Measuring kitchen countertops is more than simply measuring and cutting. It’s about precision and accuracy to the nearest fraction, decimal point, feet, or inch. Quartz countertops and granite countertops are expensive, and an incorrect measurement makes the entire slab useless.

Even for economical options like laminate and engineered stone countertops, starting over with countertop measurements because of a preventable mistake is costly. Save the budget from additional costs and use the countertop’s most accurate measurement on the first try. Learn how to measure kitchen countertops by gathering the right materials, measuring in the right directions, and considering layout and components.

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Table of Contents

Measuring Materials

Getting an accurate estimate begins with using the right tools. The simple tools listed will help give you the right measurements to ensure every cut counts. Those are the same measuring materials you will need to measure bathroom countertops.

• Tape measure or measuring tape
• Pencil
• Graph paper or plain paper
• Calculator
• Straight edge (optional)
• A helping hand (optional) 

Qualifying tape for this project should have a retractable steel blade, and the measurements must be in total inches and foot increments. A pencil is a better choice for drawing than a pen because the pencil erases errors. However, the pencil should write dark enough to read and scan.

A graph sheet is more accurate than a plain sheet. The calculator needed should be basic, not a scientific or graphing calculator. A straight-edge tool and a helping hand are there to improve accuracy, yet they are not the primary materials needed for the job.

Does Layout Matter

The countertop guides the kitchen layout across the sink and near cooktop areas and refrigerator. The kitchen floor plan matters when installing new countertops or repairing an existing countertop. Horseshoe/U-shape, gallery, and L-shaped counter space are the layouts in the kitchen. 

Not every jumbo slab on the kitchen counter is a single rectangle. Some of those layouts have curved corners, a curvy shape, a corner ledge, and waterfall edge style countertops, so you need a perfect measurement for those sections. There are also countertops for the kitchen island, kitchen peninsula, and wet bar, and none of those countertops are standard size.

While you find an accurate quote, the most important thing is to remember the layout. Gallery layouts are the easiest to measure and install because they are one long rectangular shape. L-shape and U-shape layouts are challenging yet solvable. 

What Are the Components to Work Around

The sink and cooking area mentioned in the last paragraph are the kitchen components to navigate, with the backsplash also on that list. The slab will need a hole in the countertop surface to fit a kitchen sink or install it around an existing one. Counter top cutouts are also necessary around the cooking range, sink fixtures, and prep sinks. 

Meanwhile, the backsplash affects the measurement. The decorative backsplash needs space between the countertop and the back wall. A .75 to 3-inch backsplash is a good idea, although you can go as high as 4 inches.

Something else to consider is the overhang or extension. Overhangs on countertops offer stability during tasks, conceal cabinet flaws, protect cabinet front doors from food spills, and keep clothes safe from hardware. The overhang protrudes forward by 1 and 1/2 inches.

An overhang is optional; the countertop can install flush (in line with the cabinet proportions). An extension goes 12 to 16 inches beyond the cabinet to create a breakfast bar or eating area. Kitchen peninsulas and islands may have this extension, or the eating area gets separate kitchen countertop dimensions as a raised bar version.

Furthermore, the special edges are a decorative protrusion for your countertop replacement. The exposed edges with a flat polish come in beveled, ogee, pencil, ease, cove, bullnose, and half-bullnose. A decorative edge needs more dimensions than a pencil edge.

The easiest way to get exact dimensions is to measure old countertops. A second way is to measure base cabinets, including cabinet doors, to get the length of the countertop. However, those methods are ineffective if you alter the backsplash length or cabinets. 

The Complete Guide

AdvertisementsTo err on the side of caution, always get a countertop supplier like Arch City Granite for your dream kitchen. The experts there will use high-quality materials to cut exact measurements of your countertop area while hiding seam locations for a perfect fit. They can also guide you toward the type of countertop materials based on material cost, maintenance, the color of granite, and more. 

If you want to learn or tackle the countertop project yourself, the following tips are the basic rules to make measuring work in your favor.

Step One

From the materials listed earlier, grab a piece of paper and sketch the area of interest with a pencil. Sketch a rough drawing of the layout, island, peninsula, wet bar, or raised breakfast bar. Use one sheet of paper for each area of interest.

For the L-shape and U-shape layouts, divide them into rectangular pieces. An L-shape would be two rectangular pieces, and a U-shape would be three rectangular pieces. Draw curvy countertops as precisely as possible.

An L shape with a corner ledge has two rectangular bookend pieces with an unusual shape at the center. A U-shaped corner ledge will have two irregular shapes and three rectangular pieces. Also, draw the sink, faucets, cooking range, cabinets, backsplash, and appliances’ new location on the diagram, even if the new area is the current area.

Step Two

The next step is to focus on the width and length of your countertop. The total length is the long end of the countertop from edge to edge. Standard width focuses on the countertop from the front countertop edge to the back of the wall. 

AdvertisementsUse the retractable steel tape to measure the length and width of the countertop to the nearest inch. For L-shape and U-shape layouts, measure each piece separately. Write those measurements on the drawing; explain which dimensions go where. 

Add an extra 1.5 inches to the width dimensions as an overhang if you forgot to add it. Add 12-16 inches to the width as a breakfast bar extension. Curvy countertops use the most expansive curve piece for width dimensions and the longest line for length. 

A helpful hint is labeling each piece as sections, like section B. That will help in measuring each solid piece on the drawing separately. That is crucial to get the most accurate numbers for step four, so measure twice or three times if needed. 

