Category: Driveways Waterford

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When setting up a basement bar there are some must have items you must have around or your basement bar won t really be a bar but just a basement pretending to be. Of course, there are some extras like a jukebox and pool table that will really set the bar off. However, consider the following 5 must haves in order to set up your very own basement bar to enjoy a night with your friends, parties, game days and then add the extras when you can afford to.

drinks, beer, alcohol, bars, bar, pubs

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When setting up a basement bar there are some must have items you must have around or your basement bar won t really be a bar but just a basement pretending to be. Of course, there are some extras like a jukebox and pool table that will really set the bar off. However, consider the following 5 must haves in order to set up your very own basement bar to enjoy a night with your friends, parties, game days and then add the extras when you can afford to.

Must Have #1 A Basement
This might seem obvious, but to have the best basement bar ever you really need a traditional basement. There are many benefits to this that include being on a completely different level than the rest of the house so noise won t be transmitted and bother those above you. Of course, you can make a basement bar in whatever space you call the basement, but a true basement bar needs a basement.

Must Have #2 A Bar
Ok, obvious requirement number two is a bar. A basement bar needs a bar that is set up to serve beer and give the appearance that your basement bar is really authentic. You can buy a ready made bar, hire a carpenter to build you one, or give it a go yourself by buying the lumber and downloading step by step instructions from the Internet. As long as you have a basement and a bar your basement bar just needs some accessories.

Must Have #3 A Kegerator
A kegeraotr is a refrigerated keg that will keep your beer cold at all times and be ready to serve anytime the basement bar is open. You don t want to have to buy six packs and litter your bar with bottled beer when you can serve beer straight from the keg. Keg beer is special and will make your basement bar even more so.

Must Have #4 A Big TV
No, you don t have to have the biggest screen television on the market, but it will help. Buy the largest screen television you can afford for your basement bar, or one that fits the space well if your basement is really small. This will allow for great game watching like the Superbowl, Basketball National Championship, and other great games.

Must Have #5 Seating
This might seem generic, but it really is a must have for your basement bar. If your friends are joining you for a night of poker or Monday night Football they need a place to sit back and relax while drinking some of your keg beer. So, be sure to have some bar stools around the bar as well as comfy couches and chairs surrounding the TV, with your poker table nearby so there is plenty of seating wherever the action is taking place.

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Are you having trouble starting to wonder what to look for when deciding what hardwood flooring to choose? There are so many questions and several things to consider prior to choosing hardwood flooring for your home. Before you rush out shopping for on hardwood flooring, this article will illustrate to you some basic tips you should ask yourself before making your flooring investment.

hardwood flooring, refinished hardwood flooring, wood flooring

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Timeless beauty, clean lines, strength and durability as well as the ease of cleaning and the classic look make hardwood flooring the perfect choice for your home.
No matter what your personal style is, there is a flooring choice for you because of the unlimited selection available. But before you rush out shopping for your hardwood flooring, keep these tips in mind.

Set a budget for yourself. Having a wide variety of flooring to choose from is great, but the downside is that it is easy to get overwhelmed quickly, and this makes you very susceptible to overspending. Remember to balance style with quality with your budget when you make your final choice.

Tip #1
You will be wise to match the room with your choice of flooring, whether hardwood or otherwise. For example, do not try to put hardwood flooring in a bathroom, due to the high levels of moisture a bathroom receives.

Tip #2
Different areas of the house demand different types of wood. For example, wood floors that have very light or very dark finishes typically do not fare well in the kitchen.

Tip #3
Choose a hardwood flooring that has an appropriate finish to match your lifestyle. A sitting room that is seldom used will let you get away with a lighter finish. However a hallway or living room will get continual traffic and requires a choice that offers a tougher finish that can stand up to a lot of wear and tear.

Tip #4
Consider installation – doing it yourself or having a professional installer do it for you? Many people successfully install their own flooring, but only after they have done their homework. It is often easer to hire a professional, but do you due diligence when selecting a hardwood flooring installer. You will want to be absolutely sure that it will be installed correctly.

Tip #5
Choosing the color and style of the floor can be the fun part. Choose a hardwood that fits your personal taste and your lifestyle. The comparatively high cost of the flooring and installation demands choosing a wood that will not go out of style quickly.

