Tag Archives: IKEA

How to Decorate With Lighting

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It is not only cinematographers and lighting designers that can use lighting to enhance a room. You too can enhance your environment by using the same tricks that these professionals do to make a room look more dramatic, cozy or romantic.

If you are after a dramatic look then the key is to choose lamps that have light bulbs with a high strong beam and that can be directly focused to highlight only certain objects. Drama is created using light through contrasts so the idea is to not have too much ambient or “stray” light.

The best type of lighting to create dramatic effects is created with halogen bulbs. You can find all kinds of styles of halogen lighting online or in stores but the most versatile style will resemble an octopus with bulbs at the end of the arm. Usually these are made of bendable metal so you can angle three or more of the light sources wherever you want in the room. To create a dramatic effect, try aiming these bulbs so that they specifically highlight a display of flowers in a vase, a valued piece of freestanding art or a favorite photograph on the wall.

Another example of a very dramatic lamp is the style from the seventies that features a long wire arm that extends like a fishing pole with a globe shaped glass lampshade on the end. This is the ultimate in seventies retro right now and very much in fashion if you want to make a strong statement.

To create a cozier look you want to choose lighting that is smaller and that has large shades crouched over the bulb. This means choosing a more traditional lamp with a stem and that has a glass or paper shade.

Choosing lamps that have yellow or cream shades also helps add to create this cozy effect. Another good choice is a lamp with a Tiffany shade, which has colored panes of glass that spread a soft warm glow.

Japanese rice paper shades can create the effect that the “lights are turned down low.” The odd glowing shapes that this style of lamp, most commonly available at IKEA and Japanese shops also have a sensual flair.

You can also buy lamps that have bulbs shaped like candlesticks that are on dimmers and that can be adjusted to the quality of light that best suits you. Lamp shades that cast a pink or rose light are said to be the most flattering to aging humans. Another rule of thumb is that the broader or more conical the lamp shade shape is the softer and dimmer the light shed from it is said to be.

How to Decorate A School Locker

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Not all schools allow you to decorate your locker. However if you do it can be an artistic way of expressing your personality. Decorating lockers is common place in most schools. Still you should check to make sure it is okay with your high school administration. You don’t want to be expelled just for putting decorative stickers where they don’t belong on school property!

How you fix decorations to your locker might depend on what type of materials it is made from. Lockers are not standardized. Lockers are created from different materials including steel, iron, plastic and wood. Whatever you choose, you should try and keep it neat and clean. Keep in mind you may not be able to use certain kinds of fixing materials like glue or nails when you decorate your locker.

Before you decorate consider the size of the locker and how much space you have available to personalize it. Note that some schools may only allow you to decorate the inside of the locker.

To express yourself the best, choose a specific theme. You can chose movies, music, mice, books, Hello Kitty, hockey, horses, baseball or whatever turns your crank. You can also do this in your favorite color. You can get really creative and use posters, photos, fridge magnets, mirrors, ribbons, fabric, acrylic paint and crepe paper. Glitter spray and metallic markers can also help to create designs that liven up a dull looking locker.

If you are going to use stickers make sure they can easily be removed later because some schools might require that you have it all scraped off.

You can also fix a mirror or a cork board to your locker. That way you can glue shells, feathers, stones or fake jewels to it.

The inside of your locker can be lined with paper or cork board as well. You can also use a nice wrapping paper or mylar stick on paper. You can also change the paper to suit your mood. For instance in the winter you could have locker paper with snowmen on it.

Inside your locker you can collect art, posters and photographs of whatever you like including favorite pets, musicians, movie stars or sports heroes.

You can also maximize the space in your locker so it is decorative, yet practical. Consider using shelving, magnetic attachments for mirrors, clocks, hooks and pencil cups to update the look of your locker. You can even go to IKEA and get shoe bag hangers and other storage devices.