Category Natural Light

Among the various exterior landscaping works that each of us may be required to carry out, the installation of rigid metal fence panels remains in itself a relatively simple and quick operation, provided, however, that we do not leave adventure without having planned your project well beforehand and of course… that the terrain lends itself to it!

On the flat and regular ground, no problem! With a little common sense and method, it is now perfectly possible to erect several tens of meters of the fence in a single day.

On the other hand, when the future fence has no choice but to follow the relief or the natural slope of the terrain, the installation inevitably becomes a little more technical.

A slightly chaotic ground, a slight slope, or a significant and uneven drop are all parameters that must be taken into account. From a not only technical but also an aesthetic point of view, the topology of the land on which the fence will be placed plays a major role in the choices of implementation that we will have to make.

Simple and effective, the “staircase” laying technique

This laying technique also called “stepped” laying, is undoubtedly the easiest to implement when there is a slight drop. Indeed, once the first post has been correctly positioned, all the work then consists of simply shifting each panel vertically, following the natural slope of the ground. Please note… as a precautionary measure, and in order to be able to adjust the various elements as well as possible, each post will only be sealed definitively as the panels are put in place.

Simple to implement, it should, however, be known that this technique of installation quickly finds its limits when the difference in height becomes too important. Indeed, the steeper the slope, the more the space between the ground and the “downstream” end of the panel increases. It is, therefore, quite easy to imagine that beyond a certain threshold, the final result is very likely not to be completely optimal, neither from an aesthetic point of view nor from a functional point of view.

Although there is no precise rule as to the maximum height that can be left between the panel and the ground, around ten centimeters nevertheless seems to be the “norm” most frequently adopted in most cases.

A fairly widespread and easy-to-implement trick makes it possible to limit this space on the ground without having to embark on major and costly earthworks. All you have to do is divide each panel into two equal parts and add an intermediate post so that this spacing is, in turn, reduced by half.

If the main drawback of this technique, apart from the time devoted to cutting, obviously remains the multiplication of the number of posts and, therefore the increase in the overall cost of the project, the result obtained often proves to be very satisfactory.

We’re always available to help! Whether you need fencing for your home, business or farm – we have the perfect solution. You can get in touch with us by filling out this form and our team will be there within 24 hours at most (usually much sooner).

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More and more homeowners are considering composite decks. Before you consider transitioning to a composite deck, it is important to know how it stacks up against wood in terms of safety.

#1: Wood Decks Are More Eco-Friendly

Composite decks contain potentially harmful chemicals from the PVC that makes them waterproof. These materials leach into the ground, and over time these toxins can pose serious health problems for people who come into contact with the soil around the deck. Wood doesn’t have any of those problems because it uses environmentally friendly cedar or redwood as its base material.

#2: Wood Is Stronger Than Composite Material

While many consumers believe plastic will outlast wood in durability, this is actually not true. While synthetic plastics do last longer than wood, plastic is not as strong as its natural counterpart. This means that if you are looking for a long-lasting deck, then a wood deck might be the better way to go, even though it is more likely to require maintenance in the years to come.

#3: Wood Decks Can Last For A Lifetime

While composite decks need continual care and upkeep, wood can naturally strengthen over time. If you take good care of your wood deck, it will only get stronger with age and use. You will never have to worry about cracks or other signs of failure from using your wooden deck because this material itself does not suffer from wear and tear like composites do when they come into contact with water over time.

#4: Wood Decks Are A Safe Place For Children To Play

Children love to play outside, and it can be tempting for parents to want a deck that is safe for their little ones. While composite decks are very hardy and would likely not crack if your child slips on them, they contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the soil around the deck. Wood is different in this regard because it does not have any of these same worries. You can rest assured that when you install wood decking on your property, you will know that your children are playing on a surface that won’t harm them or the environment in any way.

#5: Composite Materials Can Cause Problems With Plumbing

As time goes on, plastic materials tend to warp and crack. When this happens, the crumbs and peels that form tend to clog up your plumbing system, which can lead to costly repairs or even worse, flooding in your home. Wood doesn’t have this problem because natural fibers do not deteriorate over time like plastics will.

