Silver Heights Residence

2. Energy-efficient lighting and appliancesSwitching to energy-efficient LED lighting is an easy adjustment to make and will lead to reduced energy consumption (and lower electricity bills). “LED light bulbs typically use 25% to 80% less energy than incandescents and last a lot longer,” says interior designer Laura Freeman of Merits Design Group in Atlanta. “In addition, incandescent bulbs give off heat. In a room with many light sources, like the kitchen, this can affect the overall temperature and increase AC costs over time.”Interior designer Lucile Glessner in Sunnyvale, California, echoes this sentiment. “Changing your incandescent and fluorescent lights to LED is an obvious long-term financial payoff. LEDs do not emit heat and provide many lumens for a fraction of the wattage, so you save energy both ways,” she says.Freeman likes to install dimmers and occupancy sensors in certain rooms so you can control how much light you need to use throughout the day. “This also reduces energy usage and saves on operating costs,” she says. “And always opt for Energy Star appliances, especially in the laundry. Washers and dryers are at the top of the list of energy consumers in your home.”Energy-efficient lighting can also be used outdoors. Designers layer LEDs with other dark-sky outdoor lighting techniques to reduce energy consumption and minimise disturbance to wildlife. “I try to use outdoor light fixtures that cover the bulb and cast light down. I also utilise timers rather than dusk-to-dawn settings,” landscape designer Armillei says. “Most recently, I’ve begun incorporating a smart socket for landscape lights that allows my clients to override the programmed settings to turn the lights off earlier or keep them on during special events.”

3. Firm: Jitisha Buch InteriorsIn this example, the concealed chimney gives a streamlined look to the kitchen and maintains the continuous flow of the overhead cabinets.

Handle less cabinets in kitchen