Simple Tips on Wall Tiles

Don’t restrict tiles just to the kitchen and bathroom! By combining different shapes, styles and color, interesting effects can be created throughout the house. Remember that tiles also have longer endurance when it is compared to paints and wallpapers. Tiles can be expensive, particularly unusual patterns or hand-painted designer tiles so to keep cost down just tile areas that get splashed regularly, such as above sinks and around cookers and worktops. Make these partly tiled areas into a design feature by finishing with a row of ceramic dado or strip tiles, wooden moldings or plastic trim.

Make picture frame or panel effects with border tiles, edge around sanitary units in the bathroom or around fireplace. Interlock plain color with a randomly places dramatic patterned one. The range of tiles is so wide you will have fun creating something different.

Watch points

  1. Dark tiles in small bathrooms and kitchens will make these rooms appear smaller.
  2. Dark colors also mark easily and need constant cleaning.
  3. All-white tiles can look clinical so if you want more visual interest add the occasional patterned tile or edge with an interesting border tile.

Light Sources and Their Characteristics part 2

Strip lights

Offers omni directional and semi directional light for all types of lighting and generally fluorescent. Concealed strip lighting works well in alcove units and under kitchen wall cupboards.

Table lamps

Give out a soft omni directional glow for general and accent lighting.

Track lighting

Individual light fitting take their power supply from a continuous track suspended from the ceiling.

Up lighters

Semi directional and directional light shining upwards. Beam can be bounced off a wall or ceiling for general lighting.

Wall lights

Light can be distributed in any direction. Halogen lamp wall fittings cast a gentle wash of light across a wall. Again there is a good range from traditional to very modern styles. It is useful to have separate switches with dimmers on lights like this.

Wall washers

The wall is covered with an even stream of light. Usually ceiling mounted, recessed or mounted on a lighting track, the light is directional. Add reflectors to angle the light.

You have to know first what kind of lighting effect you need for the room. Once you determine the purpose, find a light source which offers the exact effects you need. If you use the right light source, then there is no doubt that you will get a very satisfying result.

Light Sources and Their Characteristics part 1

Lighting is an important aspect in decorating a room. Good and suitable lighting can enhance the mood and tone of a room that want to be achieved. Below here is a list of light sources and brief explanation on kinds of light effect they offer to help you to choose the best source for your lighting.

Ceiling lights

Not recessed, ceiling lights are shaped more like a globe. They are generally omni directional.

Desk lights

Task lighting that concentrates directional light over a specific area. Look for ones with an adjustable arm so you can direct the light.

Down lighters

Directional light shines downwards. Normally recessed or semi recessed in to the ceiling. Can be either a broad floodlight or narrow beam.

Pendant lights

Offer a good light source but can look obtrusive. Light distribution depends on the type of shade, of which there is a huge choice. Fit a dimmer switch to control the intercity.

Spotlights

These can be ceiling, well or floor mounted or attached to a lighting track. Flexible and adjustable with light directed in a beam they made good accent lighting. Different bulbs are available for differing light effects.

Things You Need to Know for Lighting Around Your Home

Used to define shape, color and texture, lighting can effect how the room looks as well as how it functions. It can enhance the décor and be adaptable as the mood and activities change. So when you are choosing lighting, there are three general considerations that need to be borne in mind:

  1. The light source: the amount and type of light that the bulb emits.
  2. The light fitting: its aesthetic appearance and how it controls and distributes the light.
  3. The position of the light fitting

You also need to keep in mind purpose of your lighting as this will affect the type of light that you buy. The four types are:

  • General or background: to replace or boost natural light and give a general level of visibility.
  • Task or localized: for specific areas and tasks.
  • Accent: to highlight objects to emphasize their color, texture and shape. This can be a narrow beam or broad spot.
  • Information or utility: to improve safety; lighting like this is often found in areas of total blackness.

Lighting Watchpoints

Always consider first what effect you want to achieve and what purpose the lighting has to offer. Then match it to your décor and activity that take place in that room.

How light is shed into a room depends on the light fitting.

  • It can be omni directional, in that light is given out in all directions, such as with pendant lights, for example.
  • Semi directional, where most of the light goes in one direction but a small quantity diffuses in other directions, such as the light from standard lamps.
  • Or directional. Here the light travels in one direction like the beam of a spotlight or flood light.

Lampshades are available for pendants, either throwing light up to the ceiling or down to the ground and standard lamps. They are made from many materials ranging from paper and fabric to glass and beads. These last are now very fashionable once more. Many novelty designs are also available especially for children’s rooms.

Once you have discovered what function your lighting needs, then it should be easy to find the suitable type of light for your room. Make sure that you pick the right light source since a wrong one will ruin the mood and appearance of the room. Don’t hesitate to consult a professional if you are not sure about it.