, an impressive antique vase, or perhaps a luscious Persian rug. Whatever piece you choose, note that it should be according to the tone of the room. A relaxed Hamptons style room can be reaffirmed by a décor piece such as an anchor or a frame made out of sea shells and rope, whereas a painting of a lavender field will look lovely in a charming French cottage style living room.
From the impending sound of machine gun fire flying by, to an enemy ship passing overhead, to the easily distinguishable clatter of the floor boards as you disable your enemies electronics with an EMP – adding a high performance surround sound system to your video game console will provide you a brand new and exciting gaming experience.
With today’s games being made like blockbuster movies, where developers pay a lot of attention to ambient noises, soundtracks, dialogue and heavily rely on the element of sonic surprise more than ever before, the bar keeps rising and rising. If you’re an avid gamer looking to get the best possible gaming experience, whether solo or multi-person gaming sessions, having a surround sound installation or an entire home theatre system to play on can be an incredibly valuable level-up.
As Steven Spielberg put it: “Sound and music make up for more than half the communication in the story, greater even than what you’re seeing.”- and the same can be applied to video games. So as you sit down to play the newest FPS like Call of Duty, or Battlefield 1, you’ll find yourself lost in the directional audio prompts which are designed to provide a more detailed picture of what’s happening around you.
War planes passing by and being heard as if they were truly flying over your head. The distant sniper can be heard and it’s easier to pin-point their location. You’ll be able to correctly locate the ticking of bombs and mines about to blow up, and you’ll feel explosions and the sound your RPG makes against your shoulder as you take down an enemy tank.
On the other hand, there are games that have spectacular audio elements and soundtracks. Guitar Hero Live, for instance, can become a great bonding activity for the entire family on Sunday nights, as you’ll all feel the kick of the bass drum and groove it with your loved ones.
There are just so many great things about having a surround sound installation in your home, even if you aren’t an avid gamer. You can still watch the newest movies and feel like the action that’s in front of you on the screen is happening all around you. And while it isn’t the cheapest thing ever, a home theatre system and a surround sound system can be a very worthwhile investment if you’re an introvert and likes spending most of their free time at home, watching movies or playing video games.
When you have an outdoor area, it’s always a good time to get a bit of sunbathing, read a book in fresh air, or just unwind listening to the songs of birds, idly marvelling at the surrounding sights of nature, spending time enjoying your own company. But question is: Are you really alone?
If you live in a densely populated area, it’s needless to say you might not always go unspotted by some nosy passer-by. If this is your case, then read through the article as it’s meant to provide you with steps to enhance privacy in your home outdoors.
One of the most enjoyable solutions, as it both provides you with some liveliness and lush greenery, as well as helps keeping prying eyes away, is adding one of the many lilly pilly trees Australia round nurseries have in store. Lilly pillies have become known as Australian cherries due to their reddish pinkish fruit, but one of the reasons many Australians are including them in their yards is they grow quickly, as up to 30 metres, and are evergreen.
Of the many varieties of lilly pilly trees Australia wide nurseries provide, you can expect to find dwarfish varieties as well, if you’re up for smaller growth (50cm-3m) – all of which have the same resilient properties, able to tolerate drought, growing in full sun or semi-shade spots. As long as you tend to their needs correctly, you wouldn’t have to worry about pest problems since keeping them well fed and watered would ensure they’d grow to be resilient.
Wanting to keep noise pollution out of the way, along with the prying eyes, you can resort to the many fencing solutions, in the likes of stone walls, or wooden boards. You can further amp up their level of privacy by planting a few thick shrubs right beside them. If you’re up for more natural options, you can consider building up a wall of vertical garden, with plenty of plants and pots shielding you, or try the raw beauty of a wattle fence – a fence you can decorate with numerous branches.
Curtains and shutters are obvious privacy screen options, if you’re up for spicing up the area with a bit of colour and texture. And, of course, we can’t omit the power of pergolas, trellis, and canopies. The great thing about them is, apart from providing you with the privacy you require, they also serve as the decorating canvas for lighting fixtures for instance.
You can make the most out of this addition by engaging in a DIY project, and incorporating ideas of your own; Adding privacy equals customising your outdoor area.
Every person on this planet has certain problems, we all have situations that are difficult to deal with, every once in a while most of us wish we could just fly off to a different place and just forget everything, never come back home. If you turn your home into your sanctuary, like I did, you won’t get this urge often as you’d get reenergised at home, so much so in fact, you’d even forget about holidays for some time.
