Putting in Garden Lights

Garden lights can make your backyard look more beautiful. Normally many people would like to enrich our garden to really make it look a lot more beautiful. By garden lights, your garden will receive an illuminating look. When we come across certain public scenery that are decorated using garden illuminations, it will definitely make any private lawn owner to implement similar inside their garden. Garden lights not only give visual beauty to your garden but also acts as a security and safety factor during the night. Also underwater gardens are enhanced with garden emanations. On this page, we will talk about on the way to set up them inside your garden and also the various kinds of lights available for you.

The most important components for lighting include a source of energy, light-fixture and wiring. Source of energy can be either through electricity or other means like fuels, natural gas, solar cells, which will also be employed. After you have planned on enhancing your backyard with these features, the next is to determine the venue where you plan to put them correctly. This post will assist you to understand that. If you need expert assistance, it is advisable to find a good designer. In most of the gardens you will find lighting set close to the seating locations. They are positioned in the seating area to make a live atmosphere around the seating area. Moreover, these products attract the eye of all of your guests to the seating space.

Passageway is an additional area where one can install these items. It is preferable not to put in shiny lights. Dim lights will be installed near the seating area, passageway and around trees. Yard is another area where one can put these stuff. As in the case of passageway and seating area, Dim lights/lighting should be used. Especially in the situation of yard, many designers desire the smaller ones. Driveways can also be put in with lighting so they look a lot more fascinating. The LED items are the most preferred choice for these locations. Minimum lighting/lights are needed for drive ways. Gardens that possess huge amount of trees should definitely be put with lighting around the trees. The recessed method is used by lots of designers for such kinds of gardens.

Walls can even be equipped with subtle lights to make the garden appear more lovely overall. Fountain areas will be fitted with illumination to make the garden more desirable. Other water areas like birdbath and swimming pool may also be installed with relevant light-fixtures. The next part of this article will deal with the different kinds of choices intended for garden owners.

The four primary different types offer are the step, path, up and down lighting. Path lighting are those that are installed in the driveways and passageways mainly serving the objective of giving path. While the steps are the ones that are applied to the stairs and they give a safety element to the lawn. The up-lights can be used to emphasize primary spots of your garden. Down-lights are applied to give natural aesthetic elegance to the lawn by providing brightness to certain parts of your garden from above.

Ways To Use Landscape Lighting

In essence, for as long as humans have been around, landscape lighting has been a part of society. Landscape lighting is not only used for aesthetic appeal, but also for safety, and simply for light to be able to see where you are going.

Prior to the introduction of electricity as the main power source for lights, landscape lighting was powered by gas, and before that, there were candles and torches or lanterns covered with animal or plant oils.

If you consider landscape lighting any lighting that is used outside, it is certain that you would be able to come up with many forms of it. Street lights, lit up signs, and even your porch light.

What is more interesting though, in the opinion of many landscapers, is lighting used to add dimension and appeal to outdoor features. Below are a few ideas of ways to use landscape lighting to make your home more unique and beautiful.

Adding lights along your driveway is like calling out to your guests "you have arrived!" It makes a first impression on visitors that they will not soon forget because of the beautiful entrance it provides to your property.

Lighting a water feature truly brings it to life. Of course a water feature is beautiful on its own, but when you add illumination to the feature, you are adding so much more than just light. You are adding reflection, sparkle, and vibrance. The light also makes the water feature more visible in the night when you invite people over to your home for parties or dinners. You may not have fountains like the Bellagio in Las Vegas, but with the right illumination, your home water feature could add a lot to your overall landscape.

When you add light to the side of a building or to the side of your home, you draw attention to it in a positive way. A home with landscape lighting that points to the walls outside of the house seems to glow at night. It shows that you are confident in your home and you want people to notice the beautiful details of it throughout the whole day and night. Consequently, lighting the outside of your home makes it less of an attractive stop for burglars. Burglars cannot creep unnoticed through your yard and up to your home when you have high powered landscape lighting illuminating the whole area.

So whether it is for safety, general lighting of a street or walkway, or to add beauty and aesthetic appeal to a home, landscape lighting is a great investment.

Home Lighting Needs Maintenance

Decorative lighting is a necessary part of each interior design and as an electrical appliance needs maintenance from time to time. We are used to set it and forget it - after the initial install we do not pay any attention to it, unless there is a problem - for example to change the burnt bulb. Unfortunately, there is much more to be done to ensure that you will get the most of your lighting fixtures and feel comfortable in your home.

