By Clarissa Allison | January 6th, 2017

A new year is the perfect opportunity to achieve balance at work and at home. Many of us have big plans for 2017, and making aesthetic and practical changes to our surroundings can kick start a positive influence that lasts throughout the year. One of the ways to refresh our environment is to experiment with new lighting options in our decor choices. Read on for lighting suggestions that will keep you on trend as well as helping with energy savings!

Arc and Tripod Floor Lamps

Lighting fixtures as main focal points  and statement pieces are what’s happening now. Modern and sleek designs that that take center stage can transform an entire space. Floor lamps in unexpected silhouettes such as arcing designs, and with clean details like linen shades add a fun dimension to dark metals. Highly stylized but simple floor lamps have returned as an important design element, and arcing floor lamps complement your reading nook or living room perfectly. Likewise, tripod floor lamps offer the mid-century appeal created by the sophisticated Scandinavian designs of the 1960′s.

Industrial Lighting Fixtures

 Jewel Toned Accents

Last year, decorating in pastel shades of pink and blue were a common sight in contemporary homes, but jewel tones are now what’s in demand going forward. Look for lighting fixtures in berry hues with accents like scroll-work, chrome or rounded details. Even a lampshade in a rich tone conveys a warmth and romantic element to your surroundings. The best part? You don’t have to purchase large, expensive pieces to achieve this look. Simply add a couple of pretty table lamps to a sofa table to set the baseline for your living room’s theme.

Smart Home Lighting

Replacing a major appliance in your home is never a fun—or a cheap—experience. However as cooling systems age, repairs become obsolete and sure enough your system eventually breaks down, requiring a full air conditioner replacement.

But how do you know when enough is enough when it comes to repairs? There’s no flashing neon sign letting you know that it’s time for a system replacement, and yet delaying replacement could mean dealing with an inefficient system that keeps making your utility bills rise. We’ve shared a few signs below that you can look out for, which indicate it may be time for a replacement.

Air conditioning systems perform at their best efficiency until about 10-15 years of age. After this time they start to break down a bit more frequently than usual. The good news is that systems manufactured today are much more efficient than those of the past. This can result in significant savings on your energy bills.

Do repair jobs seem more and more frequent? If your aging air conditioning system requires two to three repairs a season, chances are that it’s a good idea to consider system replacement. Rather that continuing to throw money into your old air conditioner and try to squeeze a few more years out of it, you can put that money towards a newer, better AC system.

Your air conditioner’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) is an indication of how efficiently it performs. Today’s systems will all have a SEER ratio above 13, while systems installed in the 90s and even the early 2000s will probably be in the 7-12 range.