From the Floors Up

Learning Color Psychology

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Today, we are going to explore the psychology of colors to see the different ways that you can use the same colors to change the end results. Let’s get started!

Combinations

What you pair a color with can change how much it affects the atmosphere. For instance, different color pairings can complement, contrast, or even take from the other colors in a room. For example, if you pair red in your design with orange and yellow, the room will have a warm, inviting atmosphere. However, when red is paired with a neutral palette, the color will have the most authentic psychological influence on the room. Now pair red with against blue, and it will have the hardest contrast. The ratio in which you contribute to each color will also determine how much influence it has on the space.

Hues

A hue is both the color and the tinting of the color. Exploring different hues can have different outcomes on an environment psychologically. For example, blue may be used to relax an atmosphere, and green may be used to add liveliness. Now take turquoise, the hue between green and blue, this color can borrow elements of both. You can darken or lighten the shading of a color to create different outcomes as well.

Finish & Tone

Colors can also be affected by how they are perceived in design by their tone and finish. For instance, glossy yellow is more vibrant and expressive than matte yellow. Likewise, pastels are washed out by whites, where muted colors are darkened by blacks. The same color can have a masculine or feminine feature just by softening it or creating a pastel tone.

We think that the psychology of color is fascinating how it can change a room. We hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about how colors affect our atmosphere. How will you facilitate these tricks in your own home? Let us know below in the comment section.

Six Signs It Is Time Replace Your Window Treatments

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When was the last time that you really took a close look at your window coverings? You will find that after some years, blinds, shades, and other types of window treatments start to become worn. Many homeowners switch out their window treatment after 7-10 years. If you cannot even remember the last time that you have upgraded your window solutions, you should inspect them for wear and tear. When window treatment becomes damage, they do not perform their primary function. Here are some signs that it is time to replace your window treatments:

Difficult to Operate

Are you finding that it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise or close your blinds? Over time the lifting mechanisms on blinds become damaged when the blinds stretch out and get too wide for the mechanism to support. When it becomes nearly impossible to operate your blinds, you can expect them to fall off of the window eventually. It is best to replace them as soon as possible.

Bent Slats

Exposure to heat and humidity over a prolonged period of time can cause the slats to warp and bend. It may even cause the slats to take on a wavy form. When your slats start to take on such an appearance, you should replace them as soon as possible because it sticks out like a sore thumb and will decrease the aesthetic value of your home.

Broken Slats

If you live in a home with children and pets, you can also expect your blinds to get bent out of shape eventually or even broken. In high traffic areas, your curtains and shades may even experience rips or tears. If this is in the case, you want to consider more durable window solutions.

Discolored Slats

So the slats are not looking as pearly white as they once did. If you have noticed that your blinds have a yellowish tint that it is impossible to get all the way clean, then it is definitely time for some new ones.

Not Meeting Your Needs

If your window coverings are no longer blocking out the sunlight or giving you the privacy you need, that means it is time to upgrade to something more functional.

Kid-Friendly

Blinds with long cords are a safety hazard for small children. If your window treatments are not safe for the children in your home, then you will have to upgrade to updated coverings with safety features.

We hope you found these tips helpful! Be sure to subscribe for more design tips and tricks.

Space-Saving Storage Solutions for Kids Room

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From clothes, toys, and books, children tend to amass just as many things as we do. Even if the cleanest you have ever seen your child’s room looks like everything piled on one side of the room, it is time to implement some creative storage solutions. The right storage solutions can get rid of clutter and help keep the room clean for as long as possible.

Window Seating

You can easily recreate the window seating look without having to hire a contractor. Invest in a bench or ottoman that also double as a storage container. With cubbies underneath or ottoman-style storage, this method will complement the interior of the room, and it does not take up much space. Simply measure the dimensions of the window so that you can put a bench that nestles right in the crook of the window.

Built-In Shelving System

Take advantage of every nook and curve in your child’s room by installing shelving units. In fact, you can build in a series of lower shelves to store their toys and favorite books. The upper shelves can be installed to house collectibles and decor accessories.

Cubby System

Cubby systems have become super trendy. You even can create a cubby standing by putting together a few freestanding cubbies. Simply choose a corner or side of the room that will best accommodate the cubby system. Open cubbies are great for storing art supplies, plush animals, and collectibles. You can even use the top of the cubby as a television stand where the gaming system and cable box can go.

