3-steps-to-a-perfectly-lit-kitchen,-according-to-a-pro
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3 Steps to a Perfectly Lit Kitchen, According to a Pro

ByMaria Sabella

3 Steps to a Perfectly Lit Kitchen, According to a Pro A lighting expert shares must-know tips for designing a functional kitchen. Published on November 16, 2024 Photo: John Merkl The right lighting is one of the most important elements of kitchen design. It needs to provide enough illumination for a variety of tasks in multiple areas, while also adding a stylish touch and complementing the overall room design. To help you get your kitchen lighting just right, Kerry Cochran, senior merchandise manager for Lumens, shares three steps to follow for a functional—and beautiful—space. Whether you’re simply refreshing your space or planning a full remodel, implement these three expert-recommended lighting tips to create a perfectly lit kitchen. Read McKendree 1. Use the Principle of Three-Level Lighting “The modern kitchen serves more than one purpose, which necessitates a careful combination of task, ambient, and accent lighting,” Cochran says. While striking the right balance can be a challenge, she shares how you can create layers using the principle of three-level lighting. “A combination of independently-controlled ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting makes for an ideal blend of function and aesthetics, and helps create a smoother transition from day to night,” Cochran says. John Granen 2. Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Styles and Materials People often get caught up in creating a matching lighting scheme, but Cochran says there is no hard and fast rule that says you need match all your kitchen light fixtures. “In fact, some of the most well-designed kitchens incorporate a thoughtful mix of both styles and materials,” she says. Don’t be afraid of mixing metals, because it can actually make a space feel more layered and dynamic, as long as they’re complementary in tone. “For example, pairing a warm-toned brass or copper with a cool-toned stainless steel or chrome can make a room sing, while two different metals that are similar in tone, like nickel and chrome, will clash,” Cochran says. As a general rule of thumb, she recommends sticking to two to three different finishes to avoid the kitchen feeling disjointed and haphazard. Elizabeth Howard 3. Add Personality Through Light Fixtures Light fixtures offer a great opportunity to infuse personality into your kitchen. Cochran compares choosing kitchen lighting to adding jewelry to an outfit. “It should reflect your personality and style, and complement your outfit—the kitchen—without overwhelming it or competing for attention,” she says. Focus on functional lighting first, such as track lighting over a kitchen island. Then, add in decorative pieces, like a flashy pendant light or colorful wall sconces.

5-kitchen-lighting-mistakes-to-avoid-for-a-functional-workspace
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5 Kitchen Lighting Mistakes to Avoid for a Functional Workspace

ByMaria Sabella

Lighting is a key design element in any space, but it’s particularly important in a kitchen. Get the lighting just right and it can elevate the entire kitchen—but get it wrong and it’ll ruin the whole space. To help you nail your kitchen design, Kerry Cochran, senior merchandise manager at Lumens, is sharing the most common kitchen lighting mistakes to avoid. The list consists of both practical and visual mistakes, including disproportionate light fixtures, a lack of under-cabinet lighting, and an excess of recessed and accent lights. Cochran also points out that while people spend a lot of time selecting the right light fixtures, they tend to completely overlook the lighting controls, which deserve just as much attention. Whether you’re rewiring your kitchen or designing it from scratch, Cochran shares the biggest kitchen lighting mistakes to avoid. 1. Lack of Under-Cabinet Lighting “One of the biggest mistakes we see is a lack of under-cabinet lighting,” Cochran says. She explains that whenever you have a kitchen counter beneath a set of wall cabinets, the cabinets will block the overhead light and cast shadows on your workspace, preventing proper illumination. “Adding dimmable under-cabinet lighting will make your countertop workspace more functional and brighten up the corners of your kitchen,” Cochran says. 2. Too Many Recessed Lights Installing too many recessed lights is another common kitchen lighting mistake, as it makes the space feel too sterile. “While recessed lights are necessary to provide ambient lighting, they do not illuminate walls, so we mustn’t rely on them as the only source of light in a space,” Cochran notes. She shares that the general rule of thumb for installing recessed lights is to use one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space. “For a more exact formula, divide the height of your ceiling by two; With an 8-foot ceiling, recessed lights should be about 4 feet apart,” she says. 3. Disproportionate Light Fixtures Scale plays a huge role in creating visual balance, and Cochran says one of the most common mistakes she sees in kitchens is disproportionate light fixtures. “Picture a sprawling kitchen island with a single, small-scale pendant light above it, or a massive chandelier hanging over a tiny breakfast nook, and you’ll understand how this can upset the overall proportions of a room,” she says. To avoid this mistake, pay attention to the size of your kitchen and its components, such as counters or an island to select scale-appropriate lighting. “For a kitchen island or table, for example, select a lighting fixture with a diameter that is about one foot smaller than the narrowest part,” Cochran says. 4. Excessive Number of Accent Lights “Equally important is knowing the right areas of your kitchen to highlight, as too many accent lights can compete with one another, causing visual clutter that cheapens the effect,” Cochran says. To create a successful lighting plan for your kitchen, view the space as a whole instead of multiple individual areas. This will help you strike the right balance and avoid the mistake of going overboard with accent lights. 5. Overlooking Lighting Controls While the size, style, and positioning of light fixtures is important, don’t make the mistake of overlooking a key practical element—lighting controls. “People often get caught up in selecting the perfect light fixture, so it can be easy to overlook the importance of lighting controls”, Cochran says. She recommends dimmers over switches, and says they should be used wherever possible to best control the lighting for any task or activity. “If you are rewiring or designing your kitchen from scratch, make sure that the most critical ambient fixtures can be controlled from each of the room’s entry points,” Cochran adds.

