Category Archives: Home Accessory

Knowing Types of Window Shades To Help You Choose

If you are thinking about buying window shades for your home, there are several different options that you can consider. Those options include pleated, solar, and blackout styles. Each type has its advantages, but it’s up to you to determine which shade is right for your home.

Blackout Shades

Blackout shades are the most popular type of window shade for blocking sunlight. They come in a variety of materials, colors, and styles.

Blackout blinds are an excellent choice for your bedroom or any room with large windows. They offer total privacy and help reduce the heat in your home.

There are also cordless blackout shades for doors and mini blinds. These window shades atlanta can be purchased in various colors and are more affordable. 

Roller Shades

Roller shades are a stylish window treatment that is easy to operate and offers plenty of customization options. They are perfect for both residential and commercial use. These window treatments come in various colors and textures and can be ordered with decorative flourishes. Rolling shades with the motorized operation are among the best, so keep that in mind when shopping. This makes it easier to roll up or down and allows you to operate them from a distance.

Another benefit of these shades is that they help to regulate the amount of sunlight that enters your home. Most roller shades block out a substantial amount of light and offer varying degrees of privacy.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are high-tech window treatments that protect your home from heat, moisture and light. They also enhance the appearance of your windows and can beautify them for years. These shades are available in several styles and colors.

A cellular shade is made of two or more back-to-back layers of material. The air between the layers creates a pocket, which acts as a barrier between the inside and outside. This helps prevent heat transfer, a critical factor in energy efficiency.

Depending on the design, cellular shades can be mounted on the inside or outside of the window frame. Typically, they are made from bonded polyester. They are easy to clean and have a meager maintenance rate.

Solar Shades

Solar shades are window treatments designed to block UV rays, which are harmful to the human body and your home’s furnishings. These shades can be hung on a window, door or skylight. They’re also good for reducing glare, which can be a problem with computer screens.

Solar shades can be made of a variety of materials. You can find fabric-wrapped solar shades, which give a clean, contemporary look. Try blackout roller shades if you’re looking for something with a little more privacy.

The most impressive feature of a solar shade is its ability to control the intensity of visible light. This is mainly determined by the weave of the fabric. It may be lighter or darker, impacting how much it can block.

Sheer Shades

Current fashion favors sheer window coverings. The thin material has a light, supple feel. While providing UV protection, it blocks light. These thin window coverings are available in a range of hues and textures.

Sheer shades are perfect for homes with kids or pets. Motorized light shades are easy to operate and can be integrated into a home automation system. This is especially useful for large windows.

Sheer shades are also great for blocking the sun’s rays. However, it is essential to note that they do not provide total privacy. Some may even show their outline to passersby at night.

Pleated Shades

Pleated shades are a great way to add color and texture to your windows. They come in a wide variety of fabrics, opacities, and patterns. You can also choose from several light control options, including top-down, bottom-up, and cordless.

Pleated shades are a popular choice for interior decorators. They can be installed inside or outside, making them an excellent option for glass doors, patios, and bay windows. The slim profile of pleated shades makes them ideal for smaller windows.

Pleated shades offer a unique look and are easy to install and clean. However, only some homes are suited to pleated shades.

Create Your Perfect Home Office

If you work from home, you know how wonderful it can be. No sitting in traffic while commuting, no fussy office wardrobe and no interruptions from colleagues on the way to the breakroom. Yet sometimes you may find it difficult to stay focused and productive at home. The key is having a good workspace. The dining room table is fine for kids doing homework, but as a professional you need something better.

Location

As with any real estate decision, the most important aspect is location. You may be able to get by with commandeering a portion of your master suite. Some floor plans include a nook or seating area that is set apart from the restful, intimate bedroom space. Ideally, however, your office will be a room of its own. Convert an attic or basement if necessary. This separation is essential in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Décor

Create a business-like tone that will put you in an industrious frame of mind. Furnish the room with a desk, chair and bookshelf, ergonomically arranged for your comfort and efficiency. Add artwork that is unique and personal but still professional. Rather than family pictures, display personal prints customized to fit your space perfectly. Warm up the office with cheerful but soothing paint colors and a high-quality area rug. If clients will see the office, you will need guest chairs and a small side table. Complete your accessorizing efforts with thriving houseplants.

Lighting

Good lighting is indispensable to a good work space. Natural light is best, but artificial will do as long as you have the proper levels. Dimly lit spaces lead to eye strain, fatigue and headaches. Harsh fluorescent lighting can cause migraines. Proper lighting can improve your mood during the workday. Install full-spectrum daylight bulbs in overhead fixtures for proper ambient lighting. Once your furniture is in place, augment with task lighting as needed, being sure to avoid glare on your computer screen. With the right lighting, you can design a bright and cheery office that will make you smile each morning.

