Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Wrought Iron Light Fixtures Make A Great Impression On Your Visitors

Whenever you are dealing with interior design you always want to remember the little details. Adding elements like wrought iron light fixtures into the space can make all of the difference in the overall look of the room. Following are some places in the home that might need accents like wrought iron light fixtures.

Lighting is very important in the bathroom. This relatively small room in the home depends heavily on proper lighting. You also need adequate illumination to get ready in the morning or for a night out on the town. Why not add some extra special accent to the space by adding wrought iron light fixtures. You will be glad that you did considering how much you will use them.

The kitchen is another room that begs for good lighting options. Of course, you definitely want to be able to see what you are doing in this space but you also want to be surrounded by beauty as well. Wrought iron light fixtures are ideal additions to your kitchen space. Not only do you get a well-lit space, you also get to see how attractive the source of the illumination is.

Atmosphere is everything when it comes to your dinner parties. Beautiful wrought iron light fixtures in the dining room are a truly elegant touch that everyone will admire. You have many options for this kind of product for your dining space and you can create a number of different moods if you choose the right wrought iron light fixtures.

Your living room is another space that may be in need of some updated accessories. Wrought iron light fixtures are ideal additions to your interior decorating designs for this popular room in the home. Whether you use this space for entertaining guests or as a family room, wrought iron light fixtures make great accessories for this room in your home.

The entry way is another important area of the home. This is your house?s first impression on visitors and you really want to make a strong statement without going over the top. Wrought iron light fixtures are excellent choices for this area of the home because they are timeless and sophisticated.

No matter what style of home you have you can be sure that there are wrought iron light fixtures designed for your tastes. These features are offered in sleek, modern looks as well as Old World designs. You only have to look to find the right product for your home.

Ann Marier has written articles on home and garden issues such as preparing flower beds providing helpful tips and advice. Her latest articles are on different wrought iron designs and ideas

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Bathroom Fixtures

When homeowners make the decision to upgrade the fixtures in their home, they generally choose a bathroom remodel job to add value and versatility to their home. These homeowners may choose to make the changes themselves or hire a building contractor to complete the project in record time, with little fuss and very fine detailing.

There are many fine choices to be found in bathroom fixtures. With a larger variety of dimensions to pick from, homeowners feel free to explore all available finishes to find the right home decorations for their bathroom remodel. There are finishes that are made in light, medium and dark wood choices that homeowners can choose, as well as white, black, and stone.

Homeowners are free to set a particular price range for their remodel job using exact pricing found on many bathroom remodeling websites, and they quite capably fine tune that price down to the last fixture that will be placed in their new bathroom. They locate bathroom remodeling stores using Internet search engines and find one that offers luxurious fixtures at affordable prices.

Then homeowners are free to concentrate their creative talents and find marvelous bathroom vanities that slide right into place without over-extending the budget one bit. Some online bathroom remodeling stores make it so easy to pick and choose between different styles and homeowners find these stores a lot of fun to spend their free time in.

The famous name brands of bathroom fixtures found on these bathroom remodel websites include Ambella Home, Cheviot, and Cole and Co., and other prestigious companies like Regatta, St. Thomas, and Terra Acqua. There are so many fine companies to explore that homeowners make the time in their daily schedules to explore all of the fixture choices using Internet access that affords them ample time to view them at home.

When homeowners are considering bathroom remodel opportunities they are clearly focused on finding the highest quality fixtures that their money can buy. Since vanities are the centerpiece to many bathroom designs, they are the first item on the list that they choose to view at their leisure.

It is very easy for homeowners to focus on bathroom fixtures that compliment the vanity they plan to purchase when they use the bathroom remodeling sites. All of inventory is organized in a very understanding manner. These fixtures might include lighting, toilet, towel racks and shower door designs that all seem to come together in record time when an Internet bathroom remodeling website is used.

By the end of their tour of all the bathroom remodeling furniture and fixtures they find online, many homeowners feel quite proud of their choices. A novice could enter a bathroom remodeling website with very little knowledge under their belt of what a bathroom remodeling job entails, and exit the remodeling website feeling like a seasoned professional.

