Seven tips for adding accent lights in your home

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Seven tips for adding accent lights in your home

There are three types of lighting. In the order we think of them there is ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Ambient lighting is of course the primary light source in the room that’s intended to light the whole room. Certain areas in the home, like above the kitchen sink or the stove top will probably have lights that are specific to those areas and are only used for those tasks. But accent lighting is the most dramatic and underused type of lighting. Why is it underused? Here are three reasons:

It’s not tangible. When we invest money into our homes, we want to invest in things we can touch and see. Light isn’t tangible, you can see it, in a sense, but you’re really seeing through it.

Homeowners think it’s reserved for museums or five-star hotels. Most people assume it’s too expensive and unattainable.

Accent lighting is a finishing touch and homeowners are never truly finished with their homes.

Accent lighting is critical, it can make or break a piece of art on display in your home and yet it’s so underused. Here are seven tips for using accent lighting in your home.

Choose your spots. Think about the areas in your home that could benefit from some accent lighting. Nice artwork is a given but accent lighting can also emphasize architectural features like archways, fireplaces, and art niches.

Be selective. Most homeowner’s commit the error of not having enough accent lighting (none, in most cases), but some homeowners commit the opposite error of having too much. Think of accent lighting like perfume. A little goes a long way and you definitely don’t want to overdo it. You can’t emphasize something if you’re trying to emphasize everything.

Choose your fixture. Decide whether you want something portable or something more permanent. If you’re the type of person that likes to play around with arrangement and move art to different places throughout your home, something portable is probably the better option. Try to avoid accent lighting that will have cords hanging down on the wall as that ruins the look. Some accent lighting is battery powered and some lighting can be controlled with a remote so consider all your options.

Track lighting. The most permanent accent lighting solution is track lighting. Adjustable lamps are attached to tracks on the ceiling and can really highlight a piece of art in your home.

Think about flexibility. Choose accent lighting that is adjustable and dimmable so that you can be flexible about how use it. Adjustable, dimmable accent lighting is perfect for any scenario.

Determine bulb type. Whatever you do don’t choose bulbs that have a high heat output and emit UV rays as these can cause artwork to fade. Incandescent lights emit a warm light that seems to go well with reds, browns, and yellows. Halogens put out a very bright, white light. LED bulbs are energy efficient and will last an extremely long time plus they come in a variety of color temperatures.

Adjust for aim and spread. You don’t want to get the accent lighting too close to the subject you’re trying to illuminate or it looks like a laser shining on it. Too far away and you lose the effect. Aim to cast a light that fully illuminates the subject and nothing more.

Source: Nola

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How to measure baseboard heaters:

Step 1
HOW TO MEASURE

Always measure left to right, and twice for accuracy

Floor to top of Fintube | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Covers

Step 1: Floor to top of Wall plate

Measure the height from the floor to the top of the metal wall plate.

Follow our guide for baseboard heater cover measurement:

Any baseboard larger than 7 3/8" (188 mm) will be compatible with our standard cover.

Any measurement greater than 9 3/8" (238 mm) will fit our tall cover.

Fin Tube Height | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Covers

Step 2: Bottom of Fintube to Top of Wall Plate

Measure from the bottom of the finned tube heating element to the top of the metal wall plate,

A measurement of 5 1/2" to 6 3/4" (140 mm – 172 mm) will fit our standard cover.

A measurement of 7 1/2" to 8 3/4" (191 mm – 222 mm) will fit our tall cover.

Depth | Measure | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Cover

Step 3: Back Wall to Front of Fintube

Measure the distance from the wall or the metal wall plate attached to the wall, to the outside of the finned tube heating element.

Any measurement of less than 3 1/8" (76 mm) inches from the wall will fit our

standard cover.

Any measurement of less than 3 1/8" (76 mm) inches from the wall will fit our tall cover.

Step 2
DETERMINE IF BRACKETS ARE NECESSARY

Always measure left to right, and twice for accuracy

Wall Widget

EZ Snap™ Wall Widgets are used when your old or existing wall back plate has been removed or if you have to hang your new cover 1 inch or higher to bring them up to a height that will fit our installation guidelines. Just measure your overall desired height, subtract 1", drill a hole, preferably in a stud and attach it to the wall with the included screw.

Floor Fidgets

EZ Snap™ Floor Fidgets easily raise your new covers ¾ inch to compensate for any ¾ inch floor (wood, tile, or other) that has been installed any time since your baseboard heater was originally installed. May be used for any reason when the overall height has been shortened and the total height is less than 7-½ inches for standard height or 9-½ inches for the TALL height EZ Snap™ BaseBoard Covers. Just use the self-tapping screws to secure them to the top of your existing wallplate.

Wall Contraptions

EZ Snap™ Wall Contraptions are used when your wall back plate has been completely removed. EZ Snap™ Wall Contraptions receives your EZ Snap™ BaseBoard Cover and keeps your aluminum fin tube from sagging. These completely replace your wall back plate. To install, slide up from the bottom and make sure the top is at your desired height. Screw to the wall, then bend the front finger up to hold the fin tube in place.

Step 3

HOW TO MEASURE LENGTH

Based on how your heater is configured,

choose an option below to expand and view

specific hot water baseboard heater measurement templates.

[+] Option 1: Straight Heater Configuration

[+] Option 2: L-Shape and U-Shape Configuration

[+] Option 3: 45 Degrees, Z-Shape Configuration

Congratulations!

Now that you’ve learned how to measure baseboard heaters,

you’re ready to order.

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YOUR ORDER NOW?