what colours go with olive green

Green has often been a colour that people shy away from in their interiors, but olive green is one that continues to become a popular hue in the home. Providing a great accent colour throughout the home, it is commonly used on doors, panelling, feature walls and through furnishings. It really is the perfect colour that works well in most rooms. It also helps to nod towards that sustainable, eco-friendly ethos.

So, what colour is olive green exactly? Olive green is exactly that, it takes its name from the colour of unripe or green olives, and is a warm yellowish-green shade, as opposed to the cooler tone of sage green that holds hints of grey-blue.

What Colours Go With Olive Green?

To help you use this colour in your own home, we explore the colour wheel to find out which colours work best with olive green to help you seamlessly incorporate it into your space.

Olive Green & Tan

Tan and natural wood tones work exceptionally well with olive green as it provides a neutral, and uncomplicated pairing.

This colour scheme works well with mid-century modern design. Introducing natural elements through furniture will help to tie this look together. Try pairing an olive green feature wall with wood dining tables or coffee tables for a stylish aesthetic.

Olive Green & Blue

Whilst olive green is a great neutral colour to work with, olive is a warm colour in its undertone which means it works well with other warm colours.

Warm shades of blues such as cobalt blue are an ideal match for olive green. It's best not to let these colours fight for space and either use both of them as accents to complement one another through the home, such as on panelling and home furnishes or use one as more of a dominant colour to work from. Perfect for a vibrant living room.

what colours go with olive green
Image source: Pinterest

Olive Green & Beige

As two neutral colours, olive green and beige are a match made in heaven for the interiors. A popular colour combination in kitchens, with olive green cabinetry and beige worktops or surrounds.

You could even incorporate a third complementary colour into the mix such as tan or natural elements, as they are all earthy neutrals.

Olive Green & Pink

Trust us on this one! Olive green and blush pink are complimentary colours, it especially looks good with softer shades of pink.

For a bedroom, pair blush pink and olive green in the room's accents such as pillows, bedding, rugs or curtains. Alternatively, you could have feature panelling behind the wall in olive green and dress the room with blush pink.

Olive Green & Gold

If you're looking to create a regal, luxurious looking room then that can wholeheartedly be created by combining both olive green and gold. They are both warm colours which create such a luxe, and elegant space.

Gold can easily be woven through the home by way of decor, furnishings and interior hardware. Brushed Brass sockets and switches contrast beautifully with olive green, making the brass pop.

brushed brass sockets and switches

Olive Green & White

A fail safe combination that always works. These two colours create such a harmonious and relaxing space. It's best to keep the foundations of the room white and build up the warmth of the room with accents of olive green. Bringing greenery into the room will also help to add to that tranquil ambience.

what colours go with olive green
Image source: Pinterest

Olive green is a colour that is set to stay in our interiors. An incredibly earth warming and gorgeous neutral that works so well with a multitude of patterns and shades.

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To help you use this colour in your own home, we explore the colours that go best with olive green to help you incorporate it into your space seamlessly.

There are many different considerations to make when choosing the lighting scheme for your home. Certain rooms of your home may benefit from swathes of well distributed light throughout. Whilst other rooms may need more targeted levels of light in a certain section, as and when required.

Task lighting is a particular form of lighting that is highly common in many homes. It will greatly benefit you during key tasks where clarity and high precision is required. We explore task lighting and how you can easily incorporate it into your lighting setup.

What Is Task Lighting?

Task lighting is strategically placed lighting in an area where clarity and precision is required to carry out various tasks. When planning the lighting design in a room it is crucial to take this into consideration.

Task lighting is commonly used in areas such as home offices, under cabinet lighting, kitchen lighting. Whilst the tasks and roles of each room might be different, task lighting still works in the same way in aiding you. Providing the additional clarity and precision you need.

Task lighting is normally limited to a certain section rather than a whole room. A kitchen could be an exception to this room where you might carry out food preparation in more than one area.

