From the Floors Up

Revamping Your Bathroom’s Lighting

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These days the single lighting fixture hanging from your bathroom ceiling just is not cutting it. In fact, most modern bathrooms embrace a spa-like ambiance through their lighting scheme. Often this look is achieved through clever light placement. So if you have not done so already, it is time to switch up the lighting in your bathroom.

Know Your Design Theme

The type of lighting that you use depends on the style of your bathroom and the overall theme of your home. If your home is modern and minimalistic in design, you will want to steer towards lighting fixtures that have straight lines. Use LED bulbs for the lighting quality to bring subtle emphasis. On the other hand, if your decorating is shabby chic, you can add some luxury by installing chandeliers.

Emphasize the Vanity

Vanity lighting is also essential. The lighting scheme in the vanity area should be void of dark shadows and welcome bright lights. Consider installing triple lighting sconces. Lighting sconces come in a variety of colors and designs. In fact, you can purchase glass or stainless steel sconces. If you are going for a classic look, try small chandeliers on each side of the vanity to provide generous lighting as well as style.

Add Lighting in Unexpected Areas

Hidden light fixtures are a great way to add a romantic style to your bathroom. In fact, track lighting has also made its way into the modern bathroom. Track lighting takes on all kinds of shapes and designs in today’s market.

Understand Your Space

When planning out a lighting scheme, you should keep in mind how much lighting your bathroom requires. This factor can vary depending on the size of your bathroom. Make sure that the lighting fixtures you select are able to handle the necessary amount of wattage to light the space.

If you are renovating your bathroom or simply making small changes, you should revamp the lighting scheme for increased efficiency and an improved appearance. We believe that lighting can completely transform the look of space if done correctly. Be sure to use these four simple tricks when updating your bathroom’s lighting.

How to Salvage Your Kitchen’s Existing Cabinets

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Let’s be honest; kitchen remodels can be expensive. In fact, budgeting to upgrade your kitchen is essential to make sure you prioritize your needs over your wants. Perhaps you are looking to renovate your whole kitchen from the floors and countertops to the appliances and cabinets. If you can save money in one category, you can free up some of your budget in another area. Recognizing what areas you can salvage can save you money. And since cabinets can be very pricey, salvaging them is a thrifty yet effective way to enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen. So if you are thinking of refinishing your cabinets, this is everything you should consider:

Fixing Any Damage

First, you need to recognize if your cabinets are damaged. For instance, can the scratches or dents be repaired? If so, you may decide that it is best to fix your cabinets instead of replacing them altogether. Painted cabinets have become more and more trendy and can make a stunning appearance when done correctly. Just make sure you patch any scratches, chips, or dents with epoxy or putty before painting.

Painting or Staining

Next, determine whether you are sanding or simply staining your cabinets. Stain can deepen and enrich the wood grain again, yet paint can also hide any flaws and give your kitchen a completely new look. First, sand the wood with the grain and remove any doors then paint intricate areas with a brush.

Just Replacing the Doors

If you hate your door and drawer design, consider just changing out the cabinet doors. You can purchase new cabinet doors and save money. Make sure that the wood or vinyl replacement is similar wood to your prior cabinets. Different woods, even the same color, will stain differently. If you are planning on painting them, you will not have to worry about this.

These simple tricks can allow you to save money in your kitchen remodel. Remodeling a kitchen is a significant investment that can increase the market value of your home. So, determine if salvaging your existing cabinets is right for you.

Creative Design Hacks for Your Apartment’s Bathroom

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Apartment bathrooms can come with their own series of problems. They can be smaller than some home bathrooms while also lacking the freedom to remodel. While you cannot install the tile of your choice or paint the walls the color you want in most leases, there are still several ways to make your bathroom personalized to your taste. Take your apartment bathroom’s aesthetics to the next level with these easy tricks.

Two Shower Curtains

If your apartment needs to have a shower curtain, this is an opportunity to get creative. Traditionally, you would purchase one shower rod, your rings, and the shower curtain. However, there is a creative, functional, and more aesthetically pleasing look to consider. Purchase two matching shower curtains. Allow them to part in the middle like curtains do on windows. You can also improve the look even more by investing in curtain hooks or a curved rod!

Add Another Mirror

Another common amenity your bathroom probably offers is a mirror. While the single mirror serves its own purpose, adding another mirror will double the benefits. You can find a framed mirror in any shape to add to your bathroom. This second mirror will move light even more around your bathroom and help eliminate visual barriers, making your bathroom look and feel bigger.

