Shopping for task lighting has a way of shedding light on several issues, including how well you mitigate, magnify and otherwise manage the amount of light in your home.

You'll be one step ahead of the game if you coordinate your interior shades with task lighting. Of the three primary types of lighting – accent, ambient and task – the latter appears to be the simplest to figure out. Taking a big hint from its name, task lights illuminate an area so you can complete a task with ease.

But, there is more to getting task lighting right than meets the eye. Before you head to the store, ensure you know what your choices include and learn some savvy buying tips so you can coordinate your interior shades with task lights.

During any remodeling project, you expect to have decisions to make – like what color paint to use or which window shades will best compliment your design. But when you are working on your kitchen remodeling project, you’ll probably find yourself asking questions you never would have thought of. Here are seven unexpected questions you’ll likely encounter during your kitchen remodel.

1. What are the local building codes?

Researching local building codes may not be the most fun part of a remodeling project, but this step is necessary. If you

There probably isn't a home in America that couldn't benefit from decluttering, and yours is no exception. You're a time manager and already know it's best to take what could be a wholesale, room-by-room offensive and break it into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Natural, minimalist design schemes with lots of wood and metal are in vogue. But what about upbeat and unique? Your home should be a welcoming space for you and your guests, with personal touches reflecting your own interests and personality and if it's low on color, it might be low on personality too. Instead of living in a blank slate, get a little creative and try some of our favorite tips.

Wondering what new countertops can do for your kitchen or bathroom? Because of the large amount of area they cover, this one change can have a tremendous impact on the look and feel of your space. The options you have to choose from when installing new countertops are practically endless. When picking out your new countertops, you will need to select a material, color, and pattern to fit the décor and styling you have planned for your kitchen or bathroom.

Life has a way of always keeping us busy and on the go. When you come home at the end of the day, you want a comfortable space where you can kick back and de-stress. More homeowners are turning to calming interior design and interior window shade styles to give their home a gentle feeling, similar to a spa retreat. If you want to feel completely “at home” in your home, here are a few ideas for creating gentle and calm living space.

The backyard – it’s the outdoor gathering space for your entire family. Make it everything you’ve ever dreamed of by customizing it with a few DIY projects. Here are a few backyard project ideas to help you get started. When looking for outdoor window shades for your home skip doing it yourself and contact Polar Shades to get started.

Motorized shades offer the convenience of home automation, energy savings and other benefits. If your shades run on battery power, it’s important to question of the longevity of these batteries to continue to use and enjoy all the perks of motorized shades. So heed these tips about the batteries in motorized shades.

How long do batteries last in motorized shades?

The lifespan of batteries in motorized shades depend on the following factors:

• How often the shades are used. Naturally, the more you use your shades, the more often you will have to replace your batteries. Consider warmer seasons, when you will likely operate your shades more to reduce unwanted heat and light.
• The type of battery installed. High efficiency batteries like lithium batteries for shades will function a long time before they will need to be changed. Compared to alkaline batteries, lithium batteries will last 4 times longer than alkaline, according to Medic Batteries. In addition, lithium batteries are made to withstand high operating temperatures, making them ideal for homes in desert or other hot climates.
• The size/weight of window shades. There are various styles of window shades that can be controlled using a lithium-battery powered motor. These include roller/solar shades, pleated/cellular shades and more. The weight and size of these window shades will also influence how hard the motor will work during each use.

Benefits of motorized shades

Replacing dead batteries is one negative outweighed by the many advantages of motorized shades. These advantages include ease of control, a reduction in energy costs and greater accessibility for customers who may have mobility issues. Technicians will install the window shades and use a battery tube for the motor. 

Alternative to battery-powered window shades

If you prefer to minimize the amount of maintenance with their shades, look into electric motors as one of the power options for automatic window shades. Electric motors do not require battery replacement because the motor is powered by a standard electrical outlet rather than batteries.

How to replace batteries in motorized shades

While it is an inconvenience to have motorized shades no longer work due to dead batteries, replacements are a breeze. The batteries are as easy to change as the ones in your television remote. However, if you would rather leave this task to the professionals, Polar Shades is a phone call away. As window shade experts, Polar Shades will send experienced technicians to your home to replace batteries and ensure you are happy with the working condition of your motorized shades.

There's a nationwide search taking place, and your household may be swept up in the excitement triggered by a single question: Where do we put the computer? Like many families, you may have given up on the idea of a full-scale home office; there's no room for that. You may have given up on a smaller-scale home office “space”; there's no room for that, either. Don't give up on the idea of a home office “nook” because you'll be relieved to know: there is room for that – if you can find at least 3 feet of space and muster your best creative energies.

You know of people with large, lush yards with trees, shrubs and flowers that bloom and burst with color most of the year. Your deck looks barren by comparison. Little do you know the grass is actually greener on your side of the fence.

Your yard is a calling card, a welcome mat, a great big smile for your home. It's the first thing guests notice when they arrive and the last thing they see when they leave.   

Last year, IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, opened doors to their Las Vegas location. This was the Swedish company's first store in Nevada and marked their biggest push yet into the Southwestern United States. At Polar Shades, we are proud to have been -- and continue to be -- a part of their exciting operations.

Most residents of Las Vegas take advantage of the city's climate by spending as much time as possible outside. Homeowners who design an outside living room find they are able to expand their personal living area while creating plenty of possibilities for entertaining.

Outdoor living space is valuable regardless of the square footage, and while you can most definitely do more with a larger area, there are a number of ways to enhance even the smallest of backyards. Whether you're looking for extra room to relax, cook, play, or entertain, the right design, and scale of furniture and accessories, can help to transform any yard in to the open-air oasis of your dreams; here's how. 

1. Create a focal point. 

Draw the attention of the eye away from the size of your yard, and towards one or more focal points, such as an archway, outdoor fireplace, water feature, or winding pathway.