5-paint-color-trends-to-say-goodbye-to-in-2025
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5 Paint Color Trends to Say Goodbye to in 2025

ByMaria Sabella

As the end of 2024 approaches, plenty of paint companies have already announced their 2025 Colors of the Year to give us a sneak peak of next year’s hottest trends. Paint color trends represent much more than just a shift from one color to another—they also reflect a way of life at a given time. As we look forward to fresh and exciting color trends in 2025, take note of the paint color trends that won’t be carrying on into the new year. Gabriela Eisenhart, founder and principal designer at Silo Studios, shares her professional insight on the paint color trends she sees disappearing, and what they will be replaced with. She predicts rich hues, muted pops of color, and textured finishes will be big in the year to come, and shares what you should leave behind to keep your home on trend. Ali Harper 1. Trade All-White Color Palettes for Rich, Saturated Hues As evidenced by the recent 2025 Color of the Year reveals, rich and saturated hues will be a big trend in the coming year. These deep hues will take over traditional all-white spaces, such as kitchens and bathrooms. “Over the past few years, all-white color palettes have faded, making way for earthy tones and richer hues, and I think this trend will keep going strong through 2025,” Eisenhart says. Whether it’s a captivating jewel tone or a deeply luxurious shade of brown, the coming year will embrace rich hues that produce environments which are equal parts bold and cozy. Lisa Romerein; Interior Design: Heidi Caillier 2. Choose Warm Neutrals Rather than Cool Undertones This past year saw a strong shift away from the cool grays that dominated homeowners’ paint color selections for over a decade and toward cozier, warmer neutrals. The color brown has become the new “it” neutra,l and Eisenhart predicts this trend will continue. “Neutrals will shift toward warm earth tones,” she says. Shades like chocolate brown, warm beige, and classic taupe can take on a surprisingly sophisticated look when used in a tonal color palette and layered with natural materials such as wood, leather, and stone. John Bessler 3. Swap Bright Colors for Muted Tones Instead of bright pops of color, get ready for accent colors to come in gentler hues. “Pops of color will take on muted or dusty shades,” Eisenhart predicts. Muted colors offer contrast in a more delicate and approachable way, creating spaces that are familiar and comfortable. These subdued pops of color lend themselves well to earthy color palettes and spaces where you want to create a calm and serene ambience. Tria Giovan Photography Inc 4. Embrace Matte and Textured Paint Finishes Paint trends aren’t just about color: A paint finish can make as much of a design statement as a color can. Rather than high-gloss surfaces adding a glamorous touch in 2025, Eisenhart shares a more earthy paint trend emerging. “For special finishes, matte and textured techniques, like limewash or plaster, will stay popular,” she says. The limewash paint trend gives walls a textured look and instantly infuses spaces with old-world charm. It creates a lived-in, ‘always been there’ atmosphere that moves away from generic, cookie-cutter spaces and celebrates environments with unique character. Astrid Templier 5. Forget Millennial Gray: Nature-Inspired Color Palettes Are In “2025 paint trends will focus on creating comfortable, approachable spaces that feel grounded and connected to nature,” Eisenhart says. This falls into the recent biophilic design trend which celebrates nature and brings the outdoors in, both through decorative elements and color. This doesn’t just mean bringing in shades of green—although greens hues such as olive are a big trend right now. It includes a move away from stark whites and towards gentler off-white shades, and a departure from cool grays and a plunge into the world of warm neutrals such as brown.