Occasionally, I enjoy the rest and relaxation of spas, also taking the overall well-being benefits into account, so I figured why not turn my home into the resting and relaxing place a spa is instead, save up on money and time along the way by giving up going to local spas. So, I started working on this idea.
Though I expected it to be somewhat difficult, it got easier than I thought, and I owe it to the ingenuity of the far infrared heating pad. You get all the muscle relaxation in a matter of minutes, with no fuss, and you reap all the benefits of the infrared rays that penetrate through your skin without even sweating.
I get the same benefits as I do from a sauna, and I still get to save up on space at home that a sauna would require. I can place the far infrared heating pad just about anywhere at home, wherever there’s a flat surface and it doesn’t have to be the floor, it can be a bed, or couch, all that’s required is an electrical socket, I plug it in, set the temperature, and I get my own personalised spa in an instant.
I feel so relaxed afterwards, that I feel as though I’d been on a long deserved holiday, with no sight of stress or anxiety, knowing my body got the therapy required to detoxify – when I think about it, I find it as relaxing as yoga too!
Then again, when it comes to a sanctuary, it all starts and ends with sleep. If you haven’t known by now, sleep deprivation can make you grumpy and shake up your relationships, but that’s not the least damage it can do when it comes to your health and ability to deal with and solve problems.
I used to be the typical modern day person, surrounded by electronics even in my bedroom, then wondered why I wasn’t getting the quality sleep and started having insomnia every once in a while. With a bit of research, and diet changes (I don’t eat midnight snacks anymore…), I also said bye to all the electronics in my bedroom.
Everything counts in this transformation project, so if you have an outdoor area, don’t forget to include it. You can immediately turn your patio, deck, or yard into a stress-free zone by adding a hammock. Afternoon nap in fresh air? Check. Relaxing reading time while sunbathing? Check. Stargazing at night with your favourite night-cap? Check.
That’s the point of this project, to get everything in your home that would reflect relaxation, instead of something that stresses you out. Speaking of which, this would be the perfect time to also get rid of all the clutter you might be having around. These are the steps I’ve taken, and I have to admit, they all work wonders for me. Are there other steps you could take to turn your home into a sanctuary? I’m up for more ideas!
The powering of large outdoor machines and industrial equipment depends on the potency of stationary engines. These motors are called stationary because they consist of no running parts. The immobile framework and lack of running parts that can break down make stationary engines reliable and potent enough to generate power for all kinds of heavy duty outdoor equipment such as water pumps or generators, factory machines, mills and other immobile equipment.
Stationary engines enjoyed large popularity in the time when every factory or mill produced its own power. Now that more and more factories begin to draw their electricity from the electrical grid, the applications for the stationary motors have declined. However, outdoor jobs on construction sites, roads or farms that have no connection to the power grid have to rely on a stationary motor to make sure they are always on task.
You are probably wondering how can a stationary motor be moved to different place for outdoor jobs when it’s immobile. As a matter of fact, there are engines that operate in one place, but can be transported to another spot for later operation. Although the inside design of these motors is stationary, they received the name portable engines in order to set them apart form the ones that are permanently immobile. Therefore, a permanently stationary motor will be suitable only for the running of a factory or a mill, while a stationary one is convenient for outdoor work.
Another major consideration you will have to take when choosing the engine most suited for your job is size. A small sized stationary engine can only deliver electricity less than 188 KW. This means that small engines can power only small outdoor applications. But if you need large amounts of torque for commercial applications, medium sized engines are a great choice. Larger engines are used in large transportation vessels such as ships, submarines, and even airplanes.
Today there are a dozens of brands of stationary motors to choose from. You have some regular names in the motor industry like Yamaha or Hyundai, and then there are trusted Australian brands like Thornado that provide A-class stationary engines with prices suitable for both large factories and the average Australian farmer. Most of them use diesel as fuel, but there are models that run on petrol as well, if that’s your preferred option.
Finally, if you have a rusty stationary engine handed down from a great great grandpa, don’t toss it out just yet – vintage stationary engines from the 19th century are regarded today as important period pieces and are popular collector’s items. The UK especially has a fascination with them and has dedicated a few museums where visitors can see stationary engines in operation. Internal combustion stationary engines are the centrepieces of many steam rallies which include a special exhibit section dedicated to them. All of these engines are exhibited in operation powering water pumps, hand tools and the like, thanks to private individuals who worked to restore them.
