Category: Bathroom Remodel

Black and white checkered linoleum floors rose to popularity in the 1920s thanks to their affordability and upkeep. This pattern dates back more than two thousand years as it was originally used for games, to fend off negativity, and also to describe certain details in hieroglyphics. And it continues to be a trend today.

Checkered floors may sound like they belong in a retro diner, but they can be a contemporary, elegant or rustic choice. This style was initially made popular as a flooring choice for diners and restaurants. It really adds a sense of whimsy to any residential kitchen or bathroom as well, especially those with a retro style.
Polished checkered floors can be classic and elegant if designed properly. Classic black and white are the most popular flooring bathroom choice, but you have creative license to use any color combo that you wish.  Feel free to mix it up with any colors you prefer and fit well with your design. 

Option 1: In The Kitchen
Backsplash
If you want to have the checkered look in the kitchen, you can incorporate it into your backsplash. When it comes to a luxurious and a very polished look, glass tiles are a fabulous material to use for your backsplash. For kitchens with an elegant design, patterned tiles with contrasting shades of grey, white and marble will provide contrast without overwhelming the design.

Flooring
Looking to give your new kitchen design a pop of style? Incorporate checkered flooring. In the last few years classic white and black checkered tile has made a comeback. In the design pictured below, you’ll notice the hexagon shaped tiles. This adds a modern flare to the classic checkered look. 
Design Tip 1: If you’re leaning toward a more traditional style and also want durability, then porcelain tiles might be the best option. The rich patterns of porcelain will create interest, without making it appear quite as dramatic as the other options.

Design Tip 2: If the goal is a softer or more eclectic feel, add splashes of pastel colors to complete the aesthetic.

Option #2: In The Bathroom
No matter what your favorite style is, you can’t deny that black and white bathroomshave an ageless appeal. If you love the black and white flooring, then it would be a perfect choice for your bathroom design. This design option is a guaranteed winner if you’re looking to update your bathroom. 

White is the standard color choice for bathroom fixtures like sinks, toilets, and baths. However, when it comes to floor tiles, there is a greater variety of choices, with black and white always being a strong choice. This classic combo has many advantages as it will likely never go out of style. It matches well with any wall color, and it is neutral enough that most buyers will appreciate it. Black and white also leaves your new bathroom feeling crisp and clean.

A timeless hexagonal or octagonal floor tile pattern is a contemporary and stunning choice for a bathroom design. You can create flow in your bathroom with a simple checkerboard pattern. This style creates a sense of movement. Black and white always gives your bathroom design a sense of elegance and a touch of drama that works in perfect harmony.   
Design Tip 3: If you want a more dramatic look, install your tiles on a 45 degree angle or use hexagon or octagon patterns. 
The use of subtle black and white floor tiles paired with subway tile, a classic vanity, and colorful walls will give your bathroom a timeless design. Checkered floor tiles are very affordable and are frequently found at home improvement stores. In addition, there are many styles from which to choose in that color scheme. 

You can use checkered tiling to give your design a classic and elegant look that is affordable and durable. Use our guide to inspire your next choice for your tiling.
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We hope you found this bit of information helpful, inspiring, and motivating toward renovating your kitchen and bathroom.

It’s always exciting to pick out new tile for your bathroom or kitchen. It’s easy to get stressed when looking through tile samples because your tile choice will have a big impact in your home. When choosing tiles, the grout color is often overlooked. It is important because it can make or break the aesthetic of your tile and the overall look of your room. Here are four things to consider to help you choose the right grout color for your tile aesthetic.

1. When Using White Tile with White Grout…

When white tile is paired with white grout, the lines between the tile and grout will disappear. The entire surface will blend together to give a uniform aesthetic. When you enter a kitchen or bathroom with white tiles and grout, you’re sure to notice a number of things, but it’s unlikely that one of those things is going to be the actual tile.  The all white tile and grout doesn’t draw attention like other tiles and grout. 
This is a perfect option when you do not want your tile to be a stand-out feature in your renovations. Usually this option works best with modern spaces that have dramatic design flair somewhere else in the space. This option is also great when renovating a small bathroom because it makes your space appear larger.

