Tag Archive 'Lighting Fixtures'

Mar 01 2010

Small Kitchen Design – Implementing Track Lighting Fixtures

Published by under Lighting

A small kitchen used to be a design nightmare. With new design trends and utilizing every inch of space, a great kitchen can be developed without looking cramped or overstuffed. Many smaller homes did not leave much space for the kitchen, so to make it functional and roomy, designs have been developed to increase the usage area.

There are several ways to design a small kitchen. You need to decide what you need to fit in the space and how to do it. You will definitely need to have great lighting, ample storage and of course appliances.

When purchasing appliances for a small kitchen, you will want to get slightly smaller space saving items. Refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers are available in small sizes to accommodate small spaces. As you look at cabinets, you may want to get lighter shades as it will make the space seem larger. Dark colors and grains go much better in larger spaces. Utilizing glass fronts for some of the cabinets can give depth to the room.

The counters should be somewhat deeper to give you more work space as well as more room for table top appliances. As with any kitchen, seating can be difficult to fit in. You can create seating by using a small round table with two chairs that can tuck into a corner. A wall mounted counter to create bar seating is also a great way to use space. The stools can be pushed under the counter to create more work space.

To increase storage, you can build your cabinets almost to the ceiling to give vertical height and extra shelves for items you do not use often. A small island in the middle of the space can give extra counter area to work as well as storage underneath. By hanging pots and pans, you can save the space for these items for other things. For more narrow and long kitchen spaces you may want to line the counters on either side of the walkway to create a galley style kitchen.

Lighting is very important in any kitchen design. For a smaller kitchen it is even more important. You do not want a large hanging light as it may make the room look smaller. Recessed ceiling lighting will make it look more spacious. You should use small track lighting fixtures to illuminate work areas and create the ambiance of a larger space. Track lighting is wonderful to use underneath cabinets to light the counter area. Because you can point track lighting in different directions, you can have smaller fixtures but just as much light.

Just because your kitchen is small does not mean that it is not workable. Using a small kitchen design and track lighting fixtures that highlights the space will give a kitchen that anyone would love. Check with design stores and on the internet for interesting kitchen designs.

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Nov 13 2009

Accessorize a Room in 5 Simple Steps

Published by under Interior Decorating

Are you looking for something different in your home? Do you find your current look to be rather boring? Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to accessorize any room in your home. To give any room an entirely new look, you don’t need a lot of money or an interior decorator. You can easily accessorize any room in your home using any of the following simple suggestions.

Add Some Extra Flair with Throw Pillows
Start by adding some complementary throw pillows to a sofa or chair. Or try adding a throw blanket to the back of the sofa. Be sure, however, that these items are not the same exact color as the sofa or chair. After all, they should work to add some interest and design element to the room. A tan sofa should be complemented with decorative pillows where tan is not the main color in the design or pattern. To pull the room together, it’s also a great idea to add other complementary colors from the room to the sofa.

Update Your Lighting Fixtures
By updating your lighting fixtures, you can give your room a whole new glow. Whether you have older fixtures or small ones, installing new lighting can make a big difference. A variety of fixtures are available that are both inexpensive and easy to install. Be sure to get a fixture that gives off plenty of light to make your room brighter. At the same time, find a design style that fits the room.

Go Green with Your Living Room Accessories
With a simple houseplant or vase of flowers, you can easily add more color to any room. No matter your style, you should be able to find some really beautiful fake flower arrangements at your local craft store. Otherwise, if you’re creative enough, you can make one yourself. Be sure to place the flower arrangement in a prominent spot in the room so it garners lots of attention. The same thing applies to any houseplants you add, whether real or fake. Try placing two houseplants on either side of a fireplace, which will help create a focal point for the room.

Fill Up a Blank Wall with Framed Pictures
Are your walls boring? Try hanging a few picture frames in various shapes and sizes to spice things up. You should be able to choose from a wide array of unique and stylish frames that will not only help you display your pictures but will also add some interest to the room. Try black-and-white pictures or those with only a touch of color for a dramatic look. Matted pictures can be eye-catching as well.

Reorganize Knickknacks with Shelving
If your various knickknacks in a room are getting lost in the mix, consider grouping them together on a mantle or shelving on wood bookcases. This way, you can display them together in a stylish arrangement and thus better accessorize the room.

Adding simple accessories allows you to easily redecorate or switch around the style design of a room. For something really different, consider moving the furniture around or adding new pieces, such as a new oak dining room tables. It should be neither hard nor expensive to accessorize a room. By simply getting creative, you can really let your style show.

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