From the Floors Up

Home Check-Up List

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With how much time people are spending at home, we thought now would be a good time for a home check-up list. Here are five things you should do every year to ensure you’re running a well-oiled machine.

One: Replace the batteries in the smoke detector

Ever heard of the old adage “better than safe than sorry”? Yes, every year you should be switching out the old batteries in your smoke detector for new ones. Modern smoke detectors feature hard-wired backup batteries that must also be replaced. However, it doesn’t stop there. After trading batteries you should ensure that all the smoke detectors throughout the house are in working order.

In addition to the smoke detectors, you should also check your carbon monoxide detectors. Every year thousands of deaths occur due to faulty carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure you change the batteries at least every six months to a year.

Two: Inspect the chimney

Before you fire up your fireplace during the cold winter months you must fire perform a thorough inspection of your chimney. Make sure the gas logs are positioned correctly, look for cracks in the glass door and make sure the burner holes aren’t clogged.

Even when the fireplace is not in use it should be inspected because the chimney has dangerous gases that can be carried to the stove and that shouldn’t be inhaled. Be sure to clean it periodically or make an appointment to have it serviced by a professional.

Three: Gutters

Gutters that become clogged with leaves and other debris restrict the water from flowing easily preventing them from doing their job! This preventative maintenance will save you time and headaches down the road. If you aren’t comfortable on a ladder, hiring someone to do this for you will be worth it in the long run.

Four: Doors and windows

Before winter hits, you should perform an inspection of all the doors and windows in your home. Check for weather stripping around the front and back door. Look for cracks in the windows and tears on the screen. Checking for signs of wear around the window frame is important for safety issues.

Five: Rotate Area Rugs

If you have area rugs that get any exposure from the sun, you’ll want to rotate them to ensure that your rugs receive the same amount of sun exposure on each side for even fading. This is normal and natural for any material that receives exposure to sunlight. If your rugs are on top of hardwood floors, you will want to rotate your furniture where possible so that your hardwood floors receive the same amount of sun exposure for evenness as well.

We hope you find these tips useful in maintaining a healthy home. Take care of yourself and your home!

Create Your Own Reading Nook

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After a long and tiring day at work, wouldn’t it be nice to find a spot in your home where you can just curl up, relax and read a good book? If you’re thinking, “Yes!” then it’s high time you created a comfy reading nook all your own.

Creating a reading nook isn’t difficult. All you need is a small unused space in your home, a comfy chair, an ottoman, a bookcase and a small table accented with a plush area rug and a reading lamp and you are good to go. Oh, and don’t forget the latest book you can’t put down!

First, find a perfect spot in your home where you think you can relax. It can be in a corner of your bedroom, beside a window where you have a relaxing view, or wherever you would be comfortable. It doesn’t matter which area you choose so much as it does making sure it is away from any noise. This will make for a very relaxing experience and keep you deeply engulfed in your reading.

Once you’ve selected the spot, it’s time to accessorize your nook. First, define the space by putting a plush area rug underfoot. Selecting the right area rug can set the mood for your nook so make sure that you select a pattern and texture that is relaxing and comfy.

Then place a comfy chair or chaise atop the rug. Make sure your seating is comfortable, so you can enjoy spending hours there with the company of your good book.

Good lighting should also be a part of your list when creating your reading nook. You don’t want to have a headache from reading due to poor lighting. Choose one that casts a sufficient glow for reading comfortably without being too dim or too bright.

And lastly, place a table or bookcase where you can put and organize your books and your cup of coffee.

Any book lover dreams of having a place where they can escape and a cozy reading nook can make it a reality.

What Type of Flooring Do I Choose?

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Are you in the market for new floors? If so, if you are anything like us, we tend to be guilty of overlooking the importance of flooring choices and how that choice will affect the style and function of our home. To help, we have listed a few tips below that will help you choose the right flooring for your lifestyle and family!

Daily Activity

Your lifestyle is critical when choosing the right flooring for your home. For instance, do you have children, pets, or friends and family coming and going? If so, your floors must withstand heavy traffic and be resilient to moisture and dirt. Ceramic tile and vinyl flooring are durable, tough, and ideal for high-traffic areas. Hardwood floors are durable, but will scratch and over time and require refinishing. If you prefer softness underfoot and have minimal traffic, consider carpet or using area rugs over hardwood and tile flooring. Just keep in mind the function and style of each room and choose your floors accordingly.

Specific Room Tips for Individual Rooms

Foyers

Foyer entryways should always say welcome and introduce your style. A key factor to remember for entryways is preventing dirt and debris from being tracked into the home. If snow, rain, mud, and sand are elements in the entry, consider stone, tile or hardwoods. Just make sure you place an entry mat outside before entering to trap and absorb much of the debris.