#6: Wood Is More Natural To The Environment

If you are looking for a material that is more harmony with nature than plastic composites are, then wood is definitely the better option here. Plastic uses non-renewable resources from trees that take hundreds of years to grow back when they are cut down for use in manufacturing processes.

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Taking bathroom remodel ideas from either a picture in your mind or a magazine and making them come true can be a real challenge. Just looking for the perfect paint or flooring can take months. When you finally find the one that meets your expectations and you fall in love with its design, you may want to use it in other places in the house, maybe not exactly the same materials but the “theme” that maintains the uniformity in terms of the design of the house. rest of the house. Fortunately, you can, up to a point. The idea of ​​consistency in bathroom design is what allows you to carry the same colors, fabrics and textures from one room to another, to achieve harmony and harmony in your home.

Consistency of bathroom design is key

Consistency is important to design, and it is a way to infuse your unique personality into the home. For example, using similar wood tones, such as dark tile flooring in both the kitchen and dining room, combined with bamboo tones, projects a better sense of your style than switching between dark and light woods. Placing the same flooring in similar rooms, such as a master bathroom and a toilet, also makes your home look more uniform.

The design of your home is not intended to lack variety, but to maintain a certain basic style from one room to another, ultimately minimizing the impact when moving from one room to another. When you find materials and elements that perfectly combine both form and function in the design, you can use them to set the general atmosphere of your home, print your character with a good combination .

Floors in the bathroom should be even

When choosing your bathroom flooring, you will find many options that promote consistency without the need to combine perfectly. When you choose the same mosaic in a main bathroom and a toilet, for example, you can select the mosaic from the same series but varying in size or shape.

Try opting for a more elaborate pattern in the master bathroom, then lay the same tiles in a simple linear pattern for a simpler effect in the toilet. You can also choose to lay large tiles for a larger bathroom and a smaller variation for that toilet. For greater versatility, choose a cold and neutral tile, perhaps with a grain that emulates the appearance of marble, with this you will achieve that touch of distinction and elegance that your bathroom needs.

Backsplash tiles in line with the overall appearance

Rather than choosing different tiles for each backsplash, which could end up in competition with each other, consider using the same style in your bathrooms, but with minor adjustments. For example, try using similar-looking tile to accent an entire wall behind a bathtub, and then use the same tile as a backsplash in the toilet area.

Tile accents help promote consistency in bathroom design

Accenting a wall with mosaics gives you another opportunity to keep the design consistent in your home. These finishing touches should keep the same basic style in different rooms, even if you choose different colors or patterns. For example, if you love the clean, crisp look of bathroom white, but are concerned about ending up with an excessively stark design, work on the color by adding edging to the tiles or something that breaks up that monotony.

As you study remodeling ideas for your bathroom, certain designs or colors are likely to take shape in your mind. These favorite styles will make up your personal design profile, which can be worn throughout the home for a consistent look. Staying consistent and true to yourself when remodeling your bathrooms will result in designs that will truly fall in love.

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Getting started with landscaping in Austin project requires going through various questions. This process is far from a waste of time; rather, it is the first step in your project. By the same token, this process will greatly facilitate your first meeting with your landscaping expert.

But what are the main questions to ask yourself before embarking on the outdoor landscaping project? We offer you some food for thought and some tips that will help you make an informed choice and feel better prepared.

What is your landscaping project?

Before wondering about the style or the products you should choose, you must first question yourself about the objective of the development project. Do you want a new patio for your backyard, do you want to modernize the outline of your pool or even redo your driveway? There is a very wide variety of paving stones, but it is important to know that they do not all have the same uses or the same type of maintenance.

What is your budget?

This is a question that may require a long reflection. With the help of an expert, you will be able to assess the entire landscaping project. Each project being different, it is important to be well supported and to receive all the information you need to make your decision. Make sure you get a quote that best meets your needs.

What style of the layout to choose?

Since landscaping project sometimes requires a large investment, it is important to choose a style that harmonizes and will evolve with the property. With the advice of a landscape designer, it is easier to design a plan that meets your needs and respects the style of the house. Whether you prefer the contemporary look to the rustic style or want to have a more classic layout, anything is possible. You just need to choose the right materials.

Which product to prioritize?