Step Three

While in measuring mode, it’s a perfect time to get the depth of the countertops. The depth shows how thick the laminate, marble, quartz, or stone slab should be. To get that answer, measure the cabinet edge from top to bottom. 

The standard countertop depth is 1.5 inches plus 24-inch old or new cabinets for 25.5 inches. Your results may vary. Meanwhile, the backsplash height from top to bottom is another measurement to jot down only if you want to alter it.

Another countertop section to measure is the waterfall edge. Should you want one or replace an existing one, measure from the floor to the top of the countertop edge. Add two inches for wiggle room adjustments, and measure twice or three times for step four.

Step Four

It’s time to reach for the calculator, and the necessary information above will determine the accurate measurements of the countertop space. The fractions written on the paper will convert into decimals or whole numbers for the final square footage. Square footage focuses on a simple formula – length x width = area – to calculate square inches. 

That is the formula to use for each section of your countertops. To get the total square footage, add the answers from the previous calculations to get the total area. Divide the area by 144 to convert inches into square feet.

Linear feet measure the total number from top to bottom. It focuses on depth, which affects a waterfall edge countertop and new kitchen cabinets above and below the countertop. An expert or an online calculator can calculate this for you.

The average countertop space in kitchens is 3,000 square feet. As always, never do actual cutting until you measure and calculate again or let an expert do it.

• About the Author
• Latest Articles

Tonya Dobson

Tonya Dobson, Senior Writer

Eleven years of writing experience and counting, Tonya is a master of the home, especially in the home improvement and interior design area. She continues to earn our respect and gets positive reviews from our readers for her writing style on all things for the home. Before her writing career, she interned at Reflect and Refresh. When she is not writing about the home space, you will find her exercising, working on Sudoku puzzles, and enjoying the outdoors.

— She does request privacy.  A partial image is provided.

We believe the passion for mosaic tile may have started from religious customs, traditions, or implications. However, this is not the case at all. The first mosaic examples were discovered in Mesopotamia in Western Asia. The period was the third millennium BC. Colored stones and shells made up the wall display. Our ancestors did not glaze the material. 

The most resourceful artists were from Greece and the Egyptians, second in their displays of conflicts and civilizations of their regions. Modern mosaic tiles emerged from trial and error of different materials and glazing. By 64 AD, they covered the walls and ceilings of Pompeii and grand cathedrals with decorative mosaics.

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Tessera is the term used to describe a tiny piece of stone or other material crafted to do a mosaic project. It comes from the Latin meaning of “cube.” It is fantastic to look at ancient mosaic tiles in an old Greek building and picture an artist adding pieces one by one to form a lifetime portrait. 

Cultures worldwide have been fascinated with patterns of modern mosaics and geometric shapes. Considered an interior work of art, they comprise 2″x2″ shapes in repetition that form a more significant piece for admiring. Marble mosaic tiles, ceramic tiles, and porcelain mosaic tiles are the most prominent in today’s world. However, the custom mosaic gets created out of many materials. 

From stone countertops to shower wall tile and floors, trade professionals in mosaic tile give homeowners a way to make a personal style. Here are some examples of the unique appearance possible using this ancient method in current times.

Table of Contents

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile begins as a natural clay that is fired in a kiln. We then applied a protective glaze to protect the material from moisture and stains. Today, they mold different shapes and colors into 12″x12″ larger tiles for easy installation. Finished ceramic tile is the perfect way to give a kitchen backsplash a touch of texture and color and has an easy surface for cleaning. 

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain is a material that is made from white clay and feldspar and has a more durable surface than ceramic. This makes it perfect for shower floors or outdoor areas. Available in mesh sheets, the porcelain pieces are secure and ready for installation on bathroom walls or an accent wall. Exciting shapes and color tones make porcelain mosaic tile a popular choice.Advertisements

Natural Stone

Natural stone is just what it sounds like. Pieces of marble, granite, or slate are retrieved from a quarry and cut into small pieces. The mixture of stones presents a natural look in interior decorating. We do not process them to have a shiny surface. Kitchen floors, pools, fireplaces, and other areas prefer this natural beauty look.

Other Mosaic Tile Materials

Glass tile is the Cadillac of materials, especially where reflection is wanted to create a larger space. Any color, shape, sheen, or texture is possible with glass. It is low-maintenance and can be blended with other materials to make a modern style look. The drawback to glass is the complexity of installation. Tile experts are a must in handling the cuts and placement of this material which is also higher than average in cost.

Never-ending creativity is possible with specialty stones like marble, granite, Terra cotta, and other natural materials. Because the choices are so vast, interior designers are often sought after for creating your style in living areas. Wood cubes, specialty stone, and metal are other forms of material that can be intertwined into mosaic tile sheets for a unique look.

Handmade tile in custom colors can take your contemporary mosaic art to the next level of interior design trends. D tiles are today’s answer to making mosaic tile designs with popular styles that you design. 

Mosaic Artful Displays

Micro mosaic patterns are a wonderful way to present a lasting treasure in your home. For example, a picture of your design made of custom pieces can be a unique focal point in an outdoor living room. Vivid pictures in hardscape make a dazzling display on a mosaic tile floor. The art is comparable to a majestic fresco painting of the Renaissance era.  

White marble hexagon mosaic tiles show how luxury is shareable with any decor. Each square foot of tile delivers a polished modern display of sophistication. A mixture of subtle gray and blue individual tile placement creates an inviting look.

Porcelain tile in geometric patterns can be the answer to a kitchen backsplash that offers beauty without going overboard with flashy colors. Mosaic tiles are the latest trend in 3D art that adds an extra dimension to living spaces.

