The way we work is changing, more and more people nowadays have the option to work at home which requires a comfortable, functional and organised workplace that meets all business and office needs and promotes productivity and efficiency.
The best case scenario is to have aspacious, secluded, quiet and comfortable place, an attic or a basement for instance, where to organise an office, thus successfully separating your profession from your personal life.
When you cannot devote an entire room to a home office, try to convert an awkward little nook or reclaim an unused corner, for all you need is enough work space to get your job done; a folding screen could separate you from the world, and it could also act as an inspiration board. When the space is tight, look for multifunctional pieces of furniture and make smart use of the vertical wall space; customise the shelves to your needs.
Whatever the size of your office, it is advisable to consider the following essentials:
A work surface
The office desk should accommodate your computer equipment and be sturdy enough to support it.
Proper seating
If you spend a considerable amount of time in your home office, think ergonomically and invest in a good office chair with a backrest, cushioned seat, swivel base, adjustable armrest and height feature. It could be expensive, but an uncomfortable chair can hurt your back and cause discomfort and pain.
Sufficient storage
Efficient storage – cabinets, shelves, credences, is needed to properly organise files, papers and office supplies; an office desk or armoire with built – in drawers is a good option, too. You could also improvise with different containers placed on open shelves or under the desk or even repurpose furniture – nightstands with drawers could serve as printer stands and provide storage for printer paper and other office supplies.
Efficient lighting
Always bear in mind that lighting of your office can have a considerable effect on your productivity and fatigue levels for at least two reasons: first, if you do not like your workspace, lighting could definitely enhance its atmosphere, and second, lighting problems, like glare, dim light or too bright light, for instance, can add extra strain on your eyes and leave you feeling exhausted.
So, consider colours: white or light-coloured walls and furniture make the space bright and airy and you need lower intensity light and fewer lighting options. Generally, the rule is to light a dark office about 20 percent brighter than you would if the walls and furniture were light-coloured.
Try to follow some basic suggestions: make sure lighting is not too bright, direct light toward papers, not eyes, avoid bright lighting on your monitor, and, above all, always keep in mind that a good lighting scheme uses layers of light for the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing design strategy; you could also include dimmers and decorative lights to add drama and create the mood in your office.
If necessary, consult lighting designers to get the right lighting scheme that entirely meets your needs and prevents glare, headaches, and eye strain.
More tips that might be helpful:
Clear the pathways
De-clutter both the space and the desk, improve your organization – throw away things you have not touched in a year, and file away important papers or items sitting in piles throughout the space
Remember: if you cannot find it, you cannot use it, which means that your file folders have to be labelled and your office supplies – kept in the place designated for them, for instance
Keep your furniture simple and add colour with accessories for a bright modern vision
Your office space is not all about work, there should also be things that inspire or motivate you, so bring in items you love, add small details – matching storage boxes or pretty pictures on the wall, for instance, to add a sense of calmness and an informal touch. Give your eyes something attractive to rest on – drawings by your children, photos of family and friends, a colourful calendar or even a living blooming plant if the space allows.
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Pendants are very popular when you need light over a table or over a island in the kitchen. You can use them to properly light a task plane – whether it is a kitchen table or billiard table. Even though the main light is pointed towards the task plane, a lot of diffused light is also emitted to the ceiling and is reflected (mostly when the ceiling is white or any light colour ) back to the room creating enough ambient lighting. There are some models with non transparent or frosted glass and are suitable to use when you need to direct the light in one direction only.
You can arrange a group of pendants in line, circle or any other form that suits your taste and design, which allows you to improvise and create unique interior design.
Because the pendants are hanging on some cord or just on their cable, you could also adjust the height and if you are having a group of pendants you can suspend them at different height. I could suggest that when you are choosing your kitchen pendants, be aware that the lampshades will collect dirt over the time and will need cleaning. For example: glass is easily cleaned even without removing it from the pendant, but if you like fabrics, than you have to prepare yourself for much more troubles with the lampshades.
Sometimes the dirt in kitchen is not just a dust, but also grease and some other hard to clean substances, so have this one in mind - you can choose metal, plastic or glass for the kitchen and fabric for the dining room or billiard table.
I would like to show you here some modern design pendants, suitable for modern styled kitchens. Those are Italian design and are styled by the famous MuranoDue company. If you are wondering about the prices of such a state of the art lighting, let’s say they are affordable.
When considering the most suitable kitchen design that entirely meets your needs and dreams, apart for functionality and aesthetics, you have to think of lighting also, do not make lighting an afterthought, a last step in the process of planning; it is lighting that makes the difference between a boring, ordinary space and the eye – catching one.
• Keep the kitchen light: Use light paint and that does not necessarily mean boring white walls, try soft tones of blues and greens or cream beige, consider using light colored cabinets with glass doors and light reflective countertop surfaces to add a feeling of space
• Let in as much natural light as possible: if necessary, replace the windows with larger and more beautiful ones, get rid of long and heavy draperies and choose sheer fabrics that allow light to pass through window treatments and your kitchen will appear to evoke a feeling of warmth, spaciousness, and style.