Kitchen Task Lighting

Downlights are the most commonly used lighting source for task lighting. Positioning them is key as you will ideally want to position downlights directly over or near the areas that are required for tasks. Positioning them directly over the worktops will also help to reduce glare and shadows.

There are a couple other considerations to make when selecting those downlights for your space. This ensures they provide maximum light and efficiency for the tasks at hand.

Alternatively, under cabinet lighting such as downlights or strip lighting is a popular choice for those hard to reach areas. Strip lighting like this could also be used for mood lighting.

Home Office Task Lighting

Task lighting is easier to create in a home office, where there is usually a desk where the majority of your work is carried out. The most popular form of task lighting in a home office is a desk lamp. Unlike kitchens where you have little choice, there are so many desk lamps to choose from that you can incorporate them into home decor.

Desk lamps work well because they can be moved, often tilted and adjusted as the extra level of light is required. It should be considered as a secondary source of light as you still need to ensure the rest of the home office is suitably lit. Downlights are a great option for a home office as they can wash the room in light. Try opting for downlights with a high CRI to provide optimum clarity.

Bathroom Task Lighting

It can be easy to overlook task lighting as a priority when deciding on your lighting. Whilst downlights are a great choice for a bathroom, they aren't enough when it comes to some of the daily tasks that are carried out in the bathroom.

A direct task light above the mirror in the bathroom will make shaving or doing your makeup so much easier. A pair of bathroom wall lights on either side offers both practicality and style to the finished result.

Featuring the Flaxman Bulkhead Wall lights, image source: Instagram

When planning your room, always consider when and if task lighting is required. It's much easier to get the lighting to work cohesively than having to go back over your work at a later stage.

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There are many different considerations to make when choosing the lighting scheme for your home. Certain rooms of your home may benefit from swathes of well distributed light throughout. Whilst other rooms may need more targeted levels of light in a certain section, as and when required. Task lighting is a particular form of lighting […]

what flooring is best for bathrooms

A bathroom is one of the most well used rooms in the home. One thats role often changes throughout the day. This integral space requires lots of careful considerations to ensure that it delivers functionality, yet style to the space.

Choosing the right flooring is no different to choosing the right lighting for a bathroom, it's one of those key fixtures that helps the room flow, whilst essentially serving a purpose in its use, over and over again.

What Flooring Is Best For Bathrooms?

There are lots of different options for flooring when it comes to bathrooms, whilst it can often come down to preference, some flooring is much more suitable and appropriate for bathrooms in general.

Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles

Whilst they can be perceived as being 'cold' and hard to stand on for long periods of times, bathroom tiles are one of the most common choices for bathroom flooring, specifically ceramic and porcelain tiles. The reason for this being that they are water resistant, incredibly hard wearing and often inexpensive. They are available in so many different styles and colours that they are incredibly accessible to most households.

Most tiles can handle a lot of water, including puddles which makes them great for use in showers too. They're an incredibly versatile and easy tile to dry and keep clean, offering one of the most sterile solutions for bathroom floors.

what flooring is best for bathrooms

Waterproof Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is one of the most inexpensive types of bathroom flooring. It makes it a good option for quick bathroom refreshes, but is not as hard wearing and resistant over time like tile. However, vinyl flooring is available in further options again, vinyl can look like stone, plank and even wood and is often scratch resistant too.

Whilst it cannot compete on all levels with tile, waterproof vinyl is still a fantastic covering for a bathroom floor.

Natural Stone Tile

Another great option for bathroom flooring is natural stone tile which is available in a variety of options, which include marble and granite. They offer so many benefits like ceramic tiles. They're incredibly resistant to wear, water resistant and easy to clean.

They're not the most common option for flooring due to a trickier installation. Once wet they can become incredibly slippery which doesn't make it the safest option for a bathroom, especially for family homes. Natural stone does require some regular maintenance to seal the stone finish, preventing penetration of dirt and debris.

what flooring is best for bathrooms

Carpet

Carpet is a desired bathroom flooring choice because of the soft feel under feet. However, it is a dated, unhygienic and impractical solution for flooring in a bathroom.

