EXPERTS
Ask the Expert Andrew Higginson Andrew Higginson is Sales Director for Litecraft and BHS Lighting. His detailed knowledge, innovation and creativity in all aspects of lighting and the lighting industry have been instrumental within the company and its current lighting ranges on offer.
How do I choose the best lighting for my home? There are three factors you need to consider: what will the purpose of the light be; what is the style of the room; and what are the measurements of the room regarding height? Lighting can serve many purposes. You could need kitchen task lighting, such as adjustable spotlights, to illuminate your countertops, or a desk lamp for your new work-fromhome office space, for example. For eclectic or retro styles, we suggest copper or satin brass lights with opal shades. Or for the minimalist and Scandi trend, you could opt for a monochrome appearance. If you have a low ceiling in your home, we advise installing recessed downlights,
flush lights or semi-flush lights, which won’t take up too much space. Which lights are safe for outdoor use? For safe outdoor use, they generally need to be IP44 rated or above, which ensures the light is protected against solid materials larger than 1mm and splashes of water from any direction. For driveway lights, we recommend IP67 rated drive over lights. These lights are more durable against outdoor conditions and can even withstand submersion in water for 30 minutes, making heavy rain no problem at all. Opt for an outdoor floodlight if you have a large garden space and are looking for widespread and security-conscious illumination.
How can lighting influence the mood of a space? Bathroom and kitchen lighting should be bright and practical in order to create the best visibility possible and enable you to perform all your daily tasks with ease. Whereas for living rooms and bedrooms, you may want a large main ceiling light that is quite bright and then accent lighting to give a softer, more ambient glow in the evenings. Floor lamps in dark corners can create a cosy atmosphere and work well as a reading lamp too.
Simon Norris Simon Norris is CEO and Founder of luxury vinyl flooring specialists Flooring Projects. Simon has over two decades of experience in the sector, having achieved success with clients such as Nationwide, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Wren Kitchens, Footasylum and Next.
Why is luxury vinyl flooring a good option? Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF), also referred to as luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), may have been around for decades, but not many people are familiar with it. There are several benefits to this kind of flooring, including durability, longevity, excellent acoustics and warmth, plus the fact it’s a long-term, cost-effective option. Perhaps the most valuable benefit to families, however, is the fact that you can achieve longevity and a maintenance-free approach with this surface. LVF will not dent or scratch as easily as some natural wood or stone flooring options and you won’t get the discolouration you may gain with natural flooring. All it requires to keep it looking fresh and new is a regular sweep to
remove any dust or dirt and an occasional mop to restore its fresh sheen look. So, if you have small children and/or pets, you needn’t worry about any damage. Will I be able to achieve my desired look with LVF? At Flooring Projects, we offer a highly expansive range of LVF choices (over 400, in fact) in a variety of colours, textures and finishes. Therefore, you can gain the desired look you had in mind and achieve an authentic feel of hardwood, stone or ceramic flooring but with the much more hardwearing, water-resistant material of LVF. LVF’s genuine appearance means it is an effective substitute for real wood or stone and one that offers greater versatility.
Is it cost-effective and how often do I need to replace it? LVF is strong and hardwearing, so it’s a cost-effective, long-term solution. We also provide a minimum 20-year warranty on all our standard products, with some other products coming with lifetime warranties. So, once fitted, you don’t need to worry about the costs of wear and tear or re-purchasing every few years.
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