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Inspired Remodels

Author: Inspired Remodels

More Orange County Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Inspiration

As we approach the two-thirds mark on our march through 2025, the emphasis on style, functionality, and convenience continues when it comes to kitchen and bath remodeling in Orange County homes.

Homeowners crave comfort as well as sophistication in their projects. We looked at kitchen and bath remodeling trends at the first of the year. Let’s dive in and take a look again. Surely you’ll find something to inspire you in the bathroom, kitchen, and whole house renovations by Inspired Remodels.

Orange County kitchen remodel after adding brown custom hood to white kitchen

Custom Kitchen Hoods

Ventilation hoods no longer serve a purely utilitarian purpose. Upscale kitchen remodeling projects in Orange County now include custom hoods. No longer a workhorse, these custom kitchen hoods now serve as statement pieces.

Custom hoods complement the cabinetry and overall design aesthetic while efficiently removing particles, odors, and heat generated by cooking indoors.

custom kitchen remodeling after white custom range hood installed to match white cabinetsThis gorgeous range hood efficiently removes grease, moisture, and particles from the air and thus prevents them from settling on backsplashes, counters, and cabinets. And it looks stunning whether at work or simply waiting for the next task.

Custom hoods also let you make the most of the space available and allow you to integrate hoods in odd-shaped areas.

flooring contractor after bathroom remodeling: Taupe and white patterned hex tile in bathroom with navy vanity

Big Vibes in Small Spaces

Powder rooms and guest bathrooms are stepping up their design game in Orange County. Bath remodeling in smaller spaces includes floating vanities for the ultimate visual trick to make the room look bigger.

kitchen and bath remodeling contractor after adding glass shower to guest bathroom

Bright chrome fixtures and barn door-inspired hardware bring a contemporary look with strong vibes that make a small guest bathroom appear spacious. 

Don’t be afraid to use color and pattern. But exercise moderation. With bold colors, a little goes a very long way. In small spaces, this adage rings doubly true.

 

Natural Materials

Along with biophilic design, natural materials find their way into kitchen and bath remodeling projects all over Orange County.

White and white oak kitchen cabinetry with pendant lighting and light wood-tone porcelain floors

Stone and wood play dominant roles in cabinetry, flooring, and shelving. Earthy tones provide a neutral backdrop that lets pops of brighter colors shine. 

Whether the homeowner opts for authentic wood floors or wood-look porcelain and ceramic tiles, wood flooring remains a dominant choice in both kitchen and bath remodeling projects. 

Black kitchen island with seating and white perimeter cabinets with Cambria quartz countertops

While quartz remains popular for countertops, homeowners opt for quartzite to bring a more natural feel to their designs. Stone, granite, and marble add a touch of cool elegance to any kitchen and bath remodeling update.

Luxury Twists

For the kitchen, this can mean dedicated dining areas, undercounter lighting, and high-end appliances.  In the bathroom, homeowners want luxury in the form of heated or lighted mirrors, heated floors, and standalone tubs.

local home remodeling contractor (orange county) after adding new brass kitchen faucet and white farmhouse sink

Primary retreats include en suite bathrooms where the spa vibe dominates. Once again, look to natural luxury materials like wood custom cabinets and stone vanity tops. Toss in a fireplace for the ultimate luxury touch. 

Orange county general contractor adds fireplace to San Clemente bathroom remodeling to match black and white theme

Orange County Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Pros

In Orange County, trust your kitchen and bath remodeling project to the pros at Inspired Remodels. Watch your dreams transform into plans, and plans become reality.

Whether you need an updated kitchen, new life in the bathroom, or an update to the entire house, Inspired Remodels creates functional and beautiful spaces for the way you live. 

 

 

General Contractors that Design and Build

From initial inspiration to the last construction detail, Inspired Remodels provides full general contractor and design services for Orange County remodels and renovations.

One room or the whole house, our customers enjoy extraordinary craftsmanship, laser-focused attention to detail, and dedication to customer satisfaction with every interaction.

Here’s what sets the design-build model apart.

general contractors blueprints for kitchen renovation

Reimagining General Contracting

In a traditional general contractor (GC) role, the GC hires and manages the subcontractors, ensures the job site is safe, and installs the materials purchased by the homeowner. In some instances, the GC may also purchase the necessary materials, alleviating some of the work of the homeowner. They visit their client’s homes, check the quality and progress of the work, and update the homeowner, as necessary. 

If a problem arises throughout the process, the homeowner serves as the liaison between the designer(s) and the general contractor. For example, if the contractor is in the middle of construction and finds something unexpected in the wall that cannot be moved, or is costly to do so, that impacts the design put into place by the designer, the homeowner would need to coordinate with both parties to determine the best path forward. 

With the design-build approach to general contracting, the homeowner hires one firm to do all the work involved in the renovation or remodel. The project starts with the designer listening to the client’s unique needs and understanding their vision and goals for the project. Then the designer turns ideas into plans and component specifications.

Next, the plans become reality under the direction of the general contractor, working hand-in-hand with the designer along the way. 

puzzle pieces over green grass

Bringing Designers and General Contractors Together

Better Communication + Coordination = Less Homeowner Stress

Ask any  general contractor if undergoing a home remodel adds stress and strain to their clients’ lives. The honest ones will tell you yes, then explain how they try to make it better.

Putting the design and build functions under one umbrella gives the homeowner a single point of contact – typically the firm’s Project Manager or Site Supervisor. That improves communication, and in-turn reduces stress.

Unlike the typical general contractor and designer scenario where the homeowner is acting as the point person, in the design-build scenario, a Project Manager oversees the coordination of work on the homeowner’s behalf. This reduces the risk of miscommunication and errors (and headaches). 

A unified team shares the vision and goals of the project, leading to smoother collaboration and faster decision-making – reducing stress on the homeowner!

Orange County general contractors after pic of black and white kitchen remodel

Improved Outcomes = Better Customer Satisfaction

The collaborative nature of the design and build approach fosters stronger client-designer-builder relationships. This results in highly tailored renovation, remodeling, and renovation projects satisfying outcomes for clients and general contractors, too. 

Because homeowners received coordinated expert guidance throughout the process, their vision becomes a reality effectively and efficiently. If problems come to light during the demolition process, for example, the designer gets notification and begins work on alternatives to solve the problem. Instead of getting bad news, the homeowner gets notification of the situation and proposed solutions.  This collaborative approach improves customer satisfaction, even when problems arise.

General Contractor and Coto de Caza Real Estate Company Owner - Joe Mueller head shot

Inspired Designers and General Contractors

Inspired Remodels offers design and build services to Orange County homeowners. With over 20 years of experience in home remodeling, Joe Mueller takes on the role of both General Contractor and designer. From the initial meet and greet at the design center, Joe gets a feel for the wants and needs of every client and helps them bring their visions to life. Whether a homeowner comes in to the process knowing exactly what they want, or if they need help in their decision making process, Joe can guide them each step of the way.

Joe brings an added element of expertise as a real estate broker, helping clients evaluate their renovations not just for aesthetics and function, but for long-term value. Through the eyes of a broker, he’s able to guide homeowners in their decisions taking into account how long the client intends to stay in the home and ensuring the improvements made are appropriate for the neighborhood they are in.

With all of the materials needed to complete a remodel available at the design center, Orange County homeowners can avoid the stress of having the track down materials on their own. From tile, countertops and cabinets, to plumbing fixtures, accessories, and lighting, see everything come together all in one place!

Choosing Floor Tile Size: Advice from a Flooring Contractor

By / Bathroom Remodel, Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on Choosing Floor Tile Size: Advice from a Flooring Contractor

When it comes to remodeling your Orange County home or adding on a new space, selecting the right floor tile size means more than just making a design choice. Consider this decision a strategic one. Ask any experienced flooring contractor, and they will tell you that the tile size you select affects room appearance and even how easy the floor is to maintain.

Use the advice from Inspired Remodels, an Orange County flooring contractor, to help you pick the best size tile for your home. Learn the many ways tile size impacts your flooring project.

flooring contractor tile size comparison chart

Common Floor Tile Sizes

Porcelain and stone tiles come in a wide range of sizes. Here are the most common formats available for Orange County homes:

  • Small tiles: 2″x2″, 4″x4″, 6″x6″ are great for mosaics, shower floors, or detailed patterns.
  • Standard tiles: 12″x12″, 12″x24″, 18″x18″ offer versatility that makes them popular for residential floors.
  • Large-format tiles: 24″x24″, 24″x48″ work well with the open-concept spaces so popular in Southern California and enhance modern designs.
  • Plank-style tiles: 6″x24″, 8″x48″, 12″x36″ come into play when you opt for wood-look porcelain floors.

Courtesy Novo Drain

Why Tile Size Matters

The tile size impacts everything from the look of the floor to how easy it is to maintain.

Visual Impact on Room Size

Larger tiles make small rooms feel bigger by reducing grout lines. Large format tile like a 24″x24″, 24″ x 48″, or varying sizes of wood-look porcelain tile create a sleek, open feel in a kitchen or living room. Smaller tiles, by contrast, add texture and pattern but can make small areas feel crowded. So, use large tiles in open areas and smaller tiles where detail or traction is needed, like bathroom floors.

Design Goals and Aesthetics

The tile size you pick should complement the aesthetic of the overall design of the space. Whether you aim for a modern, traditional, or eclectic look, make sure the tile and the tile size itself supports your goal. 

In general:

  • Modern spaces thrive on large-format tiles with minimal grout.
  • Traditional homes may benefit from medium-sized tiles with a warm pattern.
  • Rustic or eclectic designs often use mixed-size tiles or tiles that create mosaic patterns.

So, don’t ruin your modern design with small, polygon tiles.flooring contractor after large format tile installed

Grout and Maintenance

One overlooked advantage of larger floor tiles is less grout to clean. Fewer joints mean fewer places for dirt to settle. Smaller tiles require more grout, and more grout means more maintenance.  If easy maintenance is a priority, tile size should be part of the conversation with your flooring contractor. Also, discuss sealing grout or using grout with an integrated sealant to prevent staining and keep grout lines clean.

flooring contractor after picture with stone tile with blue accents

What Flooring Contractors Recommend

Every space is different, but flooring contractors apply these general guidelines for most Orange County projects:

  • Bathrooms: Use 12″x24″ tiles to elongate the space or mosaics for traction in wet areas like the shower floor.
  • Kitchens & hallways: Depending on the size of the space, larger format tiles reduce grout lines and look modern.
  • Open living areas: 24″x48″ tiles create a seamless, spacious feeling to rooms.

Work with a Flooring Contractor to Get It Right

The right floor tile size balances beauty, function, and cost. Whether you’re going for bold and modern or timeless and classic, tile size plays a central role in the success of your remodeling or renovation project. Work with a trusted flooring contractor and use their expertise to help you make a decision that elevates your space, beautifully and practically.