Carpet soaks up moisture and excess water which can lead to it harbouring bacteria and developing mould and mildew. This ultimately just makes carpet a no go for use in a bathroom.

There are many fantastic bathroom flooring solutions that offer everything you could need for a long lasting, waterproof finish that is practical and stylish.

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Choosing the right flooring is no different to choosing the right lighting for a bathroom, it’s one of those key fixtures that helps the room flow.

what colours go with red

Red is a popular colour in interior design, commonly used as an accent colour. It adds vibrancy, a pop of the colour to the home and draws attention to the eye.

It's a striking colour that creates warmth and comfort. Red comes in so many different shades that it can easily be incorporated into your home.

What Colours Go With Red?

Red, Black & White

Black & white are a traditional and fail safe combination with red. Black provides a perfect backdrop for red, creating a striking and impactful look. If using black for your walls, you could incorporate red into a rug, furnishings and cushions. You might also want to intersperse some white and black cushions for a cohesive look. You could also try black sockets and switches for a fun accent.

Red & Brown

Brown works perfectly with a warm colour like red. It's best to go for a muted red with a reddish brown for them to work in harmony together. Choose which one you want to be the more dominant colour in your space before introducing the other colour as an accent. The accent colour can easily be introduced through furnishings, decor or lighting.

Red & Grey

Red will go with almost any shade of grey. They are both sophisticated colours that compliment each other incredibly well when brought together.

Bring the red in through decorative elements. They're much easier to rearrange and move to different areas of the room if red is a colour that you might get bored of in a couple of years.

Red & Navy Blue

These two colours offer a vibrant and fun combination. You might want to bring brown into the equation to mute the vibrancy slightly, this trio of colours works incredibly well in an industrial setting. A textural wall of wood planks could be used with both red and blue furnishings for high visual impact.

Red & Mustard Yellow

Don't let images of tomato and mustard sauce bottles put you off these two colours as an interior trend. It's a surprising combination, but red and mustard yellow work really well together in suitable doses. As they are both warm hues, the result is a cool and collected look.

Red & Pink

This combination is much coveted in the fashion world and can be recreated in your interiors too. As they are part of the same colour family, red will go with virtually any shade of pink. If it's too daring for you, you might want to start with keeping your walls neutral and interspersing both red and pink throughout your interiors with the furnishings and decorative elements.

If you're looking to bring red into your interiors, the good news is that there are plenty of colours that it works well with. Do experiment with the shades of the colours to find your perfect match.

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Red is a popular colour in interior design, commonly used as an accent colour. In this blog, we look at what colours work well with red in home interiors.

are chandeliers fashionable

Chandeliers are renown for being one of the most spectacular and decorative type of light fittings. Chandeliers originally evolved from candelabra which were invented during the medieval period. With a light source which was originally generated through candles. They remained in use like this until the 18th century when gas lights were invented, then superseded by electric.

We take a look at whether these gorgeous light fittings from times gone by are still relevant and fashionable in todays world.

Are Chandeliers Fashionable?

When you think of chandeliers it might conjure up images of stately homes and period styled properties. But the question is, are they still considered fashionable?

Ultimately, chandeliers are definitely still considered to be fashionable and popular throughout homes today. Chandeliers are more suited to period properties. However, they are still part of modern interior design today and are still widely appreciated.

However, many chandeliers have of course been adapted to the modern world. Many of these adaptations allow for chandeliers to be enjoyed in modern homes too. Those with a modern twist are available in a huge amount of designs nowadays. This includes mirrored designs, much lower drops and those that feature LED strip lighting within the unit.

When Should You Use A Chandelier?

Chandeliers become an integral part of a lighting plan when they are used as a supplementary light source in a layered lighting scheme.