Cleaning - over the time the protective glass, lampshade or any other kind of diffuser gets dirty. A lot of dust and other particles stick to the lamps and decrease the illuminated light by 30% to 50%. You should consider the fact that different rooms are delivering different volume and type of dirt. Kitchen pendants tend to collect dirt faster than lighting fixtures in the bedroom. That's normal as there are a lot more vapors in the food preparing rooms. Consider taking off the glasses, diffusers and lampshades regularly to clean them.

Replacing bulbs - all bulbs are aging and suffer from reduction of light emitted. Energy saving bulbs or also known as Compact Fluorescent Lamps are losing 20% of their luminous flux every year. If you combine that with some dust, then don't be surprised if your rooms are too dark. It is a good idea to replace old bulbs every two years.

Power supply revision - modern light bulbs like LED or low voltage halogens are supplied by a LED driver or transformer. Even though such devices can significantly increase the life of the bulbs, they should be checked on a yearly basis in order to provide the best electrical parameters to the bulbs. Because these devices are generating a lot of heat, it is required to not allow the dust to cover them and cause overheating. There is also a problem called "loose wire problem" - when the wires are not tightly secured to the power supply they can start burn the isolation and damage the whole lighting fixture.

Flexible arm lighting - there are some lamps and pendants that allows you to change their form or angle of the light being emitted. Using them often can loosen the flexible parts and ruin them, so whenever you need to adjust their position, make it smoothly and gently.

Waterproof lights - you should inspect their covers and diffusers on regular bases to assure that there is no any chance of water getting inside and make a short circuit. Such lighting fixtures are installed in bathrooms so do not neglect their integrity, if any doubt - replace them immediately.

LED Flood Lights As a Best Lighting Choice

LED flood lights are well-known with homeowners for having a long life span, being an energy saver, and costing less compared to other products. They are compatible with interior and exterior installation. They are capable of providing adequate light to houses, gardens, roads, sports domes and commercial companies.

These lights offer a superb combination of radiance and luster compared with the standard halogen lights. They have diodes that permits for optimum brightness with little electrical requirement. This is the main reason why there are a lot of individuals that love it compared with other choices in the industry.

Although they cost a little more than traditional fixtures made from mercury, they have various advantages to offset the expense. Depending on the needs of customers, they can be acquired in low and high electrical types with the option of additional mechanical improvements.

Introduction

Since the debut of the LED lamps in 1965, their looks and features changed a few times. Nowadays, anyone can buy bulbs in different designs and sizes. The landscaping industry in the United States and the United Kingdom highlights the best features of the LEDs by placing them in hard to reach locations.

It helps scale back on the electrical component and impact on the environment. They can also function as lighting materials for gatherings like corporate parties, birthdays, camping and other momentous occasions.

Latest Enhancements

The motion detection feature of the newest LEDs offered by lighting shops has changed rapidly over the past ten years. It is created with enhanced technology that offers people help in keeping an eye on any movements outside of their residence or business.

Top class flood lights can last for five years without needing any repairs and upgrades. Lights that are manufactured for exterior functions have a two-year warranty offered by companies.

One good thing about installing this kind of light inside is that it brings down the room temperature to a tolerable level. They do not produce any dangerous chemical and heat emissions.

A normal incandescent bulb lasts for one thousand hours while an LED lasts ten times more than that amount. LED lamps also possess considerable resistance to extreme changes in temperature and blunt force. With these technological changes, customers have the assurance of having superb fixtures and the peace of mind that the lights would not suddenly fall-off.

Homeowners without any prior experience in installing LED flood lights will not have any problem at all since manufacturers offer an instruction manual with the product. They do not need to hire any technician to do the job, saving professional fee for other important financial concerns.

Traditional Motif on Lamps and Shades

Lamps and shades with traditional Indian motifs and prints are now available in small numbers for art lovers and lovers of Indian art. The lamps are made in a variety of material from paper to silk.

You can choose options from batik to hand woven fabric and raw silk with intricate designs to printed silk. For centuries hand crafted fabric from India has been very popular and was available as a Saree or as a base material for designer and ethnic apparel. The "Indianness" of the lamp starts right at the base which is embellished with Indian artifacts, paintings or even stone work and is capped by a complementing lamp shade with matching designs in print, batik or zari work. The lamp is stunning to look at any time be it day or night. Day light will bring out its beauty in sunshine and at night the lamp itself will have an aura very soothing and comforting for helping you relax.