The products selected depend on the type of landscaping project. Your expert will be able to guide you according to the technical specifications and the constraints surrounding the project. For example, the installation of large concrete slabs, which usually have a thickness of less than 60mm, will not be recommended for a parking area due to the weight of the cars. However, this type of slab can very well be used for terraces or swimming pool contours.

When choosing to a landscape contractor, you need to make sure that they are available, informed, and transparent in the responses they provide to you. By having gone through these different avenues for reflection, you should be prepared to meet your expert and ready to go from dream to reality.

 

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For divers, the southernmost point of Jordan, where the tropical waters of the Red
Sea lap some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world, has to be the main
attraction. Diving in Aqaba Jordan is one of the best experiences.
Also, Japanese Gardens is a magnificent reef dive that everyone can enjoy. The
black coral has formed 16 to 130 feet (5 to 40 meters) and is now home to hawksbill
turtles, eagle rays, and a variety of reef fish. Finally, the wreck of Cedar Pride, a
Lebanese cargo ship sunk in 1985, offers divers the opportunity to interact with
feather-tail stingrays and pygmy slug nudibranchs.
Enjoy a diving season all year round like other places in the Red Sea. However, it is
best to pack your 3mm wetsuit in the summer when water temperatures reach 82ºF
(28ºC), but a 5mm wetsuit is necessary for other parts of the year. The water
temperature ranges from about 26 ° C / 79 ° F in summer to 20 ° C / 68 ° F in winter.
And visibility is often impressive, topping 100 feet / 30 meters.
Best Dive Sites In Jordan
Cedar Pride – One of Jordan’s most popular dives, the basically intact wreck of the
Cedar Pride, which reached the bottom in 1985, is now an artificial reef. It lies on its
side about 200 meters / 220 yards out to sea at a maximum depth of about 27
meters / 90 feet and can dive from a boat or from the shore. Be sure to stop by the
crow’s nest for a great photo opportunity.
Yellowstone Reef – This site derives its name from a couple of large yellow rocks,
one on land and one in the water. The reef drops to 30 meters / 100 feet and divers
may encounter the giant Napoleon and great rays. Be on the lookout for the
magnificent lyre groupers, which are known to frequent the area.
Aquarius – With a name like this, hopefully, this dive site has enough reef and coral
fish to impress all visitors. You would be right.
Japanese Gardens – This colourful reef begins shallow and slopes gently into the
depths. It is loved by divers and is recognized as one of the most beautiful dives in
the area. Be on the lookout for turtles, schools of barracuda, and schools of vibrant
reef fish. Moray eels and giant clams make the reef crevices their home.
Power Station – Conditions must be right for diving at this site, but when they are,
divers take full advantage of a spectacular drop at depths of more than 40 meters /
130 feet. As you might expect, it is also a popular spot with tec divers. Look for giant
blackberries and black coral on the wall.
Seven Sisters and the Tank – This series of pinnacles sits next to an American M42
tank, which sank in 1999 for divers only. It is now well covered with soft corals and
marine life. Divers can see multi-coloured moray eels and nudibranchs around the
wreck. The tank sits in 6 meters / 18 feet of water, but pinnacles and river reefs drop
far beyond this. Look for giant blackberries and black coral on the wall.

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Sunlight makes daily tasks easier to perform, makes spaces more spacious, attractive, and vital, without having to waste energy. Enhancing natural light inside the home is much easier than it seems.

The Structural Elements And The Distribution

Lighting the interior spaces with natural light by installing skylights or using fiber optic cables is easy if you have a budget for it. If, on the other hand, works are not an option, you can try to integrate dimly lit rooms into more luminous ones by totally or partially eliminating partitions. In this way, for example, a dark kitchen can become part of a dining room with lots of light, sharing natural lighting.

One way to take advantage of sunlight is to allocate the home areas with more natural lighting to those tasks that need more light, such as sewing, studying … Although, when distributing the different spaces, care must be taken with direct reflections or flashes that light can produce on surfaces such as television screens or computers.

Making the most of sunlight prevents any piece of furniture from interrupting the passage of natural light. The ideal is to opt for low furniture since they give spaciousness to space and allow a better distribution of light. If they are high, the ideal is that they are glued to the walls, never in front of windows or glass. On the other hand, bottomless shelves absorb less light, making the room brighter.