Chandeliers work really well in conjunction with downlights. As a chandelier does not drench the room in light, it will add that decorative element to your room whilst not impacting the overall light output in your room, when used alongside downlights.

Alternatively, wall sconces and wall lights are more traditional than downlights. They will help to add that further authenticity to the overall feel of the room, whilst providing more adequate levels of light. Wall sconces are a great lighting choice for task lighting in reading nooks and for highlighting walls, paintings or even plants.

Candle Bulbs For Chandeliers

To retain the authenticity of your chandelier, it is best to use LED candle bulbs. Unless it's a modern chandelier fitting, anything other than candle bulbs will look out of place, and will quickly ruin the look of the chandelier.

Our extensive range of candle bulbs are available in different colour temperatures. This enables you to create either a white and bright room or one which offers a cosy, warming ambience. The end look is authentic, stylish and energy efficient.

are chandeliers fashionable
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Chandeliers are renown for being one of the most spectacular and decorative type of light fittings. Chandeliers originally evolved from candelabra which were invented during the medieval period. With a light source which was originally generated through candles. They remained in use like this until the 18th century when gas lights were invented, then superseded […]

how to light your home office

Getting the lighting right in your home office is key to maximising productivity and your eye comfort throughout the day. Inadequate levels of light can cause eye strain and headaches. Whilst dimly lit lighting can have an impact on your overall productivity and mood. It's definitely one factor of a home office you can't afford to not get right.

How To Light Your Home Office

To help you optimise your working from home office or space, we discuss the different lighting options available for your home office.

Do You Have Natural Lighting?

Firstly, if you have access to natural lighting this will definitely impact the way that the room is lit.

Sunlight can produce fantastic working conditions. If you are able to benefit from natural light you should position your desk in front or next to the window to avoid screen glare. To accommodate varying levels of light during the day, install a blind or shutters. This can help to block out the glare when needed.

Task Lighting

Whether it's computer focused work, writing or for other focus intensive tasks, task lighting will greatly improve the clarity and precision of your work. Task lighting provides increased levels of light in a specific area when needed.

This can be achieved in a number of different ways. Using a table lamp is a popular choice. Especially one that is tiltable as it can be moved and adjusted accordingly when needed, and moved when it's no longer required.

how to light your home office

Not only are downlights fantastic for drenching a room in light, high CRI titltable downlights situated over the area of work can provide a great form of task lighting when required. High CRI not only lets you see the true colour of objects as they are meant to be, but can also give better contrast which in turn aids tasks where clarity is helpful such as reading, artwork of needle craft. Studies have also linked higher CRI to improved temperament and productivity. Given that such light is more natural to humans, it is not difficult to see why.

Check The Colour Temperature of Your Bulbs

Colour temperature describes the appearance of the colour that is given off by the bulb. It is recorded in kelvins on a scale from 1000-10,000. It's very important to get the colour temperature of bulbs correct, especially in a home office where you spend a large proportion of your day concentrating.

A colour temperature around 1800k gives off a warm, orangey glow. This is usually favoured in living spaces to create a cosy, ambient setting in the evenings. To provide adequate levels of light for a home office, a high colour temperature between 4100k cool white and 4600k which is the closest to daylight is suitable for areas where full visibility is required.

When choosing your bulbs look out for the colour temperature before ordering. The right type of lighting will provide a comfortable place for your eyes to work in all day.

how to light your home office

Decorative Lighting

Whilst practicality is key with lighting a home office, adding a touch of style will keep you enjoying your work space, day after day. It's going to be one of the most used rooms of the house, you might as well make it look good too!

You might want to add decorative or accent lighting to the room to provide depth and character to the space. They don't have to provide the main source of light. Accent lighting could be used above artwork or other items. Whilst decorative lighting could be brought in through way of a wall sconce or pendant light.

The Claridge Polished Brass Wall Light would look fantastic in a home office for visual appeal. You could situate them on either side of a desk for optimum impact and light.

