From the Floors Up

Ideas for Designing a Small Kitchen

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Breathtaking Backsplash

Do you like things that sparkle? How about adding your own sense of glam to the kitchen by creating a custom, showstopping backsplash from glass tiles. Experiment with color and patterns when installing glass tiles. In a small kitchen, even a small glass tile while behind the kitchen stove can bring loads of personality to the space while not overwhelming the decor.

Display Dish-Ware

You know that special dishware you have been collecting for years that you only bring out on holidays? You can implement it into your kitchen’s decor by displaying the collection on an open shelving unit. Do something different by putting your collection on display in front of the kitchen window on a built-in shelf. Just imagine how beautiful your dishware will look when the sun hits it.

Accessories

Like any other room in your house, you can add accessories in your kitchen design. You can create an art gallery right in your kitchen by dedicating a wall to a mix of different prints and framed artwork then add pops of color to your kitchen furniture. For instance, bright red tables at your kitchen table make the environment feel fun and lighthearted.

Color on the Wall

Apply a bright and cheery color on your kitchen walls for a contemporary look. Colors like kiwi green or muted yellow are ultra-modern and exciting. Not to mention, bright colors can make your kitchen look bigger.

Bold Window Treatments

Steer clear from your standard white roman shades and opt for something festive. Bold window treatments featuring a vibrant textile is likely to be an attention grabber.

Functionality

Of course, your small kitchen needs to be super functional so that you can get the most out of it. Use pot racks to hang your pots and pans since cabinet space may be limited. A tool basket to hold your cooking utensils can also be stylish and functional. Additionally, you can glam up your kitchen with countertop storage solutions that add to the overall while incorporating functional elements for your small space.

What are your thoughts on the ideas we listed? Have you implemented any of them in your home? Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section.

No Space? No Problem!

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When designing a room, it can quickly become over-cluttered not feel “big” enough.  One of the most limiting factors in interior design is a room’s size.  Space is a luxury, hence why the larger the space, the large the price tag.  Unfortunately, we cannot all buy a home to accommodate the proportions we desire.  We can, however, change the perception of the space. To help you master your current space, we have created a must-read guide. Let’s take a look!

Portions vs. Perception 

Portions are considered the constants and the fixed floor plans.  You cannot alter the dimensions of your room easily; however, perception is our eyes’ take on space value.  Interior designers love to play with perceptions to give the illusion that a space is bigger than it actually is.  For example, hardwood flooring is usually put long ways down a hall to “perceive” the hallway as longer.  Our eyes take a 3-dimensional world and portray it to us in 2-dimensions.  Our brains then use perception tactics to convey size, height, and distance.  Stripes running horizontally on a long wall will give the make the wall seem longer and lines going vertical can make the wall appear taller. 

Lights, Glass, and Views 

Our eyes take or attracted to views.  If a wall has a picture on it, we would prefer to look at the picture rather than stare at the blank wall encompassing it. Who is not to say that a window cannot be utilized like a gorgeous portrait. When natural light comes in through windows and reflects on bright surfaces, it gives our eyes the perception that a room is bigger.  The more light in a room, the bigger it will feel.

Textures and Dark Colors 

Dark textures absorb more light and take away from the room’s size.  If you paint the whole room black, it will feel confined and smaller than if you paint the whole room white.  If a rectangular room has the long white walls and the short walls dark, it will visually create a long room and widen it.  When flipping the concept though, if the side walls are dark and the short length walls are light, the room will lengthen.  Plus, ceiling height plays a significant value in how grand a room feels.  Try keeping light colors on the ceiling to maximize the room’s height.

Multipurpose Storage 

Consider having versatile storage/furniture in your room.  Perhaps a coffee table that doubles up as a storage compartment or seat with storage under the cushion.  It will allow you to keep everything in the room the is needed to keep the room functional without eliminating space.  Decluttering an area is the easiest and fastest way to make a room feel bigger! 

Do not feel limited by your space but understand how to give off the perception that your space is open and welcoming. Thanks for reading!

Smart Space Savers for a Family (Part Two)

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As we learned in Smart Space Savers: Part One, Jack and Jill are in quite a predicament.  Their home is not big enough for an additional family member, so it is back to the drawing board before they decide if they must move. To help them make up their minds, we have two more ideas that they could use:

Addition

If space has always been an issue in your home, maybe it is time to consider adding an addition. Jack and Jill realized they did not want to combine their spaces, and it did not make sense to put Jack’s study, a place of relaxation, in the same area where Jill would be playing her music.  Their sons were not fond of the idea to share a room, so they decided to add a home addition; however, instead of making the new addition a child’s room, they choose to repurpose some rooms in the house and make the addition Jill’s music studio.  If you plan on adding an addition to your home, be sure to think outside of the box.  If you need a room for your baby, will the addition be far from your master bedroom?  Decipher what is best for your home’s addition.  Maybe switching some rooms up prior to the addition is something you should consider.

