From the Floors Up

Small Apartment Living Bathroom Décor Ideas

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One of the dilemmas that apartment renters face is personalizing their space. You want your apartment to feel like home, but without your personal touch, it just feels like a housing situation. Some rooms, like the living room and bedrooms, are large enough to allow you to add some creative flair. However, most leases will limit you on what you can do to your space. With paint and flooring not typically being investments that you can do, you need to begin to think more creatively. Yet, smaller areas, like bathrooms, can be very challenging to add that creative flair. If you want to tailor your space to you, here are three rent-friendly tricks you can add to your space to make it more like home:

Shower Set

Having a matching shower set can be an easy way to give some style to your bathroom. Find a set with matching towels, face clothes, and bathmats for a consistent look. Plus, they can come in all shapes and sizes. A uniformed look in your bathroom can show you care about your space and take pride in it.

Shower Curtain

To take your bathroom to the next level, find a shower curtain that best expresses you. There are tons of fun designs and great patterns. Just select a shower curtain that helps set the overall theme of your bathroom, whether it be woodland animals or florals, your bathroom curtain to set the tone for the whole space.

Minimal/Functional Décor

In smaller spaces, less is more. Your best route to go is incorporating functional décor pieces. Get matching trash cans, toothbrush holders, and soap dishes to help enhance your design while staying functional. Adding function to your décor can allow them to serve more than just an aesthetic purpose. If you want to go a step further in your apartment, you can even change your outlet covers and drawer handles. Just remember to save the originals and switch them back out before you move.

Do not let a rental property prevent you from expressing yourself. Simple investments can go a long way in the grand scheme of things. What elements do you incorporate in your bathroom? Can you think of other tricks to use? Let us know below in the comment section and for more tips, make sure to subscribe!

Asymmetrical Interior Design Ideas

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Interior design is the balance of functionality and beauty. Experts have discovered that one of the main qualities we look for in aesthetically-pleasing environments is symmetry. However, sometimes, functionality and symmetrical layouts do not always correspond. So, now if you are left with a room that is not perfectly symmetrical, is it even possible to help enhance the aesthetics? The short answer, yes. There are several types of symmetries we can include in our homes. Having a room with a window on one wall or entryway in the corner does not “doom” your space from being beautiful. In fact, it gives you the freedom to express asymmetry throughout the atmosphere. If you are new to designing asymmetrical rooms, here are three ideas to help embrace the space:

Flooring

A quick way to embrace an asymmetrical room is to eliminate imaginary lines in your head. Investing in a tile, hardwood, or plank flooring system is great; however, consider having it installed on an angle or with a herringbone pattern. This can help eliminate direction in your room. You can also place rugs in the room, not centered. Embrace the room and have a circular rug under half the bed or an area rug on an angle. These flooring hacks may seem simple but can really help enhance these spaces.

Décor and Furniture

Consider using unmatching décor or furniture-this does not mean you need to go full eclectic in your space. However, maybe your room is not designed for two matching nightstands. Perhaps, a bookshelf and an end table may do. Always look at the room and see what it needs. Never force your old space’s look into a new room that will not accept it.

Lighting

Your lighting does not need to be just one light fixture with two mirror lamps on end tables in a room. Be creative and add rail lighting. You can use accent and task lighting to help give your room a feel of originality.

Many people attempt making a room symmetrical at all costs. Windows being covered by headboards, nightstands too close to doorways or awkward television placement in a room, can all be signs that you may need to rearrange some furniture. Embrace an asymmetrical room look and allow the architectural layout to guide your design.

Understanding Your Flooring: Carpet Tiles

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Carpet tile is an excellent choice for commercial application. Where most carpet fails to keep up with heavy traffic, carpet tile succeeds. Being able to swap out individual tiles in case of stains or wear marks can also save you thousands on replacing the entire floor. While carpet tile is great, it is not for every application. Functionality, affordability, and durability can all be determining factors in your flooring. Here, we break down the pros and cons of carpet tiles to help you decide if they are right for you.

Carpet tiles are incredibly durable. With their low-profile pile, they will rarely show wear or traffic patterns.
Unlike hard surface flooring options, rest at ease with carpet tiles. You will not have to worry about scratching carpet tiles ever; this is why many businesses have been placing them in high-traffic areas such as malls, airports, and offices.
Though carpet tile is extremely durable, it would not be suitable to install it in areas prone to water. Your carpet tiles will absorb wetness and can lead to molding or breaking down the glue on the subfloor.
Carpet tiles will serve some level of comfort. They are a soft commercial floor option, but like most commercial floors, durability, and longevity come before comfort.
Most carpet tiles are treated and stain resistant. However, the longer a spill or accident is left untreated, the deeper it can infiltrate into your carpet fibers. Luckily, if a carpet tile is damaged, you can simply remove it and replace it with another. You should consider investing in an extra box or two depending on the size of the space that you are looking to install this floor.
While soft and durable, pet accidents can damage your carpet tile. You will be able to replace damaged tiles but may not want to have this option with infants or untrained animals.
For a commercial grade floor, this should not be overlooked; however, competitively on the market with residential floors, this can be a tad pricey. If you are looking for an extremely durable carpet solution which you can replace easily if damaged, this is your ticket.