These lighting ideas will help you to effectively light your home office. Providing maximum light and visibility to keep you comfortable and focused during your working day.

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To help you optimise your working from home office or space, we discuss the different lighting options available for your home office.

where to place wall lights

Wall lights are an often underrated type of light. They can be a fantastic addition to a home for a layered lighting scheme. It can be difficult to decide where to place wall lights to maximise the light where you need it most. As well as tying it in with another light source such as downlights or pendant lights, to create layered levels of light.

We discuss the best places to position your wall lights for optimum lighting in your home.

What's The Best Height For Wall Lights?

The most common question when it comes to positioning wall lights is, what's the best height to place them? This can depend on a number of factors. Including the size and style of the light, the proportions of the room and the ambience you are looking for.

As a general rule of thumb the wall light should sit at eye level to avoid glare from the exposed bulbs. To get slightly technical, wall lights should be positioned around 152-170cm above the floor. Multiple wall lights should be placed around 250-300cm apart.

However, if you have a home with a lot of ceiling height then you may want to readjust the positioning. This might also differ in rooms such as a bathroom or bedroom where you may want to position them next to a bed or mirrors.

Where To Place Wall Lights In A Bathroom?

Placing your walls lights at the right height is not a one size fits all measurement for the bathroom. Often wall lights are used either side of a mirror which is perfect for illuminating and using as task lighting.

When situating on either side of a mirror, it is best to place them at around eye level. If using wall light sconces, place them with the centres slightly lower. This will create a perfect position to provide clarity and illumination for those daily tasks. Just ensure to fit suitably IP 44 rated + wall lights for this area.

Where To Place Wall Lights In A Bedroom?

Another exception to the rule is placing wall lights in a bedroom to replace a bedside lamp. If you're using wall lights as a replacement for a bedside lamp, you should place them around shoulder height so they can easily be switched on and off from your bed.

Aside from this, wall lights make a great alternative to ceiling lights as they provide a more ambient touch. As well as adding some depth and decorative style to the room. You could also install a dimmer with the wall lights to create an even gentler ambience when required.

Using Wall Lights As Picture Lights

You may wish to use wall lights to illuminate your artwork below. This is a great way to showcase a piece of art in a gallery or at home. This means lights are suspended above the chosen piece to create the perfect backdrop.

where to place wall lights

Take a look at our full range of wall lights including IP44 + rated wall lights suitable for use in the bathroom.

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We discuss the best places to position your wall lights for optimum lighting in your home. Bedroom, bathroom and living room wall light placement ideas.

replacing halogen bulbs with LED

It has been announced under government climate plans that the sale of halogen lightbulbs are to be banned in the UK by September. According to the BBC, officials say 'the move will cut 1.26 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year and deliver consumer savings'.

The plan will help expedite the shift to low-energy LED lightbulbs. LED bulbs currently account for about two-thirds of lights now sold in Britain. We take a look at the differences between both halogen and LED, and how to easily make that switch from halogen to LED bulbs.

Halogen Vs LED Bulbs

The primary reason for phasing out halogen bulbs is to cut carbon emissions. A total phase out would be the equivalent of removing more than half a million cars from the UK's roads, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy said.

Therefore, it is no surprise that halogen bulbs are far less energy efficient than their LED counterparts. Whilst the initial investment of LED bulbs and downlights can be more expensive, the ongoing savings in the form of energy saving makes LED downlights a far more cost-effective option.

Just to put that into some numbers, on average 15W LED bulb costs around £0.002 per hour to run. A 70W halogen bulb costs around £0.008 per hour.

Take a look at a full overview on the bulbs here Incandescent vs CFL vs LED vs Halogen Light Bulbs.

How To Switch Over From Halogen To LED Bulbs?

Before you dispose of your halogen bulbs and make the switch to LED, there are a few important factors to consider.

Cap Fitting Requirement

The main piece of information you need when purchasing bulbs is the cap fitting. Light bulbs all have a code to identify their fitting. The letters stand for the name of the fitting and the numbers represent the diameter of the fitting in millimetres.