Opaque wooden doors absorb lots of light into space. Replacing them with other glass ones (or with glass), allows the sunlight to bounce and flow from one room to another. If they are sliding, it is avoided to cut the passage of light and create dark nooks when opening them. Another option is white or light wood doors, which help to gain light without giving up privacy.

Tall windows create much more uniform lighting, but not everyone has them. However, another much cheaper option is to paint the frames white or light tones. Also, if they are the same color as the walls, the exteriors will gain prominence, creating a much brighter room. Sometimes a change of crystals can also help to gain luminosity.

Colors: Wall Tiles, Furniture, Textiles And Accessories

White, neutral tones and yellows create much brighter rooms. The same goes for soft and pastel tones, which provide clarity and a feeling of spaciousness to space. Opting for ceilings in white or lighter colors than those on the walls will provide a feeling of height and a spacious and bright image. For its part, the clear and bright floors also reflect more and better light. White or beige ceramics, light marble, parquet in beech tones and other woods with little grain, are perfect for achieving this objective. If you have dark floors, it is preferable to place white carpets and other bright tones and natural materials to give light to the room.

When choosing furniture, it is preferable to opt for colored pieces such as white or light woods, which provide a feeling of lightness, spaciousness, and luminosity. Lacquered or glossy finishes and materials such as aluminum or glass provide reflections that help multiply light throughout the space.

Fabrics such as chiffon, linen, or organza allow light to pass through without losing privacy. And it is that the ideal textiles when it comes to achieving greater natural lighting are those lighter, with light and not very dense fabrics. It is important to avoid large prints, as they generate darker rooms.

Placing decorative elements in light colors creates a feeling of continuity and more luminosity. But also, opting for accessories that bring a touch of color to the room, will give prominence to the light within the space. If these are made of glass, lacquered, or metal, they help generate reflections and spread light throughout the room. Plants with small green leaves, bouquets, and light-colored pictures and photographs also help us achieve a brighter home.

The mirrors provide a great decorative load to the room and are essential when multiplying the light by space. Placed in front of the passage of sunlight, they expand it throughout the space, illuminating even the darkest corners.

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The industrial style has its origins in the old factories and industrial warehouses that occupied New York’s urban areas in the 70s. When many of them closed, in the years of the economic recession, they were converted into commercial premises and residential spaces. Those artists and creatives who needed a studio were the first to inhabit this new residential concept that was called loft. Brightness and open spaces, utilitarianism and open architecture are the main characteristics of this vintage style with an urban character.

Luminosity and open spaces

The lofts used to have a double purpose: to serve as a home and as a workshop or work studio. Therefore, the abundance of light is a fundamental element in this type of space. The windows without curtains let in natural light and the absence of walls allows it to circulate throughout the interior without obstacles. High ceilings and large iron windows are also characteristic of this style.

Naked architecture

The industrial aesthetic could appreciate the beauty of the building materials leaving bare brick walls, beams and pillars or iron pipes and air ducts.

The industrial style has its origins in the old factories and industrial warehouses that occupied New York’s urban areas in the 70s. When many of them closed, in the years of the economic recession, they were converted into commercial premises and residential spaces. Those artists and creatives who needed a studio were the first to inhabit this new residential concept that was called loft. Brightness and open spaces, utilitarianism and open architecture are the main characteristics of this vintage style with an urban character.

Luminosity and open spaces

The lofts used to have a double purpose: to serve as a home and as a workshop or work studio. Therefore, the abundance of light is a fundamental element in this type of space. The windows without curtains let in natural light and the absence of walls allows it to circulate throughout the interior without obstacles. High ceilings and large iron windows are also characteristic of this style.

Utilitarian sense

It is a functional style rather than beautiful. The furniture is designed to withstand the passage of time and materials of great hardness and durability, such as iron or cement, are key in this industrial style.

If you like the industrial style, here are a few tips today to incorporate it successfully into a modern urban apartment.