Since lighting in the kitchen area needs to be powerful enough to both cover the entire kitchen area and illuminate small, specific zones, such as the food preparation zone, it should be efficient and multi – functional.
• Recessed lighting
If placed almost directly over counter and island zones to avoid creating shadows, recessed lighting is a great idea for task lighting; when carefully placed, it could also be used as a source of general lighting.
• Hanging fixtures
Pendants and mini pendants/and sometimes even decorative chandeliers/ could be dropped practically anywhere – over the island or the table, for task lighting as well as for more general illumination; apart from being a versatile source of illumination, pendants add style and elegance to the décor.
• Undercabinet lighting
Try undercabinet lighting, it creates an illusion of space and your small kitchen looks larger and more attractive; generally, it proves to be highly efficient in small kitchens – lights counter surfaces when necessary and contributes to energy saving; make your choice between strip and mini-track lights; you can also choose that type of light you like most – fluorescent, halogen or xenon fixtures, just to mention that xenon lighting offers the same clean bright light as halogen, but without the heat.
• Track lighting
Track lighting also provides good lighting for the kitchen; however, it is true that it consumes a lot of energy and has the same shadowing problem as recessed lights. Its advantage is that the track is surface-mounted, so it is flexible, adjustable – you can move the heads backward or forward to avoid the shadow problem; moreover, these individual fixtures can be added or removed if you need more or less light.
• Accent lighting
Use spotlights, wall sconces or up lights for accent lighting to accentuate your special home objects – architectural elements, decorative accessories, a piece of artwork hung on the wall behind the table, a tile backsplash over the sink. A great idea is to drop mini-spots through the top of a cabinet to illuminate your collections of fine chine or beautiful glassware. Whatever you choose to highlight, this definitely adds a feeling of charm and drama to your kitchen.
• Decorative lighting
Consider decorative lighting, an eye – catching chandelier or a pendant/often grouped in twos or threes/ brings sophistication and colour to kitchens; of course, the fixture should fit the style and size of the kitchen, otherwise it will either look out of place or knock the whole room out of balance.
Some more tips:
Consider using separate dimmers and switches; since they are the most economical way to co-ordinate lighting levels, this gives you the flexibility of reducing lighting during very sunny days for example which saves you money on your energy bill; locate switches in convenient locations, at each entrance to the space; furthermore, dimmers are an option to instantly change the atmosphere in the space and provide variable lighting plus decorative effects in accordance with your needs.
Do not forget, when it comes to electricity, safety should be of top priority! You want to change the existing kitchen lighting scheme, to add or remove a fixture, but you feel it is too much for you, then simply consult a lighting specialist or call in a licensed electrician.
Even the finest cabinetry and countertops look dull and unappealing when are poorly and inadequately lit, so, in general, layer the light and make the layers work together to create a dramatic effect with enough lighting options, as to make your kitchen a functional and comfortable place and enhance its décor.
It is your kitchen; make your choices to transform the small kitchen into a beautiful kitchen, a stylish hub of all household activities.
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Even though small kitchens may seem a tough design challenge, use your imagination and with some professional advice you can find an option that meets your needs and style of life.
Here are some ideas for space saving and storage solutions:
• Keep in mind the rule of the classic kitchen triangle that regulates work flow; its three “points” are: sink, stove/oven, and refrigerator; the cook should be able to move unimpeded between these points, and they should not be far one from another
• Use a galley kitchen design
• Think about including a kitchen island/peninsula – it could add both more workspace and freestanding storage, not to mention that immediately becomes the focal point of your kitchen
• Consider using compact appliances as well as appliances that can be hung underneath cabinets, and deeper counters
• Try to include an eating nook using a drop table or a small sized round table
• Hang up pots and pans, this is a great storage solution; in addition it will put some charm and character to your kitchen. You could also consider using the insides of cabinet doors to hang up miscellaneous items
• Eliminate clutter, use open cabinets and shelves, keep your countertops bare and the place will look roomy and spacious; think vertical, place above cabinet lighting aimed at the ceiling to add a sense of a greater height and visually expand the whole space
Use some imagination and creativity, show your style and add a finishing touch to the space to enhance the décor:
• Arrange several decorative plates, bowls, vases on an open shelve to bring in colour and mood
• Decorate your kitchen with indoor plants, especially small ones, for example several small herb plants nestled in a pretty basket; plants always bring a fresh feeling to the kitchen interior. Consider carefully their placement – a great idea is a shelve close to the window or a hanging basket; as for the pots, show your style, you could use virtually everything – coloured pottery, chine tea-pots, mugs, and jars
• Go green! Create an eco-friendly kitchen by using materials made from recycled or rapidly renewable resources/cork and bamboo floorings for instance, or recycled glass plates and backsplash/; by choosing countertops, cabinets and finishes with low environmental impact/environmentally – safe paint, organic fabrics coverings/, as well as by separating your waste products. You could also consider buying energy-efficient appliances and applying compact fluorescent bulbs/they use less electricity and come in a variety of sizes and colours/. You could at least try any of these ideas, some of the items are affordable and you can make your first steps to creating a stylish environmentally – friendly kitchen.
