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Kitchen Renovation Company Has Tips to Make the Most of Your Space

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

If you have limited kitchen space, finding storage space for pots and pans, cutlery, and silverware is a challenge. Finding space is easier said than done. Almost any kitchen renovation company has a few tricks for making the most of available space. Here are a few pro tips.

Use Cabinet Tops and Bottoms and Sides

There is ample space on the top of your cabinets – you can put special-occasion serving platters and even extra pantry supplies that you don’t need all that frequently. This is a great way to make serving dishes do double duty. First they decorate the kitchen, then they decorate the table. Notice how this cabinet design incorporates shelves at the end of the cabinets. Genius!

You can even use the space between your cabinets as in this kitchen to the left. Great way to store wine.

Keep the space from feeling cluttered with wire bins and baskets. In a pinch you can add hooks to the bottom of upper cabinets to hold mugs. Don’t ignore the real estate on cabinet tops, bottoms, and sides.

Downsize Furniture

How large does that breakfast table need to be? Does the entire family eat breakfast together most days? If the answer is “no” you can get by with a smaller table for an eat-in kitchen. For instance, using a half-moon table in lieu of a round table is an excellent idea to gain kitchen space. Eliminate the table altogether if you have a large kitchen island. Drop leaf tables provide more space when the table isn’t in use.

Ask a Kitchen Renovation Company to Remodel the Island

Depending on how your island is configured, you may be able to add shelving for extra space.

Notice how this island incorporates plenty of storage. The glass doors make it as pretty as it is functional. It’s a great alternative if you currently don’t use the island base for storage.

Talk to your kitchen renovation company about an upgrade to your island to get additional space.

Explore adding base cabinets if your island doesn’t incorporate them. You may not need a kitchen upgrade, you may need an island upgrade.

Use Pegboards

Julia Child was famous for filling her walls. If you visit Julia Child’s kitchen at The Natural Museum of History, you’ll see she loved pegboards. Be like Julia and don’t leave the walls empty. Pegboards hang pots, pans, and utensils. Pegboards make better use of space than shelves. So don’t overlook walls when looking for extra space.

Utilize the Space over the Fridge

The space over your fridge is typically unused, and most tend to forget about it. You can keep large pots, pans, and other items that are rarely used on top. The space between the soffit and the refrigerator incorporates two cabinets that match the other cabinets. Granted, this space isn’t easy to access, but that’s why you use it to store rarely used items.

Use Toekick Drawers

Toekick drawers work in kitchens of all sizes. If you are talking to a kitchen renovation company about new cabinets, ask about integrating toekick drawers. They transform previously unused space into storage that sleekly holds a short stack of pans, linens, or pantry items.

The Kitchen Renovation Company that Knows How to Use Space

Whether you have a large or small space, trust Inspired Remodels to make the most of your kitchen area. They design and build functional and beautiful rooms using innovative ideas to make the most of your space. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today.

Shower Remodeling Ideas for Walk-in Showers

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel / Comments Off

Shower remodeling is tricky. The shower sets the tone for the entire bathroom. Get the shower wrong and the entire bathroom looks like a disaster. Here’s a little practical advice and some ideas to get you thinking about your next shower remodeling project.

Space Determines Shape in Shower Remodeling

Your walk-in shower size is determined by the space available. Think outside the box to make the most of the space you have. Showers can be curved, rectangular, square, and can tuck into many unlikely places. In the photo above, the shower was placed in the area between the door to the room and the vanity. Not the traditional space but it works perfectly to create the traditional rectangular shower space.

On the other hand, this space saving walk-in shower makes use of a corner. With a walk-in shower, you aren’t constrained by the size of a traditional tub. This corner shower is spacious and makes most of the room available. Using clear glass for the enclosure make the space look larger too. When you install light tile on the shower walls you visually make the room appear larger as well. The contrasting accent tile on the wall and shower floor provide texture and visual appeal.

Corner showers and curved showers make the most of a small space. So think outside the box when looking at the shape and size of the room.

Splurge on Shower Heads

Take your time selecting your shower head. First think about the finish. Brushed nickel, chrome, and rubbed bronze are all popular finishes. Select a finish that complements the tile color or provides a dash of contrast. Structurally, shower heads designs are categorized as vintage, modern, or industrial. Consider the finish and style of other bathroom fixtures when selecting the shower head. One walk-in shower doesn’t mean one shower head. Splurge on a rainfall shower head for those spa-like showers and a removable shower head for when you need to get down to business. The walk-in shower to the left may be small in size but it packs a punch with multiple shower heads. Use one at a time or all at once.

If you plan to use multiple shower heads, talk to the shower remodeling contractor before work begins. You may need to increase the size of the pipes coming into the shower to provide enough water flow.

Extras to Elevate Your Shower Remodeling Project

Elevate your shower with windows, benches, and niches. Incorporate any of these in almost any shower design. Niches provide storage for in-shower grooming products and benches provide a space to sit and enjoy them.

Niches and windows also provide an avenue to customize your shower as well. Frosted glass contrasts with clear. Contrasting tile shapes and colors adorn niches. As you enjoy the rainfall spray or sit and give yourself a good scrub you’ll be glad you took the time to add those little extras to your project.

Rely on the Shower Remodeling Experts

Rely on the shower remodeling experts at Inspired Remodels to craft the walk-in shower of your dreams. From the largest ensuite master bathroom to the smallest guest bath, Inspired Remodels designs and builds custom walk-in showers, bathrooms, kitchens and more. Call (949) 716-1938 and schedule your shower remodeling consultation today.

kitchen renovation contractor uses island space to create eat-in kitchen

Dreaming of a Kitchen Island – Talk to a Kitchen Renovation Contractor Now!

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Gone are the days when kitchens were merely used for cooking meals. Today’s kitchen is where new recipes get tested, the family gathers, and friends are entertained. Your kitchen renovation contractor must design a functional kitchen not just a pretty one. And a kitchen island is a must for functionality.

The Function of the Kitchen Island

Islands can be used for several functions. So start by deciding the job of your kitchen island. If the island is for cooking, you must include space for appliances like oven, cooktop, and necessary ventilation. If you want it for a prepping station, a large and clear surface with a prep sink and dishwasher will do. On the other hand, your island may extend the eating and seating areas in the house.

Kitchen Renovation Contractor Tips for Island Design

The main concern with design is space. Without enough room, the island is an obstruction that might prevent access to major work areas like sink, fridge, and cooktop. Always start by considering the existing space constraints of the kitchen before considering appliances and features. The island must be proportional to the kitchen size. Just because you have a large space, doesn’t you should have a large kitchen island. Right size the island in your design to avoid wasting space.

Consider the Aisle Space

To work well in the kitchen, you need easy access to counters and other work spaces. Avoid traffic jams. Demarcate the space for the island and then measure the distance to the kitchen counters. Ideally, you should have an aisle of around 40 inches. In a small space you can go as low as 35 inches but that’s the minimum. Don’t put too much space between the counters and the island either. That requires too many steps to be efficient.

Incorporate Storage Space

Contemporary kitchen islands should have proper storage units and smart cabinets, so the kitchen stays neat and organized, while ensuring you have everything required within reach. The choice of shelving units and cabinets has to be determined as per the specific needs of the kitchen. If you have limited space, there are fold-away inserts and drawers with extra depth that make up for the lack of room.

Determine Your Island Surface

Popular island top materials like marble look elegant. While the island surface should match the other surfaces, it doesn’t have to be the same.

For example, if you are using the island for food prep, consider a butcher block top. For any easy to clean and long-lasting surface, go for stainless steel. If the island is a cooking station, opt for easy to care for surfaces like quartz and select appliances that match the rest of the kitchen. This kitchen island surface is beautiful and beautifully contrasts with the other countertops.

Inspired Remodels is the Kitchen Renovator Contractor that Turns Island Dreams into Reality

When you’re ready to stop dreaming of a new island and start using one, call Inspired Remodels. Let Orange County’s finest kitchen renovation contractor design a kitchen island that is functional, beautiful and a welcome member of your home for years to come. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today.

Author: Inspired Remodels