Door Styles That Can Give Your Whole Home a Fresh Look

First impressions matter. This is also true in regards to a house. One of the first things people will generally see when visiting a home is the front door. The design of doors in a home matter a great deal. Doors of course provide security and privacy. They also help to create the overall aesthetic of a home. If you want to take on a home remodeling project, one idea to consider is updating with different door styles that can give your home a fresh look. Below are just a few of the options available.

Dutch Doors

One of the most stylish options you may have not heard of is the Dutch door. Dutch doors operate a bit differently from the other doors you may be familiar with. Instead of consisting of one door that opens, a Dutch door is divided into two parts. This includes a top portion that can swing open while the bottom half of the door remains shut. This style originated in the 1600’s and can allow light and air to enter your home while the bottom half of your front door remains closed and locked.

French Doors

Another stylish option to consider is installing French doors, also sometimes called casement doors, in your home. These are two conjoined doors with frames that surround one or more window panes. French doors are typically installed as the doors used to access an outdoor patio area. They may also be used indoors as an entrance way to a living room or another room used for entertaining. Either way, they will make a big design statement.

Barn Doors

While you may logically assume that barn doors could only be used on barns, they are now being used inside homes as well. This is in part due to the interior design trend of utilizing reclaimed wood becoming increasingly popular. Barn doors used in the home can either be reclaimed from actual barns or reproduced by manufacturers. They are composed of rough-hewn wood that has been embellished with wrought iron to create “x” or “z” designs. Installing a barn door inside your home can certainly add some rustic country charm to your interior design.

Pocket Doors

Lastly, pocket doors are another stylish option. If you have never heard of these before, they are interior doors that actually seem to disappear into a wall when closed. They are installed on hanging rollers that you slide into the wall to open. They are aesthetically unique and can also help you save space as well.

Overall, doors can make strong design statements both inside and outside a home. They are a big factor in determining a home’s overall aesthetic and can help create atmosphere. If you want to give your home a serious remodel, don’t forget to upgrade your doors.

Tips and Tricks to extend UPS battery Life- Infographic

The installation of UPS batteries in a house is one of the most important investments and it is equally important to properly maintain the UPS batteries to ensure that your device is protected against power surges and also ensures that maximum battery life is achieved.  UPS battery is the backup which covers the gap between power failure and backup power. Every UPS system has a battery which initiates when main source of power fails. It acts as a secondary power source which is used in case of power outage.

 In order to keep the UPS battery in good life state, it is imperative  to look and understand some of the factors that reduce battery life span which includes temperature, cycling frequency, and common errors in installation. Apart from that lack of regular maintenance is also a contributing factor that can cause battery failure. It is important to understand the battery behavior and take proper remedies like storing a substitute battery, avoiding installation errors, keeping an ambient temperature etc.

The infographic guide below from Power Protect discusses in detail these factors that would help you understand how the life span of battery is affected and the tips to improve battery UPS battery life. Read the infographic guide below to get some more information.

How to Make Your Bathroom Stylish and Functional

If you plan on renovating your bathroom, here are a few useful tips that can help you make your bathroom extra elegant and functional at the same time.

Calculate the Cost

Before you start working on your dream bathroom, you need to think about how much money you will need to set aside for this project of yours. You need to be aware that bigger changes in the bathroom come with a bigger cost. So, estimate the price according to what you want to do with your bathroom and see what you can afford. You need to be ready to pay a larger sum if you want your new bathroom to meet your expectations. 

Firstly, you need to ask yourself what kind of bathroom it is that you want to create. Do you want to create a luxurious retreat or do you want to just freshen up space with a minimalistic makeover? Then, you need to consider the size of your bathroom. You need to take certain factors into account such as the labor cost, the quality of the materials you will be using, and so on. Apart from that, you need to think of the costs that are associated with the fixtures and finishing touches that are needed in order for your bathroom to look modern and elegant. 

Make sure you are familiar with the price differences. Off the shelf, vanities tend to be more cost-effective than custom made bathroom cabinets. However, you will most likely have to settle for a very limited range of colors as well as sizing. If you opt for a custom made cabinet you will have an opportunity to choose a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors that will perfectly fit your bathroom.

Standard dimensions

You can save a lot of money by sticking to your standard-sized items. This can also save you a lot of time. On the other hand, customized items will be more expensive and they will most likely have a longer lead-time. If you are willing to wait a little more and pay extra, purchase a custom item. Getting customized bathroom items can really make your bathroom look unique and elegant. 

Space Planning

To come up with a good bathroom design, you first need to make a plan and think about the layout you will be working with. Space planning is the key to making a good bathroom design. You need to consider factors such as the size of the bathroom, how many people are going to be using this space, and the inclusions as well. Think about what kind of changes your space allows. Do you have enough room to build a walk-in shower? Should you make an in-wall cistern? This way you get to save some floor space as well. 

Lifestyle

You need to think about your lifestyle as well. Whatever changes you make in your bathroom, they need to suit your lifestyle and the dynamics of your family members. You need to take the number of family members into account. Then, you need to think about who tends to use the bathroom most. You should also consider the time of the day the bathroom will be used the most. Lastly, do you tend to take quick showers, or do you want our bathroom to be a relaxing place where you get to take long baths? 