Divide The Space

An addition may not be an option, but have you ever considered division?  Larger rooms can be divided into two or more smaller spaces.  Jack and Jill decided the basement was large enough to split in half. It was a cost-friendly investment that just took some thinking outside the box.  They put up a divider to split the area and painted the new space. It was a cost-friendly solution that helped designate an area for the baby while making room for other activities. 

Not every home can accompany space demands.  Evaluate all options prior to moving.  If you have exhausted all possibilities, maybe it is time to consider the move.  Do you have any space-saving tricks that you have used in your own home? If so, please let us know below in the comment section.  Thanks for reading! 

Smart Space Savers for a Family (Part One)

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Let’s be honest; the space in your home is precious, but it always has a limiting factor.  Getting the most out of your space is essential for functionality and design.  To help, we created this Space Saving series to help you with common household space challenges.  The more you learn how to consolidate, minimalize, and multitask items in your home, the more space you can have.  

Perhaps, your small space was working for you, but new challenges came to surface.  For example, you are living in a single-family home, you have every room occupied, and a child is on the way.  Do you move, or do you tailor your space for the expected arrival of the new family member?  To help you make the decision, we have several ideas to consider before packing up and relocating. Let’s take a look! 

Eliminate a “Want” Room

Your first step is to consider all the space used in your home.  For example, Jack and Jill have two children, both occupying bedrooms.  Jack has his own study where he can get away, check his emails, and read.  Jill has renovated the basement into her music studio.  A new child is on the way, and they must eliminate a space.    They have the option of eliminating either one of their “want” rooms to create a space for their new child. Eliminating a “want” room can be the first step of action when expecting a new family member.  

Multipurpose Room

Another idea to contemplate is combining two rooms into one.  Jack and Jill could combine both their children into one room which would free up a new space. They could also turn the study or studio into a combined space as well.  Combining rooms can sometimes create clutter; therefore, Jack and Jill should be careful when connecting their “want” rooms.

In your own life, decide if there are rooms in your home which could be shared.  Maybe your office could be moved into your master bedroom, or your home gym can be moved out of the basement into the garage.  Creating a multipurpose room is a way to prevent eliminating your “want” rooms by just consolidating them.

Not every home can accompany space demands.  We recommend assessing all options before moving. 

Do not forget to check out Part Two to see more options available for Jack and Jill.  Thanks for reading!

How to Eliminate Visual Obstructions in Your Design

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Do you lack extra space in your home?  Space can be an essential element to how your home portrays itself, and a lack of space can make your designs feel overwhelming, disheveled, unorganized, and messy, even when everything is clean.  Learning to conquer these challenges can seem like a daunting task at first, but with some simple tricks, you can transform your home into a sleek, visually appealing design. 

The first step to creating a sleek design is to focus on your view. If your room feels clutter or chaotic, it may be due to your space and the way your furniture pieces are designed. To help you create a less visually obstructive view, we have created four tips. Let’s take a look!

Low Profile Furniture

Your furniture and decor should make a statement but not feel overly prominent in the space.  Bulky dresser and large couches can be beautiful in the right environment; however, if you feel like you are tight on space, consider eliminating your large, encumbering furniture and replace it with more sleek, low profile designs.  Low profile couches can give the illusion that your ceiling is higher than it actually is.  More compacted entertainment centers can allow for more space in your den.  Even downsizing from a king size to a queen size be may be a smart move for your space.  But remember, not all rooms are created the same.  A king sized mattress may look great in a large room, but it can be overwhelming in a smaller sized bedroom. 

Minimalist Approach

Less is more.  Free up your countertop space and eliminate excess decor for a minimalistic look.  This approach is ideal for smaller space living.  Consider everything that you bring into your home.  Everything needs to serve a purpose.  Multiple-functional furniture is perfect for saving extra space. For example, you could look for furniture that can serve as a storage solution as well as seating. This dual-purpose seating option will give you a place to store your blankets while eliminating the visual obstruction an extra basket may cause. 

Extra Lighting

Nothing opens a room better than great lighting.  Focus on how much light your room has in it and do not be afraid to add more.  Natural lighting is ideal but if it is not an option, invest in brighter light bulbs.  It can make a significant difference by switching all your light bulbs to higher-quality, brighter bulbs.  Brighter bulbs can help illuminate the room better and aid in the atmosphere feeling more open and more welcoming.

Mirrors

Adding mirrors to your space can also enhance the room’s light flow.  Mirrors are great for eliminating boundaries in rooms and making walls look like they go on past the surface. Rooms with no windows can use mirrors to help open up the space. They have so many different benefits that they bring to any room.  Consider adding mirrors to your small room to help open up the space.

Making your space feel less obtrusive is an art and a science.  Consider everything you bring into your home and its purpose.  It can be challenging but rewarding when you change your room to create a more open layout. 

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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