Think about the long summers we have in Australia and the overall pleasant weather that prevails. Now think about your yard and the beautiful grass laying on it. And then, I bet another not so pleasant thought comes to your mind – all the time you’ll need to spend mowing the lawn and maintaining its good looks because oh well, it is summer and one of your favourite things to do is host your loved ones once the sun goes down.
And once you realize that maintaining the lawn will be one of the more frequent tasks around the house during summer time, you’d want to invest in a high-quality machine; one that would make this easier and will be able to help you keep your lawn in a good shape in a minimum amount of time. Now here’s a bit of help to choose a mower that will make maintaining your greenery a breeze all summer long!
Nothing can quite alter an interior design and change the feel of a space like decorative mirrors. They add warmth, reflect light, make spaces appear larger and add interest. Convenience and style at their finest! And since a mirror reflects what is in front of it, it is a must that you wisely choose the wall where you will place it.
In today’s article I’ll focus on one rather unique style of interior design – Indian. Exotic elegance, antique accents, handcrafted furniture, a variation of stunning accessories and a breathtaking mix of colours are what characterizes this distinct interior design style. There are a couple of considerations to bear in mind when choosing an aesthetic staple such as a mirror, so let’s begin clearing things up for you.
Falling asleep might seem like mission impossible when you’ve been tossing and turning in bed for an hour, but good sleep can be put in control, and as a matter of fact, it is not rocket science. Following healthy sleeping habits can make all the difference between restlessness and a restful slumber. For the sake of your good mood and health, take a look at the following simple tips to make the most out of your sleep.
As hard as it might seem in the beginning, going to bed and waking up at a similar time every day is a crucial step in getting the most out of your sleep time. This routine helps set the body’s “internal clock” to expect sleep at a specific time night after night which will help you get a healthy dose of Z’s. Try to also stick as closely as possible to the routine you have established on weekends so that you avoid a Monday morning sleep hangover.
Just like you wouldn’t dare to run a marathon or go hiking without previously equipping yourself with the right gear, the same way you should not go to bed unprepared. And despite the fact that we spend one third of our lives sleeping, many people disregard the importance of it and are not adequately prepared in the bedroom. Yes, I’m talking about their bed and the mattress they sleep on. If you suddenly got the temptation to blame your tight budget for dozing off on a less-than-ideal mattress, stop right there. With the huge array of options available, finding quality mattresses Melbourne wide that will be ideal for your body and sleep preferences, should not be hard. Think about it, getting a bit more shut-eye can help you improve your memory, shed some kilos, put you in better mood and live longer. Considering all this, can you really put a price tag on good sleep? Browse the various mattresses Melbourne based online or offline stores and make your pick today. After all, your health is your biggest wealth.
During the day it is recommended that you are exposed to as much as natural light as it is possible. Research has proven that daylight helps tell the brain to wake up, which probably explains it why we find it so hard to get up early during winter time as it is still dark in 7 am. Plus, daylight helps keep your internal clock on a healthy sleep-wake cycle. So, to enjoy a good night’s sleep, put the blinds up and let the light in first thing in the morning. And yes, turning off the lighting in your room when you go to bed is also a must. Also, stay away from your electronic devices at least an hour before you go to bed as the light they emit will interfere with your sleep.
It looks like the good old window shutters have made a comeback and are here to stay in their full glory. This should come as no surprise though – wooden window shutters are versatile, affordable and practical, while also conveying a classic elegance and increasing the value of a home. This amazing window solution can be the missing piece in the aesthetics of any décor scheme (from cottage style and bohemian to traditional and modern).
But still, not all wooden window shutters for sale are a one-size-fits-all accessory. You’ll need to put a lot of factors into consideration to choose something that not only looks great on your windows, but brings functionality to your living space as well. Here are the 3 steps to consider.
The term wooden is incredibly broad and can contain dozens of types of timber. However, not all wood works the same for window shutters. For instance, there’s the hard timber choices such as oak, maple and poplar. Most people tend to associate these materials with high-quality, but in reality, they are very heavy and cause too much pressure on window jambs and screws which can result in a lot of damage over time.
On the other hand, there’s fast growing timber often used in the production of premium shutters, painted or stained. They have incredible insulating properties and last a lot longer than cheaper wood composites. From these fast grown trees, basswood is by far the most popular choice for wooden window shutters. Even after being processed, it still retains its unparalleled natural beauty, rich colour and sheen. But perhaps its greatest advantage is that it’s one of the more lightweight wood materials for shutters while also having a strong construction. Window shutters made out of basswood are known for their incredible longevity and weather resistance.
