Bathroom Remodel Archives - Page 25 of 30

Bathroom Designers Tips for a Spa-Like Bathroom

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel / Comments Off

You don’t have to go to the spa to experience a spa-like retreat. If you follow these five tips by bathroom designers, you can have a spa at home.

Floors with Warmth

Spas are relaxing because they appeal to all of your senses. Achieve the yin yang of relaxing warmth and coolness with wood-like flooring. Wood provides warm visual appeal, but it’s not practical for wet areas. Porcelain and ceramic tile that looks like hardwood is the answer. You get the look and feel of hardwood with the ease of maintenance of tile. It resists moisture, scratching and scuffing. It’s perfect for the bathroom. The tile can have a traditional tile surface or a woodgrain finish.

But that’s just the start. Use underfloor heating to keep bathroom chill at bay. Your toesies will be toasty with heated floors. Heating can be applied as part of a new floor or can be applied between floor joists to existing floors. It’s cost effective too. Just heat the bathroom when it’s in use.

Thirsty Towels

Be sure to set out plenty of towels. Don’t use just any towel. Splurge on high absorbency towels that dry fast. Eco Dry towels by Welspun are plush and wick water away from your skin then dry quickly on the towel bar. Dermatologists recommend you pat skin dry without rubbing. Eco Dry towels are perfect. For even more luxury, place towels on a towel warmer.

Frameless Shower Doors

Even the smallest spa appears spacious through judicious use of light and glass. You can make your bathroom look larger using the same tricks. So, ditch traditional shower doors (and the hassle of keeping sliding door tracks clean) and forgo shower curtains. Get frameless glass shower doors. Extends the shower seamlessly to the rest of the bathroom. Look how this bathroom looks larger by the use of a frameless door.

Rainshower Heads

Simulate the feel of showering in a rainstorm. Install a rain shower style showerhead. These heads are mounted on the wall or the ceiling. Water falls from overhead instead of a more vertical direction. You can get one the size of a dinner plate or a model with a removable handheld shower. Most models have multiple settings from a gentle shower to an invigorating pulse.

Soaking Tub

A soaking tub can be the ultimate spa indulgence in your bathroom. When shopping, decide what features are important to you. Are arm rests or foot rests key? Do you want contours? Don’t be shy about sitting in a tub in the showroom (dressed of course) to make sure the size is right. Speaking of size, make sure your hot water heater has capacity to fill the tub. Acrylic tubs are less expensive but cast iron stays warm longer.

Bathroom Designers Turning Dreams into Reality

When you are ready to turn your dream of a spa bathroom into reality, contact Inspired Remodels of Orange County. You’ll get the services of more than just a bathroom designer. You’ll get complete design and build services. Your bathroom designers are your bathroom contractors when you work with Inspired Remodels. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online to schedule your consultation.

Is Granite Gone from the Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Scene?

Granite has been a foundational finish in kitchen and bathroom remodeling since the late 1980’s. Once considered a must have material in any upscale project, not only has it gone mainstream; it’s heyday may be over. Nobody will argue that marble isn’t beautiful. But as many homeowners have learned over the years, it is maintenance intensive. Marble has also been proven to emit radon gas. That’s just a few of the reasons that materials that provide the same clean look are taking the place of marble.

Engineered Stone

When you hear the term “engineered stone” you may think of cultured marble or Corian. Those while those are both are engineered stone surfaces (“Corian” is actually a registered trademark of DuPont, not a real stone) they are not the only engineered stone materials made. The “quartz” countertops that are gaining popularity are actually engineered stone. Engineered quartz to be exact.

Engineered quartz is manufactured in a variety of colors and finishes. It is made by mixing ground quartz with polymers, resins and pigments. The resulting material is as strong as stone, but much easier to maintain. Because it is man made, the pigments are mixed equally making for a more consistent product.

You can use engineered quartz or any engineered stone product in your kitchen and bathroom remodeling project without worrying about matching slabs of stone. The look is consistent and seams are almost invisible.

It provides a hygienic surface because it is not porous. That’s important in a kitchen where food is prepared and bathrooms that are exposed to bodily fluids. Engineered stones are tough, stain and scratch resistant and available in a dizzying array of finishes.

Concrete Countertops

Just as stained concrete is gaining in popularity as a floor finish, stained concrete is a rising star for kitchen and bathroom counters. Concrete can be surfaced in any color or pattern you can imagine. There are concrete overlays that are indistinguishable from tile. All without the hassle of cleaning the grout.

Just look as this countertop.

Does this look like concrete to you? Of course not, but it is. The surface has been highly polished to give that shine. Pigments were added to the concrete so the color and finish is now an integral part of the construction.

Because it is concrete, it was easily formed into the circular shape. That’s not a design that is easy to bring to life working with granite or stone, but because concrete is poured and shaped, anything is possible.

Inspired Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling from Inspired Remodels

Whether you want granite, engineered stone, concrete, tile or wood in your next project, Inspired Remodels can make it happen. We make your dream kitchen or bathroom a reality. Call (949) 625- 6820 today and schedule your consultation.

Why Work with a Design Build Remodeling Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel, Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

If you are remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or any other room in your house it pays to work with a design-build remodeling contractor. It is much more efficient, reduces the chances of communication errors, and makes for a smoother experience. Here’s why.

Traditional Model

With the traditional model, you would hire a designer to create your design. This person would work with you to come up with the floor plan, layout, finishes, and fixtures associated with the remodel. They would come up with specifications and turn the job over to you. The designer or planner may or may not be able to make recommendations for a contractor to do the work. They may or may not be willing to manage the work. Commonly, you take the architectural plans, find your contractor, and supervise the job. If there is any question about materials or the plan, the contractor lets you know, you check with the designer and then get back with the contractor.

This isn’t the easiest or most efficient way to do the job. But it does give you the benefit of the services of an experienced designer.

Design Build Model

With a design-build model, the contractor provides design services. The contractor has a person on staff who works with you to create your design. You sit down with your idea book and the designer listens to how you want to use the space as well as your wants and needs. The designer then works with you to create a plan that incorporates what you want out of the space with the budget you have established.

Once the designer is finished the plans are turned over to the build portion of the company. The general contractor brings in the necessary materials and subcontractors to do the work. If there is a question about the plan, communication is easy because the contractor and designer are not only on the same team, they work for the same company.

This model reduces homeowner stress. It also improves communication. Design-build increases the probability that the job will be completed on time and budget.

Sample of Work by Inspired Remodels – Orange County’s Design Build Remodeling Contractor

Work with a Professional Remodeling Contractor

No matter which approach you take, work with a professional remodeling contractor. A professional remodeling contractor knows what permits must be pulled, has relationships with professional tradesmen, carries liability insurance, and is licensed by the State of California.

A professional won’t burn you on your kitchen remodel or leave you underwater with a bathroom do-over. Most of the horror stories you hear are the result of working with unlicensed contractors, so hire a pro.

Inspired Remodels is Orange County’s Design Build Remodeling Contractor

Get Inspired from Floor to Ceiling

Want the best for your next bathroom or kitchen remodel? Hire the best. Hire Inspired Remodels. Joe and Jason Mueller will sit down with you to discuss your project. They turn your dream into reality. They craft kitchens that function as well as they look, bathrooms and bedrooms that provide a retreat, custom cabinets, and fabulous fireplaces. Whether you need one room or a whole house, Inspired Remodels is up to the task. Just check out what their clients have to say on Yelp. Then call (949) 716-1938 and schedule your appointment today.