Hobrecht Lighting

Styles & Trends

6 Simple Hacks for Perfect Kitchen Pendants

6 Simple Hacks for Perfect Kitchen Pendants

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The kitchen is not only one of the most functional rooms in the home, but it’s also a central place to express your style! Kitchen lighting should combine excellent functionality with equal flair, and there’s no better way to do that than with pendant lighting. Here’s an in-depth guide of 6 vital principles to help you choose and hang the perfect pendant light in your kitchen.

1. Quantity

Odd numbers make for natural design groupings, so aim for odd groupings of lights when you hang pendants. Consider each kitchen area separately, creating one group over the kitchen island, another over the sink, and a new one in other unique areas of your kitchen. You’re the boss here—so break the rule here if you think two lights are better than three.

2. Scale

Hang something too big, and it will encroach on needed space. Hang a fixture that’s too small, and it won’t provide enough functional light or stylistic pizzazz. The edge of a pendant fixture should hang 6” from the outside edge of the island, with appropriate space between pendants.

Tall ceilings can handle a larger pendant, so if you’ve got vaulted ceilings, consider choosing a fixture with extra height and bulk to capitalize on the grandeur of your ceiling. If you’re debating between several good options, bigger is better!

3. Light Output

Some finishes, like chrome or polished nickel, are reflective and seem to ‘disappear’ when the lights come on.  Other finishes are bold, providing high contrast against kitchen cabinetry.  Most fixtures come in multiple finishes, so decide if you prefer architectural and bold, or a light floating feel. 

Even better? You don’t have to match the finish of the fixture to your kitchen hardware.  Consider the colors in your kitchen—appliances, flooring, décor, accent pieces. If your kitchen has gold knobs and a dark hardwood floor, those tones easily justify a gold, bronze, black, or even two-tone fixture! Don’t limit yourself here.

5. Style

The kitchen island is a great place to define the style of your home, so be daring!  If you’re decorating your forever home, hang a pendant you really love. If you plan to resell, consider hanging a trendy, popular fixture that will appeal to the largest group of buyers later.

Whatever you hang, avoid an awkward look by hanging your light at the correct height. The bottom of the fixture should sit 30-36” from the top of the counter to best emphasize the beauty of your pendant and preserve needed space.

6. Function

Light output is one element of a pendant’s functionality, but the styling and shape of the light also have significant impact.  Open and airy fixtures lighten the look of the kitchen, creating negative space and emphasizing kitchen openness. They spread light more generally throughout the kitchen.

Opaque, metal fixtures create solid, positive space that fills in gaps and draws the eye. This solidness directs the light downward and brightens usable counter space making solid fixtures better task lighting than glass ones. Both options are good, but some will be better for your needs than others.

With such a wide array of pendants to choose from, you’re sure to find one that works for you! Compare your top favorites for their functionality and flair, and don’t hesitate to reach out to Hobrecht Lighting with any questions.

Are LED’s Worth the Investment? Let’s do the math…

Are LED’s Worth the Investment? Let’s do the math…

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It’s a fair question! I’ve seen their ups and downs, so let me tell you my experiences with the bulbs. When one of the first PAR30 bulbs came out, one of my clients invested a small fortune filling every can light in his home with those bulbs.  Supposedly, they were rated for 50,000 hours (about 20 years of life), but within the first year, he’d already lost one bulb. The second year, two more bulbs burned out.

 

The Evolution of LED

So are LED lights a bust? Hang with me for the rest of the story. Over the years that followed, the industry went crazy about LEDs and the progress was astounding. Infamous hot-to-the-touch energy-sucking halogen bulbs were replaced by clean, crisp LED bulbs.

Similarly, some LED fixtures, such as the standard A-19 lamp, even have a clever filament-imitation inside the bulbs. This way, they provide all the functional benefits of LED lighting, while still catering to traditional expectations of how residential-use bulbs should look.

Function and Form

But does that mean LED lights are all style, with disappointing results? Actually, thanks to a few more years of trial and error, today’s LED’s are reliable, affordable, very functional and save lots of energy. They decrease wattage use and offer options all over the Kelvin scale (varying light color temperatures).  Almost any fixture can be fitted for LED bulbs, and most manufacturers recommend them for new fixtures.