Interior Floors

To protect your entry interior floors, rugs are always the perfect solution while adding pops of color that enhance the entry foyer.

Living Rooms

Family and great rooms are active rooms, so remember that area rugs are ideal over tile and hardwood floors. They help add an element of comfort and style to your classic flooring options.

Bedrooms

Many people still prefer carpet in bedrooms simply for the softness and warmth on bare feet.

Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Laundry Rooms

Keep in mind that kitchens, bathrooms, laundry/utility rooms are considered work areas, and the flooring should resist water as well as be durable.

Flooring Cost

Flooring is priced per square foot for product and labor. Understanding flooring pricing is an essential factor to keep you on track and within budget. Keep in mind the product grades of quality and the padding or moisture barrier for carpet, hardwood, and vinyl plank flooring. Another factor for flooring cost is longevity. Floors need to be maintained, and the type of flooring you choose will depend on how often you must replace them.

Please reach out with any and all questions. We are here to help you make the best decision for your next floor!

Pros and Cons of Carpet

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Carpet is a timeless flooring option that businesses and homeowners continue to love. It comes in many diverse styles with added benefits. That is why it is no surprise that the popularity continues today as we see advancements in fiber technology and resistance to staining. However, like any flooring option, carpet has its own set of pros and cons. Let us explore both to see if carpet is right for your home.

PROS

Comfort

Carpet is one of the most comfortable flooring options on the market. When paired with a heavy 8 oz pad, it is unrivaled by any flooring option for comfort. This feature can make the coziness from your ground spread to other areas of the room, creating a comfortable oasis.

Options

Carpet also comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures. The endless options make finding the perfect carpet to complement your house easy. Plus, with so many diverse styles, carpet is versatile enough to work with any design theme.

Warmth

Carpet is also a very cozy and warm flooring option. Rest assured that you can wake up and walk around your home barefoot without getting cold feet. It is an excellent insulator and stays warm all year round.

CONS

Stains

Technology improvements are making carpets better at being stain resistant. From solution-dyed fibers to stain guards, carpets have come a very long way. However, carpet fibers can still stain. This feature may be a concern depending on the environment that you are looking to have it installed.

Seams

Carpet is typically manufactured in twelve-foot-wide rolls. This feature means any room that is over twelve feet in width or length is going to need a seam. It is also directional, which means your carpet will have cross seams as well. No seam is 100% invisible, so you may need to consider this depending on the application.

Traffic Patterns

Some carpet can wear down and matte. The resilience is much better in nylon carpet than polyester, yet you may begin to see traffic patterns. Note that all carpets are made different, and some can help prevent this better than others.

Water

We are beginning to see waterproof carpets, just starting to enter the market. However, many carpets are not waterproof and can be ideal for bacteria to form. It is best to keep carpet away from wet areas.

All and all, carpet is an excellent flooring choice. It is incredibly versatile and adaptable for many environments. Keep in mind that different qualities of carpets can handle situations differently. Be sure to talk to your sales representative about the right carpet for your lifestyle.

Area Rug Placement for a Guest Bedroom

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Area rugs are a favorite element for designers wanting to add ambiance, texture, and coziness to a room. We love how area rugs will add pops of color and specifically define a space. We have two essential tips to share with you for furniture placement in regards to your area rug that will bring the entire bedroom together. Please enjoy!

Options for Rug Placement: Guest Room 

  1. Buy an area rug that will fit under the bottom two-thirds of the bed so that it can be seen from both sides and at the bottom of the bed. 
  2. Buy hallway runners and place them on both sides of the bed and one at the foot of the bed. 

Typically, we prefer the first option, but let’s talk a little about the size and shape of the space.

Option 1

If your bed is centered in the middle of the room, designers will go with option one by placing an area rug under the bottom two-thirds of the bed. You need to make sure that your area rug is large enough to extend to the nightstands on both sides of the bed and try to make at least eighteen inches are visible from the end of the bed. If you choose a rug that is too small and does not meet these guidelines, the room and furniture placement may look misplaced! Generally speaking, try and keep about eight to twelve inches from the edge of the rug to the wall.

Option 2

We love this option of using runners, especially if you have gorgeous hardwood or natural stone floors! Also, this is a perfect look if you have a smaller bedroom. We will start with a single runner at the foot of the bed. Make sure that your runner goes from edge to edge or a little wider than the bed for a perfect placement! For runners on each side of the bed, make sure they start at the front of your end tables and run to almost the end of the bed.

If you are still having a little trouble trying to figure out the furniture placement, actually map it out on a piece of paper. There are also free websites where you can enter the room’s dimensions and lay the furniture out with respect to the size of the area rug. Good luck, and please let us know how your bedroom turns out!

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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