These visits are very reassuring to many homeowners, because they take their purchases very seriously. Their choices will affect the lives of their families for a very long time and they want each decision they make to be the right one.


Mary Lorainne writes about MoreHome Deals, HechingerHardware Coupons and Home Remodel Online Sale

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Saturday, November 1, 2008

Clothing Hangers: The Oldest Store Fixture

More than 90% of the clothes on display in retail stores are on hangers. Yes there are many elaborate and beautiful store fixtures such as mannequins and mannequin forms, but the clothes hanger is the most basic and fundamental of retail clothing fixtures. For this reason, retailers should pay clothes attention to the types of hangers they use. The customers will notice the clothing hangers, consciously or unconsciously, and they will make a difference in the customer's overall impression of the store.

Each hanger design has a different function. Wire hangers made from metal are the most common of hangers, and they are the cheapest and perhaps most versatile. One major drawback to wire hangers is their damaging tendency to clothing that has not yet dried, leaving nasty rust stains or stretching the stitches. For items that run this risk, plastic or wooden hangers work much better.

For t-shirts and blouses, wire hangers usually work just fine, but they have been known to leave small creases in the fabric. For this reason, most Americans now use large gage plastic hangers for their everyday clothing items. This will cancel the risk of staining while remaining relatively inexpensive plastic hangers are not very expensive.

So far we have discussed the mostly domestic clothes hangers. The retail environment usually uses different hangers for tops than for bottoms. The clothing hangers for tops are usually plastic with a metal hook and formed shoulders. The metal hook is handy for clothing racks, and the shoulders keep shirts and blouses looking good. Some higher end stores actually use wooden or fiberglass hangers with shoulders to really give there clothes a nice form. Almost all pants, skirts, and other bottom garments are hung by clipping hangers. There are many different clipping mechanisms, but they are all used to clip the waste band and allow for the garment to hang freely below. These come in plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, and just about anything.

More substantial garments like sport jackets, coats, slacks, and suits are usually hung from wooden bodied hangers. Most wooden bodied hangers have a wire or metal hook for the same reason that other retail hangers do. Some wooden hangers have large rounded shoulders and some have a pinch bar that holds slacks in place on the bottom bar. These are expensive hangers often used for the display of fine clothes or suits.

The children's retail world has its own line of hangers. All of these hanger designs also come in children's sizes and in almost any material. Plastic children's hangers often come in multiple colors to help coordinate the store and make things a little more fun. Children's hangers has become a very large industry in the last five years as people spend more money on kid's fashion in general.

It is important to be knowledgeable about the different kinds of clothing hangers on the market for retail use in order to make good display decisions. The clothing hangers may affect the clothing racks purchases and the types of wall display features chosen. Be sure to find the hangers that show off your retail clothes the best.

Ron Maier is the Vice President of S & L Store Fixtures, a leading online provider of clothing hangers and many other store fixtures. For more information, please visit http://www.slstoredisplays.com

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Thursday, October 30, 2008

New Store Fixtures

Are you in the market to bring some new store fixtures into your retail store? Has it been a while since you have purchased retail store fixtures and you are wondering what is out there? The store fixture industry has exploded even in the last five years. The introduction of online shopping has forced retailers to step up their display methods to keep the attention of their customers. As a result, there have been many new standards set and inventions developed in retail display. Mannequins of some sort have become an imperative to the retail clothing industry. You will notice that virtually every store now uses them for display.

Within the large category of mannequins, there are full body realistic mannequins, abstract mannequins, mannequin torsos, mannequin forms, mannequin heads, mannequin feet, and mannequin hands. Each of these forms suits a different purpose (literally) and are almost all made from fiberglass. Hands display jewelry while heads display wigs. Full bodies sport entire outfits like tradition mannequins, while mannequin forms just show off the shape of a shirt. There are so many mannequin options to choose from.

Clothes hangers are another display fixture that multiplied their forms. Now there are thick plastic hangers, wooden coat hangers, metal hangers, specialty hangers, satin hangers, children's hangers, and hanging forms. All of these types of hangers are important to consider with the specific products of any retail store. They have become important display devices to communicate the style and value of particular garments.

