From the Floors Up

Six Different Types of Kitchen Layouts

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There are typically six different kitchen layouts used in homes today. Each one of these kitchen layouts can offer a different set of aesthetic appeal and functionality to your home. If you are preparing for a kitchen remodel, knowing these layouts can best help you create your optimal design.

Single or One Wall

The simplest layout would be a single or one wall design. These kitchens have one countertop directly on one wall, and this countertop can be the home to your range, dishwasher, and kitchen sink. It is a simple layout but works great in open layout homes.

Galley

A traditional style you can see in older homes is a galley kitchen. These kitchens can have a hallway feel by being enclosed with countertops on both walls running perpendicular with one another. This option is great for prepping food and has two separate areas of countertop space. You will see these in kitchens with long length dimensions, great for setting up buffet-style serving.

G-Shape

The G-Shape kitchen can also be referred to as a peninsula kitchen layout. This design is a large kitchen layout with plenty of countertop space. It has countertops on all four sides with an opening at one point to enter. This option can offer some of the most countertop space an allow you to access all countertops directly from the middle.

L-Shape

An L-Shape kitchen has two countertops running off each other at 90 degrees. This two-countertop layout is simple but offers more countertop space than the single or one-wall layout. It also has the countertops touching, unlike the galley layout, which may be preferable depending on your needs and wants.

U-Shape

The U-Shape is a wide access kitchen. With three of your four walls having countertop space, this design works great in open layout homes while offering plenty of countertop space.

Island

The last style is island kitchens. These kitchens can be the shape of a U or L and offer a disconnected island of countertop space. These islands provide countertop space that doe not impede the rest of the kitchen. Set out food for your guests to grab and hang out while you can freely maneuver the kitchen.

These six kitchen layouts are all very common. They do not all work in every home, but several can. Decide which is best for your home. They can all add different levels of aesthetic appeal and countertop space. For more insight on kitchens and countertops, make sure to subscribe.

Pros and Cons of Marble Countertops

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When designing your bath or kitchen, your countertop can have a significant influence on the design. Plus, there are several excellent options available on the market to choose from, each with their own sets of pros and cons. Marble countertops are always a jaw-dropping feature when incorporated in the design. These timeless staples have stunning features and veining, which allow every countertop to have its own characteristics. If you are considering this beautiful countertop solution, you should consider all the strengths and weaknesses it has to offer. Today, we will explore marble countertops and find out if it is right for you.

Pro: Aesthetically Unique and Beautiful

When it comes to a unique and gorgeous countertop option, you can never go wrong with marble. Marble offers an exquisite and classy feature in every room. Plus, it can be debated to have more character than its countertop rival: granite.

Con: Price

If you are looking for the most inexpensive route, marble will not be your optimum choice. Since marble is a natural element that is created into a slab for each countertop, it can be pricier than some other options on the market.

Pro: Natural Product

Marble is made from calcium carbonate. This countertop is a natural product mined from the earth. If you are looking for an all-natural product and one that is ecofriendly, perhaps marble is the best route to go!

Con: Maintenance

Being calcium carbonate, this product can have chemical reactions to acidic products like drinks, foods, and cleaning products. These acids can make a countertop etch and lose its natural gloss finish. To prevent this, each marble countertop must be treated once or twice a year with a sealant to protect them.

Pro: Durability

Marble countertops are a very durable option as well. This countertop choice can take a significant beating before breaking. However, you should still treat your countertops with respect. Be cognitive when cutting or placing hot containers direct to the countertop. While this may not damage them, you should always be cognitive of the possibility.

Marble is a great countertop option for any home. There are many applications in which marble is ideal. If you are looking to capture the beautiful nature with many added benefits, marble may be the right choice for you. Just remember to keep up on your maintenance and continue to take care of your product.

What Are Curbless Shower Systems?

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Curbless shower systems are the hottest renovation trend for bathroom remodels. Not only are they incredibly aesthetically-pleasing, but they are also functional. No more stepping over a curb or bathtub ledge to get into your shower. This innovation offers a safe and more efficient way to shower. In fact, these tiled masterpieces have some clever engineering behind them. You cannot just tile a room and call it a day. Curbless shower systems effectively drain water and keep the water from damaging your house. This is how they work:

Shower Floor and Drain

Water will follow gravity and slope to your drain. There are several systems you can choose from when creating your waterproof floor and drain. Wedi and Kerdi are both excellent choices. You can also mud a shower and slope it to create drainage. Remember, water will penetrate through anything that is not 100% waterproof. This part is vital to protect the integrity of your home.