Your existing bulb will usually display this information somewhere on the bulb, alternatively, check your light fitting for this.

Colour Temperature

The colour temperature of a bulb describes the appearance of its light and is measured by degrees Kelvins on a scale from 1000 to 10000. When you see the number 3000K or 4100K for example, the K stands for Kelvins. Bulbs with a lower temperature will have a warmer light. So a bright, blue/white, cool bulb will have a higher value than a traditional sunset yellow.

If you're not certain of the specific colour temperature of your existing halogen bulb, you should be able to get a good feel of the light when it's on and whether you prefer a brighter, white light or something more orangey.

replacing halogen bulbs with led
L-R: CRI 80, CRI 93, CRI 97

CRI - Colour Rendering Index

Halogen bulbs can often come with a higher CRI than LED bulbs. Colour rendering index is the measurement of how colours look under a light source when compared with sunlight.

CRI is measured on a scale of 0-100 with 100 being the highest and closest to emulating daylight. High CRI not only lets you see the true colour of objects and décor as they are meant to, but it can also give better contrast which in turn aids tasks where clarity is helpful such as food preparation, applying makeup, reading, artwork or needle craft. 

When making the bulb switch opt for high CRI lighting options where possible to ensure you retain the optimum level of lighting and clarity that your home is used to.

Wattage Conversion

Another thing to bear in mind is the LED equivalent of a halogen bulb wattage. LED equivalents wattages can only be approximate. The differing wattages can be down to the colour temperature and quality of the bulbs that are being compared.

halogen led bulbs wattage conversion

Take a look at our full range of LED bulbs and LED downlights. If you need any further help with replacing your halogen to LED bulbs then please do get in touch with our customer services team at Elesi.

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It has been announced under government climate plans that the sale of halogen lightbulbs are to be banned in the UK by September. According to the BBC, officials say ‘the move will cut 1.26 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year and deliver consumer savings’. The plan will help expedite the shift to low-energy LED […]

what colours go with teal?

Teal takes its names from the Eurasian Teal due to the similarly coloured stripe on its head. This popular colour used throughout homes is a cyan-green colour. The colour can be achieved by mixing cyan into a green base.

Teal combines the best of both worlds and can provide a softer hue than other green and blue based colours. We explore the colours that go well with teal that can be used in tandem throughout your interiors.

What Colours Go Well With Teal?

Teal & Pink

Teal and pastel pink are incredibly complementary. Opting for pastel pink with teal with help to create a serene and calming space. But if you're daring, opt for a hot pink and bring the colour in through subtle accents in the room such as home furnishings.

Teal & White

White is a such a classic foundational colour that teal helps to add warmth and colour when paired together. These two colours are perfect for most rooms, especially those designed for rest and relaxation. Teal is commonly worked into a kitchen, especially by fitting teal lights or cabinetry. The colour creates a stark and gorgeous contrast against the white.

what colours go with teal?

Teal & Bronze

Teal works wonderfully with bronze. Especially when interwoven through wallpapers. Another subtle way to pair these colours is to have Bronze sockets and switches in your home. A subtle, yet finished way to enjoy these two colours together.

Teal & Orange

Whilst it could be considered a bold move, teal helps to balance the visual and physical energy of orange. It can be used in varying amounts together in a room. For an understated look mix orange furnishings into the room, such as with cushions and throws. But if you're looking for more of an orange dominance then using orange table lamps or a mirror against teal walls or upholstered furniture can really help to make the colours pop, a zesty look for sure!

Teal & Brown

These colours create a fusion of tranquility and nature. Teal will visually lighten the heaviness of brown, especially if most of your furniture is wooden. It can be used to subtly create warmth, add in a teal rug or paint the walls.

what colours go with teal?

