Lighting: A Two Part Guide

Last week, in Zara’s lighting guide, we talked about different types of lighting. But what is a pedestal lamp without a light bulb? Continue reading to ensure you pick the best bulb in the bunch!

Here are the four most common types of bulbs:

1. Incandescent: Ideal for living rooms, dining rooms. Bedrooms and dens, incandescent bulbs can be used on a dimmer and bring out warm yellow tones. Not a fan of a warm glow? Pick MB Halogen bulbs or GE Reveal bulbs.

2. Fluorescent: These energy efficient bulbs often have a bluish tint and are commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms and tanning beds. They are usually linear, circular, u-shaped or grooved and sometimes flicker and make crackling sounds.

3. Compact fluorescent: Also known as CFLs, these small, even more energy efficient fluorescent bulbs last up to ten times longer than standard fluorescents. Although they commonly come in a swirly shape, you can find encased ones, too. Use them in the living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen and outdoors but not the bathroom (high humidity can shorten their lifespan).

4. Halogen: The brightest bulbs in the box, these cost the most and last longer than other bulbs. Flood lights and flat tops are examples of these bulbs, which contain more blue and green than standard bulbs—making the light appear brighter and whiter.
Once you pick a bulb, you’ll have to choose the correct wattage. 75-150 watts are ideal for reading and other tasks, while 40-75 watts are perfect for mood lighting.

Making the Most of Your Bed: Part Three

There are three factors to consider when picking out pillows for your traditional bed.

Do you sleep on your side or your back?

Foam pillows are the most stable and are the right choice for you if you sleep on your side or your back, because they keep your neck in a neutral position. Neck muscles can tense up if your neck doesn’t maintain its natural curve, which could lead to headaches. If you sleep on your side, choose a contoured version of a foam pillow (the front mound fills in the gap between your neck and shoulder).

Or are you most comfortable on your stomach?

Density isn’t as import if you sleep on your stomach (because your neck requires less support in this position), so choose a down pillow. Down compresses easily so when you move your neck in your sleep air passages won’t be restricted.

Do you suffer from allergies?

Down isn’t the right choice for you, as dust mites burrow into down. Invest in a miteproof cover.

Here at Zara Furniture, we hope our bedding tips help!

What I Love About Decorating

I don't know what it is exactly about the coming summer and the change of the seasons but it makes me so excited to change up the look of my apartment. Maybe it's because in the winter we are naturally inclined to darker, warmer colors and then by the time the sun comes out, we just want to lighten everything up. But no matter the reason, I love to redecorate!

Decorating is so fun for me. I think it's because it gives you the ability to add your own personal flair to your living space. I think it's so true that your living space can affect your mood. If my apartment is cluttered even in the least, I can't feel relaxed. Even if it's something small, like how my bookshelf material doesn't match my bamboo coffee table. Having matching furniture sets is probably the first place I start when it comes to redecorating, because I like things the base of my decor to match and then I add variety from there. But anyways, now I'm rambling. Back to the point....

The whole thing decorating is that it gives you complete control to create an environment all for yourself. You go to work everyday and can't control every situation there. You go out in public and you definitely can't control that. But home, home is your place. It is all yours and you can make it look and feel exactly how you want it to. You can choose the colors, the patterns, the furniture. You can keep it clean, or let it get cluttered. It is completely up to you.

So, how will your home look? For design advice, reach out to us anytime at Zaraliving.com!