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Time of India
18 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Living room design tips: 6 essential dos and don'ts for a stylish, functional space
Your living room sets the tone for your entire home, so getting the decor right is essential. But even with the best intentions, it's easy to fall into common design traps that leave your space feeling cluttered, outdated, or impractical. Whether you're starting fresh or redecorating, here are the most common living room design don'ts, followed by smart alternatives and decor tips that work in 2025. Living Room Don'ts: Mistakes that disrupt style and function Relying on a single overhead light Using only one ceiling light creates uneven illumination and can make your living room feel flat or gloomy. This is especially noticeable at night when natural light is absent. Overhead lighting alone lacks the warmth and depth needed for a cosy, layered space. Designing for a single function Many living rooms are designed solely for watching TV or hosting guests. This limits how you can use the space and often results in underutilised corners or awkward furniture placement. A one-purpose layout also lacks flexibility, especially in today's multi-functional homes. Using too much of the same material Overusing one type of finish—such as all glossy surfaces, metal accents, or dark wood—can overwhelm the space and make it feel monotonous. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Lack of contrast in textures and materials leads to a visually flat environment with little interest or depth. Choosing delicate materials for high-use zones Luxury finishes like untreated wood, silk, or soft stone may look beautiful, but they aren't ideal for a high-traffic area like the living room. These materials can stain, scratch, or wear out quickly, making them difficult to maintain. Sticking to fixed furniture arrangements A rigid layout that can't be easily adapted for work, entertaining, or relaxation can quickly make the space feel dated. Fixed setups limit how people move through the room and can prevent the area from meeting your evolving needs. Isolating the space from the rest of the home Disconnected layouts, bulky partitions, or dark paint that cuts off the living room from surrounding areas can create a boxed-in feeling. It also reduces the sense of openness and makes the space appear smaller than it is. Living room dos: Simple ideas to refresh and elevate your space Use layered lighting for depth and warmth Instead of relying on a single light source, combine ambient lighting (like ceiling fixtures) with task lights (floor or table lamps) and accent lighting (such as wall sconces). This layered approach enhances comfort, adds mood, and makes the room feel more inviting both day and night. Create multiple functional zones Divide your living room into defined areas for reading, relaxing, or entertaining by using rugs, furniture placement, or low shelving. This creates a visual structure while allowing the room to serve different needs, especially in compact or open-plan layouts. Mix materials for a balanced aesthetic Blend contrasting textures like soft upholstery, matte wood, metal accents, or woven baskets to add visual richness. A mix of materials helps break up uniformity and introduces warmth and interest into the space without overpowering it. Choose finishes that balance beauty and durability Opt for elegant but low-maintenance surfaces—like performance fabrics, engineered wood, or scratch-resistant stone—that can withstand everyday use. This allows you to achieve a luxurious feel without the stress of constant upkeep. Design for flexibility and lifestyle Incorporate modular or movable furniture that adapts to different activities. Consider an ottoman with storage, extendable side tables, or a compact work nook. Flexible design ensures your living room evolves with your lifestyle needs. Ensure visual connectivity with surrounding areas Keep the space feeling open by aligning colours and materials with adjacent rooms, or by maintaining clear sightlines to the dining area, balcony, or outdoor views. Seamless transitions enhance the sense of space and make your home feel larger and more cohesive. By avoiding these common mistakes and embracing adaptable, layered, and thoughtfully selected design elements, your living room can become a timeless expression of both comfort and style. Whether you're redecorating or starting from scratch, the right choices will make all the difference in how your space feels and functions every day Also Read: 7 ways to use colour psychology in home decor to improve mood and design
Time of India
21 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Gambhira bridge collapse: Truck driver who survived, rescued drowning man discharged from hospital