Teal & Yellow

Due to the blue undertones of teal, yellow makes for a great complimentary colour. It's best to use teal as the main foundation colour to avoid yellow becoming overbearing in a space. Throw yellow blankets, pillows, frames and trinkets into the mix to mutually combine the colours.

There's plenty of gorgeous colour combinations for teal if you're looking to dress your home in this tranquil colour.

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We explore the colours that go well with teal that can be used in tandem throughout your interiors.

how to care for product finishes

Caring for your socket and switches fixtures will ensure that you can enjoy their finishes for years to come.

All product finishes vary in the level of care and attention that are needed to retain the prime of their finish, whilst other finishes require a little upkeep to help them age with grace. We explore a range of different product finishes and how they can be cared for.

How To Clean Brass?

Brass remains a popular choice in homes as the variety of brass finishes can complement different decor styles. Brass is available in antique/aged brass, polished brass, brushed brass and satin brass.

how to care for product finishes

Before you start cleaning the brass you need to ascertain whether it has an unlaquered or lacquered brass finish which again changes how each finish is maintained. The purpose of lacquer is to prevent tarnishing and it can be polished regularly by using a soft cleaning cloth to remove any stains or fingerprints easily.

If the brass is unlaquered it will patina and age in time with the correct care and maintenance. To remove any discolouration to the finish, use a polish that is specifically designed for brass. Refer to the instructions for the correct application and apply it using a soft cleaning cloth. Use in conjunction with warm water, using the soft, damp cloth to remove any debris, dirt and dust.

Of course, if you prefer you can let the brass age naturally without any interference. By forgoing the polishing, it can allow the fixture to become wonderfully tarnished, sometimes polishing it could restore it to a new like state which defeats the object of letting it age in the first place.

How To Care For Copper?

Copper is another incredibly hot interior trend which shows no sign of letting up. The fixtures that are made from real copper will require more careful attention than those that are made to look to that effect.

how to care for copper

Over time a warm metal such as copper can lose its lustre. When it comes to cleaning copper you need to be careful that you don't scratch the surface of it and remove the finish. Like brass, it's worth checking first to see if the finish has been sealed.

To prevent tarnish and to clean copper, a really simple solution of lemon juice and salt will remove tarnish easily with a soft cloth. As a preventative measure after cleaning, you can apply a light coat of baby oil or mineral oil by wiping over it. The oil helps to seal the copper from air getting to it which slows down the tarnishing process. Copper starts tarnishing as soon as it hits the air after rinsing, wiping oil over the top will slow this process down so it doesn't have to be cleaned and polished as often.

How To Care For Rose Gold?

Because of the copper element, over time rose gold develops a deeper colour which makes this finish more valuable. Due to this, when cleaning and caring for the rose gold finish you don't want to remove this natural colour.

Don't use harsh chemicals, opt for a specially-formulated cleaner and apply with a soft, damp cloth.

how to care for rose gold

How To Care For Chrome?

Chrome is a resilient finish that is one of the easier finishes to care for. Polished chrome requires much more maintenance, especially on sockets and switches which get appraised so often. Brushed chrome is a much easier finish of the two to care for.

This metal is susceptible to damage if it comes into contact with harsh chemicals. As dirt and marks can show up on polished chrome easily, you want to regularly clean this. Most of this can easily be lifted from the surface and cleaned with a single compound of soap and water with a damp, soft cloth. When you finish cleaning the chrome, you should also finish with a polish to retain the shine.

how to care for polished chrome

How To Care For Black Nickel?

A black nickel finish can easily be maintained with using mild soapy water and a soft cloth. A chrome polish can also be used afterwards if required. If your nickel items are exposed to the elements then they will need further regular maintenance. If you live in an exposed coastal location then regular cleaning and polishing will be necessary to retain the finish.

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Caring for your socket and switches fixtures will ensure that you can enjoy their finishes for years to come. All product finishes vary in the level of care and attention that are needed to retain the prime of their finish, whilst other finishes require a little upkeep to help them age with grace. We explore […]