Built-In Desk Unit

Building in a desk unit is well worth the expense, especially if your child is at school age already. This desk provides a dedicated space for your kids to complete their homework. The closed drawers can hold stationery products and other items that you do not want to see lying around the room.

Toy Trunk

A toy trunk is a great way to organize all your kid’s toys and dress-up clothes. However, a toy trunk is not just for toys; you can also use it to store linens, pillows, cherished mementos, and other items.

Are you an organized parent? If so, we would love to hear your tips and tricks on organizing your kid’s bedroom. Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section.

The Right Tile for Home Exteriors and Patios

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Tile is a timeless and beautiful floor and wall covering. It has been being used in homes for centuries and continues to stay a staple in home improvement. Plus, there are hundreds of options available when it comes to shopping for tile. Different constructs of tiles will work best in different environments. However, no atmosphere is more demanding than your home’s exterior. In fact, the outside your home will experience extreme temperature changes and water exposure. These factors can make choosing the right tile a little more challenging. That being said, have no fear. This versatile flooring option can work in almost any environment! If you are looking to tile a patio, walkway, driveway, or anywhere else outside your home, here is what you should know:

Best Tile Option

When it comes to choosing tile for outside, you need a more durable option. While ceramic is excellent, it is not as durable as porcelain. For instance, when you install it over concrete outside, moisture is a considerable concern. Moisture can travel up through the concrete and underneath your tiles; therefore, you need to invest in a polymer-modified mortar to waterproof your concrete. This factor will give you porcelain tiles much longer longevity.

Slip-Proof

When looking for slip-resistant tiles, natural stone is your best bet. This factor makes sense because natural stone already endures nature daily. However, porcelain is still another great option yet, quarried marble, granite, or limestone are all excellent options. Do remember that some of these options will need to be sealed to protect their natural-looking finish. There is no completely slip-proof tile option, though. Remember, just because a type of flooring may be extremely slip-resistant to your bare feet, does not mean it will react the same if you are wearing heels or nonslip resistant shoes!

Grout Reminders

When choosing your outdoor grout, it is best to go with a sanded grout! Your grout lines will be traditionally larger visually with this option. It would help if you also looked into getting a grout sealer to help protect your grout from the harsh outdoor conditions.

Picking tile for outside comes down to its longevity and durability. Natural stone and porcelain are excellent options to explore. Just make sure you do not neglect your grout when preparing to invest in your patio tile or outside tile projects. For more insight on flooring, make sure to subscribe!

Choosing a Theme Style for Your Home

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Now that you have a new home, you can officially begin designing it. However, you may quickly realize that there are hundreds of design themes. How do you choose the right one? Rustic, Contemporary, Mid-Century Modern, and Shabby Chic are all great styles. Yet, choosing the right one can be hard. There are several great tools to help you narrow down the right choice for your own home. Here are the best ways to help guide your theme selection:

Personal Touches

Cabinets, flooring, and countertops are already tailored to the look you want! Instead of dwelling on what style will work best, simply add your own personal touches. Vases, pictures, throw pillows, wall art, and décor are all great ways to make a house your home. Interior design is expressive and a chance to individualize yourself. Take advantage of the opportunity and embrace your internal design desires.

Architectural Features

Another significant guiding factor in designing your space can be complementing your architectural influences and home’s surrounding environment. For instance, many homes in Arizona are designed with southwestern design themes. This factor is a great design style to emphasize your own design and help bring to life. You would want to try to incorporate rich textures and earthy tones into your atmosphere. Woven fabrics, suedes, and leathers can also be facilitated to amplify this effect. These are some great tools used to create a Southwestern atmosphere.

What You Already Own

You should also allow your current furniture and belongings to help guide your theme. What kind of preexisting furniture are you bringing into your new home? What colors, fabrics, rugs, pictures, and décor did your old design have? If you did not have a very balanced design, you could begin to look for what works together and creating a design. Perhaps, you have had a very eclectic design but notice many earthy tones in half your furniture. This factor is a great start in transforming your space into a Rustic design theme. You can slowly replace the odd and unmatching décor and furnishings to create a new theme.

Designing your space should be fun and expressive. In fact, it is the best part of making a house your home. What design tricks do you plan on using in your new home? We would love to hear from you! Let us know below in the comment section.

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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