The first step for bedroom lighting tips is to decide how much you would like to spend on artificial lights. There is a diverse range of models from which to choose.
Then, have a good mix of task and background lighting so you won’t leave the house with one brown shoe and one black shoe. Tungsten and halogen are the principal types of light used in the bedroom. Tungsten is a traditional, soft, and gold-tinted light, while halogen light is newer, crisper, and whiter.
Comparatively, tungsten light is perfect for warm background lighting, while halogen works well in low- and main-voltage lights. It is especially suitable for task lighting, often working better than traditional tungsten lamps for reading in bed, particularly in fittings mounted on the wall or attached to the bed head
Try these bedroom lighting tips to create a relaxing atmosphere while providing bright spots for reading and other activities:
• Dim it – Try not to have too many lights in the bedroom. Sometimes all you need to prepare for bed are soft lights from matching bedroom lamps.
• Blind it – When natural light gets too bright, like at the tropics, use well-designed blinds to diffuse and control the light.
• Light color - The color of the bedroom walls will affect how much lighting is needed, so bear in mind that dark tones absorb light, and pale colors reflect it.
• Bed switch – Just as you can switch lights on at the door, you should also be able to switch them off from the bed. This is to prevent the need to get out of bed prior to nodding off.
• Private reading – For reading in bed, use an adjustable glare-free wall-mounted lamp that casts the light where you want it, so you don’t disturb your sleeping partner. A table lamp with an adjustable arm and shade will also do. Just make sure the lamps are compatible with your room decor.
Lester Fong
http://www.unique-home-decor-ideas.com
Saturday, March 22, 2008
How to Declutter a Bedroom - 4 Simple Tips
A messy bedroom can negatively affect many aspects of your life. The bedroom is where you begin and end your day- if it is a mess, it may be difficult to fully relax at bedtime, and can make waking up a nightmare. Use these easy tips to make your bedroom the relaxing place it should be.
* The Bed --Your bed should be the focus of your bedroom. Make your bed everyday. It can help to minimize clutter by not using your bed for anything else during the day, like for your dirty clothes. Also try to minimize the number of pillows and layers of blankets, as they can make it take longer to make your bed, and tempt you to skip making it some days.
* The Dresser and Nightstands --Your Nightstands can be a problem point for clutter. Try to keep the drawers as organized as possible, and if items routinely collect there that belong elsewhere, either remove them daily, or find a place to put them in the nightstand or room. Do not use your dresser for items it is not meant for. A little organization can help here too.
* The Closet --A closet is for clothes and shoes, not for storage. If you have items besides clothing in your closet, it is time to find them another home. You should utilize your closet to its fullest, so you do not use the rest of your bedroom for clothing. A good closet organizer can help you maximize space in a smaller closet. Regularly purge clothing you no longer use be donating or selling it. Also put a basket or hamper in your room where you usually throw your dirty clothes. More than one is acceptable, if it will keep your dirty clothes off the floor.
* Everything Else --If it does not belong in your bedroom, it should not be in there. Your bedroom is for sleeping, not for doing projects, or running a business. The worst clutter comes from items that have no business being in your bedroom. Removing these items will return your room to being a place solace, and may even help you sleep better.
A clutter free bedroom can be a real blessing in your life. It can seem like a large task to clean up your room, but getting started is the hardest part. Once it is done, you will be amazed at how much you will enjoy your like new bedroom.
Learn the 2 Big Secrets that prevents most people from effectively dealing with their clutter problems.
Hi, my name is Austen Seekabow, and I want to help you get organized. You can can find more of my articles about organization at ezinearticles, they will help you to clear the clutter out of your life and bring your hope back.
* The Bed --Your bed should be the focus of your bedroom. Make your bed everyday. It can help to minimize clutter by not using your bed for anything else during the day, like for your dirty clothes. Also try to minimize the number of pillows and layers of blankets, as they can make it take longer to make your bed, and tempt you to skip making it some days.
* The Dresser and Nightstands --Your Nightstands can be a problem point for clutter. Try to keep the drawers as organized as possible, and if items routinely collect there that belong elsewhere, either remove them daily, or find a place to put them in the nightstand or room. Do not use your dresser for items it is not meant for. A little organization can help here too.
* The Closet --A closet is for clothes and shoes, not for storage. If you have items besides clothing in your closet, it is time to find them another home. You should utilize your closet to its fullest, so you do not use the rest of your bedroom for clothing. A good closet organizer can help you maximize space in a smaller closet. Regularly purge clothing you no longer use be donating or selling it. Also put a basket or hamper in your room where you usually throw your dirty clothes. More than one is acceptable, if it will keep your dirty clothes off the floor.