Let’s Check the Math Out

A traditional incandescent bulb runs at 60 watts and will last a year with average use in a home, and average energy costs nationwide add up to $.15 per kWh (kilowatt hour).  A typical American home has approximately 50 light bulbs and run an average of 3 hours per day, requiring roughly 270 kWh to power those bulbs and need to be changed every 6-8 months.

Check out the annual costs of incandescent bulbs in both a home. The results will surprise you.

Lighting Costs in an average Home:

Incandescent Bulb Cost

$1.50 ea bulb x 73 bulbs (based on average life) =

 $109.50

Incandescent Energy Cost

60 watts x 3 hours x 365 days x 50 bulbs=3.3 million-watt hours (3,285 kWh) =

$493

Total Incandescent Cost Per Year in a Home $602.50 

LED Energy Costs

At home: 9 watts x 3 hours x 365 days x 50 bulbs = 492k watt hours (492 kWh) =

 $73.80 per year

LED Bulb Cost

$3.50 ea bulb x 7.5 bulbs (based on average life) =

 $26.25 per year

Total LED Cost Per Year in a Home $100.05 

Average LED Savings

$502.45 per year

Replacing your incandescent bulbs with energy efficient, longer-lasting bulbs save you an average of $502.45 in a typical size American home. Larger homes, or homes where power cost exceeds $.15 per kWh would see an even more dramatic savings. Not to mention that LED bulbs usually last much longer than incandescent bulbs and will save you the cost of constantly buying new bulbs.

These bulbs have finally become what they were intended to be—beautiful, functional, long-lasting, affordable bulbs.  All the things you want in a light bulb! So, are LED’s worth the money? Now that we’re past their beginning stages… Absolutely.

Home Lighting Design Guide for Every Space

Home Lighting Design Guide for Every Space

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Lighting – it can make or break a room, budget, or mood. Do you feel inadequate to style your home whether it is a new build, under full renovation, or just itching for some change?

Knowing proper interior aesthetic and design principles; including contrast, balance, movement, texture, proportion, repetition, and color when it comes to incorporating the right type of lighting in your home can be difficult. You can feel completely overwhelmed as to where to start and have no idea how to make your home feel like those you see on television, in showrooms, or displayed in magazines.

We are here to help. We have years of experience and lighting experts to assist you every step of the way to make your home a place you love.

When it comes to selecting the proper light or style for each room in your home, consider the following tips. This simple home lighting design guide can help you become the skilled interior designer you’ve always wanted to be.

Broken up by room, this home lighting design guide will become a quick reference and can assist you in knowing what types of light to add, incorporate, or switch out of your space.

Regardless of the room, there is a key principle to consider and understand when implementing the perfect light into a space.

Layering Light is the secret to creating the perfect light in every space. There are three common ways to layer light which include ambient, task, and accent or decorative forms.

  • Ambient — also referred to as general lighting fills a room. It can be in the form of recessed lighting, wall-mounted lighting fixtures, or even track lighting.
  • Task — takes into consideration what activities or events will take place in a specific room. Some tasks require brighter more focused light, whereas other tasks could be completed with dimmer accent lighting options. Table or floor lamps are a great example of task lighting. This type of lighting will influence the type of fixture and the placement throughout the space.
  • Accent/Decorative — can be bold or simplistic depending on the placement. It is usually implemented to highlight a specific area of focus. An example might be picture lights or wall sconces. Dimmer lights would also be considered a form of accent light as it helps build mood an ambiance when applied strategically.

Lighting Tips per Room

Consider what activities, events, or tasks are completed in each room of your home when trying to find the right lighting solution. It will provide insight into where you need to place a lighting fixture, how much light is needed, and what style could be best.

Bedroom

Most activities or events are conducted in other rooms throughout the house, but this space cannot be forgotten, so using a home lighting design guide will be crucial in achieving the look you want. Within the bedroom, you might want to read a book in bed or browse the internet on your mobile device. Task lighting, such as adjustable wall mounted lighting fixtures installed on both sides of the bed can help you receive directed light and help you focus. A combination of general and task lighting can help establish a space where you can wind down, relax, and enjoy peace and quiet.

