5 Ways to Beautify Your Home With Light Fixtures

Your home is a reflection of your personality. It's where you relax after a long day, where you entertain guests, and where raise your family. You want your home to be beautiful and comfortable - and what better way to achieve that than with light fixtures? Here are five ways to beautify your home with light fixtures.

Allow in Natural Light

Natural light is the best light. Not only is it free, but it also has health benefits. So, let in as much natural light as possible if you can. But sometimes that's not possible - especially if you live in an urban area or have large windows that let in too much heat. In those cases, light fixtures are the next best thing.

Choose light fixtures that mimic natural light, like wall sconces or chandeliers. And when it comes to bulb type, LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient and longest-lasting - perfect for those hard-to-reach places. You can also buy daylight bulbs to mimic the brightness of the sun in your home. Just be cautious when utilizing these bulbs in rooms meant for relaxation, such as the bedroom.

Implement Dimmers

Dimmers are a great way to set the mood in your home. Whether hosting a dinner party or just relaxing with a good book, dimmers allow you to adjust the light level to create the perfect ambiance. When choosing a dimmer, make sure to get one that is compatible with your light fixture and bulbs. Always do a home electrical safety check when installing a dimmer to avoid potential hazards.

Use Ambient Lights

Ambient lights instead of overhead lights for a more relaxing and comfortable feel in your home. Overhead lights can be harsh and unforgiving, whereas ambient lights are softer and diffused. You can use ambient lights in any room, but they're especially well-suited for bedrooms and living rooms. Wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps are all excellent choices for ambient lighting.

Layer Lighting

Layers of lighting create a balancing effect. Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lights to achieve the perfect balance in your home. Ambient lights provide overall illumination, while task lights are focused on a specific area - like a desk or kitchen counter. Accent lights highlight particular features, like paintings or architectural elements.

Consider Scale

Lighting fixtures come in all shapes and sizes. When choosing a light fixture for your home, it's important to consider scale. A small fixture in a large room will get lost, while a large fixture in a small room can be overwhelming. The best way to choose the right-sized fixture is to measure the space first. Ensure you leave some breathing room - you don't want your light fixture too close to any furniture or walls.

Light fixtures are a great way to add beauty and comfort to your home. Proper planning allows you to use light fixtures to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion. So don't be afraid to experiment; you could be surprised at the difference the right light fixture can make.

Factors That Make Fall the Best Season for Exterior Painting

As a homeowner, you have many decisions to make prior to listing your home for sale. One of those decisions may be whether or not to paint the exterior of your home. While it may seem like a big task to paint your home it is worth the extra time and money spent. Painting the exterior of your home will cost around $3,000. However, it will add over $7,500 to your home’s value. That’s a return on investment of 152%! With such a high return on investment exterior painting should be at the top of your list of repairs before listing your home.

A fresh coat of paint will only increase your home’s value if it is done correctly. Painting the exterior of a home is not as easy as slapping on a coat of paint whenever you feel like it.  Exterior paint can be difficult to apply or will dry unevenly in the wrong environment. So when is the best time to paint your home’s exterior? According to professionals, the best season to paint is during the fall.  Here are the top factors that make fall the best season to paint the exterior of your home.  

Average Temperatures

Some would assume that painting when it is very hot out will cause the paint to dry quicker and make exterior painting less time consuming. However, excess heat is actually a downside to painting in the summer. Excessively high temperatures (those above 90 degrees Fahrenheit) can cause paint to cure improperly. This can result in visible brush strokes or blisters in the coating of paint.  In addition, paint may not even stick properly in excess heat and will cause flaking at a later date. 
Fall temperatures are perfect for exterior painting. There are fewer temperature spikes and daytime temperatures average between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  This range is the best for proper curing and for accurate drying time.  

Moisture and Humidity in the Air

Summers are known for high humidity, especially in the South Atlantic region. While high humidity may make this region feel like a tropical paradise, it is less than ideal weather for exterior painting. Too much humidity can interfere with the paint’s curing process. If humidity levels reach 85% or above the paint will turn tacky and will not solidify after applied. Since some degree of moisture in the air helps slow the drying rate which allows the paint to dry while preventing brush marks, it is best to find a day when humidity is around 40% to 50%. 

Direct Sunlight

Beautiful sunny days are perfect for sunbathing and relaxing by the pool. But when it comes to painting the outside of your home, excess sun can work against your painting efforts. Direct sunlight will prematurely cure paint and cause it to dry too quickly. Direct sunlight will also make the siding very hot which will make applying paint very tricky. While the sun is still shining during the fall season it is not nearly as strong as during the spring and summer. This means you can still work during the height of the afternoon but worry less about the direct rays affecting your paint.  

Less Chance of Extreme Weather

There is nothing worse than preparing to paint your home and suddenly the sound of thunder rolls in the distance.  Obviously you can’t paint your house when it is raining, but did you know you should wait 4 hours or longer after it rains before painting. Paint is generally waterproof within 2 to 4 hours. Rain isn’t the only weather that can ruin your fresh coat of paint. High winds can blow leaves and debris onto wet paint and completely ruin the finish. The fall has less extreme weather, which means less chance for wind and rain to damage or deter exterior painting.  

Cost of Painting

The cost of painting a house probably won’t change that much from season to season.  However, the cost of labor will change. Pricing falls as painters move into a slower season due to fewer customers. Painters are more than willing to allow for discounts and deals when they are running low on customers.  

Before you call a professional painter or bust out your paint rollers, talk to a top rated real estate agent. He or she can assist you in choosing the most popular home color among buyers in your area as well as direct you toward reputable painters. With a fresh coat of paint on the exterior of your home, you will be one step closer to selling your home quickly and for a great price when spring arrives.  