4 Easy Home Decorating Tips For Any Budget

Your house should be your happy place, but if you have moved into a new space, or simply feel uninspired and bored by your current decor, a change may be in order. Here are some things that you can do to spruce your home up that won’t break the bank.

Photo by Vecislavas Popa from Pexels

Add Some New Accessories

Simply adding a few new home accessories, like new lamps or even some area rugs Atlanta GA is all you need to create a new ambiance in your home. Choose fun colors to add some excitement, or more muted tones that complement existing decor. 

Paint an Accent Wall

Pick out your favorite paint color and create an accent wall in your home. Studies show that certain colors have different effects on your mood, so think about what mood you want to create in your space. Bright colors, like red and pink, raise a room’s energy level, while blue creates a more calming vibe.

Repurpose Old Furniture

If you have old furniture that is no longer useful, or simply doesn’t fit the flow of your home, repaint it and use it elsewhere in the home. The possibilities are endless, and you will be amazed at just how creative you can be. Use an old dresser as shelving, or turn an unused bookcase into a unique storage area for your bar items.  

Move Existing Furniture Around

It is shocking just how much something as simple as rearranging the furniture in your home can change it’s entire look and feel. If you don’t have the budget for new projects or accessories, “shopping” inside your home can really get creative juices flowing and add new focal points.

Making your house feel like a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With just a little bit of open-mindedness, you can create a place you are proud of, no matter your budget.

3 Things You Need To Know Before Getting an Aquarium

It’s well established that pets help reduce stress. While many people look to the companionship a dog provides or the calming effect of stroking a cat’s fur, it turns out those four-legged friends aren’t the only ones that offer emotional relief. In fact, they don’t need legs at all. Studies suggest viewing fish in an aquarium can positively impact one’s health, listing benefits such as reducing anxiety and decreasing muscle tension. Owners are able to escape the pressures of everyday life just by watching brightly-colored fish move effortlessly throughout the water. Coupled with a reputation for being relatively low maintenance, fish are a popular pet for people on the go. Before you rush out to the pet store, here’s what you need to know.

Number

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but not all of them need to be part of your aquarium. It’s easy to be attracted to a fish’s brilliant colors or unique features and want to include it in your set-up, but the more fish you have, the larger your aquarium needs to be. A 1-inch fish needs about one gallon of water, so keep your fish count low if living arrangements limit you to a smaller tank.

Location

Having the right setting is important for an aquarium. Hard, flat surfaces are a requirement, and it needs to be somewhere out of reach of children and pets. Anything but the smallest fish tanks also needs to be on sturdy furniture due to the weight of the water. For a set-up to go swimmingly, rely on the expertise of a professional by searching for Aquarium Installation denver or in your area.

Equipment

Healthy fish require more than just a tank and water. Cleaning supplies and water treatment materials are necessary, as is a heater, filter, gravel, fish food, hood and light. You’ll likely also want to dress up the aquarium with plants and decorative items.

There’s nothing fishy about wanting a pet. Keep these tips in mind before an uninformed purchase leaves you all wet.

4 Clever Lighting Hacks to Brighten Your Home

Light fixtures don’t have to be boring. If you’re looking to freshen up a room in your house that’s feeling a little stale, consider making one of these four changes to your lighting.

1. Color Matters  

Light bulbs come in all sorts of colors, from red to white to purple and everything in between. Knowing what colors work best in each area of your house will make every room feel intentional. Keep office spaces, kitchens and other work areas lit with bright, white bulbs. Use yellow or a softer white in rooms you’d prefer to relax in.   

2. Update that Fixture

The simplest way to freshen up a room is to swap out an old ceiling fixture or wall sconce with something new and modern. Grab something that catches your eye and will spread an adequate amount of light for your room’s requirements. If you’re not sure where to start, try looking for a large, chandelier-type fixture with multiple layers or explore fixtures that aren’t made from glass, but have elements of wood or cast iron. Just remember to keep the design and color scheme of your house in mind.

3. Add a Funky Pattern

Who says home lighting ideas have to stick to a mold? Instead of opting for the same plain beige lamp shade, pick one with a pattern that complements the design of the room. If you’re feeling adventurous, pick one with a contrasting design, but similar colors to your bedspread, couch or area rug. The right pattern can make a lamp pop and capture attention as a statement piece in your home

4. Put in Accent Lights

Light doesn’t need to serve a purely industrial purpose in your home. While it’s necessary to have ceiling lights in your office or kitchen that allow for easy reading and working, there are other places where an additional floor lamp can make a space cozy and relaxing. Choose a warm-colored lamp shade with a natural-looking stand (made of wood or dark metal) and put in a yellow bulb. Instantly, your bedroom or living room will become more peaceful and welcoming.