Wall displays have advances tremendously, including slatwall and gridwall displays. These wall display methods provide countless accessories that can accommodate most any product. They are extremely versatile, and for this reason, are extremely useful for retail stores that have a large variety of products, such as hardware stores or electronic stores. Slatwall displays now come in a variety of colors and textures, bringing more visually appealing possibilities than in the recent past. The world of display cases, tables, and shelves has grown immensely. There is no reason why every retail store should not have the perfect showcases for their floor layout. A large selection of price ranges are also available in today's market due to the diverse materials used to build these types of display unites. It is important to really explore what is out their and pick the right displays for your establishment. It will make a huge difference in everyday work as well as customer intrigue.

These are just some of the areas that a retailer should investigate when looking to improve their display features. Still there are more innovations in retail store security, spinner racks, wire displays, wood displays, lighting, tags, and labels, to be considered. So take a look around at all of the store fixtures new innovations and set up your store to compete with today's esthetic.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the Vice President of S & L Store Fixtures, a leading online provider of retail display fixtures such as slatwall displays and mannequins. For more information, please visit http://www.slstoredisplays.com

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Friday, October 17, 2008

Country Store Fixtures and Decor Transport Customers to a Simpler Time and Place

Country stores are popular destinations in small towns and tourist hot spots across the country. Country store retailers rely on home spun products, as well as fixtures and d?cor when it comes to turning their store into a destination.

Hand cooked peanuts, homemade candles and fresh picked apples are part of the allure of country stores. But the country store fixtures and atmosphere have become just as important as products when it comes to drawing large crowds and finding success running a country store. The theme of a country store has to go beyond just the products. A successful country store is like a time machine, providing an environment that reminds shoppers of a simpler time in America.

Shelving is a great place to start. Wherever possible, retailers should use wooden country store fixtures and shelving to create an old time atmosphere as customers browse through the aisles. In addition to wooden shelving, bushel baskets have also become popular tools for displaying products in country stores.

When it comes to decor, use ?anything that is old or looks old? to create authentic accent pieces. Anything from old car parts to 5 cent soda signs will do the trick. When it comes to lighting, wall mounted electric lanterns and candles are popular choices for country store fixtures.

If you?re short on inspiration, don?t be afraid to flip through a Norman Rockwell calendar or call on older relatives and friends to help you deliver authenticity to your environment?s design. When in doubt, rent a movie that?s set in the time period you?re trying to recreate. Sometimes retailers just need to find that small spark of inspiration that gets them headed down the right path.

Nu-Era and nu-era.com are services of The Nu-Era Group, LLC -the industry leader in store fixtures, supplies, and fulfillment. Nu-Era has been providing its customers with competitively priced quality products with customer-oriented service since 1949. For more information, visit them online at http://www.nu-era.com Visit the company?s blog at http://www.retailstoresupplyinfo.com

 

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Monday, October 13, 2008

Wrought Iron Light Fixtures Make A Great Impression On Your Visitors

Whenever you are dealing with interior design you always want to remember the little details. Adding elements like wrought iron light fixtures into the space can make all of the difference in the overall look of the room. Following are some places in the home that might need accents like wrought iron light fixtures.

Lighting is very important in the bathroom. This relatively small room in the home depends heavily on proper lighting. You also need adequate illumination to get ready in the morning or for a night out on the town. Why not add some extra special accent to the space by adding wrought iron light fixtures. You will be glad that you did considering how much you will use them.

The kitchen is another room that begs for good lighting options. Of course, you definitely want to be able to see what you are doing in this space but you also want to be surrounded by beauty as well. Wrought iron light fixtures are ideal additions to your kitchen space. Not only do you get a well-lit space, you also get to see how attractive the source of the illumination is.

Atmosphere is everything when it comes to your dinner parties. Beautiful wrought iron light fixtures in the dining room are a truly elegant touch that everyone will admire. You have many options for this kind of product for your dining space and you can create a number of different moods if you choose the right wrought iron light fixtures.