Types of fixtures

The next thing you need to do is to choose the type of fixtures you are going to install in your bathroom. There are so many available options that it can get really hard to pick one and categorize its pros and cons. Here is one tip that will help you. Ask yourself these following questions:

• Does my bathroom have enough space for a freestanding bath?

• Does my budget allow a freestanding bath?

• How much are colored tapware?

• What kind of toilet do I want?

You also need to make sure that your bathroom items such as vanity are installed properly. With professionals such as Acqua Bathrooms, you can equip your bathroom with some high-quality bathroom items that will last you for a long time. 

Color

If you want to bring your design together and create a coherent and modern-looking bathroom, you need to consider how you are going to mix and match your colors. Look both online and in interior design magazines to see what suits your bathroom best.

The colour of your tiles and paint can have a big impact on how your bathroom will turn out. The kind of colours and shades you implement can greatly affect the bathroom's appearance. For instance, if you have a small bathroom, try implementing soft, light, and neutral colours to make space look bigger.

Finishes

Finishing touches can really make your bathroom pop off. Think about what decorations you can implement. You don’t have to go overboard. Just think of the small details that can really bring the whole design together and make your bathroom look elegant. For instance, if you go for one main color for the whole bathroom, like black tiles and items, implement small gold details that will make the bathroom look really luxurious. 

Try out different design 

Don’t be afraid to try out different designs. These are some of the ideas you can start with.

Black is the New Black

Using black as the main color of the bathroom will make the space feel extra modern and elegant. This color is simply chic and it can create an illusion of a bigger and more luxurious space. 

Mix Textures

Try to mix several different textures in your bathroom. For example, you can contrast soft materials against hard bathroom surfaces. Your bathroom will be very pleasing to all senses. 

Incorporate Furniture

If you have a large enough bathroom, think of implementing a few furniture pieces that will make the space feel extra cozy and welcoming. For example, you can place a comfy sofa in the corner of the bathroom.

Invest In Art

You can experiment with some art pieces too. Place a few smaller artworks around the bathroom or use a larger art piece and make a bold statement out of it. It can be your focal point in the bathroom. 

Bring the Outdoors In

Make the outdoor elements part of your bathroom interior design. Bring in some plants and make sure the room gets a lot of natural lighting. It will make you feel so relaxed and calm. 

Play With Tradition

Think of implementing a few traditional pieces such as wainscoting. Simply use modern materials and clean lines and your bathroom will look very chic and modern with a touch of traditional beauty.

Implement mirrors

Mirrors in various different shapes and sizes can really transform the space. If your bathroom is small, implementing a few mirrors and strategically placing them around the room can make your bathroom look very spacious and elegant. For instance, a huge vanity mirror is always a good choice. 

Accessorize

Make sure you properly accessorize the space. You can add stuff such as stools, different storage pieces, and other accessories that will further complement your overall bathroom design.

Vary Finishes

Lastly, small details can make a huge difference. One trick that works for any space is using both matte and polished finishes in the bathroom. This will make your bathroom look super elegant. 

Conclusion

All things considered, it all comes down to paying attention to details and making sure that your design is coherent and well put together. 

How to Replace the Lighting in Your Home to Make It Eco-Friendly

There is more than one way to create an environmentally friendly home. Start with replacing old lights with energy-efficient models and conserving more energy if you currently use efficient lights. Here are suggestions on how to make your lighting more eco friendly.

Replace Old Lights With LEDs

Replace your old light fixtures with LED lighting that is the newest trend. LED lights have higher levels of energy efficiency because of the bulbs that consume less power than traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. There are no toxic materials found in LED bulbs, such as the mercury found in fluorescent ones. The toxic emissions are nonexistent and create lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The average lifespan for a LED bulb is 50,000 hours, which lasts many times longer than a fluorescent bulb and remains functional for more than a decade of regular use. This long-lasting light allows you to significantly reduce the waste in your trash and landfills.

Replace Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is designed more for decoration than necessity. It usually includes dim lighting that can be left on for hours, or in some homes, all night. The lighting is too low to read under or perform any practical task. Avoid this unnecessary type of lighting to become more eco friendly.

Install Dimmers

When you're not using your lights at the moment, reduce the power and brightness to consume less electricity. Attach a dimmer to a light fixture to decrease the voltage and dim the light. This device can be used in any room in a home or commercial building. Some dimmers are connected to the Internet or controlled by the smartphone from a remote location.

Use Task Lighting Fixtures

Task lighting is recommended to avoid flooding the room with light and consuming a lot of electricity. All of your light is focused on accomplishing a specific task, such as reading or typing. Working in a very bright room is not always easy and may reduce your concentration. Task lighting allows you to remain focused on one object or activity to increase your concentration and conserve energy.

Installing a dimmer, using motion detection sensors and buying LED lights are a few of many options available to make the most of your lighting. Illuminate your area while you conserve as much electricity as possible and reduce electric bills. Know that you benefit more from making the effort to conserve energy than not making any effort at all.