1. Eliminate walls and create a large open plan space .
2. An exposed brick wall provides the perfect setting for an industrial decoration. Any other constructive element that is exposed (beams, pillars, pipes, conduits …) will be an ideal architectural element to complete this style.
3. Cement (polished or unpolished) or wood floors are another common feature of the industrial look.
4. The windows should be bare, without curtains or accessories, so that natural light enters in abundance inside.
5. Incorporate vintage-style furniture with iron and natural wood finishes. The parts office , such as desks, bookcases or chests of drawers are key pieces in this decoration.
6. Use a palette of muted, neutral tones , such as grays and browns, and metallic finishes, such as copper or bronze, with a worn effect.
7. Choose metal lamps or lampshades and movie lights.
8. Decorate with recycled objects and reinvent their function. Weathered leather, iron chairs that are commonly found in coffee shops, or any other industrial fixture will work great in an industrial-style décor.
9. Introduce large plants with large, stiff leaves, never delicate flowers or plants.
10. Cover the floors with rugs made of resistant materials and very strong textures.

One last tip to achieve this style at home is to play with scale and proportions, but always keeping a minimalist and simple look .

It is a functional style rather than beautiful. The furniture is designed to withstand the passage of time and materials of great hardness and durability, such as iron or cement, are key in this industrial style.

If you like the industrial style, here are a few tips today to incorporate it successfully into a modern urban apartment.

1. Eliminate walls and create a large open plan space .
2. An exposed brick wall provides the perfect setting for an industrial decoration. Any other constructive element that is exposed (beams, pillars, pipes, conduits …) will be an ideal architectural element to complete this style.
3. Cement (polished or unpolished) or wood floors are another common feature of the industrial look.
4. The windows should be bare, without curtains or accessories, so that natural light enters in abundance inside.
5. Incorporate vintage-style furniture with iron and natural wood finishes. The parts office , such as desks, bookcases or chests of drawers are key pieces in this decoration.
6. Use a palette of muted, neutral tones , such as grays and browns, and metallic finishes, such as copper or bronze, with a worn effect.
7. Choose metal lamps or lampshades and movie lights.
8. Decorate with recycled objects and reinvent their function. Weathered leather, iron chairs that are commonly found in coffee shops, or any other industrial fixture will work great in an industrial-style décor.
9. Introduce large plants with large, stiff leaves, never delicate flowers or plants.
10. Cover the floors with rugs made of resistant materials and very strong textures.

One last tip to achieve this style at home is to play with scale and proportions, but always keeping a minimalist and simple look .

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The living room is one of the corners of the house where we store most things: technology, crockery, kitchenware, movies and music, books and magazines or the blankets for reading time … but how can we store everything without reducing the space?

1. Get rid of what is not used

Keeping the room in order involves throwing away everything that is not used. Saving things to save will only serve to take up valuable space . So the first thing is to get rid of everything that is not interesting.

2. Less is more

Having a broad view of the room means reducing the elements that fill the space. You have to be clear about what you need and select elements that decorate the room without overwhelming it or, otherwise, it will be much smaller.

3. Planning storage

Once you know the volume of things to store , you have to see how they can be accommodated in the available space. So you can see if more or less furniture is needed or if it should be multifunctional to help save space.

4. Distribute the furniture with practicality in mind

When distributing the pieces of furniture around the room, it is important to have a practical vision. To begin with, it is necessary to avoid that any furniture obstructs the entrance of light or the passage of people. Then, you should think about which areas will be the most used and place the furniture accordingly, so that the space is not overwhelming.

5. Playing with colors and lighting

While it is true that furniture and its distribution do a lot when it comes to enlarging the space, choosing light colors and planning the correct lighting, trying to make the most of natural light , it also helps to make the room look bigger.

6. Take advantage of the walls

One way to gain space without dwarfing the living room is to take advantage of the storage that the walls provide: shelves, shelves and even boxes; The important thing is to know how to take advantage of them, creating new corners to store things without having to visually overwhelm the room.

7. Bet on modular furniture

Opting for modular furniture allows you to create tailored compositions that perfectly fit the available space. Thus, you can take advantage of every last inch of the room without filling the room too much. In this way, in addition, modules can be added or removed depending on the needs of the moment.

8. Be consistent with order

In the end, no matter how many guidelines are followed, if you don’t always try to maintain order, you will never be able to see the spacious room. Having everything collected and getting rid of what is not used is the easiest way to add space to the space.

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Making the kitchen a comfortable and practical space, whatever the meters available in it, involves expanding the work space, passage and storage space as much as possible, in such a way that they allow daily tasks to be carried out comfortably, no matter how small. be.