Types of Blinds and Which Is Best for You

We partnered with a window company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

It can be difficult finding the right window blinds that match your decor while also providing you with adequate privacy and shade. They are one window treatment that comes in various styles and sizes, so it can hard to know which one is best for your window. As such, the following list should help you to understand the differences between the different types of window blinds:

Venetian Blinds

These are the typical horizontal blinds that many picture immediately when talking about these window treatments in general. They are the most popular type of blinds and are usually crafted from plastic, metal, and even wood and fabric. They have slats that can be easily tilted to control how much light you want to let in and you can pull them up or down using an attached string.

Mini Blinds

These are micro forms of traditional Venetian blinds that are typically made from aluminum slats. These slats are usually only a half of an inch wide, so more light is able to filter through. They also tend to be on the more affordable side.

Cordless Blinds

These are Venetian blinds that don’t come with an extraneous cord which may pose a choking hazard to pets and small children. Going cordless also gives your window a cleaner, more put-together look.

Honeycomb Blinds

These are hybrids between shades and blinds and are truly the best of both worlds. They get their moniker because they appear like honeycombs from their side view.

These window treatments look louvered like blinds, but they pull down like the pleated shades they really are. They are usually manufactured from polyester fibers. And, though they lack slats that you can tilt to allow light in, their solidified front can insulate a room, allowing it to become more energy efficient.

Vertical Blinds

These are simply blinds with vertical slats instead of horizontal ones. It is similar to what you’d see from a company that provides window shutter installation for Franklin homeowners. They hang up and down rather than left to right. Though they are not common, they work well for oddly-shaped and larger windows. They can be made from PVC, fabric, or decorative wood.

Panel Blinds

These are wide fabric panels that hang vertically from a track placed above the window. These tracks can be tricky to hang, so you may need help. Ask your local blind retailer if they offer window blind installation along with the product.

You may see these commonly used on large sliding glass doors, such as those that open up to a porch or patio. They block the sun well enough to cover a large area and still be considered room-darkening.

In conclusion, there are so many types of blinds out there that it is easy to feel overwhelmed. However, if you do your research, you are sure to gain a better understanding of what each type is designed to accomplish.

6 Ways to Make Your Bathroom More Beautiful

Bathrooms are often one of the most neglected rooms in the house when it comes to decor. However, they are certainly just as important as any other room to create a beautiful and inviting space. Then, with just a few simple changes, your bathroom can become a gorgeous and relaxing oasis. Here are a few ways you can make your bathroom more beautiful.

Paint the Walls

Painting the walls is one of the quickest and easiest ways to transform any room in your home. It can make a huge difference in the overall feel of your bathroom. If your bathroom looks a little dated, consider painting the walls in a fresh, new color. You could also try adding a wall decal or mural for a unique look. Ensure you match or coordinate the new wall color with the room's towels, rugs, and other accessories to create a cohesive look.

Put up Some Wallpaper

Wallpaper has come back around into style and people are using it with incredible results. It’s also easier than ever to apply and, when the time comes, easy to remove. This can also be a renter-friendly option if you use wallpaper that is meant to be removable. Depending on the pattern you choose, you can do all the walls or just one or two. Some may opt to also install wainscoting, then put up wallpaper just to the bottom of the edge. This allows you to use a busier, louder pattern without overwhelming the room.

Update the Plumbing Fixtures

One of the easiest ways to give your bathroom an updated look is to swap old fixtures for new ones. Swap out your old sink faucet with a new style. You can change out your showerhead for a beautiful waterfall head, just be sure you also buy a matching handle and tub spout, if applicable. You might be surprised at how big of a difference this can make in the overall appearance of your bathroom. Look for professional plumbers if the update requires more intense plumbing work, or if you’re concerned about the house’s plumbing needing an update.

Update the Lighting

Light fixtures are a simple, but extremely effective way to enhance and update a room. Swap out those old dome lights with a flush lighting fixture or something that fits your style. Depending on the location of the light, you can even incorporate a small chandelier for a glamorous feel. An important consideration when you’re updating light fixtures in your bathroom is to ensure they’re approved for a location in which they’ll be exposed to water or steam. Any lights within a certain radius of your shower or tub must have a certain level of resistance to water. For these lights, do your research and consider hiring a professional electrician to ensure it’s done correctly and safely.

Add Some Greenery

Adding some plants to your bathroom can help to liven up the space and make it feel more inviting. Choose plants that thrive in high-humidity environments, such as ferns, ivy, or bamboo. Also, include sweet-scented roses or other fragrant flowers to add fragrance and beauty to the room. Plants create a natural and relaxing ambiance, so be sure to add some if you want your bathroom to feel like a true oasis. Your local greenhouse will be able to assist you in picking the perfect plant for the room. Pick out some beautiful pots or hanging wall planters to complete the look.

Accessorize

Like any other room in your house, your bathroom can be personalized with accessories that reflect your style. Adding a few decorative towels or some pretty soaps can make a difference in your bathroom's overall look and feel. Hang a vintage mirror on the wall or place a scented candle on the counter to give the space a more personal touch. You can also hang some art on the walls. Art can help personalize any space and can also be a great way to add color and interest to a room. Just be cautious in your placement of artwork so it doesn’t risk being splashed from the shower or tub. 

Another way to accessorize is to change out the hardware. This includes handles and drawer pulls on your cabinetry, towel racks, toilet paper holder, and even the flush handle on your toilet. All of these things are relatively easy to swap out but make an immense difference in the appearance and feel of the room. 

Making even just a few simple changes to your bathroom can help to transform the space and make it more inviting. So don’t neglect this vital room in your home – take some time to make it beautiful. You’ll enjoy getting ready and doing your daily hygiene practices so much more if the room you do it in is calming and attractive.