We achieve an entirely new look with alternating raised and recessed hexagon shapes. Not only is this pattern in tune with the opening space, but it can also help to transition to different areas when used on walls.

Modern mosaic tiles allow you to create your signature on any surface. Technology has provided a way to choose from thousands of colors and shapes in a single flexible tile. Individual tesserae can also be purchased for putting your artistic nature to work. 

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Today the art of mosaic tile is more straightforward to form than ever by design tools. One company, Daltile, has gone to great lengths to help artisans and homeowners to achieve the perfect design for walls, floors, and more. As a leader in custom tile services, they have the background and knowledge to share with any mosaic tile endeavor. 

From choosing the right design for each atmosphere to using their handy design tool in material and detail, you can form your custom plan with trendy mosaic tile. The stylizer is a simple and accessible format that gives you a screenshot of your finished project.

If you find it difficult to decide how your modern mosaic tile will fit into your redecorating, Daltile can provide hundreds of ideas. If you are interested in learning to tile, try your skill on a small table to appreciate the delicacy of the art. Or call a skilled tile installer in your area to create a professional durable mural.

• About the Author
• Latest Articles

Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan, Senior Writer

Experienced Writer with 20+ years. Demonstrated writing experience includes technical writing, magazines, story writing, and journalist projects. Karen has a powerful media and communication background with academic training from LaSalle University (architecture, interior design) and business college courses. She loves editing novels and contributed to a national art journal.

Elegant bathrooms are becoming a sought-after feature in new homes. Some trendsetters for luxurious living are steam showers, claw-foot tubs, and mosaic tile. Ceiling and bathroom vanity lights have improved drastically, making them energy efficient and mood-enhancing. Today, most homeowners are changing bathroom trends by removing walls, adding sitting rooms, a dressing area, or even a walk-in closet. In a Postmedia special report, Tricia Zach, head of research for NKBA (an industry non-profit trade association for the kitchen and bath industry), says, “Kitchens and baths are bigger and more involved.”

Installing luxury bathroom lighting fixtures is a way to bring cohesive balance to a sharp and trendy primary bathroom or small bathrooms. We should incorporate layered lighting and smart lighting into your bathroom design. A lighting expert can show you how to achieve the best lighting comfort throughout the entire space. This pre-planning will make the difference between a so-so bathroom and one of sophistication.

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There are several ways of introducing a new look and light into a modern design. Here are the latest updates in bathroom lights that will help you create a stunning bathroom.

Table of Contents

Overhead Lighting

Bathroom ceiling lights provide ambient lighting in the room for general entry. We set the color temperature for bathrooms and laundry rooms at 3000K. I consider this to be a warm light that has tinges of yellow. Not all ambient lights need to be set in the center of the room.

Downlights or recessed lighting is a pleasant ambient light but can create shadows when acting alone. Hanging lights are an updated way to bring a touch of grace to a bathroom. However, specific electrical codes must be followed. 

Taking a nice long bubble bath is heaven after a long day of stress. However, without the proper installation of a glamorous hanging light over your claw-foot tub, disaster could be lurking. The last thing you need is to worry over a loosely fit fixture above your head in the water. Some options include moving the hanging light to one side or the other. You could also select wall sconces to pair along a wall. 

Flush-mounted recessed lights or surface-mounted ceiling lights can get installed directly over bathtubs as long as they are damp-rated and have a protective cover over the bulb. However, there are special rules for hanging chandeliers, pendant lights, and track lighting above these areas. Make sure your contractor is familiar with the National Electrical Code requirements. 

Vanity Lights

Bathroom vanity lighting is the most popular type of modern bathroom lighting. Different lighting styles for bathroom sconces located above or along the side of the mirror come in a wide selection. The vanity mirror must carefully weigh the size, style, and balance of the fixture required to bring the right appearance. 

Wall sconces can offer ambient and task lighting, depending on the type of lighting function you require. We can even use layered lighting, depending on the size of the space. A mixture of recessed lighting, hanging ceiling fixtures, bathroom wall lights, and bathroom mirror lights can all be options to mix and match. 

Over-the-mirror vanity lights can be bath bars with one to four bathroom light fixtures attached. They can range from contemporary design to a farmhouse style vanity light. Your daily routine will dictate which color temperature we should use as a task or accent lighting.

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Lighted Mirrors

A lighted fog-free mirror with side bath sconces can give you mixed-light types with a nice, clean look. Bright LED lighting is available through touchless control to provide three different levels of color temperature. This is a great way to share a master bathroom with your partner, that may have different tastes in illumination. 

Modern bathroom lighting of mirror sconces can give you plenty of ambient lighting shaded with frosted or clear glass. This is one example of how styles and temperature lighting can get used together to create the perfect bathroom lighting.

Other Bathroom Area Lighting

Depending on the size of the entire room and any architectural features that may be present, one bathroom lighting fixture may not be enough. We may count natural light for giving out much of the light, but we will need artificial light after dark. Don’t neglect to look at shower lights for a positive bathing experience.

Consider the unflattering shadows presented by flush mounts and place a bathroom light where it’s required. Keep in mind the need for some night light. This can be a wall-mounted sconce, a dimmable pendant, or LED lights placed under the vanity cabinet. 

Best Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Placing the right bath light to illuminate each square foot of a large or small bathroom can be simple when introducing a balanced lighting plan. Once you have the blueprint for all your lighting needs, the size and style of fixtures will be a fun project. 