If you choose the organic paper option then the designs are mostly hand painted, wood block prints or are embossed on the paper itself. There are many options as far as paper is concerned. Organic paper is made from recycled wood, paper pulp, natural grasses and processed bark from living trees- bark is a waste product for a tree. A tree sheds its bark several times in its life cycle. Sometimes leaves and flowers can be seen embedded in the paper - the most natural design one can think of.

Scenes depicting Indian traditions, festivals and village life can also be seen on organic paper lamp shades.

Proceeding to a more conservative design one can choose from fabric lamp shades with scenes from Indian mythology, traditional rendering of living objects, Indian traditions, festivals and people in attires not to be seen anymore.

The zari work is traditionally a cross weave of finely drawn gold plated silver wire which forms the basis of the design. The whole design idea spins around this material. Occasionally colored silk is used to highlight the design. With Gold and silver at an all time high, today Gold plated zari work is a restricted art and has been largely replaced by imitation zari. Though it cannot compare with Real Gold and silver zari still it succeeds in creating the same luster and finish of real gold zari work. Zari work shines and shimmers in the daylight while at night the design serves to mellow the light filtering out from the shade. Order a traditional India lamp with a matching shade in Organic paper, silk and with authentic zari work today!!

A Comprehensive Guide to LED Home Lights

Most ordinary people have seen LEDs at some point in their lives in Christmas décor, outdoor lighting and electrical torches. But some homeowners still do not know that LED home lights are now available at their disposal.

Companies in the lighting market are scaling back on creating the present CFL generation. The mercury content of this fixture makes disposal a big challenge. Businesses like Philips have already turned their attention in developing the LED variation since it is the next step in technology evolution. The overall result of this decision is an increase in the availability of the product to the masses.

Contrasting Features

The main difference of a standard incandescent bulb over an LED fixture is the 95 percent energy that the first example wastes as it produces heat and projects glow in various directions. The latter processes the electricity it needs and maintains an even temperature. It beams light in one specific direction.

The expense owners will need to pay over time is also an important difference. This example of light fittings last for thirty years and needs a minimum amount of maintenance compared with the traditional products available through online and offline home improvement establishments. A standard bulb lasts for only a quarter of that period and needs substantial maintenance over the course of its life span.

The efficiency, safety record and financial potential of LEDs make it a superb replacement choice for flood lights made of halogen found in most houses. Changing the objects found in this area is one character of focus illumination that the lights are good for. They are also recommended for unconventional locations where installation of typical flood lights poses unnecessary risk to individuals.

LEDs are an obvious option in presenting the contents of clothing cabinets, pantries and shelves in a favorable manner. The fixtures can also place in any kind of surfaces and furniture without inflicting any damage.

Additional Dimensions

Another facet of residential LEDs is changing the mood of an area, introducing a vast portfolio of lighting enhancements that the present technology cannot imitate. This ambiance feature of the lamp provides prospective owners a new set of engaging interchangeable colors that they can toggle depending on their tastes. This type of LED can be set in one direction on the ceiling or focused on the floor and other places in the house.

Few Reminders

One thing that people must not forget about LED home lights is that they should not expect an immediate return of the money that they have invested. They will only see the benefits that it offers over the long term.

Why Motion Activated Outdoor Lights Are A Good Idea

One of the most popular types of outdoor lights in use today are those that are motion activated. There are a number of reasons for this popularity, including that they can help your home to feel more secure and they can help you to save energy whilst always having a light source. If you have been looking at the different types of fixtures that you can use around your property, than perhaps those that are motion activated could be the solution to your problem.

There are a number of things that you must be aware of when choosing outdoor lights for your home, as well as a number of reasons that make motion activated fixtures preferable:

Many homeowners are worried about disturbing their neighbours by having lights on all night, especially if the fixture is directed towards the windows or entertaining areas of their neighbour's home. Motion activation, however, ensures that illumination is only experienced in short bursts. Most outdoor lights are known to consume a lot of energy, therefore bumping up your electricity bills considerably. Using low wattage globes in your motion activated fixtures, however, is one way to lower your energy usage and save some money. When choosing motion activated lights for your property, make sure that it won't be used for accent or spot illumination. This is because the areas of your yard that you will be trying to illuminate don't move, meaning that the fixtures will not be activated. Think about non-human entities that could set off your motion sensor outdoor lights. If you live in a heavily wooded or deserted area, for example, your property may be a popular shortcut for any number of nocturnal creatures. Having your fixtures turn on and off all night kind of defeats the purpose. Choose fixtures that are able to detect movement from a reasonable distance away. There is no point in the lights only switching on when you're right beneath or beside them if you need to be able to see a clear path from your garage to your front door.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons that suggest motion activated outdoor lights are a very good option in illuminating your property after nightfall. Not only will they alert you when unsavoury characters are prowling around your home, they will ensure that you have a safe path to trek when arriving home late at night. So, remember to choose your lights wisely and take the above considerations into account.

Tips For Being A Clever Table Lamp Buyer

When it comes to buying a new table lamp for use in your home, it's likely that your purchase will go one of two ways - it will either be a perfect match for the space and the desired application, or it will look completely out of place and completely unsuitable for your needs. To ensure that you are being a clever buyer, take the below tips on board when making your next purchase:

Take a tape measure with you when visiting lighting showrooms. This will enable you to measure the height of the lamp to determine whether it is tall enough to cast light over the shoulder or not (this is important for a fixture that will be placed on a chair-side table to allow adequate illumination for reading). Find out the table lamp's maximum wattage and determine whether it is adequate for your needs. For normal lighting, you should be looking for around 50 watts and for reading you should be looking for at least 150 watts. Some fixtures will offer tri-functionality of 50, 100 and 150 watts. Stand a few feet away from the lamp to see whether the bottom of the shade hides the globe socket from view. If you can see any of the socket, you should continue looking, as this can cause too much glare and potentially damage your eyes. Carefully inspect the table lamp shade for other qualities that a clever buyer would find desirable. Can it, for example, allow you to reduce or increase the light output? The former is useful for creating a certain ambience in a space, whilst the latter is beneficial for studying or reading beneath the fixture. If you really like the base of a particular lamp but have found that its accompanying shade is unsuitable, consider purchasing an alternative shade that you can swap over when you get home. Most lighting showrooms will sell shades separately, so you should be able to find an appropriate one. Once you take the table lamp home, plug it in and spend a day or so turning it on and off at different times of the day to judge the effect achieved. If you aren't satisfied with the illumination provided or how the fixture fits in with your décor, return it.

By taking each of the above tips into consideration when embarking on a table lamp shopping expedition, you can ensure that you are a clever buyer and return home with the most appropriate fixture possible. Don't become one of those people who buy on impulse, as you will be left with a bunch of lamps that are completely unsuitable for your needs.

Some Points About LED Downlights

Downlights have been around for quite a while now, and I should know. I've worked in clubs and bars for most of my life and they use more downlights than you can shake a stick at. The fact of the matter is that downlights are hugely popular in both commercial settings.

A downlight literally describes any type of light fitting that directs its light downwards. They are traditionally associated with the circular halogen fittings recessed into the ceilings of pubs, clubs, hotels and, more recently, homes as well. However, the problems with traditional halogen lights are many and varied, which have attracted them a lot of criticism from lighting designers and the environmentally friendly caucus.

The problem is that halogen downlights are just not up to scratch when it comes to meeting the efficiency and cost requirements of the twenty-first century. One of the most prevalent memories I have of working in a bar is the tiresome chore of prodding defective halogens with a broom handle until they spring back to life; and in addition to this unreliability, they are awfully expensive and need replacing often.

That's where LED downlights come into the picture. LED downlights are beginning to seriously dominante the lighting market and rightly so. Their low energy consumption and enormous life span, between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, makes them an incredibly attractive lighting option. Overtime their shape and size has come to closely emulate that of traditional halogen bulbs, making them just as discrete and fashionable.

All these features of LED downlights mean that their domestic application is quickly becoming realise as they stand to save homeowners an enormous amount on their electricity bills while also providing the great range of lighting options they have come to know and love.

When it comes to recessed downlights, there are lots of options to choose from. Recessed fittings are great for complementing the design of modern living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and bedrooms. Whether you are building a new home or renovating an old one, they are a great choice for lighting schemes as they offer a unique synthesis of style and function. Their inconspicuous design contributes to a tidy and streamlined appearance throughout the home.

However, some lighting arrangements can end up looking bland and uniform. If you are creative with your LED downlights, you can achieve fantastic result and avoid making your home look like an office space. Try not to place your fittings too close together or in rows as you want to try and avoid creating a runway effect. Designers also recommend keeping the spacing between your fixtures proportional to the size of the fixtures themselves; so fixtures with a 4 inch diameter should be spaced 4 feet apart and so forth.

Directional "wall wash" or gimbal downlights can be affixed to vertical walls and surfaces and used to highlight the prominent features of a room, including pictures, fireplaces and ornaments. This will also make a space look larger by "pushing" out the walls.

LED downlights are also great for task lighting. Carefully positioned over desks or worktops, they are great for reading and working by. A popular option is to incorporate them onto the underside of kitchen cabinets.

The Viability of a Commercial LED Flood Light

Typically, people use a commercial LED flood light for security purposes. They are available in two divisions which are private and industrial. The difference between these variations is the size of their body and the glow that it produces.

The standard flood light used in homes is made from PIR halogen and needs 600 watts of electrical power to run correctly. Although it provides considerable luminescence when in use, it is not perfect contrary to what some homeowners expect.

Prospective owners should expect a significant impact on their monthly electric bill and miscellaneous expenses if they decided to choose this item. One reason is that it is unable to regulate temperature properly because of the tight casing. This cuts back on the expected life span of the light, which is a standard 3000 hours. It will only last for 1000 hours in this situation.

Another reason is that the maintenances expenses for this type of flood light are considerable. It costs six pence for one hour although it only provides 20 LPW. This record falls short of the recommended 50 LPW standard for excellent energy conservation.

Demand

The last decades have seen a gradual increase in customer demand for the minimum-energy lights that have a significant shelf life due to several factors like rising crude and power generation expenses and environmental awareness.

Manufacturers have created various solutions to resolve these concerns. The product recommended for household usage is the solid fluorescent variations. Although they are not as radiant compared with the 600 watt LED lamp made out of tungsten, they fit in a domestic setting perfectly because of their electricity components.

One simple way of shifting to the CFL set-up is modifying fixtures for traditional 120 mm lamps. A well-known commercial LED flood light used by industries is the 26 watt type. One advantage of this version is the minimal operation expense and the prolong life span.

It can last for a minimum of 10000 hours and a maximum of 20000 hours depending on the kind of lamp and fitting the person choose. Another convenience of this type is the opportunity to customize the hue.

The 2700 (K) LED example has a radiant white ambiance, which is recommended during the summer months when people want to stay outdoors. It is not only for security purposes since it can function as illumination for garden parties and dinners.

The conventional 4000 (k) moderate white variation is recommended for day time use and functions well with a CCTV camera. LED enhancements may seem costly at first but people will see the benefits as they use it over the next few years.

Learn More About Off-Grid Lighting Products

With the current state of the world economy, you need to spend your cash wisely because of the rise in cost of living. With your current income, you can no longer have enough money to pay all your bills, to shop and have some left as savings. With no signs of a salary increase, all you have to do to survive is spend within your means. Save money where you can. For example, you can save on the cost of electricity by using energy saving bulbs and lamps.

To save on power usage in your home, buy stand-alone lighting systems and products that are rechargeable. These systems and products should be easy to use, assemble and install without needing assistance from an electrician. These products are affordable so the cost should not worry you. These products and systems come in different forms.

Modern sources of light have 3 main components. They include electricity source that is commonly a small solar panel with 1-5W, a modern renewable battery made of lithium ion and a modern lamp or lantern with a Light Emitting Diode bulb. The solar panel and batteries could be built in the lantern or could be separate parts that are easy to connect without help from a technician.

Light emitting diode bulbs are made using the modern technology to suit the tastes and preferences of clients while at the same time meeting the demands of current states of the world economy. Initially, LED bulbs were made to exclusively meet the demands of the Australian market but other firms have emerged all over the world to meet similar demands of people in other nations. The products are of high quality.

These special bulbs are designed for home use, for use by architects, designers and engineers among others. These are bulbs whose market is large. They are needed in almost all sectors of the economy. In addition, the bulbs have the ability to illuminate spaces and places in ways hardly ever thought possible. You should turn to this form of lighting for your current and future projects.

LED lighting bulbs have different colors to suit the tastes of different clients. Bulbs also vary in size, make and design. They are the king of bulbs which people need in the modern setting. The intensity of light emitted by these bulbs also varies, so if you do not need a bright one you can buy one which lights dimly. You now have a way out of paying huge electricity bills.

Get Your Lighting on Track With LEDs

Here's a bright idea; LED track lighting!

Track lighting has steadily grown in popularity over the years. It was first introduced by Lightolier in the 1960s, the same decade as LED technology no less, and, today, is one of the leading alternatives to traditional lighting fixtures, not just in museums, galleries and shops, but homes as well.

So what is track lighting and why has it become so popular?

In a normal lighting set up, electrical wire is routed to individual light positions. With tracks, several fixtures are attached to a continuous length of track.

Tracks can be mounted directly to ceilings and walls, or suspended from rods, making them a viable option where no recessing is possible. The track itself is available in a wide variety of decorative finishes, including nickel, chrome and white. They aren't just straight either; tracks can be bent to fit the shape of the room they are being used to light.

Traditionally, track lights are operated from a single switch, but many modern systems are available with digital control interfaces, such as DALI (Digital Adressable Lighting Interface), allowing each fitting to be controlled independently.

There are clear practical and aesthetic advantages to using track lighting over traditional lighting fixtures. Adjustable spots make it easy to reposition and direct the light where it is needed most. This makes it perfect for the kitchen or a home office, which, as well as general illumination, benefit from functional task lighting in work areas.

If you have a lot of artwork in your living room and hallway, tracks can be used to highlight these as well. LED Lights don't emit any harmful UV or IR radiation, so you won't need to worry about them causing damage to your precious pieces, and achieve much better colour rendition.

Tracks can also be used for general lighting. Simply choose a pendant fixture instead and fit these with either B22 or E27 LED bulbs. For even greater flexibility, choose a dimmable version. Just make sure your dimmer switches are LED-compatible!

Regardless of which configuration you choose, always make sure you are using low voltage LED light bulbs. They are interchangeable with halogen light bulbs and use a fraction of the energy; great news for shops and galleries looking to cut their overheads. If you're looking for something a little different, why not try some colour changing LED bulbs. These make a great addition to a games room or home bar.

So, if you have track lighting or plan on installing it in the near future, think LED! They save money, reduce waste and look great.

Pendant Lighting: Everything You Need to Know

Thinking of having pendant lighting in your home? Because you're reading this, chances are that you are looking for more information on whether this is the right type of fixture for you, on how it is different from chandeliers, and even tips on how to install it. In that case, you've come to the right place. We'll fill you in with everything you need to know about pendant lights. The information that we'll share with you are by no means exhaustive, but you'll have enough to help you move forward and make a decision. So if you're ready then read on.

Why Use Pendant Lighting

To find out if pendant lights are for you, it would help to distinguish them from chandeliers first. While often lumped together with the latter, the former actually differs in that there is only one light connected to the cord from which a pendant is suspended. Chandeliers, meanwhile have several lights that branch out from a single cord. So if you're looking to light up only a small room, your countertop, or your dining table, then a pendant light would be a more practical option. However, if you wish to illuminate a large living room, a chandelier would suit it better.

In other words, whether or not a pendant light is for you depends so much on where you wish to place it. But don't let this stifle your creativity. In the end, the type of light that you choose will be based not only on your practical considerations but on your aesthetic decisions as well. For example, you can put a row of pendants at varying heights on a corner of the room to give it an accent.

How to Install Pendant Lights

The easiest way of having your pendants installed is by hiring a qualified electrician to do it for you. However, if you would like to take the DIY route and have the necessary skills to perform the installation yourself, then by all means, go ahead with it. If you're doing DIY, consider the following:

Make sure you cut off the electricity before installing the light.

Read the installation instructions before doing the job.

Want to use a dimmer switch? You will need to replace your current switch.

Give enough headroom for the light.

Check that the fixture is securely installed on the mounting bracket.

These tips are meant to ensure your safety while installing the fixture. Doing this work on your own can be challenging and dangerous. So if you don't have the skills to DIY this, hire an electrician instead. You'll save a lot of time in the process.

All in all, pendant lighting is usually used when you want a simpler and a more compact alternative to a chandelier. However, you may also opt to install several pendants in one area of the room, depending on your creative preference. And while you may choose to install the light fixture yourself, make sure that you are experienced enough to do it. Otherwise, hire an electrician to do it for you.

Light Up - It's All in the Timing

We have been living with energy efficient lighting for a number of years now and it's safe to say that this has been enough time for us to become suitably acquainted with its pros and cons. If you surf the interweb, which I'm sure you do, otherwise you wouldn't be here, then you will find a wide number of internet blogs and forums touching upon this issue. Our good friend the compact fluorescent has become somewhat of a benchmark in terms of energy efficient lighting, both in positive and negative terms. For while the compact fluorescent boasted so many promises it also brought with it plenty to complain about. And that is precisely what we have done, complained. And rightly so!

But one of the oft made complaints about the compact fluorescent has been that they take a long time to light up between someone hitting the switch and the bulb actually coming on. I for one have many a time stridden confidently into a room after hitting the light switch, only to be, for a moment, alarmed by the wall of darkness that greets me for a couple of seconds. It's not a huge problem, admittedly, and perhaps we can live with it, but in my opinion when people spend as much money as they do on energy saving bulbs they expect something that meets the functionality of a traditional bulb, if not better.

So why do compact fluorescents take so long to actually light up? Well here is a little explanation of how a compact fluorescent works.

Compact fluorescents utilize the same technology as standard fluorescent tube lights. Those are the rather ugly looking strip lights that flicker before they come on. Unlike regular incandescent bulbs they do not use a filament in order to produce light, but rather work by using a Mercury Vapour that emits an ultraviolet light when ionized. This ultra violet light in turn creates particles that coat the inside of the tube. These then glow or fluoresce producing the light which you see. It is this step by step process that prevents a lot of compact fluorescents from reaching full brightness instantaneously.

In our experience LED Lights do not share this same shortcoming. LED Lights guarantee instantaneous illumination for the entirety of their lifespan. Like any normal incandescent bulb, LED lights light up instantaneously while also offering better energy saving capability than compact fluorescents.

Choosing the Perfect Light Fixture for Your Victorian-Style Bedroom

A Victorian-style bedroom means a room that offers a romantic ambiance with colorful elements that make the overall appearance interestingly charming and feminine. It should capture and reflect centuries-old style and decoration. In today's world marked by contemporary design and style, a Victorian-style bedroom is easily achieved by including old adornments with minor modifications and adjustments. The room does not necessarily have to look 'old' but it should blend well with some modern trimmings. A Victorian-decorated bedroom should be a perfect romantic retreat place for you when you need to escape the noise and clutter of the real world. It will definitely feel good to be in a warmly-lit cozy bedroom which can remind you of life's little pleasures.

As there are those who are particularly fond of Victorian-style and who want a sense of royalty and opulence, a Victorian-style decorated bedroom will be a perfect style choice. And when decorating to achieve Victorian-style, every decoration component should complement each other in order to get the desired look. Wall and floor colors, furniture, lighting fixture, fabric, patterns and artworks are to blend well to achieve the Victorian luxurious elegance and romantic aura.

In order to provide the right effects and mood, choosing the perfect lighting fixture for integration into the design concept is critical and important. A Victorian lighting effect can be derived from lamps with flower-painted base adorned with synthetic jewels or pearls. You can also choose corner lamps with glass covers in bright blue or emerald green colors to give the vibrant effect. Choose bedside lamp shades that have a rose or buttercup pattern to match the wall paper. And if the bedroom area will allow it, adorn the ceiling with a small silver chandelier with synthetic crystals to perfectly mimic the Victorian-style grandeur and charm.

Others may prefer light fixtures made of crystal, brass or porcelain with ornate designs. A subtle and romantic ambience is achieved by using yellow light instead of the regular white light. Proper lighting can draw the attention to the surrounding bedroom furniture by using different lamp styles - lamps with fabric shades, tall corner floor lamps, all in amber colored light. A typical Victorian-style bedroom will have lamps all over the room to give selective-area lighting much like what you see in a typical hotel room. Ceiling lights are not much used as one can just lit up the bedside lamp for reading, or the floor lamp for general lighting. Bedroom chandeliers most often than not serve the decorative elements only.

In choosing the light fixture for your Victorian-style bedroom, aim for minimalism. Wall lamps with intricate base designs can add to the effect. Candlesticks with dangling crystals can elegantly set the romantic mood. Bronze or crystal pendant lighting can also enhance the style. Whatever you pick, just make sure that when you turn on a lamp or a pendant lighting, the room will transcend into the Victorian era and exude that aura of elegance, luxury and lavishness. Stay close to the furniture style or design in order to create a cohesive and well-coordinated design effect in your bedroom.