* Everything Else --If it does not belong in your bedroom, it should not be in there. Your bedroom is for sleeping, not for doing projects, or running a business. The worst clutter comes from items that have no business being in your bedroom. Removing these items will return your room to being a place solace, and may even help you sleep better.
A clutter free bedroom can be a real blessing in your life. It can seem like a large task to clean up your room, but getting started is the hardest part. Once it is done, you will be amazed at how much you will enjoy your like new bedroom.
Learn the 2 Big Secrets that prevents most people from effectively dealing with their clutter problems.
Hi, my name is Austen Seekabow, and I want to help you get organized. You can can find more of my articles about organization at ezinearticles, they will help you to clear the clutter out of your life and bring your hope back.
Feng Shui Bedroom Tips
You may have spent generous amounts of time and money decorating the "public" spaces in your home. Living rooms, great rooms, kitchens and powder rooms are often considered top priorities because these are the spaces most commonly inhabited by guests. However, it is even more important to consider the design and decor of your bedroom.
Although you may be the only person who ever uses this space, the principles of Feng Shui hold that bedrooms are crucial because they express our most personal traits and impact the way we sleep, feel and interact with the outside world. Follow these tips to help create the bedroom of your dreams:
•Put your bed in the "command position." This places the bed as far from the door as possible while still allowing you to see the door from the bed. However, it is important that the bed not be directly opposite the doorway. The back of the bed should be against a wall or in a diagonal corner position. If your bed will not fit into the room's command position, hang a small mirror so that you can see a reflection of the doorway from your bed.
•A solid headboard symbolizes solid support in your life.
•Do not store anything under your bed. This practice creates stagnant, blocked energy that can negatively impact you during sleep.
•Surround yourself with your favorite things. You should love to be in your bedroom, surrounded by things that evoke positive feelings. A calm, peaceful space will also encourage a good night's sleep.
•One mirror is enough. Too many mirrors activate energy flow and can disrupt sleep. Mirrored closet doors can be major culprits in contributing to insomnia. If you can't sleep well, cover your mirrors for a few nights. You may be surprised to find that your sleep improves in a less active environment.
•Master bedrooms benefit from warm colors. Warm tones help enhance communication while cool colors, such as blue, green and white, may have the opposite effect. Accessories in warm hues can help to counteract the effect of cooler colors in the bedroom.
•Avoid artwork that is aggressive, active or sad. Instead, surround your sleeping space with images that inspire, calm and uplift you. Paintings or photos of peaceful scenes that you love to imagine yourself in are excellent choices.
•Remove the television. The reason is simple: TVs activate energy flow, which is the wrong idea for this restful, relaxing space. By eliminating TV in the bedroom, you will also enhance your communications and relationship with your partner. If you believe that you must have a television in the bedroom, be sure to put it in a cabinet where you can shut the doors over it before you go to sleep.
•Keep your bedroom tidy and your closet door closed. Remember, your bedroom should be relaxing, comforting and nurturing. The chaos of clutter degrades your ability to relax.
By keeping these principles in mind, your bedroom can become the heart of your home - a peaceful haven that allows you to face the world in a more positive and productive state of mind.
Linda Binns shows you how to be more successful in all areas of your life by working with your environment. She is giving away FREE Feng Shui Success Secrets. To get access to these powerful and practical secrets that can help you transform your life - go to http://www.fengshuiexplained.com now.
Linda Binns is author of Feng Shui for Your Relationships: Changing Your Environment to Create Better Relationships. She has been a Feng Shui Practitioner, Author, Speaker and teacher for over 10 years. She has appeared internationally on television and radio and in local publications. Linda is also the founder of The Feng Shui Success Institute - which teaches in-depth Feng Shui training and practitioner certification.
Although you may be the only person who ever uses this space, the principles of Feng Shui hold that bedrooms are crucial because they express our most personal traits and impact the way we sleep, feel and interact with the outside world. Follow these tips to help create the bedroom of your dreams:
•Put your bed in the "command position." This places the bed as far from the door as possible while still allowing you to see the door from the bed. However, it is important that the bed not be directly opposite the doorway. The back of the bed should be against a wall or in a diagonal corner position. If your bed will not fit into the room's command position, hang a small mirror so that you can see a reflection of the doorway from your bed.
•A solid headboard symbolizes solid support in your life.
•Do not store anything under your bed. This practice creates stagnant, blocked energy that can negatively impact you during sleep.
•Surround yourself with your favorite things. You should love to be in your bedroom, surrounded by things that evoke positive feelings. A calm, peaceful space will also encourage a good night's sleep.
