From the Floors Up

The Top Effective Home Improvement Projects

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Homeowners love to customize their homes and make personalized home improvements. But sometimes, it can feel like a never-ending project when creating your dream home. Eventually, the demand for more space may become a concern. So when investing in your home, you want to know that you can receive a return on investment.

Some projects can significantly improve your home, yet not raise market value at all. Since some larger-scaled home improvement projects can be expensive, you want to know which can help increase your home’s value. Today, we are going to discuss the top most effective home improvement projects.

Bathroom Remodel 

Times are changing. Many styles have become outdated and are no longer trending. If your bathrooms look like they are a thing of the past, consider a bathroom remodel. These projects can be expensive, and you should consider getting a contractor. A bathroom remodel can consist of adding a walk-in shower, new backsplash, cabinets, floors, and a vanity. Be sure to create your own luxurious getaway in the master bath by taking your bathroom remodel to the next level. 

Kitchen Remodel 

Another large project is a kitchen remodel. Kitchens are the heart of the home, and often times, many homeowners will put this project off for some time. However, kitchen remodels can have a high return on investment. If you are looking for ways to help save on the project, consider just replacing your cabinet doors. Kitchen remodels typically will include a sink, flooring, backsplashes, cabinets, and countertops. With so much to consider, it is best to hire a contractor for this project as well. 

Patio or Deck 

Space is a very important element when it comes to the housing market. It is becoming more common for homeowners to indulge in the opulence of exterior space they can facilitate. Nothing makes a home more inviting outdoors, quite like a deck or patio. Search your market to see which is more common in your area. Spend some money in helping create the atmosphere outdoors. A quality deck or patio is a significant investment not only for the next buyer but your home experience as well! 

Where you live, the real estate market, and local demand can all play roles in your home’s price. While these projects do not guarantee a rise in price, they are great guidelines, especially for a home, you plan on living in for some time. Investigate the housing market in your area. Find what trends are increasing home value. If every household in your area has tile flooring, installing hardwood may not increase your market value. You need to pay attention to what is helping other homes sell as well. For more insight on home improvement and increasing your home’s resell value, make sure to subscribe.

How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway

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Concrete driveways can really increase your home’s curb appeal. They are durable, functional, and very visually appealing. However, this porous surface is susceptible to staining. Whether you spill something or a car leaked in your driveway, that stain can become an eyesore. Trying to remove it can even seem impossible at times. Well, to help, there are a couple of tricks you can apply to your driveway to make the stain disappear. Let’s take a look!

Oil and Grease 

First, you will need to identify the stain on your driveway or sidewalk. Oil or grease stain can penetrate deep and are best treated sooner than later. Get a degreaser and spray it onto your stain. You can use a bristled brush to really scrub your degreaser into the pavement. Allow the degreaser to sit for a little bit of time, and spray your driveway down with an even coat of water using a hose. Next, hook up your pressure washer and attach your concrete cleaning detergent. Use your pressure washer to evenly wash the driveway. Allow the detergent water to sit for a little bit but do not allow detergent to dry. Unhook your hose and spray down your driveway to remove the leftover detergent. 

Paint 

If you notice you have stained your driveway with paint, apply a paint thinner, and allow it to sit and break down the paint. You can use a damp cloth to scrub and remove excess paint. First, spray your driveway down with water. Hook up your pressure washer with your concrete cleaning detergent. Be careful not to use too strong of a tip because this can etch and damage your concrete. Next, spray the area back and forth until the stain is completely gone.  Allow the detergent water to sit for a little bit but do not allow detergent to dry. Lastly, unhook your hose and spray down your driveway to remove any remaining detergent. 

Rust, Leaf Stains, and Common Muck 

These common stains are much easier and will not need as much prep work. Simply apply your concrete detergent to the stained areas, and wet down the driveway using your hose. After, hook up the pressure washer and spray back and forth with the spray wand.  Allow the detergent water to sit for a little bit but do not allow detergent to dry. Lastly, unhook your hose and spray down your driveway to remove the detergent. 

You may need to work in smaller sections so the detergent never dries since this could lead to streaking. If the stains remain, add detergent again directly to each stain and scrub with a brush. To prevent future stains, consider adding a sealer to your concrete driveway. For more household tips and tricks, make sure to subscribe. 

Houseplants for Beginners

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You have heard time and time again that houseplants are great for improving air quality and adding nature into the aesthetics of your home. Maybe you have even felt compelled to purchase a plant and bring it into your home. Yet within a short time, your plant died, and you decided houseplants are just not for you. Well, do not give up that easily. There are a couple of guidelines to consider when adding houseplants to your home. If you have never done something before, chances are you are not good at it. Using some of these simple methods can allow you to keep your houseplants alive and thriving for years to come:

Beginner Plants

Some plants are easier to maintain than others. Make sure you are getting a beginner plant if it is your first time. Plants like bamboo, golden Pothos vines, succulents, and cacti can be harder to kill. If you forget to water your plants one day, they will survive. Finding more forgiving plants as your first plants can allow you to learn the habits it takes and help keep them alive without being disheartened.

Lighting Conditions

First thing you will need to consider is your home’s lighting conditions. Plants need light to grow. Unlike other pieces of décor, you cannot put plants wherever throughout your home. Plants need to be strategically placed near the windows to make sure they receive sunlight. If you have areas in your home that are poorly lit, consider investing in faux plants. However, you can also buy lights which can mimic sunlight and help your plants to grow. Essentially, not giving your plants light is starving them. Remember to expose them to light daily!

Water

Another huge component to consider is how frequently you need to water each plant. Some soil will hold water for more extended periods of time. When you are searching to purchase your household plants, figure out how frequently they will need to be watered, and this will help determine which plants are best for you.

Do not give up hope on household plants. It takes some time to master the lifestyle of keeping them alive. However, the reward is worth it. Household plants are great for your atmosphere, design, and mood. We wish you the best of luck in your planting endeavors.

What is a Mood Board?

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Whether you have noticed it or not, many interior designs are created with functionality and a theme in mind. When we are designing our space, we thrive on giving a room its own feeling. This ambiance or tone we are setting is called the room’s “mood.” Many elements such as color, texture, design theme, and flooring can all play significant roles in how our rooms feel. However, it can be challenging to envision the finished product of a room. Picking out floors, paint colors, furniture, and more can all seem great in your head but turn to complete chaos. To prevent this, you can create a mood board. A mood board will gather all the elements you would like to add to your space and collectively display them together. Still confused? Do not be; here is everything to know about creating your mood board:

Digital Mood Board

Ideally, there are two types of mood boards which you can create. A simple mood board can be created digitally using apps such as Pinterest or even just a photo album on your phone. Save and pin all the ideas you would like to incorporate in your home. From flooring options to colors, you will begin to generate a mood. Seeing all these elements with each other can help you determine what is a “must” and what can wait.

Physical Mood Board

Your second option is creating a physical mood board. This is great because you can physically encounter the tangible objects, and it will allow you to understand the textures and feels you bring into your home. Go and get the carpet, laminate, or hardwood samples you are considering. You can collect paint swatches and fabrics as well. Pin these to a board as see how these elements interact with one another. Being able to touch them physically can help. Now, this may not always be the easiest option but is typically the best way to know exactly what you are getting.

Creating a mood board can save you time and money. While you may be investing more time up front, the finished product will be well worth it. All you have to do is decide which mood board is best for you.

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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