Gambhira bridge collapse VADODARA: A week after the Gambhira bridge collapse tragedy, which claimed 20 lives, truck driver Ganpat Solanki , who cheated death and rescued a drowning man, was discharged from the state-run SSG Hospital on Wednesday. As Solanki, 40, a native of Udaipur, Rajasthan, walked out of the govt hospital, he appealed to the Gujarat govt to provide more financial assistance to his family. On July 9, the driver displayed rare courage and used presence of mind after he survived the 50-foot plunge from the collapsed bridge into the Mahi River. He managed to rescue Narendra Parmar from drowning. Parmar, however, succumbed during treatment at the hospital on Friday last. 'I feel sorry that he did not survive even after he was rescued. May God bless his soul and help his family,' said Solanki, who was driving a tanker from Dahej to Kandla and slowed down while crossing the bridge when he suddenly felt a jolt. After his truck got submerged in the Mahi River, Solanki at first did not realise that the bridge collapsed. But after regaining consciousness, he broke the tanker's window, escaped, and found a spot under the bridge pillar for safety. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo It was then that he spotted Parmar, who was struggling in the water just beside the pillar. Solanki, who himself received injuries in his left leg and an arm, extended his leg into the river, which Parmar grabbed, and later the driver pulled him up using his other arm. After getting discharged, Solanki thanked doctors at the hospital, which he said were like God for people like him. 'I just want to appeal to the govt to kindly provide more assistance as I have four girls in my family. The govt can also intervene, asking my company to provide me some assistance,' said Solanki, who works with an Odhav-based transport firm in Ahmedabad. With Solanki getting discharged, there are two other injured currently undergoing treatment at SSG Hospital. 'While Raju Hathiya is being treated at the orthopaedics ward, another patient, Dilip Padhiyar, who developed a lung infection, is currently in the surgical intensive care unit. Their condition is stable,' said Dr Hitendra Chavan, RMO of SSG Hospital, told TOI.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
This is how you can increase mushroom's vitamin D content
Mushrooms are a nutritious and versatile food, often added to soups, salads, stir-fries, and even sandwiches. They are packed with essential nutrients such as fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. One vitamin that many people don't realize mushrooms can provide is Vitamin D. However, most store-bought mushrooms typically contain very low levels of this important nutrient. But there's a simple trick that can significantly boost the vitamin D content in mushrooms—exposing them to sunlight. Understanding the Role of Vitamin D in Mushrooms Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium, promotes bone health, and supports the immune system. It's primarily obtained through sunlight exposure, as the skin synthesizes it when exposed to UV rays. While Vitamin D is found in certain foods, such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and eggs, mushrooms are one of the few plant-based sources of Vitamin D. However, the form of Vitamin D found in mushrooms is different from the one our bodies produce when exposed to sunlight. Mushrooms naturally contain Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), while human skin produces Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is the more effective form in raising blood levels of the vitamin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure your family's future! ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Nonetheless, Vitamin D2 still has health benefits, and the amount of Vitamin D in mushrooms can be significantly increased with a simple trick. Sunlight Exposure Mushrooms, like humans, have the ability to produce Vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The same way our skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, mushrooms can synthesize it under UV light. This process is natural and very similar to how plants use sunlight for photosynthesis. By exposing mushrooms to sunlight or UV light after they've been harvested, you can significantly boost their Vitamin D content. Here's how it works: Mushrooms and UV Light: When mushrooms are exposed to UV rays (like sunlight), they begin to produce more Vitamin D2. This happens because UV light converts ergosterol, a compound found in the cell walls of mushrooms, into Vitamin D2. Optimal Exposure: To get the best results, mushrooms should be exposed to direct sunlight or a UV light source for a few hours. Even just 15 to 30 minutes of exposure can increase the Vitamin D levels in mushrooms by a significant amount. How to Increase Vitamin D in Mushrooms at Home If you're growing your own mushrooms or buying fresh ones, here's how you can increase their Vitamin D content at home: Choose the Right Mushrooms: Start with mushrooms that have the potential to increase their Vitamin D content. Most common varieties, such as white button mushrooms, cremini, and portobello, can be enhanced with UV exposure. However, some specialty mushrooms (like shiitake) may already contain higher levels of Vitamin D before exposure. Expose to Sunlight: Once you have your mushrooms, place them with their gills facing up in direct sunlight for about 15 to 30 minutes. Ideally, this should be done during the midday hours when the sun is strongest. You'll notice that the caps of the mushrooms will face upward to absorb the UV light, helping them produce more Vitamin D.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Mumbai considers holding major common entrance tests (CETs) twice a year