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Giving you an alternative to environmentally safer products that cost less than store brands.

home, non-toxic, safer, alternative, cleaners, natural, less expensive, family

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Spring cleaning has started. It s time to get the dirt from the winter off and start clean. I ve found 5 all natural cleaners I can t live without while cleaning the house. These cleaners are much safer for us and our environment. I don t have to spray the cleaner and run of out of the room. My house smells clean and fresh with no artificial smells.

1. Natural glass cleaner
Biodegradable ingredients Non-alkaline
No phosphates or ammonia
Contains natural ingredients (like white distilled vinegar) instead of caustic chemicals
Uses a concentrated formula, so there is less waste going to recycle centers. The concentrated, biodegradable formula is effective on a multitude of surfaces, including:

Glass Windows Aluminum Stainless steel
Chrome Mirrors Appliances

2. Natural floor/rug cleaner.
Versatile cleaner replaces need for other, more dangerous cleaners
No chlorine, ammonia or other caustic chemicals
No toxic or unpleasant fumes even when mixed with other EcoSense cleaners

Mixes Well With Others

Unlike many grocery store cleaners, you don t have to worry about toxic fumes or dangerous reactions when you mix EcoSense cleaners with one another in fact, it s encouraged! A mix will tackle even the grimiest barbecue grills, and for taking out greasy stains on clothes.
No-wax floors Oven tops Ventilation hoods
Lawn mowers Bicycle parts Cement pads
Barbecue grills Car engines Garage floors
Decks Outdoor furniture
3. Natural disinfectant.
When used as directed it effectively eliminates 99.99% of:

Salmonella choleraesuis Staphylococcus aureus (Staph)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)
Trichophyton mentagrophytes HIV-1 (the AIDS virus)
(athlete s foot fungus)

It s effective on hard, nonporous surfaces, including:

Countertops Sinks Garbage cans Toilet seats
Pet habitats Prostheses & orthotics Sports equipment
Children s toys Changing tables High chairs
Food preparation surfaces
Any other surface where bacteria or unpleasant odors are a concern

The patented broad-spectrum, disinfectant formula is EPA-approved for use in a wide variety of residential, commercial, and medical facilities, including:

Day cares Schools Nurseries Hospitals
Nursing home Food storage areas Zoos & kennels
Veterinary offices Kitchens Restaurants & bars
Cafeterias Fitness gyms and Spas Hotels & motels
Medical and dental offices Health professional, chiropractic, &
physiotherapy clinics

4. Natural all purpose cleaner
No chlorine bleach, ammonia or other caustic chemicals
No abrasive cleaners that can pit or scratch surfaces
Leaves behind no sticky residues, is effective on a lot more than just kitchen counters. Put its natural cleansing power to work on

Countertops Appliances Pots & pans
Lamps Crafts Cabinets
Car interiors Light fixtures Artificial plants
Computers Walls Whiteboards

5. Natural all purpose cleaner enhancer
Biodegradable
All-Natural
Contains no caustic chemicals
Is packaged in a recyclable bottle
Full-strength contains 10% Tree Tea Oil taking advantage of our Oils natural solvent, penetrating, non-caustic and aromatic properties.
Gum in hair Permanent Marker Road Tar
Tree sap Crayon Paint and fingernail polish
Grease Pet accidents
Use in a 5:1 water solution for:
Deodorizing Garbage Cans Eliminating moldy odors
Freshening the bathroom Removing smoke or pet odor from air and furniture Treating pet accidents
Look at a typical household cleaner and you re bound to find some rather shocking warnings

Use in well-ventilated area
Avoid direct contact with product
Excessive inhalation can cause headache, drowsiness, nausea and lack of coordination.

With warnings like these, it s no wonder Poison Control Centers across the nation field over 200,000 calls each year involving household cleaning substances. Ours contains no caustic chemicals and can be mixed with other EcoSense cleaners without fear of formation of harmful gases.

Household chemicals can affect more than just the person using them. According to the EPA, household chemicals and other factors can make the air within a home more seriously polluted than the air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.(1)

Many common household cleaners can contain ammonia, phosphates, chlorine and other known offenders. Ecosense contains no ammonia, no phosphates, no chlorine and is made from all natural, biodegradable products.

1. EPA brochure, The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality, (www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html).

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Reduce your energy costs by transforming you inefficient fireplace into a energy saver.

fireplace glass doors, chimney

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The fireplace has long been the favorite spot to gather in the American home. A place for warmth, the fireplace adds ambience, sparking memories that are to be treasured. With all the benefits that a fireplace can bring, there are some major downsides that if not addressed can cause a love for the fireplace to wane.