Luxury bathroom lighting can be as simple or extreme as you want. Keeping with a modern look guarantees clean lines and unique designs. Hosting a chandelier without all the crystal and tinsel can keep its presence uplifting and sophisticated. Vanity lights with frosted glass shades and natural sunlight add a nice balance of soft illumination.

Advertisements

Elegant gold-plated sconces scattered throughout one of your favorite spaces leaves nothing to the imagination that this truly is the perfect solution for luxury beyond borders. Any backdrop will deliver prestige with a contemporary flair regardless of the paneled walls.

Hudson Valley Lighting offers flavorful solutions for the bathroom style of your preference. Modern industrial is popular with metal and black finish but is still a picture of modern vanity light with quality. The above mirror position leaves plenty of room for mirror sconces or lighted mirror options without interfering with the right light in color temperature. 

The Light Brother website is where you can find the latest Hudson Valley Lighting selections for a master bath or a smaller space like a powder room. Small sphered pendants create a floating look that makes the rest of the room appear light and airy. With different sizes available, any area can use these attractive balls of aged brass with opal colored glass shade. These could be a splendid solution for lighting around the tub area for safety.

Alternatives and Accessories

Once the placement of fixtures and the proper styling are selected and completed, small accessories can give your bathroom a pop of color or texture. You cannot go wrong with lush towels and mirrored trinkets on flat surfaces and vanities. If you have an oval mirror with golden sconces, consider placing an oval wall plate of matching style. Don’t overdo it, though. Too many accessories can crowd out and drown out a minimal but luxurious style.

Glass and bronze are the most common materials for soap holders and cups for matching light fixtures of an elegant nature. However, shiny glamour is not always wanted in a luxury bathroom. Handmade ceramic or an ecological soap holder can add an intriguing natural feel to a modern style. 

Add your expression with 3D abstract framed art plaster that is acceptable to many decors. The curves and geometric shapes provide texture without removing the light fixtures and mirrors. Faucets can also offset the beauty of a lavish bath by selecting quality material over initial looks. 

Selecting your light fixtures does not mean you are stuck with one look forever. For example, exchanging a hanging center light for LED recessed lighting can change the entire feel of the room. If more ambient lighting is your desire, fabric shades for bulbs on wall sconces can emit a more subtle glow. Mixed metal on fixtures, accessories, and faucets will consistently deliver an updated modern look. 

Mid-century modern is the theme for this year’s bathroom style. Here you trade in glossy for natural wood and metal accents. However, this will not replace the luxury appeal with authentic brass acting as light fixtures and faucets.

Many people confuse luxury with glam when designing their homes. The distinction is real and should get discussed with an interior designer before beginning a remodeling project. At times, modern, luxurious, and glam can get merged to create a unique and rich look, but staying natural with warm outdoor effects can also be glamorous. Clean straight lines or traditional curved motifs are a choice that only the homeowner can make. Make sure your whole house decor blends cohesively.

Use the latest technology available to you for dimming, touch controls, and lighting temperature. Ensure that you hire an experienced and qualified electrician whenever wiring and lighting are an issue. An electrician and building contractor will be your best bet on following all guidelines on installation and safety for your new favorite room in your home.

Elegant bathrooms are becoming a sought-after feature in new homes. Some trendsetters for luxurious living are steam showers, claw-foot tubs, and mosaic tile. Ceiling and bathroom vanity lights have improved drastically, making them energy efficient and mood-enhancing. Today, most homeowners are changing bathroom trends by removing walls, adding sitting rooms, a dressing area, or even a walk-in closet. In a PostMedia special report, Tricia Zach, head of research for NKBA (industry non-profit trade association for the kitchen and bath industry), says, “Kitchens and baths are bigger and more involved.”

Installing luxury bathroom lighting fixtures is a way to bring cohesive balance to a sharp and trendy primary bathroom or small bathrooms. We should incorporate layered lighting and smart lighting into your bathroom design. A lighting expert can show you how to achieve the best lighting comfort throughout the entire space. This pre-planning will make the difference between a so-so bathroom and one of sophistication.

There are several ways of introducing a new look and light into a modern design. Here are the latest updates in bathroom lights that will help you create a stunning bathroom.

Overhead Lighting

Bathroom ceiling lights provide ambient lighting in the room for general entry. We set the color temperature for bathrooms and laundry rooms at 3000K. I consider this to be a warm light that has tinges of yellow. Not all ambient lights need to be set in the center of the room.

Downlights or recessed lighting is a pleasant ambient light but can create shadows when acting alone. Hanging lights are an updated way to bring a touch of grace to a bathroom. However, specific electrical codes must be followed. 

Taking a nice long bubble bath is heaven after a long day of stress. However, without the proper installation of a glamorous hanging light over your claw-foot tub, disaster could be lurking. The last thing you need is to worry over a loosely fit fixture above your head in the water. Some options include moving the hanging light to one side or the other. You could also select wall sconces to pair along a wall. 

Flush-mounted recessed lights or surface-mounted ceiling lights can get installed directly over bathtubs as long as they are damp-rated and have a protective cover over the bulb. However, there are special rules for hanging chandeliers, pendant lights, and track lighting above these areas. Make sure your contractor is familiar with the National Electrical Code requirements. 

Vanity Lights

Bathroom vanity lighting is the most popular type of modern bathroom lighting. Different lighting styles for bathroom sconces located above or along the side of the mirror come in a wide selection. The vanity mirror must carefully weigh the size, style, and balance of the fixture required to bring the right appearance. 