Waterproofing Your Walls

Likewise, curbless showers will need to have waterproof walls. Some manufacturers recommend going to a certain height to protect your walls behind the shower system. It is essential to recognize that water can be very destructive if it gets through your walls; therefore, waterproofing every seam, corner, and wall will help protect your curbless shower system from allowing water to get elsewhere in your home.

Getting Creative

When renovating your bathroom, you can start to get creative. Curbless showers are great ways to showcase your design and add some aesthetic flair. Simply decide how you want your shower designed. You can add a tiled seat, a concaved soap holder, or ledges to hold your shower’s belongings. Perhaps, you want to add some flair by adding a tile mosaic to accent the wall. All these decisions are at your disposal when creating a curbless shower.

Take your bathroom to the next level by adding a stylish curbless shower. From functionality to beauty, these shower systems are the focal point of any bathroom. With thousands of tiles and designs to choose from, you can build your dream bathroom and tailor it to your taste. For more tips and tricks on home renovations and improvements, make sure to subscribe!

Best Lighting for Rooms Without Ceiling Lights

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Many homes and apartments today come without overhead ceiling lights. This feature is great because it gives you the freedom to select your own lighting, yet it can also be problematic because you start off without any general lighting. The first thing to do is to make sure the light your get serves the right purpose. Since your room is missing general lighting, this light feature’s task is to illuminate the whole room. With this in mind, a simple end table lamp may not do the trick. To help, here are some great options to consider for rooms without overhead ceiling lighting:

Plug-in Ceiling Pendants

If your room has no overhead lighting, you probably have an outlet that will provide electricity when the light switch is flipped. First, you will want to locate this outlet then you can purchase a plug-in ceiling pendant. A pendant is a light fixture that is mount to the ceiling and hangs down from a rod or chain. These lights can come in thousands of styles, so find one that works with your home design. Try to tastefully secure your wire to the wall and down to your outlet when installing these pendants.

Plug-in Light Rail

Light rails can also provide an excellent source of light for your room. You will want to install the lighting rail in an area that will allow your lights to cover the entire room. Plus, plug-in light rails can usually have several lights installed on them, so you will want to angle your lights to help provide balanced lighting throughout the entire atmosphere.

Large Floor Lamp

There are many large floor lamps available on the market today as well. This option may be your best bet if you do not want a wire running up to your ceiling. Floor lamps are a common remedy for dark rooms. Just make sure you find a floor lamp that provides adequate lighting for your space. Some lampshades may not be transparent enough to allow light to cover the whole room properly, so be sure to look for the right lamp for your space.

While not having overhead lighting may first seem like an inconvenience, there are still a lot of great options to explore. You have the freedom to choose the lighting style you want. Try to look for a lighting option that works best with your design style by incorporating one of these ideas. Thanks for reading!

Oil vs Acrylic Paints

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A fresh coat of paint can turn a scuffed-up wall or scratched piece of furniture into something brand new. Paint gives new life to things and can be a valuable asset in almost any home improvement project. However, a good paint job begins with getting the right paint for the job. Before you even choose your paint color, you have to determine what type of paint is best for your project. When it comes to paint types, your two basic options are oil and acrylic. Which one you use depends on what you are painting and your method of doing so. Knowing the specifics of each paint will ensure you get the right type for the project, and the best results every time.

Oil Paint

Oil-based paints, also known as Alkyd paints, are the slowest drying type of paint. The longer dry time and the fact that oil paints blend better than other paints make it the best choice for painting a large area of space such as a wall or ceiling. Oil-based paints emit strong fumes and can sometimes even be toxic. If you choose to use an oil-based paint, make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated and consider wearing a mask to reduce the amount of fumes you inhale. Additionally, if you are using an oil-based paint, make sure you have mineral spirits or paint thinner handy to clean your brushes or rollers.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paints are water-based, making them the most popular of the choices. Clean up is much simpler than it is with oil, all you need to clean your supplies is use water. Plus, acrylic paints dry more quickly than oil, so using them to paint larger areas without streaking or leaving brush marks can be difficult. They can also have trouble adhering to things that were previously painted with oil-based paint, so it is essential to use a primer when going over anything previously painted with oil. Acrylic paints are an excellent option for painting door frames, window frames, and furniture.

A project is always easier if you start with the right materials. Knowing the basics of acrylic and oil paints makes choosing the best option a simple task. Next time you want to bring a fresh color to a wall or new life to a piece of furniture, make sure you use the right type of paint for the job.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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