With soaring energy costs, the chief negative of having a fireplace has to be its inefficiency. When there is a fire burning, the fireplace does indeed radiate warmth in its general vicinity, but it also creates a convection current that can actually pull conditioned air out of the room and up the chimney causing your furnace to work overtime. When the fire is not burning, the fireplace has a damper which is supposed to block inside air from escaping and outside air from invading. The problem is that the damper is usually made of metal (this type of damper technology hasn t changed in over 100 years!) and has no seal, which means that the damper is incredibly inefficient.

Your home has a dirty little secret the fireplace that is designed to warm your house is actually doing the opposite and costing you hundreds of dollars in energy costs. Don t fret with a little investment of time and money, you can turn that inefficient fireplace into a powerhouse heater that will reduce your energy bills and add even more charm to your existing fireplace.

The following is a list of 4 things that you can do yourself to drastically reduce the heating costs associated with the inefficiency of your fireplace.

1. Top Sealing Dampers replace the fireplace throat damper and are installed at the top of the chimney. The top sealing damper has a seal that acts like a storm door keeping the expensive conditioned air inside the house and the outside air outside. This principle works year round, whether you re heating or cooling your house. This product can be purchased online and is easily installed by either a homeowner or a handyman.

2. A fireback is a cast iron plate that is placed at the back of your fireplace. Its purpose is to protect the back wall from fire damage and it usually features a design that adds to the homes decor. The fireback improves the fireplaces efficiency by absorbing the heat from the fire and radiating the heat back into the room.

3. A Fireplace Heater pulls fresh air from the room, circulates it through a chamber that is heated by the fire and then blows the heated air back into the room. These heaters are closed systems so no smoke from the fireplace is invading the home. Depending on which kind you purchase, these heaters can make a significant difference in your homes temperature, even heating a full room on its own. Specific fireplace heaters can be installed with fireplace glass doors which will kick your cost savings up another notch.

4. Fireplace Glass Doors will likely carry the largest investment, but you can reduce some of that cost by doing some of the work yourself. There are a number of fireplace doors that can be purchased online and come with easy to install instructions. The fireplace glass door creates a barrier between the living space and the chimney, thus reducing the area that your furnace will have to heat. This alone is a good reason to install these doors, but it s not the only reason. Fireplace glass doors offer another level of safety for the home by protecting children and pets from the fire. If you have a wood burning fireplace you will want to purchase the screen mesh that is designed to go with the fireplace glass doors. This will allow you to have the doors open while the fire is burning and still have your home protected from sparks and embers. Fireplace glass doors are now being manufactured with modern designs and really add beauty and charm to the fireplace.
If you re handy, all of these suggestions are easy to accomplish. In addition, all of the products, while difficult to find locally, can easily be purchased online. If you re concerned about high energy costs but you want to keep your fireplace, then it s time to plug up the holes in your monthly energy budget by plugging up the holes in your fireplace.

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Before going ahead to remodel your bathroom, it is necessary for you to ask and answer the following questions:

remodeling,remodeling ideas,contractor

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Before going ahead to remodel your bathroom, it is necessary for you to ask and answer the following questions:

How much money do you have for remodeling your bathroom?

This is obviously the most important question you need to answer before thinking of remodeling your bathroom. Knowing how much you have for your bathroom will give you an idea of what kind of remodeling you need to make. In other words, this is akin to planning before you begin. Don’t be like those people who hardly plan anything before starting. Planning will give you an idea of what you will spend before you begin. If you have a lot of money kept aside for your remodeling, then you can spend it to get the bathroom of your choice. But if you don’t, it still doesn’t matter. You can still remodel your bathroom at low cost.

How many people will be using the bathroom?

It is pertinent to know the number of people that will be using the bathroom when considering remodeling so that you will know what to include to make it comfortable for more than one person to use at the same time. If it is only one person that will be using the bathroom, then there won’t be too much need to have a separate area for the toilet and shower.

What part of the remodeling can you do yourself?

It is a good thing to save some money and consider what aspect of the remodeling you can on your own. It is not every part that you have to ask for professional help. There are certainly some aspect of the remodeling of your bathroom that you can handle yourself. But if it includes difficult aspects like the wiring, plumbing and other aspects, then you can ask for professional help and pay for it.

These 3 questions will help you save money in remodeling your bathroom. Not properly asking and answering the questions can end up making you spend far more money for remodeling your bathroom than is necessary.

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3 memory foam mattress topper, a product fitting for royalty.