Previously, bedroom lighting has solely consisted of a single central lighting fixture overhead like a flush mount, semi-flush mount, or pendant lighting fixture with the occasional task lighting on nightstands or end tables. Some improvements to bedroom lighting might be adding easily accessible switches for each of the wall mounted lighting fixtures for easy access to turn on and off before bed, upgrading the central switch in the room by adding a dimmer, and purchasing energy efficient light bulbs.

The lifestyle, age, and preference of those who reside in your home is also important to note, as more light might be required to accomplish specific activities. If utilizing a desk, table, or floor lamp directly, adjust the light so you do not look into the light bulb when lying or sitting in bed.

Shop Bedroom Fixtures

Family Room

As a general gathering place for events and activities, this room has a lot of foot traffic. Engaging in a wide variety of activities, the family room is most likely the most popular gathering place within your home. Additionally, this room is used to entertain when guests come over to play games, watch television, read, or just hang out.

Utilizing vertical planes when upgrading lighting in the family room will cause you to look towards the ceiling instead of down at your feet influencing your mood and energy. Brighten up a corner throughout the room by adding accent or task lighting like a floor lamp or wall sconces. Another way to add light is to highlight the fireplace, book shelves, or other large furnishings with background lighting solutions.

Improve your current lighting design by changing the room architecture, if possible, by integrating cove or valance lighting in addition to installed lighting. Switching out flush mounts, installing a large intricate chandelier, or adding wall sconces are all great lighting options to consider also. Consider installing a dimmer to all lighting fixtures to maximize control and create flexibility with how much light is emitted.

Browse Family Room Lighting

Dining Room

The primary focus of this room is the table, as you gather your family to eat which is usually lit minimally with ambiance or general lighting fixtures overhead. Focused lighting in this space is important.

Usually narrow in space and unique in orientation, the dining room, can be difficult to configure; however, evaluating the wall treatments and implementing lighter wall colors with strategic lighting fixtures into the design will make the room appear bigger and brighter. If the wall color is darker in color, consider increasing the lumens in all fixtures to create more light.

The dining room traditionally has one general illumination, like a chandelier, flush mount, or island light, in the middle of the room or above the table. However, you could add wall sconces, floor lamps, or cove lighting in conjunction to a statement piece to create more compelling lighting treatment. Adding a dimmer to the central switch could allow you to have more flexibility to the amount of light throughout the space.

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Kitchen

The kitchen is also a common gathering place for people and activities, but the area of focus is food preparation and very focused tasks. Bright light is best in this room and can be achieved by high lights and a large number of recessed lighting around the perimeter of the room.

Depending on the size of your kitchen, it will determine exactly what layers of light are recommended. This space is great for implementing all three types of light – ambient, task, and accent. Be sure to use a home lighting design guide to properly implement the diverse light design in this space.

For a small kitchen, rely on a central ceiling fixture for ambient light, with lighting placed under the cabinets to provide task lighting for the counters and workspace when prepping food, and pendants above the island as additional task or ambient lighting. These improvements or layers of light will make the space appear larger and more inviting. Whereas, in a larger more elaborate kitchen you may have to incorporate more task and accent lighting to light up the entire space with more cabinets and a larger island.

The sink, usually placed below or near a window, is a functional and key design within most homes as it provides natural light into the space and creates balance.

Changing all of the lights to be on a dimmer and ensuring light bulbs are energy efficient will improve the lighting flexibility.

Browse Kitchen Lighting

Bathroom

As this room is used primarily for personal grooming, it can require intricate lighting. Being aware of shadows and knowing the best way to disperse light can make this space more inviting.

Integrate motion lights under the cabinet base as accent lighting to give the space a nice glow and add another layer of light. Add task lighting to balance out the ambience lighting options throughout the space. It is important to have task lighting to provide a focused area and make sure it is bright enough to get the job done. Shower lights or bathroom exhaust fans can also help in adding brightness to a small space.