•One mirror is enough. Too many mirrors activate energy flow and can disrupt sleep. Mirrored closet doors can be major culprits in contributing to insomnia. If you can't sleep well, cover your mirrors for a few nights. You may be surprised to find that your sleep improves in a less active environment.
•Master bedrooms benefit from warm colors. Warm tones help enhance communication while cool colors, such as blue, green and white, may have the opposite effect. Accessories in warm hues can help to counteract the effect of cooler colors in the bedroom.
•Avoid artwork that is aggressive, active or sad. Instead, surround your sleeping space with images that inspire, calm and uplift you. Paintings or photos of peaceful scenes that you love to imagine yourself in are excellent choices.
•Remove the television. The reason is simple: TVs activate energy flow, which is the wrong idea for this restful, relaxing space. By eliminating TV in the bedroom, you will also enhance your communications and relationship with your partner. If you believe that you must have a television in the bedroom, be sure to put it in a cabinet where you can shut the doors over it before you go to sleep.
•Keep your bedroom tidy and your closet door closed. Remember, your bedroom should be relaxing, comforting and nurturing. The chaos of clutter degrades your ability to relax.
By keeping these principles in mind, your bedroom can become the heart of your home - a peaceful haven that allows you to face the world in a more positive and productive state of mind.
Linda Binns shows you how to be more successful in all areas of your life by working with your environment. She is giving away FREE Feng Shui Success Secrets. To get access to these powerful and practical secrets that can help you transform your life - go to http://www.fengshuiexplained.com now.
Linda Binns is author of Feng Shui for Your Relationships: Changing Your Environment to Create Better Relationships. She has been a Feng Shui Practitioner, Author, Speaker and teacher for over 10 years. She has appeared internationally on television and radio and in local publications. Linda is also the founder of The Feng Shui Success Institute - which teaches in-depth Feng Shui training and practitioner certification.
Monday, March 17, 2008
How To Accessorise Your Bedroom
Your bedroom is the place you retire to at the end of a long hard day, and as such it should be a relaxing and calming sanctuary away from the hassles of everyday life. With this in mind, it's worth paying particular attention to how your bedroom looks and feels, as it can have a real bearing on how relaxing the overall look is.
It's also ideal to be able to make quick changes to the mood and look of your bedroom, and to do this you need to start with a neutral background. Give your room a fresh feel by painting the walls in a light, plain colour and rely on your accessories to bring out the detail. Neutral colours work well; you can also make one wall a feature wall by painting it a slightly darker, complementary colour. For example, if you use cream on the majority of the room, pick a pale chocolate colour to accent one wall of your choice. This works particularly well on a chimney breast.
Keep the paintwork light - either cream or white, so it doesn't date. You can then start looking for accessories that can be changed if you want to alter the look at some point in the future, without having to repaint the whole room.
Your bed is the focus of the whole room, so it's well worth splashing out and adding some luxurious touches to it. Invest in some new bed linen - a new duvet set, complete with a luxurious throw and some bedroom cushions will turn the place you sleep into a safe and cosy haven you can't wait to get into every night.
If you are lucky enough to have the room for a chair in your bedroom, buy an extra couple of cushions to add to that as well. It all helps to draw the whole room together and make it gel. Similarly you can often buy matching lampshades and curtains to blend everything in.
A technique often used when it comes to choosing accessories is to keep the walls and flooring in plain colours rather than choosing a patterned design. You can then select your accessories to complement these colours, instead of having to make sure the items you choose don't clash with any other patterns in the room. It also makes life easier when you want a new look; any style or combination of colours in your accessories will look good provided one of the colours in the pattern you choose blends in with the wall colour.
In short it's easy to transform your bedroom with some new accessories - all you need is a shopping trip, some creative ideas and a few hours to do it in.
Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.
It's also ideal to be able to make quick changes to the mood and look of your bedroom, and to do this you need to start with a neutral background. Give your room a fresh feel by painting the walls in a light, plain colour and rely on your accessories to bring out the detail. Neutral colours work well; you can also make one wall a feature wall by painting it a slightly darker, complementary colour. For example, if you use cream on the majority of the room, pick a pale chocolate colour to accent one wall of your choice. This works particularly well on a chimney breast.
Keep the paintwork light - either cream or white, so it doesn't date. You can then start looking for accessories that can be changed if you want to alter the look at some point in the future, without having to repaint the whole room.
Your bed is the focus of the whole room, so it's well worth splashing out and adding some luxurious touches to it. Invest in some new bed linen - a new duvet set, complete with a luxurious throw and some bedroom cushions will turn the place you sleep into a safe and cosy haven you can't wait to get into every night.