Custom made wooden window shutters have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years as more and more people discover their many advantages. Having your shutters custom made enables you to have control over their final look and to decide on the mounting location. Whether you decide to get an inside or an outside mount depends on several factors, such as the architectural style of your home, the desired look you’re hoping to get and the practical side of each option.
The strongest argument for interior shutters is that they are enclosed and completely protected from the elements. This makes them easier to maintain and prolongs their lifespan. Moreover, being on the inside means that you can incorporate them as an interesting décor piece in your interior design.
Exterior shutters are found in houses that lean towards the traditional and rustic style. They completely cover the windows from the outside and offer great protection against vandalism. Being on the outside means that they will be exposed to the elements. But on the bright side, they make an impressive design statement which brings sophistication and warmth to any home’s exterior.
When you think of traditional window shutters, the usual image that comes to mind is that of a front-facing tilt bar. The bar is located on the front of each set of louvres and you can manipulate it upward or downward to let the sun in or block it out.
However, the classic look is no longer your only option. If you’re not sure whether this traditional shutter look fits your style, there are other alternatives as well. One option is to install hidden bars behind the louvres, completely out of sight. This is a convenient solution if you love to be able to look through the open louvres without any bars obstructing your wonderful front view.
Then, there are split tilt systems which combine the best of the previous two styles. These are especially great for shutters covering large windows. Both louvre sections are separated horizontally into two shutter panels which you can control separately via the split-tilt system. This way you can close off the bottom half for privacy, while the sun enters though the upper half which is left open.
Despite being a small design element, the letterbox has the most prominent position in a home’s exterior. It’s the first thing that captures the eye’s attention and therefore, it is important for creating a nice first impression of a home. Simply by taking the time and investing a couple of dollars more in the model and make of your letterbox, you can create the perfect combination of functionality and style. For that reason, here are the 3 important steps to consider when looking for the letterbox that will complement your home.
A studio apartment may not be the home you always dreamed of, but with the power of details and interior design you can definitely make the most of it and convert it into an astonishing place to be. What most people would agree on regarding small spaces, especially apartment studios, would be the fact that they don’t offer intimacy. However, there are many creative ways that can help you create more intimate areas.
And trust me, I know how you feel. I know you think of your home as a place where all hell breaks loose because it’s where you sleep, eat, get dressed, work, relax, cry and laugh, but by implementing a few of these simple, inexpensive and creative tricks you can create multiple living areas in your studio apartment.
As graceful and functional as they are, room dividers carry the classic craftsmanship and have the ability to multiply space in the most stylish way possible. Whether you’re looking to divide your rooms for a more efficient use or you want to enhance privacy in your home, a folding screen is definitely the solution you’re looking for, especially if you live in a tiny place. They are really practical, so, as their name implies, if you decide you want that one-room space back in your life, you can just fold the folding screen and use it simply as an accent piece. They really are a “two in one” package.
Since they are simple and really easy to install, curtains can create a defined space in a snap. By using curtains as room dividers you will bring intimacy to a whole new level. This style of room divide is great for the space that changes on a daily basis, so you can easily open it up or close it with just a pull. Using curtains as room dividers is not just a practical, but also a really romantic way to divide a room especially if you go with sheer curtains that will drag on the floor. So nice!
If you’re a bookworm like myself and you buy lots of new books every week even though you know you don’t have enough space for your very clothes and other utensils, you can use this as your advantage in interior design. Bookcases make for awesome room dividers that can serve you both as a space maker and a space saver! Of course, the style, the color and the size of the bookcase vary in countless of ways. For instance you can either combine two smaller bookcases or use one that’s big and wide enough to separate your bedroom from the living room for example.
Infrared saunas are becoming more and more popular nowadays as people have started noticing the many advantages they have over traditional saunas. For one, they emit infrared waves which heat up the body gradually and to a pleasant level, causing no sweltering temperature shocks the way steam saunas do. Moreover, the steam from normal saunas can be very uncomfortable for the eyes and even unbearable for people who have breathing problems. On the other hand, the infrared heat is mild. And knowing that sweating is the most effective way of detoxification, it’s important to mention that infrared saunas beat traditional ones by penetrating up to 6 cm under the skin and eliminating about 7 times more chemicals and toxins.
And that’s not all, other beneficial sauna infrared effects are being researched just as I speak, with some scientists arguing that they are good for the cardiovascular system and can soothe muscle and joint pain. If this did not convince you to buy one, then maybe you were intrigued by the spa-like feeling it gives you without creating a mess to clean up and take care of after, unlike traditional saunas. If you do decide to buy though, here are the three things to keep in mind when looking to create a quality sauna infrared home experience.
