How to Spice Up Your Livingroom with Lighting

A lot takes place in the livingroom, and trying to decide the perfect kind of lighting for it can be a little challenging. You can check out some established lighting companies, like Meyda Lights for their awesome livingroom selections.

If you don’t have a family room, the livingroom usually serves as the ultimate convening area for all important activities, whether you’re discussing the details of your latest family vacation, entertaining guests, discussing the details of your latest family vacation, or simply relaxing on a Saturday night for some popcorn nights.

One of the primary things you need to know is that livingroom lighting is not constant, that is, you’ll need to utilize various types of lighting to achieve both a functional and stylish effect. This doesn’t mean to say that the more layers of light you use, the better. Strategic layering is important, but you wouldn’t want to overwhelm your eyes with too much glare.

An excellent source of lighting would be a floor lamp situated just off to the side of your chair or sofa. If you do a lot of reading or sewing in your livingroom, that big old chandelier just won’t do the trick, at least not for activities that tend to put a strain on the eyes. Placing a lighting source directly in front or directly behind will cause shadows, stressing your eyes out even more.

Entertaining guests warrants a more special kind of lighting, and this is usually the time to dim down the overhead lights and whip out ambient lighting fixtures, like table lamps and other similar lighting. You could also use the chandelier for ambient light, and several manufacturers, such as Meyda Lighting have chandeliers that allow you to install a dimmer switch or adjust the different lighting levels.

Installing light for watching TV can be a little tricky. Because a home television is a lot smaller than a widescreen in the cinema, your eyes need to adjust a little more to the glare coming from the screen, as well as the lack of light around the TV set. The combined effect can be strenuous. . This is usually no problem if you keep the lights on during movie nights, but if you’d like to replicate a theater feel (complete with popcorn and soda), you’ll need to keep the lights off.  Howeer, this is easily solved by placing a floor lamp directly behind or to the side of your TV set to ease the strain on your eyes.

Everything You Need to Know About the Easy Reader

It’s official. Nearly everything these days is going digital, and with the number of devices out there that can hold up to a lifetimes’ worth of information, it’s only natural that books make the progression from the printed word to the digital word.

The EasyReader is an ingenious way of keeping track of dozens, even hundreds, of electronic books (ebooks) with you wherever you go. Convenient and easy to take along, this piece of software allows you to use portable reading devices to keep an entire library in your pocket.

Because of its ability to “read” text aloud, it is an ideal program for readers with blindness, low vision, dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities. EasyReader is also ideal for use in schools and libraries to empower readers to access a wider reading world. If you are a natural bookworm, you will love all the features that will make ebook reading a much better experience.

Installing EasyReader on your computer allows you read through ebooks, or use a preferred EasyReader voice to read highlighted text and speech via the ‘speak to me’ button and menu reader. If you find the font visually difficult or unappealing, the reader allows you to change the font face, size and contrasting foreground and background colors.

In addition, you never have to worry about losing a page again as you breeze seamlessly through ebooks. The EasyReader allows you to skip to any heading, page number of bookmark without having to flounder among pages and pages of text. If you’re looking for specific passages, you can also use the find function to help you look for key words and phrases.

It also offers excellent accessibility, as the EasyReader provides an easily navigable user interface that is friendly for both kids and adults. It offers a built-in zoom function that helps you read tiny text. Regarding compatibility, the EasyReader reads DAISY, NIMAS, HTML, TXT, and unprotected EPUB formats.

EasyReader is easily downloadable off the Web, though legitimate copies may cost you a set fee. It’s highly recommended that you get the legitimate version, as EasyReader may release useful updates in the future—something you definitely don’t want to miss out on. The software doesn’t require fancy equipment, and fits standard specifications of most personal computers. It works best installed on a Windows operating system, though, as support has not yet been released for Linux or Apple.

Vintage Lighting

It goes without saying: vintage lighting often evokes a feeling of sentimental nostalgia. In fact, many individuals with contemporary styled homes are also looking to vintage lighting styles, largely for its artistic appeal and inspiration. Home décor that is themed after styles from the past decades are great places to find vintage lighting, and homeowners with this kind of décor are usually avid purchasers and collectors of vintage lights.

Lighting trends have varied drastically through the decades, but specific patterns can be predicted, as many interior designers do at the beginning of every year, when they forecast the next big thing in lighting designs. While several homemakers may feel the need to follow the latest trends, vintage lighting may provide a surprising twist that will give a lot of personality to your place.