AdvertisementsWall sconces can offer ambient and task lighting, depending on the type of lighting function you require. We can even use layered lighting, depending on the size of the space. A mixture of recessed lighting, hanging ceiling fixtures, bathroom wall lights, and bathroom mirror lights can all be options to mix and match. 

Over-the-mirror vanity lights can be bath bars with one to four bathroom light fixtures attached. They can range from contemporary design to a farmhouse style vanity light. Your daily routine will dictate which color temperature we should use as a task or accent lighting.

Lighted Mirrors

A lighted fog-free mirror with side bath sconces can give you mixed-light types with a nice, clean look. Bright LED lighting is available through touchless control to provide three different levels of color temperature. This is a great way to share a master bathroom with your partner, that may have different tastes in illumination. 

Modern bathroom lighting of mirror sconces can give you plenty of ambient lighting shaded with frosted or clear glass. This is one example of how styles and temperature lighting can get used together to create the perfect bathroom lighting.

Other Bathroom Area Lighting

Depending on the size of the entire room and any architectural features that may be present, one bathroom lighting fixture may not be enough. We may count natural light for giving out much of the light, but we will need artificial light after dark. Don’t neglect to look at shower lights for a positive bathing experience.

AdvertisementsConsider the unflattering shadows presented by flush mounts and place a bathroom light where it’s required. Keep in mind the need for some night light. This can be a wall-mounted sconce, a dimmable pendant, or LED lights placed under the vanity cabinet. 

Best Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Placing the right bath light to illuminate each square foot of a large or small bathroom can be simple when introducing a balanced lighting plan. Once you have the blueprint for all your lighting needs, the size and style of fixtures will be a fun project. 

Luxury bathroom lighting can be as simple or extreme as you want. Keeping with a modern look guarantees clean lines and unique designs. Hosting a chandelier without all the crystal and tinsel can keep its presence uplifting and sophisticated. Vanity lights with frosted glass shades and natural sunlight add a nice balance of soft illumination.

AdvertisementsElegant gold-plated sconces scattered throughout one of your favorite spaces leaves nothing to the imagination that this truly is the perfect solution for luxury beyond borders. Any backdrop will deliver prestige with a contemporary flair regardless of the paneled walls.

Hudson Valley Lighting offers flavorful solutions for the bathroom style of your preference. Modern industrial is popular with metal and black finish but is still a picture of modern vanity light with quality. The above mirror position leaves plenty of room for mirror sconces or lighted mirror options without interfering with the right light in color temperature. 

The Light Brother website is where you can find the latest Hudson Valley Lighting selections for a master bath or a smaller space like a powder room. Small sphered pendants create a floating look that makes the rest of the room appear light and airy. With different sizes available, any area can use these attractive balls of aged brass with opal colored glass shade. These could be a splendid solution for lighting around the tub area for safety.

Alternatives and Accessories

Once the placement of fixtures and the proper styling are selected and completed, small accessories can give your bathroom a pop of color or texture. You cannot go wrong with lush towels and mirrored trinkets on flat surfaces and vanities. If you have an oval mirror with golden sconces, consider placing an oval wall plate of matching style. Don’t overdo it, though. Too many accessories can crowd out and drown out a minimal but luxurious style.

Glass and bronze are the most common materials for soap holders and cups for matching light fixtures of an elegant nature. However, shiny glamour is not always wanted in a luxury bathroom. Handmade ceramic or an ecological soap holder can add an intriguing natural feel to a modern style. 

Add your expression with 3D abstract framed art plaster that is acceptable to many decors. The curves and geometric shapes provide texture without removing the light fixtures and mirrors. Faucets can also offset the beauty of a lavish bath by selecting quality material over initial looks. 

Selecting your light fixtures does not mean you are stuck with one look forever. For example, exchanging a hanging center light for LED recessed lighting can change the entire feel of the room. If more ambient lighting is your desire, fabric shades for bulbs on wall sconces can emit a more subtle glow. Mixed metal on fixtures, accessories, and faucets will consistently deliver an updated modern look. 

Mid-century modern is the theme for this year’s bathroom style. Here you trade in glossy for natural wood and metal accents. However, this will not replace the luxury appeal with authentic brass acting as light fixtures and faucets.

Many people confuse luxury with glam when designing their homes. The distinction is real and should get discussed with an interior designer before beginning a remodeling project. Modern, luxurious, and glam can get merged to create a unique and rich look, but staying natural with warm outdoor effects can also be glamorous. Clean straight lines or traditional curved motifs are a choice that only the homeowner can make. Make sure your whole house decor blends cohesively.

Use the latest technology for dimming, touch controls, and lighting temperature. Ensure that you hire an experienced and qualified electrician whenever wiring and lighting are an issue. An electrician and building contractor will be your best bet on following all guidelines on installation and safety for your new favorite room in your home.

• About the Author
• Latest Articles

Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan, Senior Writer

Experienced Writer with 20+ years. Demonstrated writing experience includes technical writing, magazines, story writing, and journalist projects. Karen has a powerful media and communication background with academic training from LaSalle University (architecture, interior design) and business college courses. She loves editing novels and contributed to a national art journal.

A coastal kitchen can be one of the most delightful designs. White cabinetry, natural light, wood floors, and the atmosphere of the beach and the sea help bring a relaxing and expansive room feel that is airy and of natural beauty. Soothing natural elements and light white and sky blue colors make the perfect scene for beach house kitchen decorating ideas.