3 memory foam mattress topper

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3 memory foam mattress topper are actually 3 inch memory foam mattress topper. But for sometimes they are referred to as 3 memory foam mattress topper. When looking for this mattress product, it is important to know that there are many good selections out there, so there is no need to settle for any lesser quality products.

Currently, a very popular and new 3 memory foam mattress topper which just hit the market is the Advanced Concept 3 inch 4 lb Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress Topper Overlay Pad. This is a special product that is made using urethane foam. Urethane foam is the material that is used in the padding and cushioning in all kinds of products from football helmets to furniture. Viscoelastic refers to a property of the foam. Viscoelastic has appreciable and conjoint viscous and elastic properties that flows just like honey or syrup. This is how the product came about getting its name.

Another very similar product is the Comfort Clinic 3-Inch VE Memory Foam Mattress Topper. This product comes in Queen Size. This brand has an extra softness to your mattress with 3-inch topper made from memory foam which is originally created by NASA. The foam of this 3 memory foam mattress topper slowly conforms to every curve and shape of your body and also adjusts to your body weight and temperature. This is especially good for adapting to various climatic conditions. A very fitful product made for Queen beds.

Essentially, 3 memory foam mattress topper has three additional inches of Memory Foam to the bottom of the topper and finish the construction with a Hanes Grip-Tite Floor to keep the topper from sliding once it is placed on top of any mattress. By having a 3 memory foam mattress topper, you will get added softness to your mattress or even an extra layer of comfort.

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1. Oprah said so.

portable air conditioner,portable air conditioner review,amcor portable air conditioner,cheap portable air

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1. Oprah said so.

2. It looks like the robot from Lost In Space .

3. Brad and Angelina are adopting one.

For those of you who make your decisions based on real information, here are some cool portable air conditioner facts.

A goldmine of enlightening information can be uncovered by visiting forums. For instance, when I wanted to tap into the experiences of actual portable air conditioner owners, all I had to do was Google portable air conditioner forums and Voila!, I had instant access to pages of relevant information from 3 different forums.

I encourage you to try this technique. Just substitute any generic product or service description for portable air conditioners plus the word forums .

What I uncovered was concerns over energy consumption, how energy consumption impacts circuit load, noise level, venting, the disposal of water from the dehumidifying process, and of course, price.

Portable Air Conditioner Energy Consumption
In the United States, the average air conditioner runs 750 hours each year. Since air conditioners use a lot of electricity, their efficiency has become a public issue. The EER, or Energy Efficiency Rating, is the ratio of the Btu’s per hour to the number of watts the unit draws.

EER ratings of 7 or 8 are at the low end of energy efficiency. Many units have ratings around 12 which are good. The highest rated portable air conditioner I could find was the Amcor AL10000E . It has an awesome EER of 16.6.

Portable Air Conditioner Circuit Load
Before you start your search for a portable air conditioner, check your breaker box for the number of amps available to the room you want cooled. If you buy a unit that draws 14.5 amps on a 15 amp circuit, you ll have the additional but unintended cooling effect of sitting in the dark while enjoying your new portable air conditioner.

How Noisy Is A Portable Air Conditioner?
Most portable air conditioners that deliver 14,000 Btu s or less have a noise level around 50 decibels. This is comparable to the loudness of most refrigerators. At 60 decibels, a 16,000 Btu unit is slightly noisier. Think of what it s like to watch TV in the kitchen while the fridge is running.

Portable Air Conditioner Venting
There is some controversy as to whether a dual hose unit is superior to the single hose configuration. On one hand, a single hose unit will exhaust from the room some portion of the cool air it just produced.

On the other hand, a dual hose unit eliminates this problem, but the warmer unconditioned air used to cool their compressors results in slightly less efficiency. They also use two internal fans which result in slightly higher energy usage.

Another hot topic at the forums that people are venting about is having to wrap insulation around the hose of their single hose unit. This is done to prevent the hot exhaust hose from adding heat back into the room. Personally, I can t think of anything better than duct tape wrapped around insulation to brighten up a room.

Water Water Everywhere
Portable air conditioners offer three methods for disposing of the water extracted by the dehumidifier component.

The most convenient is auto evaporation which eliminates the need for drains or reservoirs. The reliability of this method varies from unit to unit.

The second method is direct drain using a hose attached to the unit. This can be problematic unless the unit is located near a floor drain. Not much chance of that, so you ll have to use a bucket.