Your living room is another space that may be in need of some updated accessories. Wrought iron light fixtures are ideal additions to your interior decorating designs for this popular room in the home. Whether you use this space for entertaining guests or as a family room, wrought iron light fixtures make great accessories for this room in your home.

The entry way is another important area of the home. This is your house?s first impression on visitors and you really want to make a strong statement without going over the top. Wrought iron light fixtures are excellent choices for this area of the home because they are timeless and sophisticated.

No matter what style of home you have you can be sure that there are wrought iron light fixtures designed for your tastes. These features are offered in sleek, modern looks as well as Old World designs. You only have to look to find the right product for your home.

Ann Marier has written articles on home and garden issues such as preparing flower beds providing helpful tips and advice. Her latest articles are on different wrought iron designs and ideas

 

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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Bathroom Fixtures

When homeowners make the decision to upgrade the fixtures in their home, they generally choose a bathroom remodel job to add value and versatility to their home. These homeowners may choose to make the changes themselves or hire a building contractor to complete the project in record time, with little fuss and very fine detailing.

There are many fine choices to be found in bathroom fixtures. With a larger variety of dimensions to pick from, homeowners feel free to explore all available finishes to find the right home decorations for their bathroom remodel. There are finishes that are made in light, medium and dark wood choices that homeowners can choose, as well as white, black, and stone.

Homeowners are free to set a particular price range for their remodel job using exact pricing found on many bathroom remodeling websites, and they quite capably fine tune that price down to the last fixture that will be placed in their new bathroom. They locate bathroom remodeling stores using Internet search engines and find one that offers luxurious fixtures at affordable prices.

Then homeowners are free to concentrate their creative talents and find marvelous bathroom vanities that slide right into place without over-extending the budget one bit. Some online bathroom remodeling stores make it so easy to pick and choose between different styles and homeowners find these stores a lot of fun to spend their free time in.

The famous name brands of bathroom fixtures found on these bathroom remodel websites include Ambella Home, Cheviot, and Cole and Co., and other prestigious companies like Regatta, St. Thomas, and Terra Acqua. There are so many fine companies to explore that homeowners make the time in their daily schedules to explore all of the fixture choices using Internet access that affords them ample time to view them at home.

When homeowners are considering bathroom remodel opportunities they are clearly focused on finding the highest quality fixtures that their money can buy. Since vanities are the centerpiece to many bathroom designs, they are the first item on the list that they choose to view at their leisure.

It is very easy for homeowners to focus on bathroom fixtures that compliment the vanity they plan to purchase when they use the bathroom remodeling sites. All of inventory is organized in a very understanding manner. These fixtures might include lighting, toilet, towel racks and shower door designs that all seem to come together in record time when an Internet bathroom remodeling website is used.

By the end of their tour of all the bathroom remodeling furniture and fixtures they find online, many homeowners feel quite proud of their choices. A novice could enter a bathroom remodeling website with very little knowledge under their belt of what a bathroom remodeling job entails, and exit the remodeling website feeling like a seasoned professional.

These visits are very reassuring to many homeowners, because they take their purchases very seriously. Their choices will affect the lives of their families for a very long time and they want each decision they make to be the right one.
Mary Lorainne writes about MoreHome Deals, HechingerHardware Coupons and Home Remodel Online Sale

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Saturday, July 12, 2008

Lava Lamps: Modern Floor Lamps Or Unsightly Fixtures?

The lava lamp, filled with its smelly gunk, should have remained in the 1960s. It is back in fashion today, reminding me how the little girl I was disappointed her mother by buying one against her wishes.

Most styles fall out of favor but some come back in fashion over the years, and it is not always for the best. The modern wonder that is the lava lamp, for instance, is one sixties fixture that I would have preferred remained confined to that decade.

I thought they were the greatest thing ever when I was a kid: several of my friends had one of those floor lamps at home, and so did my older sister in her apartment. As there was no spare outlet in my bedroom, my mother refused to get me one as I had asked for my birthday and Christmas. She didn?t like the way they look so having one in another part of our home was not an option either.