If you are lucky enough to have the room for a chair in your bedroom, buy an extra couple of cushions to add to that as well. It all helps to draw the whole room together and make it gel. Similarly you can often buy matching lampshades and curtains to blend everything in.
A technique often used when it comes to choosing accessories is to keep the walls and flooring in plain colours rather than choosing a patterned design. You can then select your accessories to complement these colours, instead of having to make sure the items you choose don't clash with any other patterns in the room. It also makes life easier when you want a new look; any style or combination of colours in your accessories will look good provided one of the colours in the pattern you choose blends in with the wall colour.
In short it's easy to transform your bedroom with some new accessories - all you need is a shopping trip, some creative ideas and a few hours to do it in.
Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.
Using Feng Shui in the Bedroom
Having a feng shui bedroom can provide many advantages to its occupants. This is primarily because the flow of energy within the bedroom can become nourishing and harmonious so you can have a bedroom that provides a relaxing environment while being exciting at the same time. A bedroom with good feng shui is a fun place to live in and its occupants are usually happy and energetic people. You might be wondering how exactly a feng shui bedroom is created though. Well, below are some basic tips you can follow:
1. Get rid of the television, computer, and even the exercise equipment in your bedroom. Remember that the bedroom is the place to relax and sleep, putting all these appliances and equipment there will give a distracting energy to the bedroom.
2. Open your windows frequently. The quality of air in this room is a very important consideration. In line with this, it is important to have the right oxygen level in your room so that the air you breathe in will be fresh and clean. If you don't have a large window, you can also use air-purifiers to improve the air quality.
3. Remove plants from your bedroom. Unless you have a big bedroom, you should not put plants in this area. Take care not to put the plant near the bed as well.
4. Have several appropriate lighting. Good lighting is important to create the perfect atmosphere in the bedroom. You can use a dimmer switch to be able to control the energy in the room. Otherwise, using candles is also recommended though you should be careful to buy candles that are toxin-free.
5. Use soothing colors for your bedroom. Soothing colors can help you achieve a balance in your personal space. It will also promote restorative sleep that can improve your health and overall well-being. The best colors you can use are the "human-skin" colors which can range from fair to chocolate brown.
6. Choose good images for your bedroom. Images you put in this room have a very powerful energy. It is recommended for you to choose images of the things you want in life. Never use sad and depressing images because it can have an adverse effect on your happiness.
7. Follow the feng shui guide on the placement of you bed. It is important for your bed to be easily approached from its two sides and have bedside tables on both sides as well. You should never put your bed in a direct linear line to the door.
8. Close all the doors in your bedroom before going to sleep. You need to close all closet doors, bathroom doors, and the bedroom door to enable the nourishing energy within the bedroom to nourish you while you sleep.
Julia Vakulenko is a licensed broker associate with Tampa4U.com Realty. She specializes in Westchase Real Estate, one of Tampa's top community, and the diverse Carrollwood Real Estate.
1. Get rid of the television, computer, and even the exercise equipment in your bedroom. Remember that the bedroom is the place to relax and sleep, putting all these appliances and equipment there will give a distracting energy to the bedroom.
2. Open your windows frequently. The quality of air in this room is a very important consideration. In line with this, it is important to have the right oxygen level in your room so that the air you breathe in will be fresh and clean. If you don't have a large window, you can also use air-purifiers to improve the air quality.
3. Remove plants from your bedroom. Unless you have a big bedroom, you should not put plants in this area. Take care not to put the plant near the bed as well.
4. Have several appropriate lighting. Good lighting is important to create the perfect atmosphere in the bedroom. You can use a dimmer switch to be able to control the energy in the room. Otherwise, using candles is also recommended though you should be careful to buy candles that are toxin-free.
5. Use soothing colors for your bedroom. Soothing colors can help you achieve a balance in your personal space. It will also promote restorative sleep that can improve your health and overall well-being. The best colors you can use are the "human-skin" colors which can range from fair to chocolate brown.
6. Choose good images for your bedroom. Images you put in this room have a very powerful energy. It is recommended for you to choose images of the things you want in life. Never use sad and depressing images because it can have an adverse effect on your happiness.
7. Follow the feng shui guide on the placement of you bed. It is important for your bed to be easily approached from its two sides and have bedside tables on both sides as well. You should never put your bed in a direct linear line to the door.
8. Close all the doors in your bedroom before going to sleep. You need to close all closet doors, bathroom doors, and the bedroom door to enable the nourishing energy within the bedroom to nourish you while you sleep.
Julia Vakulenko is a licensed broker associate with Tampa4U.com Realty. She specializes in Westchase Real Estate, one of Tampa's top community, and the diverse Carrollwood Real Estate.