Merge driftwood gray and lots of natural light with rough stone and simple lines for a pleasant cooking experience. It all sounds so simple to achieve when dreaming of your kitchen redo, but in real life, remodeling is tough and expensive. 

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Here are some thoughts on bringing a modern coastal look to your outdated kitchen. Add your design style into the mix and play with distinct looks. 

Table of Contents

Beach House Style

There are two forms of coastal style: casual and classic. Casual style puts you in mind a beach cottage that sits on a warm oceanfront. The classic style reminds you of the homes of the Hamptons, where a more elegant presence floods your senses and feelings. Navy blue and broad white stripes are standard in the classic, sophisticated beach style. Casual beach house decor is what we will concentrate on. 

White cupboards rule in coastal homes to open up spaces to a fresh and light feel. White cabinets are a noteworthy starting point if your kitchen is not an open concept with a living area. Kitchen cabinets are expensive to replace. They make most kitchen cabinets last decades, so it is hard to justify discarding them because of a change in a popular coastal trend.

Cabinets

Painting or refacing are a couple of ideas on how to refresh your wood cabinets instead of opting for brand-new ones. Painting the cabinet base, drawers, and doors of the cabinets is the easiest and cheapest way to convert into a stunning beach house look. White upper cabinets mixed with light blue or sea foam bottom cabinets are also very tasteful in coastal decor.

The downside to painting cabinets is if you change your mind later and wish to return the wood finish. It is possible with a lot of work. It takes scraping, sanding, and refinishing with unique products to reproduce the once-natural solid wood look and luster. Advertisements

Partial upper open shelving is a common feature of a casual accent where beach prints can proudly display your love of the beach. Painting only the cabinet base white and removing the fronts of cabinets and drawers is a great way to begin your beach house design. 

With shaker cabinets style in a finished color palette of coastal tones, your beach theme will emerge. Another popular choice is glass doors or paned glass on uppers. This updating method is more costly than painting but less expensive than buying brand-new cabinets. 

Never shortchange the hardware in being an essential part of beach style kitchens. Natural, lineal, and made of metal or wood will add a pleasing contrast to your beachy kitchen. Resist the temptation to pick up the knobs that look like starfish or seashells. While attractive in the beginning, you will soon tire of the over-elaborate look of this novelty. 

Counters and Backsplash

Themed kitchen designs of coastal charm often have a rustic touch with wooden countertops and wood floors. Manufacturers of wood building products can now provide FSC-certified wood that keeps toxic chemicals to a minimum. This might be a good time to check with Home Depot or other building supply stores and ask to see their low-chemical wood and sealants.

Besides wood, natural materials like stone are a good choice for kitchen countertops and islands. Granite or quartz with tiny pebbles or veins can add texture and color to offset a white kitchen. The backsplash allows you to make a focal point with color and texture.

Iridescent tile in shades of cool blue and crisp whites or light gray and clean whites creates a presence of the sea with tiny sparkles catching the sunlight. Glass mosaic tiles also add a reflective scene of coastal colors. Neutral and glossy small tiles make a small room feel spacious.

Some easy ways to decide on the style and look of your countertops and backsplash is to search online for top-of-the-line suppliers. Next, visit a building supply house and bring samples home to compare. This can be an important project for a stonemason, and you will want to try different shades.

Islands and Breakfast Nook Corners

AdvertisementsPlan your island or breakfast nook with the same style and color as your kitchen and adjoining areas. We can use different styles of counter stools with natural wooden frames or dress-up bar stools with natural fibers of bamboo backing. Wicker furniture is the best way to present an adjoined porch or dining room with matching beach decor.

Islands have taken on an almost necessary part of today’s kitchen with different sizes available. Areas with an open concept may use an extended bar to separate rooms. This is the easiest way to make a bit of room for family members to converse but be out of the way for food preparation.

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Beach-Inspired Retro Kitchen

Put a playful twist on your beach house interiors and bring your unique look into the kitchen. Aqua appliances will add a masterful chic touch to the room. Against bright white walls, your refrigerator and stove will give you excellent pops of color. Or put your interior design in reverse, paint the walls aqua, and add white appliances.

Shiny counters of gray with pewter cup hardware spell happy in this kitchen. Discover more retro ideas for appliances at big chill appliances. Their website is bigchill.com.

Make a Flashy Impression

Are you torn between having casual beach decor or a more formal Hampton look? I recommend using as much imagination as possible to create your style. Look at magazines or develop a scrape book of ideas to discuss with your family or partner. Get dramatic with a crystal ship hanging above your kitchen island or dining area.

Turn casual into chic with light fixtures and stainless steel appliances. Sprinkle a bit of seashore fun in pendant lights that don’t overwhelm the room. This is one of the fast rules for preventing a tacky atmosphere. Another one is to stay with wooden floors or natural stone.

Creativity with a kitchen island can be fun and deliver a mind-stopping sight to visitors. Handmade plates in a lighted kitchen island are a memorable way to bring on a coastal theme. Choose vegetation and ocean species to create a floating spectacle of tropical beauty. A glass artist would surely like the challenge of this one-of-a-kind project.

A nautical kitchen Sebring island is perfect for a small kitchen without large windows of the morning sun. Have it made to size for your home and living space, and prepare to get amazed by the shape and presentation that it makes. This can be a real showstopper with matching wood countertops and hardwood flooring.

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Wall Hangings and Accessories

There are different ways to bring about the best possible experience for beach-style kitchens. Wall decor can take on historical significance, like a French Riviera painting or an arrangement of sea glass in a box frame. This is also where bright colors can capture a sunshiny mood and a little bit of beach time fun or relaxing sunsets at the end of the day.