 

From tiny kitchens to huge ones, the important thing is to make it look like a spacious place where you can move, store or cook in total comfort. To achieve this, you only have to take into account four factors …

 

1. Get a bright space

 

The lighting is an aspect that takes special relevance in the kitchen, not only because it allows the comfortable, too, because light tasks helps visually expand the space.

 

To begin with, the entry of natural light into the room should be enhanced , taking advantage of the rays that enter through windows or doors. In addition, it is necessary to carry out an optimal planning of the artificial light according to the kitchen areas, since the dining room, work, cooking or storage area cannot have the same type of lighting.

 

The use of color in the kitchen also affects the feeling of spaciousness. Light or neutral tones, and some bright colors such as yellows, reds or oranges, will enhance the luminosity; also lacquered furniture or some light and / or glossy coatings. That is why it is vital to consider the effect that the color and finishes of furniture and coatings can have on the space before choosing them.

 

2. Optimally distribute space

 

Choosing the layout of the kitchen will depend on the space available and the location of elements such as radiators, doors and windows in it. The placement of furniture , appliances and other accessories will vary according to the shape and size of the kitchen, always choosing the one that offers the most space for work, mobility and storage.

In L, on parallel fronts, in U, in line , with a central island or American bar, fully or partially integrated, an optimal kitchen distribution will allow maximum comfort when cooking, moving around and being able to access any corner.

 

3. Choosing the perfect furniture and appliances

 

When it comes to achieving a functional kitchen, a correct choice of furniture is essential. The first thing is to make sure that the furniture and appliances meet the needs of the inhabitants of the house.

 

Depending on the space, style , tastes and possibilities, the choice will be one or the other. Thus, if you do not have many meters, you will choose multifunctional, folding furniture, with light colors and / or glossy finishes, and compact appliances. If space is not a problem, you can opt for practical elements such as islands or large appliances.

 

In the case of appliances, whatever the size of the kitchen, it is important that they save time and money, and that they offer easy maintenance.

 

4. Take Advantage of Plugins

 

On the market there are countless accessories to turn the kitchen into a most practical room. From those that help to maintain order, to those that provide us with more space for storage, the case is to achieve a larger, clearer, more comfortable kitchen with greater mobility and work surface.

 

In this line are auxiliary furniture such as tables or chairs, which can perform various functions (support surface or storage space, for example). Folding or stackable furniture also helps to achieve a functional kitchen.

 

The important thing is to choose those pieces that fit the needs, possibilities and tastes of the first decade, in order to achieve a comfortable and practical space .

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The kitchens used to be a functional area dedicated solely to the preparation of food. However, these days, modern kitchens perform a wide variety of tasks, such as having breakfast or a mid-morning coffee or a mid-afternoon snack, helping children with their homework or enjoying a glass of wine while preparing dinner as a couple. Therefore, having enough light to work comfortably is an essential aspect in the design of any kitchen .

 

Common mistakes in kitchen lighting

 

1. Use a single lamp or spotlight in the center of the kitchen to illuminate the entire space.

2. Locate several points of light, but only on the ceiling . Kitchen cabinets will cast shadows on the countertop, making it difficult to see in this work area .

3. Not having enough switches to illuminate each area of ​​the kitchen separately or to regulate the light intensity in the different areas of the kitchen .

 

Tips for correctly lighting the kitchen

 

The kitchen is a multinational space , which is why it is essential to incorporate different types of lighting into it. These are the keys to do it correctly:

 

1. Incorporate point lights

 

A spot or task light can make things like cutting, peeling, or following a recipe from a cookbook easier. For this, small halogens can be incorporated under high kitchen cabinets or pendant lamps on a central island. Extractor hoods usually have a built-in light to facilitate work in the cooking zone .

 

2. Regulate the light

 

Regulating the light intensity of the kitchen allows you to create a relaxed and warm atmosphere at certain times of the day. A very popular option is the rows of small lights that are usually located under kitchen cabinets or hidden in crown molding. The rack lights can also help control the light intensity of the kitchen and create a soft ambient light.

 

3. Decorate with light

 

There are other lights with a purely decorative function that are also beginning to become popular in today’s kitchens . For example, those located on tables in the breakfast area or inside kitchen cabinets with glass doors. These types of lights will give the kitchen an elegant and very modern look.

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