Vintage lighting is usually reminiscent of past decades, though they can go back as far as to be inspired by the more classic traditional lighting trends. From retro lampshades to loudly colored LED lights, companies today are finding that vintage lighting is far from a dying style. Bedrooms benefit a lot from this type of lighting, especially if you like hoarding zines or old 70’s movies posters. Retro lamp shades may be a little loud, what with their colors and patterns, but they are a bright change to conventionally designed homes.

Chandeliers with a vintage feel can come in more bronze finishes and metallic builds, although it’s not a look that’s completely exclusive to old trends. Display vintage chandeliers in your livingroom or dining room, where guests are easily wow-ed by your ability to bring back the old days—with style.

Vintage lighting comes available in various shapes and sizes, though because of the emergence of contemporary lighting forms, they can be a little hard to find. Still, browse through LampsUSA’s vintage lighting selections, as they can be pretty extensive and may cover the kind of lighting you need.

Reminisce on the good old glory days of past decades, with vintage lighting fixtures. While many of these styles are no longer produced by lighting companies, other manufacturers have various vintage lighting products and accessories to choose from at affordable prices. Many lighting companies are seeing the value of going back through past lighting trends, and some of them even go so far as to preserve and restore vintage lighting products. If you’re looking for a particular lighting design, it would help to track down the company name and ask if they offer remakes or restorations for that fixture.

Tips on Killer Outdoor Lighting

Lighting isn’t just good for inside the home. If you have a garden, patio, or front yard that looks stunning in the day, use a couple of great outdoor lights to make them visually appealing at night, too.

You’re not going to be using a lot of direct, overhead lighting outside, unless you purposely want the extra glare to illuminate a social activity, such as a party or other type of gathering. However, if your intention is to make the outside of your home look stunning, focus more on using accent and ambient lighting to highlight the beautiful parts of the place.

Instead of drawing up blueprints of your backyard and planning where to put your lights, scope out your front yard at night and take a flashlight with you. It’s always better to visualize how your lighting might look, as opposed to “imagining” how it might look on paper.

An important consideration to make when planning outdoor lighting is safety. Remember that you won’t be constantly monitoring your lights outside, and you have to take into account potential fire hazards. This is especially true if the lights you use tend to overheat, and might cause dry leaves or branches to ignite, so be careful where you position your lights. Also, it might be a good idea to invest in lights that have a timer or photocell that turns off on its own when exposed to sunlight.

If you use decorative gas lamps, turn them off when not in use, such as on ordinary nights when nothing is going on. Decorative gas lamps use up a lot of energy, and will definitely make a significant dent in your energy consumption costs.

For electrical lighting, opt for long-lasting fluorescent light bulbs, or even better, LED lights that will outlast the average bulb. One may also consider exterior lighting for safety purposes, and not just aesthetic. For instance, motion sensitive lighting is a good idea for keeping shady characters away, and is a better choice versus keeping your porch light on the entire night. Solar-powered security lights are also excellent alternatives.

It’s also essential to prioritize lighting walkways and stair steps outside, as these are accident-prone areas at night. Before starting on decorating the rest of your garden, make sure these places are adequately covered. It doesn’t need to be fancy; in fact, you don’t have to use excessive amounts of light—just enough that people can see where they’re going in the dark.

Everyone can check categorized online selection of outdoor lighting items, here!

The Disadvantages of Sitting Too Much

If you think that sitting for prolonged periods throughout the day is benefiting your body, think again! A lot of studies have shown that an inactive and sedentary lifestyle do the opposite. You don’t give your body the rest you think that it needs. In fact, you are only making your physical condition worse. Yes, sitting too much is just as bad as smoking cigarettes when it comes to the effects it can have on your body.

So, what exactly are the disadvantages of sitting too much?

Sitting too much can lead to various physical conditions due to lack of physical movement or activity. Yes, office workers and those who spend a lot of time working in front of computers are the people who just don’t give their heart rates up to benefit their well-being. What this means is their muscle, the heart included, lack stimulation which is needed to stay fit. If the heart is affected enough, the individual could suffer from different bodily conditions.

What are the conditions caused by a sedentary lifestyle? The most obvious condition is obesity. Next is type II diabetes, followed closely by heart disease. In certain situations, cancer can also be caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

So, how can an individual solve the problem of inactivity if he really has no way of going about his work without being glued to his desk? A simply solution is to use an ergonomic work table. Such a piece of furniture allows an office worker to stay standing for most of his work day to allow his heart and muscles to get the physical movement that they need. This is definitely better than spending eight hours hunched over a desk. The usual result is a tired and aching back at the end of the day.