Avoid ambiance lighting fixtures above the sink, as it will create a dark shadow when looking into the mirror. Instead, try strip lighting behind free standing structures or floating shelves or bathroom sconces.

Shop Bathroom Fixtures

Outdoor

As a complete home lighting design guide, outdoor lighting is an extension of your home.

Exterior lighting, also referred to as landscape lighting, primarily comes from the sense of providing security and safety to your home. As this lighting will be exposed to extreme weather conditions, it is best to think about the durability and quality of each fixture.

Keep the lighting outside simple, as more is not always better – a few bright lights in areas around your yard and house also creates dark corners making safety a concern. Therefore, lower amounts of light levels consistently will make a big difference. Increase the value to your home by adding post lights, security lights, or hanging lights to enjoy outdoor spaces even in the dark.

Browse Outdoor Lighting Solutions

Hobrecht Lighting also offers fixtures for all other spaces within your home including offices, stairways, entry ways, and hallways.

Try implementing some of the lighting recommendations and design elements provided in this home lighting design guide to make a room shine, on a budget, and increase your general happiness. Feel adequate to conquer any space in your home whether it is new or old.

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Read This Before Installing Smart Lights

Read This Before Installing Smart Lights

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Imagine getting in bed and then realizing you forgot to turn off the light, but rather than getting up, you use a simple voice command, and all the lights go off. Or imagine you just finished watching a movie and the whole room is dark, but instead of hunting in the dark to find a light switch (and running your knee into your coffee table), you grab your phone and instantly turn on all your lights at the touch of a button. If that sounds like science fiction, the future has arrived, and it’s high time you invest in smart lighting. However, if you’re new to smart home tech, you might not know where to start. You might assume that starts with a smart light bulb, but there are other ways to add smarts to your lighting. So let’s break down some of the basic smart lighting options and help you step into home automation.

Installing Smart Lights In Your Home

Smart Bulbs

Many light bulb manufacturers have developed smart light bulbs. This is often one of the first product people add to make their home “smart”.  If you haven’t heard, a smart bulb is an internet-connected LED light bulb that allows lighting to be customized, scheduled and controlled remotely, usually through a smart phone app.

Smart light bulbs are a great option to achieve automated, remote controlled lighting. The biggest advantage for going this route is that light bulbs are super easy to install and most bulbs are compatible with your current light fixtures, and your preferred digital butler (such as Alexa or Google Assistant). With automatic compatibility, you’ll are able to control light bulbs by voice command and a smartphone app.

When trying to choose what smart bulbs to get, you need to know what your home’s lighting needs are. For example, if your home doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, you will want to make sure your bubbles have a whiter color temperature so that they really brighten up your otherwise dim room. If you’re looking to save money on your utility bill (who isn’t?) then you want to be sure you get smart LED bulbs. Using highly efficient LED bulbs capable of yielding up to 20,000 hours of use while saving you money each month on your power bill.

A smart phone using a smart light app to automatically turn on and off light fixtures

Installing Smart Light Bulbs

Smart light bulbs are super easy and screw right into the existing light sockets you currently have in your home. Once in place you connect light bulbs with an internet connection hub that then allows you to control the light bulbs through a smartphone or other device connected to your router. Once you have them you can then enjoy greater control over the lighting effects in your home and establish automated lighting schedules around your lifestyle.

Check out these smart bulbs

Smart Light Switches

Another option for smart lighting is smart light switches. Smart switches are a great way to make your lighting smart without the hassle of replacing every light bulb in your home. Smart switches are a great option that lets you control your lighting like before, but with some added benefits. With a smart switch, you can manage dimming and use a pop-out remote that will give you easy manual control of your lighting. The great thing about smart light switches is that they will be able to work with your current light bulbs and they make an entire fixture smart, with your current bulbs.

A white dining table with a chandelier and wall lights around it

Installing Smart Light Switches

Installing smart switches can be a little more challenging then light bulbs, but once installed they are not tough to use. If you don’t mind calling in an electrician and you want a fully integrated method of controlling the lighting throughout your home, it’s worth going all-in with smart switches. Light switches are a great option when you can’t find the right-sized light bulbs. Light switches can also be a great option when you have lots of light bulbs that would need to be replaced because it can save you lots of money. As said by The Inventory, “ a single smart switch is more expensive than a single smart bulb, but the bulbs can add up very quickly if you have a lot of fixtures in each room.”

