The Things You Should Know About LED Lighting

With the challenges of a modern society come the big question of how to use your natural resources wisely. In recent years, the world has been plagued by multiple environmental problems, all with the bottom line that we need to start conserving what we have and looking for alternate, smarter means of living the way we have become accustomed. One particular solution to this problem is LED lightings.

LED lightings are becoming more and more popular as people are looking for ways to cut down on their electricity bills. LED technology, also known as  Light Emitting Diode is one of the most important breakthroughs in technology as of late, as its invention has resulted in a solution to sustainable, environmentally-friendly lighting. It is among the most energy efficient lighting system as it does not use heat to generate light.

Since LED lightings do not need heat to produce light, it consumes much less electricity compared to other lighting systems. Though LED lights are more expensive than the usual light bulbs and incandescent lamps, their long term cost is definitely cheaper as it is proven durable and can last longer that other light sources.

Unlike ordinary fluorescent bulbs that burn out as soon as it is unusable, LED lights tend to gradually dim instead, signaling that you need to replace the bulb soon.  LED lights have a life expectancy of up to 100,000 hours--which means 11 years of continuous operation. If you use an LED light for 8 hours a day, it would be 20 years or so before you would need to buy a replacement.

Since LED lights do not use gases to produce light, it is also overall, more environment-friendly than the other light bulbs and lamps like incandescent bulbs or fluorescent bulbs. LED lights do not contain dangerous chemicals such as mercury, another big contributing factor that makes it environmentally sustainable and much safer overall to use.

One of the best features of LED lighting is that it can be adapted to any design. Many designers have made chandeliers, fixtures, installations and the like using LED lights—which makes these a lot more cost efficient and much safer for the environment. You get a lot more use out of your fixtures since you don’t need to replace the bulbs as often. Mood lighting is also becoming extremely popular thanks to LED lights since it just goes to show that a little extra lighting in a room doesn’t have to be very expensive at all.

If you are moving to a new home, considering renovation or simply sprucing up the fixtures in your home or office building, consider investing the money into making the switch to LED bulbs now. With lower electricity bills and environment-friendly benefits on the horizon, your future self will thank you.

8 Ideas for Your Unused Garage Space

It’s been sitting there for years. And for years, you’ve imagined the many ways you could do something awesome with that space. Well, here are a few suggestions we prepared to help you out with that: 

1.   Another receiving area

Just buy outdoor furniture and you’re good to go. If you really want something unique though, something different from the décor you have inside the house, you could give bamboo outdoor furniture a try.

2.   Gaming shack

A fresh layer of paint, some murals of your favorite console games or shows and then, the main piece: a gaming console or a billiards table or even a chess board. Turn that garage into your game space and start inviting your friends over for a round or two of your favorite games on Wii or PSP.

3.   Guest room

If you often have guests over, then you could convert that space into guest territory by adding in a bed—or futon if you want to go Japanese—and a table, chair, a little desk and you’re done. It’s handy to have that extra space so when guests stay the night—which is usually the case during family reunions and long holidays—and you have no more room in the house, this handy guest room in your former garage will come to your rescue. 

4.   An office

Want a work space all on your own? Well, you could convert that space by putting up shelves for your files and folders and books. A table, some chairs, a couch you can use for naps and you have yourself a home office. 

5.   Playroom for the kids

Your kids can leave their toys out all day, every day here. No need to clean up! You could even put on some spongy floor mat so they won’t get hurt whenever they fall down. 

6.   A secret room

A secret room is…a secret. Either that or just keep using it as a handy storage space.

7.   Tool shed

Don’t have a place to keep your tools? Convert that space into your very own tool shed. This way, you have somewhere you can properly store your tools at so they’ll last you longer. 

8.   Cat house

If you have feline friends, then you could turn that garage into a cat’s dream house. Put several ledges up on the walls where the cats can sit or sleep, a few boxes on the ground, scratching posts and don’t forget their litter box, along with their food and water bowls.