Aside from getting an adjustable height work desk, an office worker can improve his health simply by walking. As such, an individual should take the stairs instead of the elevator. He should park his car as far away from the office building as much as possible. In fact, any person should aim to walk in order to stay fit and healthy.

In conclusion, sitting too much brings a lot of risks to the person with the sedentary lifestyle. As such, any office or stay-at-home worker must make it a point to take frequent breaks in order to get blood flowing properly again.

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Fixing a Lamp: Learn How to Do It

Any room can benefit from the light that comes from a lamp. In fact, most modern homes have lamps that add to the beauty of the space aside from keeping the area well-lit. The practical side of lamps and the aesthetic aspect that they contribute to homes just make them important fixtures to get. The ambient light that issues from lamps differs greatly from the light provided by other kinds of lighting fixtures.

Now, it cannot be avoided that lamps can acquire defects through accidental falls or they get broken from being used all the time. This would not be too much of a problem if you are not particularly fond of a certain lamp. However, if it is your favorite lamp that becomes broken or defective, you surely want to do what it takes to restore it to its former beauty. Well, if the problem is not huge, you can do something to fix the problem. This is good for you as you get to save on professional fees for repairing your broken lamp. On the other hand, you get a sense of fulfillment from salvaging what is left of your beloved lighting fixture.

So, here are steps on how to fix lamps depending on the defects that you see in them.

• Burnt Lamp

A lamp that has burned is dangerous. As such, you have to deal with it properly and immediately. The easy solution for this problem is to replace the light bulb with a bulb with lower wattage. This will prevent the lamp shade from a similar accident in the future. 

• Faulty Switch

A faulty switch (one that does not switch a lamp on and off) needs to be replaced. You just unscrew the ring located on the top of the lamp. Remove the cover base and get the switch. Replace the defective switch and rewire the circuit. Be sure to test the switch before you put the lamp together again.

• Flickering Bulbs

If you notice that the bulb in your lamp flickers when you use it, you can do something to see whether the bulb is defective or it is the lamp itself. What you need to do is get the bulb and put in on a different lamp. If you don’t notice any flickering on the other lamp, then the problem is with the socket. You only need to clean out the socket with a clean cloth. You also need to bend the metal tab in the socket to make sure that the bulb gets better contact with the metallic part of the lamp.

• Long Cord

This simple problem requires a simple fix. As long cords can be accident hazards, you only need to shorten the cord of the lamp. This way you prevent accidental tripping on the extra length of cord.  Simply cut the cord to the length you prefer. Then, rewire the cut portion into a plug.

The quick and easy fixes for broken lamps are things you should consider before calling in somebody to do the job. When you fix a broken lamp on your own, you can save money in the process.

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Guide to Choosing the Perfect Desk Lamp

While getting a good desk lamp for your home might seem like the typical no-brainer, try and give it a little thought. Remember that good lighting is a major factor in keeping your eyes healthy, as well as your productivity levels high at night.

Some considerations need to be made, and an attention to detail will be very helpful. For instance, how do you turn the desk lamp on and off? Is the switch accessible? Does the unit utilize a pull chain? Also look at the base, as this has to be extra sturdy to hold the lamp together. Check if the base is correctly weighted and will not result in any tip-overs, whichever way you position it. In addition, ensure that the unit uses a light bulb that is easily replaceable and will not need to be specially ordered.

If you’re thinking about getting a lamp for a kids’ room, keep in mind that you will want a lamp with extra durability. This is not to say that your kids’ first instinct will be to knock the lights over, but if you live with relatively young children, this is an unintentional possibility. You can either pick a lamp that stands on a study table, or a clip-on light for better overhead lighting. Also choose lamps with creative designs like cartoon characters and colorful patterns; your kids will love you for it.

Getting a lamp for more adult work is different, though. If you have a large study and your desk is a little on the larger side, try out old fashioned banker’s or Tiffany lamp that will illuminate a wider area. What’s more, these kinds of lamps blend well with antique designs, and are an aesthetic addition to any room.

Some homes have basements that are converted to family rooms, or even home offices. If your study is in a place that is a little darker than usual, consider getting LED lighting, or halogen lights. These are usually brighter than your standard light bulbs, though these may be a little along the pricey range. Stil, LED lights tend to burn out a lot longer than the average light bulb, so in the long run, it’s actually the more cost-effective choice. Another option would be to combine the lights of a desk lamp and floor lamp to provide better illumination in dark areas.

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