A big farmhouse sink brings a working distinction to a window view of nature as all living things scuttle about, performing their duties. A lovely ocean breeze is welcome, but not always possible. Posting reminders throughout your room with nautical items, seascape scenes, and coastal wall art can keep the magic of nature flowing while cooking meals. For more color, consider draping a flower-laden print material under your sink and match with window valances.

A favorite area to fall in love with is the stove/oven appliance region. The improvements in heat distribution and the surrounding ventilation system have changed how many homeowners cook. Ventilation is crucial to keeping a kitchen healthy and clean and should be a top priority in remodeling a kitchen.

Hiding the workings of a high-tech vent has caused manufacturers to work with camouflaging the standard exterior look. If a seamless stainless steel design appears to be too commercial-looking for your casual beach-style kitchen, have a vent cover made that joins the theme of your materials.

Rustic shiplap range hoods allow you to uncover the majesty of weathered wood. Alongside floating shelves and nautical items, this area will become the focal point of your kitchen. A popular model with corbels is made of wood and can match your cabinet finish perfectly for an even flow.

We can make custom range hoods to accommodate any cooking area. We can even make them stretch over an entire wall. Range hoods should collect grease, heat, condensation, and cooking smells by transferring to the outdoors, not on your kitchen walls and surfaces. Choose your type carefully.

Select a few wall items that express your favorite coastal effects. You can bring your beach kitchen to life, from framed sea fans to artistic pieces of driftwood or prints of turtles. Fabric is another way of delivering fresh material to the room. Roman blinds or colorful valances can let you enjoy your favorite colors and textures. 

These accessories can help you decorate adjoining rooms, like a living room, coffee table, dining table, and surrounding furniture. Plenty of colored glass and fresh flower arrangements only add to the splendor of your coastal creation. 

Kitchens should be a place that brings freshness and harmony to the atmosphere. By mixing distressed woods and metals with the beach’s sparkling white and light colors, you cannot help but create a sunshiny mood for everyone visiting. 

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Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan, Senior Writer

Experienced Writer with 20+ years. Demonstrated writing experience includes technical writing, magazines, story writing, and journalist projects. Karen has a powerful media and communication background with academic training from LaSalle University (architecture, interior design) and business college courses. She loves editing novels and contributed to a national art journal.

Reusing tongue-and-groove hardwood flooring from buildings such as offices, factories, and homes has been popular since the middle 1800s across North America. However, tongue-and-groove hardwood flooring got made during an era when more plentiful supplies of quarter-sawn wood, which is far superior in quality to the more commonplace flat-sawn wood, were available for flooring. So can you still reuse tongue-and-groove hardwood flooring?

Table of Contents

Defining Tongue-And-Groove Hardwood Flooring

Removing tongue-and-groove flooring is not a test of carpentry prowess, even though it can be tedious and time-consuming, especially if they glued together the boards. It would help if you gave yourself plenty of time to remove the boards carefully, as doing so requires systematic work.

Hardwood floors glued together are usually beyond the point of reuse. Still, those that have only been nailed down may be usable in another setting or sold to a business specializing in secondhand construction materials.

Safety Measures When Removing Tongue And Groove Floors

Using A Pry Bar, Remove The Baseboard

Use a pry bar to remove the baseboard that lines the floor’s perimeter. If the area is caulked, use a utility knife to cut through the caulk so you don’t peel the paint. Using a hammer, gently tap out the nails as you remove each section of the baseboard.

Locate The Final Installed Row

To remove a floor plank in the middle of the room, insert a pry bar between the wall and board, hook it under it, and pry it up.

Stack The Hardwood Boards As You Pull Them Out

Get the rest of the boards out of that row, pull out the nails, and stack them outside. All subsequent boards should come off with less struggle. To keep the boards in good condition for recycling, we should store them in a cool, shaded area.

Take Out The End Boards

Insert the pry bar under one nail in the next row’s end board and pry it up to remove it. Once the nail head has emerged, use a crowbar to pry it out. Lever the crowbar on the subfloor rather than the plank surface if you intend to reuse the planks.

Repeat For The Rest Of The Boards

You should follow this same procedure to pull up the remaining floorboards. After you’ve moved away from the wall far enough to swing a hammer, pound the pry bar under the floorboards. You will need a hammer, a crowbar, a utility bar knife, and a pry bar to accomplish this task.

If they glued together the boards, you can still pry them apart, but be aware that the boards may crack and chip as you work. Use a chisel to remove some of them from the basement floor.

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It is advisable, to begin with a rotten board and work for the last one if you are still looking for the last one installed. Protect your feet from errant hammers and splintered wood by donning a pair of steel-toed shoes, gloves, goggles, and other safety gear.

Installing Reclaimed Wood Floors

Concerns Regarding Reused Floors

If the flooring you plan to reuse was initially installed in a location with partial sun, the boards will probably have slightly different shades. In addition, warping is likely if there is a lot of humidity or frequent, drastic temperature shifts. Also, the flooring in an older structure was probably sanded many times, leaving it too thin to be reused.

Getting The Flooring Ready

You can better understand the color differences and layout options by laying the flooring on a flat surface. You may need to bleach the floor after sanding for severe staining, but if it’s limited to just a few boards, you can try separating them and blending them into the rest of the floor.

Separate the straight boards from the warped ones, and use the straight ones in the essential parts of the floor, like the first course. The boards must be de-nailed, and any damaged or warped ones must get disposed.