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Kid’s room is not simply a bedroom – it is a fairy tale castle, a pirate ship or a cave, a laboratory for all sorts of experiments, an oasis for the kid’s imagination, and a starting point in the efforts to uncover the secrets of the world.
No matter how stylish the design is or how modern the furniture is, lighting is what can make or break a room.
So, consider all its aspects.
Primarily, there should be as much natural light as possible because it is the healthiest source of light for kids’ eyes.
As for the illumination: apart from its functions in other rooms in terms of functionality and aesthetics, in the kid’s bedroom lighting gives a child a feeling of comfort and security for a peaceful sleep without nightmares for monsters under the bed.
Furthermore, keep into consideration that the lighting needs of children will vary, depending upon their age.
There are a lot of techniques to achieve flexible lighting that brings warmth, charm, fun and comfort in the kid’s room.
For instance, consider using at least three sources of light at different levels, e.g., suitable ceiling fixtures/chandeliers, pendants/ as ambient lighting to illuminate the whole room, including play areas, which are usually on the floor. The most suitable are milky white coloured shades whose glow is soft and evenly spread in contrast to transparent ones. Decorative colour light that fits the atmosphere and the décor of the room can also be used.
Install one, two or three down – lights or up – lights sconces to achieve a softer illumination of the space.
Adequate task lighting – usually provided by a table lamp, is compulsory for the study desk zone.
Fixtures of different colours and shapes – for example frogs, bees, butterflies, airplanes, ballerinas, stimulate kid’s imagination and create a suitable bedtime story atmosphere; furthermore, such fixtures add a feeling of spirit and beauty and enhance the room even when the light is off.
There should be a safe, cool to touch night bedside lamp; mini night-lights are a must-have from a kid’s point of view because eliminate any insecurity about sleeping alone in a dark room; another option is a motion-detector light, which goes on when the light sensor detects motion. Consider using night-lights with a dimmer to control the brightness to gradually lower the light density over time, thus you may be able to wean your child off the night-light.
Always keep in mind that safety comes first – lamps for children’s rooms should be kept out of reach of young children and all cords and cables must be hidden behind furniture. Use night-lights with neon bulbs, to prevent possible fires in the child’s bedroom. In case you have a solar plate, solar-powered night-lights which do not require electricity are also an option.
You could meet your kid’s wishes with a themed lighting:
Show up your creativity, with suitable fixtures you can even “draw” a fairy tale.
Arranging and decorating the kid’s space could turn to be a tough challenge, so consider some basics:
• Make use of your imagination, trust the tastes and desires of your kid/especially if he/she is grown up/, think practically; when decorating a kid’s bedroom it is the balance between creativity and reasonableness that will let the room “grow up” along with kids.
• Since the kid’s room is multi-functional, think carefully how to organize the space; consider zoning to harmoniously unite all functions. Lofted bedrooms are a very good option, especially for smaller spaces – the room is divided into two parts, with a loft in one of them to incorporate all needed elements – a bed, a desk, shelves, drawers, plus plenty of storage place, and the other part is an open play zone.
• Use pastel colours, they reflect light, as a result, the space seems lighter. In case your kid prefers bright colours, use them within limits to add accessories to the décor. Eye- catching wallpapers and trims add a colour to the space.
• Choose transforming, multi-functional furniture and playing modules that stimulate child’s imagination and could grow, change, and adapt to new uses and needs; occasionally add themed accessories that could be easily thrown away when your kid’s tastes change. It is advisable to choose movable, influence – resistant furniture.
More tips:
1. Safety first, consider all its aspects – there should not be sharp edges, insecure cables and plugs, all materials should be harmless and ecologically friendly; it is advisable to use cotton bedding; avoid long draperies and window decorative elements – finials, beads, and cords that could easily be grabbed; do not place flowers in a kid’s bedroom – they could cause allergies.
2. Consider accessibility; arrange the space as to ensure an easy access to everything in the room.
3. Give your kids space and light – choose the largest and the brightest room to arrange their space.
4. Avoid placing too many furnishings and toys – they create clutter and chaos that burden the child; instead, provide for enough different in colour, shape and material containers – drawers, boxes, baskets, to store toys, clothes and other belongings.
In general, do not try to make your own dream bedroom come true; consult with specialists if and when necessary, let your kids have a say, consider their needs and wishes, use some imagination and try to create their fantasy world – a room to meet their necessities, a safe, functional, colorful, and stylish place.
Images are taken from different Internet sources and are property of their respective owners.