MUMBAI: The state govt is considering the possibility of holding major common entrance tests (CETs), such as the MHT-CET, for admissions to engineering, pharmacy, and agricultural courses, at least twice a year for the convenience of students. The idea is to provide the students an opportunity to improve their scores and rely on more than a single-day exam, said a source. With the computer-based test (CBT) spanning multiple days and the large volume of students taking CETs in the state, the higher and technical education department will need to study the feasibility of conducting the exercise more than once every year. A govt representative stated that there is too much reliance on a single-day test, which can be unfair for various reasons. A student might be unwell, under immense pressure, or face an unexpected issue that day. "If something goes wrong, they risk losing an entire academic year. We, therefore, want to see if we can offer students more than one attempt. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai However, conducting the CET is a massive exercise that spans several days, and we need exam centres for nearly a month. So, giving students more than one attempt could be challenging, but we are figuring out the logistics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo It is at the discussion stage," said the representative, adding that they hope the number of students may decline towards the later attempts. The department is also trying to bring in more transparency in the way the CET is conducted for professional courses. For instance, the govt is planning to involve aided colleges to act as exam centres. Meanwhile, the higher and technical education department is planning to hold a one-day national-level conference with testing agencies such as the National Testing Agency for sharing and understanding the best practices in holding entrance exams in a student-friendly manner.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
These Are the Most Spiritually Gifted Zodiac Signs
There are certain zodiac signs that feel spiritually enlightened. They have a strong connection with spirituality and an unusual understanding of the things, which cant be seen. They feel that they are guided by their spiritual divine energies and have great intuition power. These zodiac sign have a greater knowledge about the spiritual world and universe. Do you also feel that you are spiritually aware or have keen interest in knowing things, which are connected to spiritual world or sometimes some unusual things happen to you, which make you feel that this is not normal? That means you are spiritually enlightened and here we are also mentioning those zodiac signs that are spiritually gifted. Zodiac signs that are spiritually aware: Cancer The zodiac sign with the most spiritual talent is Cancer. This Water sign is in harmony with the greatest spiritual energies of the universe and is ruled by the Moon, which also controls karmic memory, intuitive capacity, and emotional intelligence. Virgo A lot of the time, Virgos are unexpectedly spiritual without any reason. Being an Earth sign, they are driven by a sincere desire to help and encourage others and for that they feel that they should be spiritually enlightened and that's the only way they can help people. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Their visionary talents come into play when they have to give structured direction to people in need, even though they usually support others by tangible and practical means. Scorpio Mars, the fiery and the planet of karmic transformation, rules Scorpio. Darkness is readily transformed into light by this Water sign. They are extremely intuitive because of mysterious nature and they are always keen to know the things beyond this world which makes them spiritually connected with the divine energies. Their presence reveals the inner strength, and love to know about unearths soulful truths, being as a spiritual catalyst. Pisces Pisceans are under the influence of Jupiter, one of the most strongest planets and Guru of all the deities. They all have a keen sense of spirituality. They know how to connect with the soulful heart of every scenario, person, or circumstance. They connect the regular, earthy experiences of life with the invisible emotional and creative realms wherever they go. Aquarius One of the most intuitive zodiac sign is Aquarius, which is governed by the planet Saturn. They are special because they are eager to change society to a more constructive, community-based, and humanitarian path because of this planetary ruler. They are deeply connected with the spiritual realms and other world. Their claircognizant wisdom and spontaneous manifestations techniques are one of the most powerful thing, which they carry with themselves or you can say that these techniques are spiritual gifts. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