Smart Lights with Our Products

No matter which way you choose to approach smart home lighting, you won’t miss wandering around your home to turn off all the lights before bedtime, or stumbling through the hall to find the light switch for a midnight snack.

If interested in getting smart lighting in your home, check out our website to find the perfect lighting. Our experts have lighting systems that measurably improve wellness and safety in your home. In addition to being the leading healthy lighting provider, we also have the best price, selection, and value for lighting as well. They have options for smart lights bulb and smart light switches. If you have further questions about smart lighting, come visit our store. We are happy to answer all your automotive lighting questions. Hope to see you soon!

5 Ways to Use LED Strip Lights for a Safer Home

5 Ways to Use LED Strip Lights for a Safer Home

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What’s the big deal with LED strip lights anyway? Let’s be honest. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the beauty and aesthetics of our home lighting fixtures that we forget to add into our design the practical purposes of light. Not only does light allow us to see things clearly, but it also provides protection from the dangers hiding in the dark. We want to protect you and your family, so we offer lighting options and tips to help keep you safe.

LED strip turned on and arranged in coil

Here’s what you need to know about LED strip lights:

LED strip lighting is an amazing technology that comes in different variations, but most have the same basic features: a continuous strip of thin and flexible LED lights on a flexible circuit board. They usually come on a reel or roll and can be adhered to almost any surface. Some options come with a fixed color and brightness while others allow for custom variations of both. Their safety comes from their low voltage power requirement and the versatility of adding lighting nearly anywhere that could be dangerous in the dark, offering additional safety for your loved ones at home.

In caring for seniors, ensuring an adequately lit space can go a long way in preventing falls and other accidents. This is best done with motion-detecting lights that make it easy to light the space when someone enters. Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.  Approximately one in four U.S. residents aged 65 years (or older) report falling each year.

Adequate lighting is also important for accident-prone individuals such as infants and young children. When lighting a home for these individuals, it’s important to place the lighting in key locations, as lighting from the ceiling and walls may not reach certain areas.

It’s best to mount them in places where the strip itself can be hidden but the light can provide a nice effect. Many people like mounting them under or behind unique structures to highlight interesting shapes or features of furniture or designs that would otherwise be ignored. But remember, safety is the first priority!

Here are some of our favorite places to use LED strip lights:

Kitchen

LED lights installed in the ceiling and under cabinets in kitchen

With sharp objects and hot surfaces, the kitchen can be a dangerous place for anyone. Having adequate lighting from top to bottom will help prevent accidents and keep you safe. Add LED strips under your kitchen cabinets that meet the floor—this area is known as the toe kick. This kind of lighting looks especially great under a kitchen island and makes those midnight snack runs or middle of the night drinks far less dangerous. 

Add safety lights for home kitchen

Bathroom

Much like the kitchen, installing toe kick lights adds a really beautiful effect while illuminating an otherwise pitch black area. This lighting allows for a clear view of the floor and helps prevent toe bumps and even slips and falls on those half asleep trips to the bathroom.

Try these easy-install LED tape strips

Stairs

Accident-prone or not, stairs present a hazard in any home. One misstep can send grandparents, kids, and even the rest of us clumsy folk tumbling, so add LED strip lights to the front, back, or side edge of each step to light the way as you walk. This way, each step is clearly seen and cannot be missed.

LED strip lights under staircase steps

Try these affordable LED tape lights for your staircase

Outdoors

With the right outdoor LED strip lights, you and your loved ones can enjoy the evenings with the confidence that you are protected from falls, burglars, and even unwanted pests. Place the lights around a central structure like a grill, or use multiple strips to illuminate the ceiling, posts, and steps of your patio.

Find great deals on outdoor lighting here

Walls and Ceiling

The space where your wall and ceiling meet may not be very hidden per se, but is not immediately noticeable at first glance. By placing LED strip lights around this perimeter, you can essentially light the entirety of the room in a fairly discreet way.

