Q: My boyfriend and I have been hard at work making our rental unit feel like "ours" but we have no idea what to do about the ugly vinyl flooring in our kitchen. I would love to use some adhesive vinyl tiles as a quick and cheap solution, but the flooring curves up the walls. What can I do about it?
Sent by Jean Ly
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That's a new one. I do like your idea about the stick-on tiles though. Depending on what style you choose, it might look OK to just go with the flow---or curves, in this instance...
Black and white checkerboard tiles, for example, might actually look kind of cool when they are curved up the wall like this? Just an idea.
Just wanted to come back and clarify my b&w checkerboard idea...I would offset them so they are at an angle. You'll have to cut the tiles that curve up the wall but whatever, no biggie.
With your landlord's approval, cut it at the floor/wall, where it should stop naturally, remove it, install your new floor tile, and then install proper baseboard and molding. It won't be expensive for a kitchen and the tile should never go up the wall like that... that's just bizarre.
In one of my childhood homes the vinyl flooring went up under cabinets to create a base board as in the photo. So while it might be unusual, there's nothing improper or bizarre about it. This particular house had no base board anywhere, The walls were finished with a thin metal bead, similar to what is in the photo. That was part of the design to be very simple; modern, clean line.
I doubt the landlord would okey you removing what is on the wall, as Rucy suggests, just because you don't like it. I would suggest that you start or cut the floor pieces or tiles to be flush with the corner and then tile up the wall to cover that. Or you could get some of that vinyl baseboard used in commercial buildings to hide the wall part. Either way cut it so it stops below the metal bead.
What are you going to do with the walls?
Granted, it's unusual. But having that curve means one less place for the dust & dirt to get trapped.
Okay, I know I'm weird but I kind of love it. It's AWFUL I know, but it reminds me of my great-aunt's old house in Elmira, PA. :)
I would leave the floor. I would rip out the wallpaper and paint the walls some shimmery mustardy gold to pick up the color in the floor. If you have a breakfast nook, I would look for some old-style dinette set (you know, the type with chrome and vinyl) and a big gold cheesy chandelier and glam it up - sort of a 50s or 60s cheesy grandma style! Even if you don't have a breakfast nook, I think the color on the walls with some light blue accents and funky artwork MIGHT be fun - have to see the rest of the kitchen to tell. :)