how-to-remove-bathtub-rings-and-stop-them-from-coming-back
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How to Remove Bathtub Rings and Stop Them from Coming Back

ByHalee Miller Van Ryswyk

Unsightly or stubborn stains can make our tub feel and look dirty even after it has just been cleaned. If you feel like you’ve scrubbed endlessly at the stain rings in your bathtub without success, it might be time to try a new method. To help you make your bathtub sparkle, experts are sharing their best tricks to remove pesky rings and stains. Plus, discover how to prevent them from returning—for good. Here’s everything you need to know about scrubbing your tub. What Causes Bathtub Rings? Despite regular cleaning, a light outline around the inside of your bathtub can still appear and be tough to remove. According to Vanesa Amaro, TikTok’s “Queen of Cleaning” and Clorox spokesperson, bathtub rings or stains are typically a combination of soap, scum, body oils, dirt, and mineral deposits from hard water. “When water evaporates, it leaves behind a residue that can cling to the surface of a bathtub,” Amaro says. “Body care containers or even a forgotten bobby pin can also leave rings and rust marks behind. Regularly cleaning your tub can help reduce stains and rings.” Do not use abrasive tools on your bathtub (especially on acrylic, porcelain, or fiberglass) to prevent damage like scratches or chips. Grant Webster How to Remove Bathtub Rings Using Commercial Cleaners Remove hard water, mold, and mildew rings or stains with commercial cleaning products that are either multi-surface or meant for the bathtub specifically. Always read the product’s instructions before using it. Clear out the tub: Remove all shampoos, soaps, and other products from the bathtub to remove clutter from the space. This prevents any of the cleaners from getting on your bath products and you can now thoroughly clean all of the surfaces otherwise covered by them. Spray cleaning product: Amaro suggests spraying your choice of cleaning product 4-6 inches away from the tub, especially on the stained areas. Let the product sit for at least 30 seconds. Scrub, rinse, and dry: Gently scrub the area with a non-abrasive sponge before rinsing. Repeat if necessary. Dry the bathtub with a paper towel or microfiber towel to prevent water spots or streaks. How to Remove Bathtub Rings Using Bleach Bleach will not only clean your bathtub but also disinfect it, Amaro says. Be cautious when handling household bleach for cleaning purposes—wear rubber gloves, a mask, and eye protectors. Never mix bleach with any other household cleaners and always follow the product’s instructions. Do not use bleach on acrylic or colored bathtubs, as it can damage the coating and finish. Clear out the tub: Keep all of your bathing products safe from bleach by removing them all before you clean. Mix bleach solution: Mix a bleach solution with ⅓ cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water and put it into an empty spray bottle. Spray and let it sit: Spray the bleach and water solution directly on the tub, and let it soak for at least 6 minutes for complete disinfection. Scrub, rinse, and let dry: Scrub the stained area of the bathtub with a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber towel. Rinse the bleach solution thoroughly with warm water and use a microfiber towel to dry the bathtub completely. How to Remove Bathtub Rings Using Natural Ingredients Natural ingredients, like baking soda, white vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide can remove stains just as well as commercial cleaners. They can also provide a more affordable cleaning option and might already be in your pantry. Clear out the tub: Just like with other methods, remove all products from the bathtub so you have a clear space to clean and to protect your products. Mix and apply cleaning paste: Mix three parts baking soda to one part white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide for a homemade and effective cleaning paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and let it sit for as long as 30 minutes. Scrub and rinse: Use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the paste into the stained areas to remove the rings. Thoroughly rinse away the paste before drying with a microfiber towel. Soak in vinegar (optional): If the stains are still persistent, fill the tub with hot water, add 3-5 cups of white vinegar, and let the solution soak for multiple hours. The vinegar can help break down the residual stains and soap scum. Drain and rinse the tub before completely drying with a microfiber towel. How to Prevent Bathtub Rings from Reappearing After all this work, you don’t want to have to scrub away stubborn stains again. Amaro recommends staying on top of a frequent and consistent cleaning schedule to prevent the rings from returning. “The more often you clean, the easier it is to keep your bathtub free of spots, rings, and stains. I typically recommend cleaning high-traffic areas like the bathroom, including your bathtub, about once a week,” Amaro says. “Even if you’re not using your bathtub often, I recommend at least spraying it down with cleaner and rinsing out the tub.”