LED strip lights in ceiling and wall of room

Light your home with this LED strip

Staying Safe

LED lighting is a life-changing invention for the vision-impaired. LED lights are bright while still being easy on the eyes and present a lower fire hazard than other lighting options. With such a high risk of falls among the elderly, and dangers lurking in every dark corner, lighting your home for safety and efficiency must be a priority. Quickly add an LED strip anywhere more light is needed and reduce the risk of accident for the people you care about.

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Channel Your Inner Designer With These Modern Ceiling Fans

Channel Your Inner Designer With These Modern Ceiling Fans

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Does your home decor style say modern? Maybe it says transitional. Or, maybe you’re wanting to abandon a former you, do a complete 180, and create a modern look. To give your home a modern finish, there are some fundamental elements you’ll want to consider. Yes, the right kind of pillows and picture frames will come into play, but let’s start with more of a central piece – a statement piece – something you can design around. No we’re not talking about a couch or table. Believe it or not, we’re talking ceiling fans. 

The right kind of ceiling fan can introduce your style with some serious flare and help tie a  room together, so why not start with it? Convinced? Let’s walk through some of the different types and maybe, just maybe, one of these modern ceiling fans will spark an interest in you. 

Our 3 Favorite Types of Modern Ceiling Fans in 2019

All modern, contemporary ceiling fans will offer sleek lines, smooth finishes, and little to no adornment. Now you might be wondering how modern ceiling fans differ. Well, our goal is to inspire your whole space – how the fan you select will complement your furniture, paintings, and color schemes. Let’s get to it.

Mid-Century Modern

A contemporary bedroom with mid-century modern ceiling fan and large windows facing the swimming pool

This type of style dates back to the 1950s (hence, mid-century style) and focuses on simple features and naturally integrated materials. Take lots of natural wood and mix it with different metals, large glass windows, natural and warm hues, and asymmetric detailing, and you have yourself a mid-century style home. 

This style has remained just as popular since it was first developed. Homeowners like the idea of linking the inside of their home to the outside just through the use of specific materials. Mid-century modern style has also gained wide popularity for its sleek and simple design principles. 

To complement this type of living, you’ll want a mid-century modern ceiling fan combined with different materials. We suggest finding a fan that combines natural wood with a brassy metal for some intentional contrast. For inspiration, you could go with dark walnut wood blades and an antique bronze for the mounting device and motor. Or, play around with mixing a dark cherry wood with polished nickel. 

Whichever pairing you choose, know that you can create that desired medley of wood and metal with just one piece – yes, that one piece can be a ceiling fan and it can play a significant role in the aesthetic of a room. For a sleek, contemporary look, check out our Amherst ceiling fan. 

Modern Farmhouse

A neutral-colored bedroom with different textures and natural light seeping through

The modern farmhouse feel has risen in popularity over the last few years, but don’t confuse it with a rustic look. Modern farmhouse style takes the relaxed feel of a farmhouse and dresses it up with modern accents – modern accents being fine lines, glossy finishes, and neutral color schemes that say ‘sophisticated’, rather than ‘rustic’. 

To get the full effect of a modern farmhouse, modern contemporary ceiling fans will subtly tie everything together. Similar to mid-century modern, modern farmhouse ceiling fans should also play on natural textures and materials, like wood and steel. But to incorporate that farmhouse vibe, your pieces should also look “well-used” – this doesn’t mean damaged, but rather, intentionally distressed. 

To achieve this look, check out our Nomad ceiling fan.

The Boho Look

Indoor tropical ceiling fan with palm leaf blades

Boho or Bohemian, style lends itself to more of a relaxed, carefree vibe. Yet, it’s still considered modern because of its recent trendiness. In a mission to embrace the unusual, boho-inspired homeowners will decorate their space with eclectic items and features, bold colors, and whichever patterns and textures they like. That being said, it’s not all random. 

You can still deliberately pull fun, unique items and colors together to give your space a cohesive, boho vibe you desire. But to achieve the full contemporary, boho look, you’ll need a modern ceiling fan – and not only for aesthetic. Imagine a light breeze swirling around you as you snuggle up to your tassel pillows. To create that carefree space, an interesting ceiling fan will give you both the aesthetic and function your boho heart needs. 