Please keep in mind that white or light grout are not forgiving to discolorations or stains, so it will definitely take extra upkeep to maintain that pristine appearance. 

2. When Using White Tile with Dark Grout…
When you use dark grout, the grout becomes the focus of the tile. The patterns of the tile start to create a bolder aesthetic for your renovation. In the photo below, notice how pronounced the octagon tiles appear with dark grout. 
Even with a simple subway tile pattern, going dark with your grout will add contrast and make the tile pop out more. Once you begin to add contrast between the grout and tile, the actual shape of your tile is exposed and the grout itself forms a pattern.  Naturally, the tile and grout contrast is better suited when black and white are the dominant hues. 

3. When Using Black or Colored Tile…
If you decide to stray away from the stark white tile look, pairing vibrant or black tile with the right grout hue is a bit trickier. The previous rules are essentially the same when you’re dealing with black or colored tile. A light grout will make your tile pattern stand out and add even more interest. If you choose a dark or black tile, a grey or charcoal shade of grout will create a softer look. 

4. Consider Grout Size…
Grout size is almost as important as the look of the tile. Depending on how you choose to space the tiles, the grout line can either disappear or stand out.  The tighter the tile spacing, the more the grout lines will become virtually so small that they appear to disappear. Another factor is the shape of the tile and how it will affect the grout lines. This is especially true with circular tiles. So, if you choose a tile that will require a tight grout size you should choose a shade closer to the tile color.

The color of your grout will impact your tile aesthetic and the overall look of your room. Consider these four tips from the pros when choosing your grout color.
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We hope you found this bit of information helpful, inspiring, and motivating toward renovating your kitchen and bathroom.

Get The Right Lighting for Your Bathroom Remodel
Getting ready for work can be particularly tough if you have the wrong lighting or inadequate lighting in your bathroom. A good bathroom design should include multiple light sources. When you’re choosing lighting for your bathroom remodel, you’ll have several options depending on size, layout and style.  Two bathroom light sources to consider are sconces and mounted fixtures. With both source there are various options, below we will discuss the various options for each category.

About Sconces:
The light from your sconce should softly illuminate the room, but still be bright enough for grooming and applying makeup. The shade of your sconce is very important because the transparency and hue affect how light is emitted into your space.

The primary location to install sconce is on either side of your vanity mirror. This design provides the perfect lighting for your sink area. The general rule is for your sconces to be mounted anywhere between 65 and 70 inches away from the floor to be at eye level; allowing for light to illuminate without casting shadows.

If you have a small space to work with but love the style of sconces, take into consideration how far away from the shower/bath will the sconces be located.  If they are located so close that a risk of having contact with water is highly likely, then you should consider finding sconces that have a “damp” rating to be sure that it’s secure to get wet.

Mounted Fixtures:
Sconces can illuminate an entire bathroom if the bathroom is small enough.  However, if your bathroom is larger you still might need additional light sources.  Such as mounted fixtures, recessed lights, track lighting, and ceiling fixtures.

If the space is narrow then you should mount fixtures on either side of the wall.  This style of illumination can still be effective but will still allow your design to maximize the size of your mirror.  While mounted fixtures on either side of your mirror are considered to be the best choice for casting light evenly across the face, although mounting fixtures above the mirror is still a one of the most popular design choices.

Reliant on the size and position of your vanity and mirror it might be impractical to do otherwise.  If you have no choice but to mount your lighting above the mirror please note that it should have a higher wattage bulb and be at least 75 to 80 inches to be in the best position for the light to fall evenly over the sink.

Another example of mounted fixtures is the three lights over a larger vanity.  This is an illustration of a fixture with multiple shades.  This style fixture is available in multiple sizes, allowing for your designer to size the fixture in relation with the width of the mirror.  It’s challenging to have excessive light in a bathroom, so don’t cut corners on larger fixtures if your space can accommodate them.

Remodeling your bathroom means you’ll have several lighting options. We hope this information about mounted fixtures and scones will help you make the right choice.
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