Sleep Well in Your Green Bedroom
We all know about the benefits of eating organic foods and using eco-friendly free cleaners and other household items, but now this toxin-free existence has extended into other areas of the house. Apparently a tidy, relatively dust-free bedroom just doesn't cut it anymore in today's chemical ridden society.
How green is your rug? Natural products such as jute or wool are the most desirable.
Your bedroom furniture may be oozing toxic gases. Anything composed of particle board or paneling and left unsealed, can emit formaldehyde and has the potential to cause difficulty in breathing, watery eyes, or allergies. Extreme levels have been known to cause cancer in animals and humans.
When you're painting your walls, look for a low VOC brand that contains less toxins. A good rule of thumb is, the stronger the paint smell after you put it on the wall, the higher the level of toxicity.
How many of us are sleeping on an organic bed? An organic bed emits no toxic chemicals and provides a healthy sleep environment.
Most traditional mattresses are made with fire retardant chemicals which seep out, only to be absorbed by our pores and lungs while we are sleeping. After ingesting various chemicals throughout our average day, it gives our bodies a much needed rest if we omit these toxins from our sleeping hours. This is especially true when you consider that people spend about one third of their life in bed.
Some of the common toxins emitted during sleep include:
* Formaldehyde, a chemical which is used in many adhesives and can cause eye and throat irritation and headaches.
* Carcinogenic flame-retardants (known as PBDE’s), many of which are banned in Europe and some U.S. States.
* Decabromodiphenyl Oxide, a brominated flame retardant now being found in women's breast milk.
Here are a few of the green features in organic bedding and mattresses:
* Natural latex cores wrapped in a natural flame retardant such as cotton or wool
* Emission-free mattresses that contain neither glue nor adhesives (these can emit toxic fumes for the first 2-3 years)
* Natural fiber bedding that not only breathes, but naturally resists dust mites
* Any cotton material used in the production of the bedding should be unbleached. Traditional cotton is not an acceptable choice due to its exposure to large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers prior to harvesting.
* No PBDE’s (fire retardants)
* Hypo-allergenic
* Made in a chemical-free manufacturing plant
Various affordable green mattress retailers include IKEA, Cozypure, Gaiam Greensleep/Vimala and EcoChoices.
Mark Zawaideh, a top sales associate in the United States, and based in the Northville Michigan real estate market. If you're looking to buy or sell property in the Canton MI real estate area, be sure to visit Mark at MarkZProperties.com.
How green is your rug? Natural products such as jute or wool are the most desirable.
Your bedroom furniture may be oozing toxic gases. Anything composed of particle board or paneling and left unsealed, can emit formaldehyde and has the potential to cause difficulty in breathing, watery eyes, or allergies. Extreme levels have been known to cause cancer in animals and humans.
When you're painting your walls, look for a low VOC brand that contains less toxins. A good rule of thumb is, the stronger the paint smell after you put it on the wall, the higher the level of toxicity.
How many of us are sleeping on an organic bed? An organic bed emits no toxic chemicals and provides a healthy sleep environment.
Most traditional mattresses are made with fire retardant chemicals which seep out, only to be absorbed by our pores and lungs while we are sleeping. After ingesting various chemicals throughout our average day, it gives our bodies a much needed rest if we omit these toxins from our sleeping hours. This is especially true when you consider that people spend about one third of their life in bed.
Some of the common toxins emitted during sleep include:
* Formaldehyde, a chemical which is used in many adhesives and can cause eye and throat irritation and headaches.
* Carcinogenic flame-retardants (known as PBDE’s), many of which are banned in Europe and some U.S. States.
* Decabromodiphenyl Oxide, a brominated flame retardant now being found in women's breast milk.
Here are a few of the green features in organic bedding and mattresses:
* Natural latex cores wrapped in a natural flame retardant such as cotton or wool
* Emission-free mattresses that contain neither glue nor adhesives (these can emit toxic fumes for the first 2-3 years)
* Natural fiber bedding that not only breathes, but naturally resists dust mites
* Any cotton material used in the production of the bedding should be unbleached. Traditional cotton is not an acceptable choice due to its exposure to large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers prior to harvesting.
* No PBDE’s (fire retardants)
* Hypo-allergenic
* Made in a chemical-free manufacturing plant
Various affordable green mattress retailers include IKEA, Cozypure, Gaiam Greensleep/Vimala and EcoChoices.
Mark Zawaideh, a top sales associate in the United States, and based in the Northville Michigan real estate market. If you're looking to buy or sell property in the Canton MI real estate area, be sure to visit Mark at MarkZProperties.com.
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