Floating Shelves

With limited space available in many apartments, functionality and aesthetics should be attempted to be used together. Add some floating shelves to your bathroom to allow you to add some personalized and stylish décor. Use these as extra spaces to help display your taste will providing more storage.

Upgrade Your Showerhead

While aesthetically, this feature will not make a significant difference, you will love this upgrade. Changing your showerhead to a more efficient and personalized one will make your shower time much more enjoyable. This feature is an easy fix that you can switch back after your lease ends.

Do not let a lease limit you from making your home feel like home. Add some personal, stylish, and creative additions to your bathroom with these tricks. What design tricks do you use in your own bathroom? Let us know in the comment section.

Six Different Types of Kitchen Layouts

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There are typically six different kitchen layouts used in homes today. Each one of these kitchen layouts can offer a different set of aesthetic appeal and functionality to your home. If you are preparing for a kitchen remodel, knowing these layouts can best help you create your optimal design.

Single or One Wall

The simplest layout would be a single or one wall design. These kitchens have one countertop directly on one wall, and this countertop can be the home to your range, dishwasher, and kitchen sink. It is a simple layout but works great in open layout homes.

Galley

A traditional style you can see in older homes is a galley kitchen. These kitchens can have a hallway feel by being enclosed with countertops on both walls running perpendicular with one another. This option is great for prepping food and has two separate areas of countertop space. You will see these in kitchens with long length dimensions, great for setting up buffet-style serving.

G-Shape

The G-Shape kitchen can also be referred to as a peninsula kitchen layout. This design is a large kitchen layout with plenty of countertop space. It has countertops on all four sides with an opening at one point to enter. This option can offer some of the most countertop space an allow you to access all countertops directly from the middle.

L-Shape

An L-Shape kitchen has two countertops running off each other at 90 degrees. This two-countertop layout is simple but offers more countertop space than the single or one-wall layout. It also has the countertops touching, unlike the galley layout, which may be preferable depending on your needs and wants.

U-Shape

The U-Shape is a wide access kitchen. With three of your four walls having countertop space, this design works great in open layout homes while offering plenty of countertop space.

Island

The last style is island kitchens. These kitchens can be the shape of a U or L and offer a disconnected island of countertop space. These islands provide countertop space that doe not impede the rest of the kitchen. Set out food for your guests to grab and hang out while you can freely maneuver the kitchen.

These six kitchen layouts are all very common. They do not all work in every home, but several can. Decide which is best for your home. They can all add different levels of aesthetic appeal and countertop space. For more insight on kitchens and countertops, make sure to subscribe.

Pros and Cons of Marble Countertops

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When designing your bath or kitchen, your countertop can have a significant influence on the design. Plus, there are several excellent options available on the market to choose from, each with their own sets of pros and cons. Marble countertops are always a jaw-dropping feature when incorporated in the design. These timeless staples have stunning features and veining, which allow every countertop to have its own characteristics. If you are considering this beautiful countertop solution, you should consider all the strengths and weaknesses it has to offer. Today, we will explore marble countertops and find out if it is right for you.

Pro: Aesthetically Unique and Beautiful

When it comes to a unique and gorgeous countertop option, you can never go wrong with marble. Marble offers an exquisite and classy feature in every room. Plus, it can be debated to have more character than its countertop rival: granite.

Con: Price

If you are looking for the most inexpensive route, marble will not be your optimum choice. Since marble is a natural element that is created into a slab for each countertop, it can be pricier than some other options on the market.

Pro: Natural Product

Marble is made from calcium carbonate. This countertop is a natural product mined from the earth. If you are looking for an all-natural product and one that is ecofriendly, perhaps marble is the best route to go!

Con: Maintenance

Being calcium carbonate, this product can have chemical reactions to acidic products like drinks, foods, and cleaning products. These acids can make a countertop etch and lose its natural gloss finish. To prevent this, each marble countertop must be treated once or twice a year with a sealant to protect them.

Pro: Durability

Marble countertops are a very durable option as well. This countertop choice can take a significant beating before breaking. However, you should still treat your countertops with respect. Be cognitive when cutting or placing hot containers direct to the countertop. While this may not damage them, you should always be cognitive of the possibility.

Marble is a great countertop option for any home. There are many applications in which marble is ideal. If you are looking to capture the beautiful nature with many added benefits, marble may be the right choice for you. Just remember to keep up on your maintenance and continue to take care of your product.

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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