I had always been a well behaved child and listened to my parents, yet my obsession with lava lamps brought out the worst in me: I just had to have one. I managed to save the money I had earned babysitting to go shopping with a girlfriend: a local store was running a sale on lava lamps, so I could not resist the temptation. I thought it would give a really great glow from my closet, so I took my newly acquired lamp to my room thinking that my mom would never find out.

She had however been right about there not being a spare socket in my room: I had to take an extension cord from the storage area and run it behind the dresser in order to get into the closet. I placed the lamp on top of the box that it came with and switched it on. It turned out that the lamp had been on clearance due to its particularly dreadful color, yet I was so excited by my purchase that I really enjoyed watching the brownish orange blobs moving about. Soon afterwards my mother called me down for dinner. We heard a sudden crash upstairs while we were eating. My cat came running down the stairs all puffed up, and flattened to hide under the sofa: she had knocked my new lamp over and scared herself silly in the process.

My mother was wondering were the liquid on the floor came from before she saw the box. The only thing she said was asking me to clean up the mess. This was no easy process: to this day I do not know what kind of liquid goes into lava lamps, but I can tell you that it is slimy and smelly. The blobs were so slippery that they were nearly impossible to pick up, and it took me two hours to have the room cleaned. The smell of the liquid, however, was not going away and I could not sleep in my bedroom that night. I went to tell my mom how sorry I was. This was the only time that she ever said I had disappointed her.

Whenever I see lava lamps in stores today I struggle to remember why I was so obsessed with them, and I can still see my mother?s disappointed face as she told me to clean up the mess.

Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of more lava lamps resources published at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. A website with tips on modern floor lamps, amongst many related topics.

 

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Thursday, July 3, 2008

Lava Lamps: Modern Floor Lamps Or Unsightly Fixtures?

The lava lamp, filled with its smelly gunk, should have remained in the 1960s. It is back in fashion today, reminding me how the little girl I was disappointed her mother by buying one against her wishes.

Most styles fall out of favor but some come back in fashion over the years, and it is not always for the best. The modern wonder that is the lava lamp, for instance, is one sixties fixture that I would have preferred remained confined to that decade.

I thought they were the greatest thing ever when I was a kid: several of my friends had one of those floor lamps at home, and so did my older sister in her apartment. As there was no spare outlet in my bedroom, my mother refused to get me one as I had asked for my birthday and Christmas. She didn?t like the way they look so having one in another part of our home was not an option either.

I had always been a well behaved child and listened to my parents, yet my obsession with lava lamps brought out the worst in me: I just had to have one. I managed to save the money I had earned babysitting to go shopping with a girlfriend: a local store was running a sale on lava lamps, so I could not resist the temptation. I thought it would give a really great glow from my closet, so I took my newly acquired lamp to my room thinking that my mom would never find out.

She had however been right about there not being a spare socket in my room: I had to take an extension cord from the storage area and run it behind the dresser in order to get into the closet. I placed the lamp on top of the box that it came with and switched it on. It turned out that the lamp had been on clearance due to its particularly dreadful color, yet I was so excited by my purchase that I really enjoyed watching the brownish orange blobs moving about. Soon afterwards my mother called me down for dinner. We heard a sudden crash upstairs while we were eating. My cat came running down the stairs all puffed up, and flattened to hide under the sofa: she had knocked my new lamp over and scared herself silly in the process.

My mother was wondering were the liquid on the floor came from before she saw the box. The only thing she said was asking me to clean up the mess. This was no easy process: to this day I do not know what kind of liquid goes into lava lamps, but I can tell you that it is slimy and smelly. The blobs were so slippery that they were nearly impossible to pick up, and it took me two hours to have the room cleaned. The smell of the liquid, however, was not going away and I could not sleep in my bedroom that night. I went to tell my mom how sorry I was. This was the only time that she ever said I had disappointed her.

Whenever I see lava lamps in stores today I struggle to remember why I was so obsessed with them, and I can still see my mother?s disappointed face as she told me to clean up the mess.

Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of more lava lamps resources published at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. A website with tips on modern floor lamps, amongst many related topics.


 

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Bloggers - Will They be a Fixture in Corporate America?

How did Blogging get so popular so fast?

It does seem that blogging caught on like wildfire. Why is it so popular? Because it's human nature to voice your 2 cents on a subject, whether good or bad. Not to mention, there are blogging sites popping up all over the place, the templates are nice looking and easy to use and best of all, they are FREE. What does this mean for domain companies? website provider and builders? Bloggers are pulling the rug out from underneath them.

How did Corporate America become involved with blogging?

The same way tv and radio became involved with them. Bloggers voice their opinions much like a stock analyst. When do you get this information from the analyst? When the television program airs or in a radio program. When does the public learn about bloggers' opinions? At any moment on the internet. The internet is surely becoming bigger, faster and foremost in our world of information.

Corporate America and the Blogger

It only makes sense that businesses want to attach themselves to the most vocal and prominent bloggers. It is just another way of making themselves attractive to the wordsmiths rather than focusing on stock analysts. Bloggers have a reputation of being the new kid on the block that happens to be the underdog. This makes a perfect spoil for conglomerates to embrace the bloggers so that they can voice their opinions.

Bloggers are the new look of "every man". Symbolically, the blogger has turned Wall Street on its' collective ear as the "new every man" is suddenly being given new clout via a computer. It's no wonder Corporate America has hired bloggers to blog on their behalf. This just isn't a payoff, they are being analyzed just as the stock analysts have done in prior years.

It's just that it's nice to know that the "every man" has a voice in Corporate America.

Taryn Simpson is a published author and freelance writer with over 15 years of HR experience. Ms. Simpson owns her own writing company, Simpson - E Publishing which offers clients ghostwriting of novels/articles, web content, brochures, newsletters, press releases and more. Be sure to visit my blog: http://www.Musings-From-A-Writer.blogspot.com,

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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Crystal Chandeliers and Art Glass Fixtures: Why we love them!

As a traveler from the West, it might seem strange to travel all the way to Japan and include a visit to a Glass Museum featuring Venetian and Murano glass and crystal from Italy. However, like so many other museum visitors, an appreciation and attraction to sparkling luminescence and colorful display warrants the price of admission.

For over 1000 years some of the worlds' best glass makers have been making Murano glass. Passed down from master to apprentice Murano glass designed in chandeliers and light fixtures can include: clear and colored crystals, finely cut glass shaped into flowers, and marbleized, frosted, gold and silver glass shades. Some of the top lighting manufactures including: James Moder, ELK and Kalco incorporate Murano glass in a number of chandeliers and pendant fixtures. For contemporary lighting, ELK has a wonderful selection of colored glass pendants. Another manufacturer and line to check out is Shonbek's Geometrix. This lighting line by Schonbek marries the beauty of crystal with architectural detailing that is exquisite and delicate, like finding a treasure. http://www.chandeliers-and-home-lighting.com/schonbek-crystal-chandelier.htm

And while the inclusion of colored glass crystal in lighting is nothing new, it is certainly growing. Just like the fascination with stained glass lighting as witnessed for over a century with reproduction Tiffany lighting, people continue to enjoy the decorative effects of colorful glass patterned lamp shades. Collections like the above mentioned Shonbek Geometrix, include appeal for both modern lighting design and sparkling color intermixed in the fixture.

If you wonder where all this is going - well, it's not going away. If you love colorful illumination - Swarovski crystal, Murano glass, and colorful glass fixtures keep checking the collections of your favorite designers, or, new designers. They're sure to keep surprising you with some real lighting gems!

Nicole Martins is a contributing writer and researcher to Chandeliers and Home Lighting, providing you information and reviews of popular selling lighting fixtures. You can visit this site at http://www.chandeliers-and-home-lighting.com

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Thursday, March 13, 2008

Do It Yourself Wiring - What You Need To Know Before You Purchase New Light Fixtures

Lighting is one of those home improvement projects that everyone loves to do. Change that old chandelier to a fancy new one, or that small lighting fixture to a larger one that adds more light in the room. And one of the most popular ones, change that small light to a nice new ceiling fan. These are all great improvements to your home and relativity easy to do yourself, but whether you decide to do it yourself or hire an electrical contractor to do the work there are some things you need to consider before you go out and buy those new lighting fixtures.

The first thing you need to consider is the power requirements of the new fixture. If you are changing an old fixture with only one light bulb to one with two light bulbs, this will most likely not be a problem. But if it is a larger fixture or a chandelier you will need to take this into account.

You can go about this by finding out what is on the existing circuit that you intend to change the fixture on. Go to your main electrical panel and turn off the breakers until you find out which circuit the fixture is on. Next you will need to find out what is on that circuit, so with only that breaker off check and see what other fixtures or devices do not work. Next you will need to add up the current draw on the existing circuit, as per code you are only allowed to draw 80% of the current provided for by the circuit breaker protecting the circuit. For example if it is a 15 amp circuit breaker you are only permitted to draw 1200 watts, which is a total of twenty 60 watt light bulbs. At first glace this may seem like a lot but I have seen people have 20 60 watt light bulbs on a single chandelier. Checking to make sure that you don’t overload the circuit is very important; you will also need to make sure that the switch or dimmer is rated for the proper current draw of the fixture.

The next thing you need to look at is the weight of the new fixture, the box you are attaching it to has to be rated for the weight of the new fixture. Different electrical boxes have different ratings as far as the weight that can hang from them. This will only come into play with larger fixtures or ceiling fans. A ceiling fan must be hung from a box that is rated for a ceiling fan. If you are installing a heavy fixture or a ceiling fan you will most likely need to change the box also.

The National Electrical Code allows you to hang up to 50 lbs. from any electrical box that is threaded to accept No. 8-32 machine screws. Make sure your electrical box is securely fastened before you hang a new light fixture from it. If your light fixture weighs more than 50 lbs or is a ceiling fan, you will need to install a fan brace box. Check the label to make sure the box is designed to support the weight of your fixture.

Considering these aspects in advance will help you be better prepared for the project before you purchase the fixture. It will also keep you safe and compliant with the National Electrical Code.

John has been in the electrical industry for over 20 years and is currently running wireityourself.com an online do it yourself home wiring site.

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Sunday, December 9, 2007

Residential Lighting Fixtures

One of the most important, yet least considered aspects of residential lighting is ambient fill lighting. Ambient fill lighting is a soft warm light that normally gives the room a comfortable glow by washing light across the ceiling. Residential lighting fixtures include portable and non-portable lighting fixtures. Residential lighting includes the areas to be lighted inside and around a house.

While selecting residential lighting fixtures, one important point to be remembered is that the lights chosen for the interior and the exterior of the house complement each other. Residential lighting includes staircase and building lighting as well. If the area around a house is small and surrounded by trees, bushes or artifacts then small, separate or specially designed lights can be located at suitable points. Lighting fixtures add a special touch and they are available in so many different styles that exterior décor can be matched easily with the interior décor of the house. In a house, different rooms require different lighting. The door entrances of the house when illuminated look inviting and safe. For the dining room, a drop bowl provides a wonderful source of indirect light that covers the entire room. A light switch can be placed in the bedroom to switch on exterior lights incase of emergency. For the area around the house, there are different residential lighting fixtures for the sports areas, pathways, front doors, gates, porches, gardens, and garages. Hence while selecting fixtures for residential lighting, the specific area to be lighted is to be given due importance.

When selecting residential lighting fixtures it is important to be attentive about the size and layout of the residential complex as well the houses within it. Lighting fixtures need to be well distributed around the house and grounds. Preference may be given to soft warm lighting for a general effect over the entire space. Separate on-off switches can be provided for security and play areas. Sensors can be installed to activate specific security lighting. Hence, the right choice of residential lightings can enhance the beauty of the entire residential complex.

Lighting Fixtures provides detailed information on Lighting Fixtures, Bathroom Lighting Fixtures, Ceiling Lighting Fixtures, Outdoor Lighting Fixtures and more. Lighting Fixtures is affiliated with Outdoor Lighting.

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