When it comes to saunas, an important feature is how many people can fit in. Home infrared sauna models come in sizes that are able to fit one, two or more people. Depending whether you want to have a more private experience or you like having guests over for some mutual sauna time, you can choose either of these models. Normally, the bigger its capacity, the more expensive it will be. You might be single now, but after a while you might get married and the single person sauna can feel too cramped for your enjoyment. Think in advance before making a purchase. The most common size you can find on the market is the one which can accommodate two people as it doesn’t take up much space, it can be used by one person and it still allows for a shared experience. Watch out for retailers that want to sell you a sauna which is meant for more than 2 people at an incredibly low price – it might be far smaller than they claim it to be. Ask about the sauna’s dimensions in order to determine the exact number of people it can fit.
Infrared heat emitters come in two types: ceramic and carbon. Cheap and low quality saunas have heaters made from ceramic rods or coils and the problem with them is that they break down easily. But heat emitters made from carbon elements are far superior for several reasons. First of all, the infrared heat they emit is very soft and enjoyable, which closely resembles the one of sun’s rays on warm summer days. They heat up the whole sauna faster and evenly distribute the heat throughout it, which means there are no unheated spots left in it like there are with ceramic heaters. Carbon heaters are also much safer then ceramic ones as they do not get too hot to the touch, which allows you to lean on them and unwind as the heat relaxes your muscles.
The control panel allows you to set the perfect temperature level, the timing and switch on the lights. Going through the wide choice of infrared saunas, you’ll notice that most of them have operating controls only on the outside. This is very inconvenient because every time you feel like the temperature level does not suit you, or want to switch on or off a light, you’ll have to step out to do so. However, if your sauna has an inside control panel as well, you can make changes anytime you feel like, without having to go outside and risk getting a temperature shock.
Often times neglected, letter boxes are key in creating the first impression of a home. Your letter box is the visual staple that all guests and by-passers recognize. By simply investing a few more dollars in the model and make of your mailbox, you can create an impression that will last. It is an essential outdoor home accent that can serve both a decorative and useful purpose. Yes, it’s the letter box Australia home buyers see first, before seeing the interior of the house.
One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to completely transform the way your home looks like is lighting. The proper lighting can highlight all of your house’s best assets and help hide its shortcomings, while at the same time it makes it look more inviting and safer. However, proper lighting and bright lighting are not the same thing; a well-lit room offers illumination at different levels. The combination of shadow and light helps sculpt the space and can make the room more atmospheric and interesting. So in order to capitalize on the lighting in your home, I highly recommend you to follow these 3 simple steps.
Before you install lighting in a room, consider how you are going to use it. Will the room be mostly used throughout the day or mostly in the evening? What kind of activities will take place there, and in which particular parts of the room? For example, if you intend on using the room for reading, you should provide lamps beside every reading spot. If the room is used for watching TV for the most part, you’ll want overall lighting that can be adjusted to various settings and won’t reflect off the TV screen. If the room is used for circulation, completing certain tasks, or by elderly people, you’ll want brighter and uniform lighting. If a particular room is your go-to relaxing spot, then you’ll want to tune down the wattage a bit and turn up the atmosphere.
If the décor of your room is contemporary, fewer lamps and more built-in lighting is the way to go. If the style is more traditional, pendant lights, lamps and sconces will enhance the look you’re trying to pull off while providing the right illumination.
There are three principle types of lighting, as briefly mentioned above – ambient, task and accent lighting.
Ambient lighting provides overall room illumination and can come from a recessed can, sconces or a ceiling fixture. All of these illuminate the space more evenly and are bright enough to allow you to do your tasks. In order to determine the amount of ambient light you’re going to need, a great way to do so is multiplying the room’s dimensions to get a total square footage, then multiply it by 1.5 – the result will be the total amount of watts you need.
Task light illuminates areas for activities like cooking or reading. It most often comes from a hanging fixture or a lamp. It should cast a pool of light that is at least twice the room’s ambient light and it should be placed in front the person doing the task to prevent him/her from casting a shadow over the work surface. For reading, however, the source of light should come from the person’s side.
And lastly, accent lighting is used to highlight a specific feature in a room, like an architectural element or a piece of art. These usually come in the form of recessed cans or spotlights. While this type of lighting is not as critical as the others, it definitely adds a nice finishing touch to the room. You can use it to highlight a painting you value or showcase the texture of a masonry wall, or simply place it behind a plant to cast a pleasing shadow or accentuate its form.