Most commercial flooring options are very durable; however, they do not offer comfort. Carpet tiles can add comfort, aesthetics, and durability to your floors. For more insight and analysis on different flooring types, make sure to subscribe and check out more of our series!

Understanding Your Flooring: Tile

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Homeowners and business have been using tile in their design for centuries. This timeless flooring option has evolved way beyond just ceramic and porcelain tiles. Today, granite, marble, glass, limestone, terracotta, and more, flood the industry with many gorgeous designs. These incredibly entrancing floors can turn any bathroom or kitchen into a beautiful masterpiece. From floor tiles to backsplashes, tiles are adorned for their high aesthetic appeal and sophisticated designs. While functionality, affordability, and durability can all be determining factors in your flooring, we will give a better understanding of tile and see if it is best suited for your needs:

Tile is an extremely durable floor. While tiles can crack, they are suitable for extreme heat like around fireplaces, can be put in wet environments like showers, and some can even withstand the treacherous conditions of the outdoors and be installed on patios.
Scratch resistance will simply come down to the tile you choose. While most tiles can withstand some scratching, painted tiles and glass tiles are not recommended in these areas. Make sure you know if your tile will scratch easily because this can determine if it needs to be sanded or feature unsanded grout.
Tile is porous, which means water can travel through it. However, tile is usually treated and will have a waterproof underlayment to allow it to be installed in shower systems or as a backsplash. Tile is one of your best routes to go when installing floors in a wet area.
Unfortunately, if you fall on tile, you will notice. This is not the most comfortable or forgiving flooring option. If you worry about slipping, make sure to invest in a slip-resistant tile in wet areas.
While spills and accidents will be easy to clean, the floor is not forgiving for falls. Be cautious of installing tile in areas where kids may fall or slip.
Because tile is porous, it is susceptible to staining. Your grout can stain as well. Most grout and tile are treated to prevent staining. Make sure you keep up on the maintenance of your tile to avoid unwanted staining.
While not the most expensive flooring option, tile is generally a little more expensive. Installation for shower systems and backsplash can be on the higher end as well.

Tile can really enhance your home’s look. Consider adding tile to your kitchen or foyer to create your dream oasis. Tile has been around for centuries and rightfully so. This timeless option can truly make a room stunning. For more insight and analysis on different flooring types, make sure to subscribe and check out more of our series.

Different Base and Trim Options

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Typically, base and trim are used in homes where one surface transitions to a wall. This can help create a more aesthetic, natural look where the ground and walls meet. Different floorings may require different base and trim. Your trim will also help hide any blemishes or contraction and expansion gaps between the walls. If you are looking to add trim, here are your best five options:

Carpet Base

Carpet base is typically used in a commercial project. It is a great complementary piece to add to the aesthetic look of glue down carpet or carpet tiles. Carpet base can be cut in long strips to help eliminate seams. While primarily used in commercial applications, this can be used in homes that are looking to install glue down carpets in their homes.

Cove Base

Cove base is installed to allow the wall to create a more visually acceptable transition. It serves as a protective surface that will stop marks and scuffs from impacting your drywall. Cove base comes in many colors to help create the exact look you want.

Wood Base

Adding wood base is a great way to add some style to your home. These come in a variety of styles with refined woods and unique silhouettes. The wood base always pairs great with hardwood flooring and can come with matching transitions. While more costly, this is a guarantee game changer in your design.

Quarter Round

Installing quarter round is typically added to a pre-existing wood base. Quarter round allows room for expansion and contraction in your flooring. This subtle look is typically stained or painted to blend in with the wood base, and it is installed to blend the two pieces.

Bullnose

A bullnose is a tile with a finished edge. Bullnose tiles give a more completed look to a tile with its sides exposed. This is typically used with tile flooring but has become an alternative option in some Ultra-Modern homes to be used with other flooring options as well.

Installing a base helps protect your walls and gives a smooth, natural transition from the wall to the floor. Whether carpet, hardwood, or tile, cove base is a common application. Decide which will work best in your home or office. It is essential to find a base that looks good with your floor and walls as well.

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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