And finally, you get to empty the pan yourself. Just make sure the pan is large enough so the air conditioner doesn t shut off in the middle of the night when the pan fills up.

Price
I think price is a secondary consideration to efficiency. As usual, a higher priced unit that operates more efficiently will always end up costing less in the long run than a cheaper, less efficient model.

Portable air conditioners are much less efficient than comparable window units and cost roughly twice as much. What you’re paying for is the flexibility to roll it from one room to another or into a closet for easy storage.

Another Option to Consider
For the price of a portable air conditioner you might be able to buy a window air conditioner AND a new window to put it in.

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3 futon seater swing, a fusion of asian delight and victorian elegance!

3 futon seater swing

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Sometimes, it’s the simple pleasures in life that makes us happy, like swinging happily in a hammock at a beach. Why not innovate a little by creating the 3 futon seater swing? A 3 futon seater swing is a futon converted into a swing with the capacity of a 3 seater fit. Currently, if you are looking for one, then perhaps you need to make one yourself. But don’t fret just yet. It’s not as tough to make one as you think!

First you need to get yourself a 3 seater swing. The 3 seater swing you buy must have a 3 Seater Cast Aluminum. This swing frame you purchase must be a true heavy duty garden swing with heavy duty powder coat finish. Make sure that it also has a tilting sunshade and heavy duty sling set and sunshade so it will not fade in the most harsh outdoor climate. This is the your first step and skeleton of your 3 futon seater swing.

Now that you have your 3 seater swing frame. It still isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world. Good can be better. So we look at combining another luxury into our set. The hard part is to find a futon that you can use for cushioning in your brand new 3 seater swing frame. Now don’t be discouraged. After all, it’s just a futon you are looking for to fit the puzzle right? Wrong. There is no place on earth you can find a futon which can fit the size of a 3 seater swing. It just isn’t available.

However, there is alternative. You can find a cushion made with the texture and quality of a futon mattress and then use it as your cushioning for your 3 futon seater swing. Now just head down to a futon store and look for a baby futon. You need to tell the sales person your intention so he or she can have an idea of your 3 futon seater swing project and estimate the best cushion made of futon specifications for your 3 futon seater swing. Ask to see the choices of baby futons. Futons made for babies are of same texture and are not softer or harder than ordinary futons. So all you need is six of them and then you will have your complete fusion of traditional Japanese bedding and 3 seater outdoor garden swing. Your new 3 futon seater swing will be the envy of your neighbors for a very long time!

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A shingle that shows 3 tabs, or measures 3 feet, is fittingly known as 3-tab roofing shingles. They are normally guaranteed for 20 years and help the roof to have a smooth, defined look. Depending on the manufacturer, 3-tab shingles are often available in 20, 25 or even 30 year limited warranties.

3 tab roof shingles, 3-tab roof shingles, 3 tab roof shingle, types of 3 tab roof shingles, roof shingles

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A shingle that shows 3 tabs, or measures 3 feet, is fittingly known as 3-tab roofing shingles. They are normally guaranteed for 20 years and help the roof to have a smooth, defined look. Depending on the manufacturer, 3-tab shingles are often available in 20, 25 or even 30 year limited warranties. They are generally available in a variety of colors and it s also important to note that 3-tab roofing shingles are some of the most cost efficient shingles to use on your home.

Are 3-Tab Roofing Shingles For You?

Before deciding on 3-tab roofing shingles for your home, check with your local homeowner s association. In addition to certain restrictions that each association may have, some do not allow the use of 3-tab shingles. This may be true in areas that are prone to high wind or other inclement weather, but check with your local building requirements to be sure.

Replacing 3-Tab Roofing Shingles

If you need to replace 3-tab roofing shingles, you can either do the job yourself or hire a professional roofing contractor, such as Roofer911.com. If you decide to take the job on yourself, choose a warm, dry day. Do not work on the roof if it is wet or slippery. Once you re on the roof, carefully pry the tabs of the shingles upward, which overlap the damaged one. Loosen the tabs and the adhesive on the back of the shingle. Work carefully to avoid damage to the neighboring shingles. If you lift too many tabs on good shingles, they may crack. For the shingle that you are removing, look for the nails holding it into place and remove them as well. Once the shingle is out, remove any debris from that area before placing the new shingle. With your new shingle in hand, search for the adhesive strips near the bottom of each of the 3 tabs. Slide the new shingle into place and secure it with nails. You may use roofing cement to secure the overlaying tabs.