Flooring Installation

When refinishing flooring, it is essential to sand the boards down to remove the finish and ensure they are all at the same height, and this is vitally important if cupped or curled. Next, apply bleach if you choose after the initial sanding with coarse paper, fill any holes or cracks with floor filler, and finally, sand to a finer grit.

Installation is complete after staining, and we have applied clear finishing to the wood. We can finish used floors with either oil or water-based coatings. You should plan on using three coats.

Conclusion

Reusing the flooring you already have in your home can save much money on your remodel without sacrificing style. We can install recycled flooring the same way as brand-new flooring, but checking each plank for damage is crucial before you start.

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John Thompson

John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com

Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III).  Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both.  His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation.

When remodeling your cabinets, or just your floor, you might wonder if installing flooring under the cabinets is a good idea. This is a frequently asked question by most homeowners when they hire a local laminate flooring expert. The answer becomes obvious after some discussion. Cabinets and other items (fixtures) that need to be bolted to the floor should avoid installation on laminate flooring.

Any cabinet or furniture you put down on top of your flooring will exert pressure on it, limiting its ability to expand or contract with the temperature changes—causing warping if left unchecked. You risk having your flooring buckle or being damaged beyond repair.

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Table of Contents

Can Laminate Flooring Be Installed Underneath The Kitchen Cabinets

Laminate flooring is quickly becoming the material of choice for high-traffic areas in homes, such as kitchen floors. A floating floor gets installed on a foam base instead of the subfloor.

Although laminate and hardwood flooring are engineered wood products, they serve different purposes. They feel and look very different and require other methods of installation.

Laminate flooring requires carefully fitting the planks into each other before they get fixed. The wide range of attractive colors it comes in is a significant selling point. Unlike hardwood flooring, we do not attach it to the subfloor permanently.

Since laminate flooring is so simple, many homeowners fix them on their own. The more DIY projects you tackle, the more money you’ll have to invest in tools. If you want to get things done right, you need the right tools.

Laminate flooring must never get installed beneath permanently attached furniture to avoid damage. Kitchen islands and other floating cabinets are suitable for installation on laminate flooring. However, there are more secure ways to install permanent cabinetry; therefore, they must get installed on top of a floating floor.Advertisements

Because of their floating nature, laminate floors should always have light objects, such as kitchen cabinets, set directly on them during installation. Periodically, the movement of the laminate will disturb the stability of the cabinets and countertops, not to mention the tile above them on the wall.

They install together or stack these components on top of one another. Eventually, issues will arise because of something floating and mobile under everything. Suppose you are against the requirements and standards of laminate flooring. In that case, you can install glue-down vinyl plank flooring underneath cabinets because it does not expand or contract with temperature changes.

Is Laminate Flooring Suitable For The Kitchen

Laminate flooring is a good option in the kitchen. In fact, with the development of new materials, laminate has become the best option for a kitchen because of its low maintenance and durability.

These days, they commonly use vinyl plank flooring in kitchens because of its durability and resistance to water, making this laminate ideal for a kitchen.

In modern houses with an open layout, continue the laminate flooring from the kitchen into the living room. In addition, the illusion of space is further enhanced when the same flooring gets used over a larger area in these homes with an open floor plan rather than creating visual breaks.

Can You Put Appliances On Laminate Flooring

Except for a dishwasher built into the counter, you can install laminate under almost any other appliance because both countertops and dishwashers get made to standard heights.

Installing a thick laminate floor could prevent your dishwasher from fitting correctly. These areas can get cramped, so eliminating unnecessary bulk is a priority. Putting laminate under your stove, fridge, and other appliances shouldn’t cause any issues.

Similarly, washers and dryers should be fine so long as they are freestanding units and not built into custom cabinetry, where you will encounter the same problem as with a dishwasher.

How To Install New Cabinet With Laminate Flooring

When laying flooring, always leave space for expansion and contraction because of temperature changes outside. In addition, install permanent items on the subfloor before flooring. To weigh the benefits of flooring under cabinets, consider whether you are putting in brand-new cabinets.

It makes more sense and is much less work to install the flooring around the existing cabinets instead of replacing them. It will be easier than removing the cabinets, though cutting the edges to fit may be more difficult.

To avoid working around challenging edges, install the floor before replacing the cabinets if you are doing a complete remodel. However, reading our other considerations would help before installing flooring underneath.

Furniture Placement On Laminate Flooring

In the minds of many property owners is the age-old question of whether laminate flooring can safely support furniture. First, protect your laminate flooring by placing padded plastic cups under heavy furniture legs. Then, instead of dragging heavy pieces of furniture, lift them.

Place cushioned furniture glides (such as felt pads or padded plastic cups) on the bottom of the legs of the piece of furniture to prevent scratches and scrapes.

Cut heavy-duty felt into squares and adhere it to the base of the furniture if it rests on a floor. When the laminate flooring gets protected correctly, you can place heavy furniture on it without damaging the surface.

Conclusion

Laminate flooring is renowned for its extraordinary durability. It has a lower overall cost than natural wood, is available in a broader variety of aesthetic options, and can get installed in less time than natural wood flooring.

Even though this is frequently the last thing people do before filling a room with furniture, appliances, and other such items, you should not install laminate flooring under fixed cabinets.

You can install kitchen islands and other floating cabinets on laminate flooring without issues. However, this method is neither the safest nor the most secure option when installing permanent cabinetry, and we cannot position fixed cabinets on top of a floating floor.

• About the Author
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John Thompson

John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com

Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III).  Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both.  His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation.