Monday, May 30, 2011

Installation of Electric Supplies for Home Extensions

Home extension is a mode of home improvement which provides extended living space. You can add a room for different purposes. You can add a bedroom, bathroom, gym, dining hall, home office, and so on. A well planned home extension project can be successfully completed without hurdles. One of the constituents of home extensions include installation of electric supplies.

Electric supplies in a home renovation process can be done by your own. However, when a room is added or extended, it is better to take help from a competent and qualified professional electrician to provide the supplies. Power outlets, ceiling fixtures, switches, and other major appliances need to be properly arranged in your home extensions. Also a detailed wiring plan should be made. Both internal and outside wiring has to be made carefully. External wiring is helpful for conservatories and garden rooms.

Home extensions which are at the back or front of a house such as lean-to extensions are generally used as living space. So you can use solar powered lighting systems for them. Simple photoelectric panels are used by these systems and can be powered by recharge batteries. So you can avoid any wiring in such extensions. Some extensions including kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms require special circuits for boilers, cookers and other such appliances.

Decide whether you want wall lamps, central lighting, or low-voltage lighting. You can opt for circuits in order to use standard and table lamps that can be turned off and on from a single wall switch. You need to arrange weatherproof sockets on an outside wall. Decide the number of sockets you need and double it for future or spare use. This can avoid use of extension leads all over the places whenever you wish to install new appliances.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Know Some Bathroom Tile Color Ideas

Making your bathroom look neat and beautiful is possible by adding tiles. There are several options including ceramic tiles, vinyl tiles, mosaic tiles, stone tiles and many others to add beauty to the bathroom. Having chosen the right bathroom tiles is not just enough. It is also required to consider the color of the tiles to be used. Here are some ideas for using different colors of bathroom tiles.
  • White tiles add style to the bathroom. They had been used since many years and even remain to be equally popular in future. Hence, you can opt them without any need to change the color of the tiles at times. The washclothes, towels and other bathroom accessories can be changed in your bathroom having white tiles.
  • Black is another color option for your bathroom tiles. Black colored tiles are mostly preferred in bathrooms which feature more natural lighting. However, make sure that, you do not use the same black colored ones for the walls, when selecting them for floors. You can use different combinations like blue and other light colored ones for walls. You can even combine them with tiles of red, blue and green colors to create a new pattern.
  • Tan tiles were used in the past. However, they are also being used with other combinations like black and brown.
  • Adding glass mosaic tiles with special precious stones and mosaic motifs makes your bathroom look great. You can install brown or white or tan-colored glass tiles randomly on the walls or floors.
  • Hand-painted tiles are more expensive. However, they really add elegance to your bathroom. You can add different colored hand-painted tilhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifes in such a way that they match with your towels and other bathroom decorations.

Choosing the right color of tiles for your bathroom is important. It shows your aesthetic sense. The color of bathroom tiles reflects its style and design.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Install Doors and Windows for Home Extensions

Home extensions provide extra living space for various purposes. The crucial part of a home extension project includes installation of doors and windows. You need to select the material of doors and windows that match with the rest of the house. Different materials including wood, plastic and glass can be used for the installation.

You need to design a proper plan for installation purposes. Doors and windows you choose should be best suited with the existing ones in terms of size and proportion. If necessary, sill plates and certain tops are used for lining up with the existing windows in order to position them accurately. Thus, the new part of extensions can be unified with the existing home.

Wooden doors and window frames provide a classic look for your home. However, you need to add proper finishes in order to maintain them for longer times. You can make use of UPVC doors and window frames that give a modernized style to your home. These days it has become common to use glass doors and windows for home extensions including conservatories. Though conservatories make use of wood and aluminum frames, mostly glass is combined with their use in making of doors. In addition to transparent ones, different colored glasses are available in the market. You can also use different textures of glasses. Colored glasses used for extensions can add beauty and elegance to your home. Double-glazed doors are more suitable for garden doors instead for front doors of the home. Also ensure that proper security and locking systems are associated with the installation.

Friday, May 27, 2011

What are the Different Types of Solar Landscape Lighting?

Among various ways of beautifying your home and garden, landscape lighting is essential to improve their beauty. It provides your home with safety and security. It also adds the appeal and value of your property.

Solar landscaping is one way of landscape lighting which saves much money and protects environment. Solar landscape lights have small photo voltaic cells or solar powered cells. These are used to charge the battery integrated into the lighting fixture. The battery is charged in sunlight during the whole day. So it gives continuous lighting to your landscape throughout the night.

There are many ways of using solar landscape lighting. Solar floodlights or pole lights are placed on the corners or side of the home. They can also be placed around the pool or anywhere in the yard. They are used to lighten a larger area. The other type of solar landscape lighting includes use of hanging solar lights. Hanging lights are in the shape of a lantern and are found in different colors. They are used to light patio or deck. There are certain step or path lights used to light up driveways or paths to garden. They are alsohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif meant for lighting the stairs of your home. The other type of solar lighting is to use streak solar lights. They are designed to lighten all sorts of ground both soft and hard. The streak lights are mostly used around mailboxes and in flower beds. The benefits of using solar lights is that they do not need electricity. So they do not require wiring for installation. Thus, it is much economical to use landscape lighting for your home and garden.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

What is the Necessity of Landscape Lighting?

Everyone wishes their home to be beautiful and to make it true they implement various styles of landscaping designs. However, one should be conscious of landscape lighting that enhances the display of the garden or backyard. It should be ensured that the lighting is done properly. Otherwise it may ruin any display.

You may ask why is it necessary to install lighting in landscape. Here are some reasons for its use. Safety is the primary issue that makes you to add landscape lighting. It helps to avoid tripping on steps, decks, and pathways. There is no need to worry or fear to move in a dark and gloomy garden. Landscape lighting also provides security. It can help you in checking if any unwanted guests enter your property. It is meant for utility making you to use the outdoor living space during nights. You can arrange different family and friends dinner parties. There is no hurry to finish up a get-together planned in a garden even if it gets dark. So you can enjoy more till late in the night. The other major reason for landscape lighting is, it adds beauty to the home and garden. Use different varieties of colored lights that make the atmosphere look cool and peaceful. Choosing an appropriate lighting is much essential. If you use more brighter and sharper lights, it may irritate your guests.

Different varieties of lights can be used for lightening the landscape area. Path lighting, step lighting, uplighting, downlighting, wall lighting, spot lighting, and shadow lighting are the different ways of landscape lighting. Based on the location you wish to install the lighting fixtures, you need to choose the method of lighting.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Need to Install Low Voltage Lighting for your Home Landscape?

Outdoor landscaping is the best way to improve the look of your home. It is made more beautiful by installing low voltage lighting. The low voltage lighting systems are safe and easy to install. You can install them on your own without requirement of any special tools. This lighting is highly energy-efficient and hence is associated with low cost. Here is some information which helps you in installing low voltage landscape lighting.

Know about the parts of the system required for lighting the landscape. They include transformer, cable wires, and the lighting fixture. The transformer converts the electric current running within the household into 12 volts. Different cable wires are used to connect the transformer and the lights.

Arrange the transformer carefully by following the necessary safety guidelines. Ensure that it is switched off while installing the lights and wires. Avoid using extension cord between the transformer and the electrical outlet. Then, arrange or place the lights in the landscape area. Make sure that a gap is maintained between each light. The first light should be placed about 10 feet away from the transformer. The lights are then installed. While installing, use metal or wooden stake in order to put the starter hole in the ground. Also ensure that they do not jut into the walkway. The lights are then connected by cables. You can arrange the cables under obstacles like shrubs, bushes, and fencing.

While installation, you need to consider the architectural features of the landscape. You can use various techniques and combinations to achieve the desired output and beautiful effect. The low voltage lighting gives off minimal lighting effect. So they are considered ideal for locations where brighter lighting is not required and are best for garden landscapes.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Different Lighting Ideas for Kitchen

Sometimes kitchen can be used as kids' study room, family dining room, and informal office space along with preparing food. Having a proper lighting is the main thing in kitchen. Lighting design of any kitchen will depend on size and shape of the kitchen room.

There is a need of combination of accent, general and task lighting in kitchen. Ensure that lighting provides ambiance with safety. First you need to choose the lights, it can be for general, functional and decorative purpose. There are different lighting ideas for your kitchen to create different looks.

If you want to install the task lighting in areas where you perform regular tasks like sink and preparation of food. You can try these things:
  • Try an elegant chandelier to install on above the dining table. It provides a ambient light for you kitchen.
  • Choosing the pendant lights is the best way to form the glow in areas where you eat and above of the island, where you prepare food. Pendant lights are affordable and add new look to kitchen.
  • Consider the area of the countertops in kitchen where lighting is necessary. Generally countertops are overcasted with shadows, so use under cabinet lights to provides lighting and eliminate shadows.
  • Placing sky lights is one of the best kitchen lighting ideas to provide the illumination comfortably.
  • Use accent lighting to specify any area like an elegant piece of artwork in kitchen. This lighting also used to create a focal point on certain areas in kitchen.
  • You can also use decorative lighting fixtures for your kitchen which may help to upgrade you kitchen.
These are the lighting ideas which are used in kitchen. By this information, you can get an idea about kitchen lighting. 


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Friday, May 20, 2011

Fluorescent Lighting for Kitchen for Ambient Lighting

People use fluorescent lighting for different purposes like functional and decorative purposes. They are used for office interiors, break rooms and hallways.They are also used for decorative purposes in different areas like walkways, pathways, parking garage, landscapes and so on.

Fluorescent lighting is used in kitchens as well. Fluorescent lights are the best choice for kitchens for different tasks. As the kitchen is a place, where family sits and dines, lighting the place is very important.


Use the fluorescent lighting under cabinet to light a specific area while doing things like preparing food. Use this under the kitchen island as well.


Use fluorescent lighting to get ambient lighting. As it does not produce a shadow, it is ideal for large areas. These lights also offer a uniform and eye pleasing light. It helps in recreating the ambiance in kitchen.


When you want a versatile type of lighting then fluorescent kitchen lighting is the best choice for you.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Making of a Glow Stick Costume

Parties by themselves are meant for enjoyment. Using glow sticks make them more exciting. Youth and kids are interested to use different colored glow sticks at night parties. Accessories such as glow necklaces and glow bracelets are common. Do you wish to be special and attractive in a party? Then try wearing a glow costume. It forms the shape of the wearer creating a spectral, illuminated appearance. Are you excited to wear a glow costume. Then get ready to prepare it first.

Making a glow costume is very simple. All you need for it is the glow sticks, clothing, a needle and a thread. Select the clothing that you want to use for the costume. Dark clothing is best to use for glow costumes. However, you can also select light colored clothing to use colored glow sticks in different ways. Once, you decide the clothing, choose the color of glow sticks you wish to use. Make a proper design or pattern for attaching glow sticks on the clothing.

Thread a needle that matches with the color of the clothing and tie a knot in the end of the thread. Now, the glow stick has to be placed on the cloth at the desired position. The needle is to be brought up beside the glow stick. Then the thread is wrapped around the glow stick. Then sew back down through the cloth again. Repeat till you have thread wrapped around the glow stick several times. Now, knot off the thread and cut the excess thread.

All the glow sticks are to be attached on the costume in this way. However, you should leave them without broken. Break the glow sticks while you wear the costume during the party time. This makes the glow last for a longer time. So get ready to wear a glow costume and glow in your upcoming party.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Know About Novelty Lamps

If you want to make your interior look great then make an experiment by choosing some exciting novelty lamps for your room or home. You can keep away the small amount of dark shades from your life and enjoy the warmth of the room in the shade of the novelty lamps.

Find plenty of colours in novelty lamps. Such lamps make your home bright and they are functional and fun too. They can be given as gifts to your friends guests or relatives, and you can see the brightness in their faces.

Any festive mood will be turned on by these lamps to more rejoicing and pleasant. There are different types of novelty lamps such as:

Globe or Sphere novelty lamps
: Globe lamps are found in the shape of globe, sphere and balls. They are classic and more colourful. Sensation and ambience are added by spectrum of the colours to the atmosphere. There are many varieties in this type of lamps.


Creative novelty lamps:
These are very exciting novelty items. You can relax and feel natural environment by getting one of these creative novelty lamps. The very attracting lamp is pink flurry lamp, which has light effects that are projected all over the room when you switch it on. There are many types of lamps in this variety of lamp.


Cars and transportation novelty lamps:
There are motion lamps, novelty lamps with designs or mythical animals, night lamps, party lamps and so on that fall under this category.


So there are plenty varieties of novelty lamps from which you can choose according to your convenience and creativity.