Contacting A Professional

If you are uncomfortable working on your roof, call a professional roofing contractor. Roofer911.com has years of experience in helping homeowners with all of their roofing needs. We can help you, too. Give us a call or fill in the form for a fast quote on your project. We are here to answer all of your questions and to provide you with quality work, so please do not hesitate to contact Roofer911.com for repair or replacement of your roof.

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Use this 12 item checklist when planning your contemporary lighting updates.

contemporary lighting, modern lighting, designer lighting

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When redecorating a room, or even an entire house, contemporary lighting is a major concern. Dimly lit areas are uninviting and even depressing since human beings naturally crave the light. Some rooms, of course, invite subdued lighting … a bedroom doesn’t need glaring light whereas a dramatic entryway or living room might be stunning with bold, dramatic spotlight.

The older the home, the greater the challenge when planning for modern lighting. Here are twelve issues to contemplate when planning your lighting update.

1. Consider your natural lighting first. In what direction are your windows facing? Northern light is usually cooler and whiter whereas daylight from southern-facing windows will be warmer and yellower. This is perfect for plants, but not as satisfactory to artists, who prefer the truer white of the north. Northern light is a more even hue and is more shadow-free, which isn’t as comfortable in a relaxing den.

2. How is the light affected by your architecture and landscaping? Do you have trees that shade the light, or bushes that block the lower parts of the windows and decrease the over-all quantity of illumination? Does a roofline cast a shadow in an important area of a room? Can you increase the quality and quantity of accessible light without spending a fortune?

3. What activities take place in your rooms? Do some of them require more light than others? A desk that hosts homework or needlework requires strong and steady light that covers the entire work area. However, someone relaxing on a recliner and watching TV at the end of a busy day does not want this kind of focused brightness.

4. Do you need variable lighting? You might require a bright light focused on a dining room table while it is being set and dinner is served. However, once all diners are seated and have loaded their plates, a softer lighting is more appropriate and a dimmer switch will nicely provide for multiple intensities.

5. Are there details in your room upon which you wish to focus attention? Perhaps you own a spectacular fireplace or exceptional art? In that case, spot lighting might be appropriate. There might be other necessary, but not-so-attractive areas, that you might wish to downplay by muting the light. Or you might own a spectacular view that is especially enchanting at night. In that case, lights reflecting from the windows will make it more difficult, or even impossible, to see out.

6. Can you add light to a room by changing your decorating scheme? We recently brightened a dark-paneled den by painting all the woodwork and cabinets a creamy white and adding 2″ white wood blinds. With this relatively simple change, the entire room has taken on an entirely new appearance and brightened dramatically.

7. How do your window treatments affect the light? Some homes with heavy drapes are either “on” or “off”: that is, either the drapes are closed, making the room dark and frequently gloomy, or they are open and sunlight isn’t filtered in any way. Blinds or certain shades can diffuse light while still allowing a large percentage of it to access and brighten a room.

8. Decorating features in your home may add light or take it away. For instance, a mirror will add a sense of spaciousness and illumination whereas outside shutters or awnings may block the sun’s rays. It might be wonderful to shut out harsh sunlight on a 95 degree summer day, but in the middle of winter we want every sliver of light we can grab.

9. What about the natural traffic pattern of your room? A floor lamp placed so that people must detour around it isn’t the wisest use of your light sources. Is an off/on switch conveniently located near all entrances? Groping around on the wall in the dark isn’t favored by most people. If this is your situation, a simple sensor that turns on lights when a human enters a room is a clever solution.

10. Which areas are underlit and which are overlit? In my bedroom, for example, there is an exceedingly bright overhead light as part of a ceiling fan. It is great when finding an appropriate color of socks to wear in the morning, but completely unsuitable for reading in bed before going to sleep. A pool table needs strong lighting whereas a romantic seating area in a garden room does not.

11. What kind of lighting does your room need? Fluorescent fixtures might be perfect above a kitchen island but would be repulsive directly above an eating area. Schools and other institutions might welcome such unflattering lighting, but incandescent lighting might be more appropriate at home.

12. What is the condition of your wiring? Old and outdated wiring often cannot accommodate sleek new lighting systems without some work. Updating wiring can be expensive and disruptive, but it is also the opportunity to add new switches and cause updates for new computers, high speed Internet connections or high-tech TV or sound systems.

If you consider all these situations before spending a single penny updating to more contemporary lighting, your end result is certain to be more satisfying to everyone who lives in your home.