Consider unique ceiling fans that might even look unconventional. If you truly want a boho space, you don’t have to worry about lines coming together in uniformity. It’s all about picking up unique pieces along your journey and making them fit. As there’s no formula to boho style, we urge you to look for interesting ceiling fans – maybe it’s asymmetrical or carved from mismatched wood. Whatever it is, let it speak to your inner designer.

Get Inspired and SAVE

And that’s what really makes a modern space, well, modern. But don’t feel limited to these styles of ceiling fans; at the end of the day, it’s your space and you should create it how you want to. Remember, modern ceiling fans can bring a complete look together just by acting as a centerpiece. 

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Timeless VS. Trendy: Which Works Best In Your Home?

Timeless VS. Trendy: Which Works Best In Your Home?

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Keeping up with trends, whether commercially or only as an observer, can be a fun hobby! There’s so much variety, beauty, and class in this world. However, trends in fashion, décor, and even lighting, revolve quickly. If you’re thinking of replacing a more permanent part of your home, such as the flooring, plumbing, or lighting, it’s tricky to be trendy and timeless at the same time.

So how do you decide? Should you choose the latest look, with all the “Ooh”s and “Ahhh”s it’ll bring? Or should you be conservative and avoid something you’ll regret in 5 years? After all, tiny details can date a home. You know, wallpaper from the 70’s, pink tile in the 80’s, burgundy and forest green from the 90’s, bronze and faux finishes from the early 2000’s…

There isn’t one right way to go about this, nor is there one easy answer to the “trendy vs. timeless” debate. However, here are a few things to consider.

It’s Not All or Nothing

You may love some of the styles that have withstood the test of time: subway tile, herringbone (fabric and flooring), or wood floors. That’s great! On the other hand, that doesn’t mean that you can’t also incorporate this year’s hot paint colors and some trendy macramé hangings into your décor as well. Don’t try to decide everything at once, and don’t base all your decisions off of one piece of your home.

Consider Your Resale Plans

There are some cases when it’s better to choose trendy décor and finishes, even if the current trend is not your personal favorite. If you’re building a new home, remodeling, or flipping a home with any intention to sell soon, go trendy. Homes that are on trend show well and sell faster.

Avoid Over-Decorating

Though you could argue that “minimalism” is a trend in itself, we’re convinced that good use of space is timeless. Though it can be tempting to fill every shelf or cover every wall with your latest finds, an over-decorated, crowded space diminishes the artistic effect of any style. In addition, it’ll be easier to update your look later if you have few, carefully chosen accent pieces that can rotate with the next trend.

Be Smart About Trendy

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have unlimited time and funds to remodel the kitchen or buy a new couch every time popular trend takes a new direction. However, there are plenty of simple, cost-effective ways to make your space trendy and new. Here’s a list of our favorite ideas!

1. Change an indoor paint color. Indoor paint runs its course in about 5 years, so it makes sense. You could even start with a small room… less time, big reward!

2. Rotate your rug or change it altogether. Rugs have a natural knap to them depending on how they are woven. A quick rotation may surprise you with a significant difference.

3. Update your throw pillows on the bed and couches. It’s a quick, cost-effective change!

4. Especially during the winter, add a plant or some kind of earthy décor element to bring a natural, refreshing feel to your space.

5. Switch out some art. Frames may be pricey, but prints usually aren’t! Buy a new family photo, modern print, or custom piece of art to freshen up your frames

6. Replace a key lighting fixture. In addition to updating your look, switching to new bulbs will save you money on your utility bill. Check out our catalog for some good recommendations!

7. Buy new dish towels or dinnerware. An extra pop of color can change the atmosphere in the kitchen or add some extra fun at dinner. 

Make Your Home Your Own

Trends will come and go… And traditional styles? Even there, there’s a ton of variation! Contemporary. Transitional. Rustic. Vintage. Urban. Eclectic… no matter the style, take the time to create a home environment that speaks to you. If it suits your needs and appeals to your unique style, it’ll be timeless. Best of luck from Hobrecht Lighting in your decorating adventures!