Bathroom Remodel Archives - Page 28 of 30

Bathroom Contractor Talks Bathroom Storage

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel, custom cabinets / Comments Off

Storage is a big deal when designing a kitchen. Many homeowners poor over catalogs and scour the net looking for ways to maximize storage in the kitchen. But when it comes to bathrooms, they don’t give storage much thought. Well the design and build experts at Inspired Remodels think your bathroom design should look beautiful and function even better than it looks. That’s why they have so many ways to provide storage in the bathroom.

Cabinets or Vanities for Storage?

Remodeling means learning the design and build lingo. For instance, do you know the difference between a bathroom cabinet and a bathroom vanity? Well remember that all vanities are cabinets but not all cabinets are vanities. Confused?

Cabinet or Vanity? Yes it is!

Vanities are a cabinets topped with a sink. So, if it has a sink on top; it’s a vanity. If there is no sink on top; it is a cabinet. Vanities and cabinets perform several functions. They hide the plumbing and provide storage. In the case of a vanity, it also provides a base for the countertop and sink.

Freestanding or Wall Mount Vanity?

Freestanding vanities or cabinets are both very popular. These vanities can look like furniture or have the traditional look of kitchen-style cabinets. They go to the floor on all sides, but they may have toe kickouts or may be on furniture-style legs. Freestanding vanities give you much mores storage space, but can make a small bathroom look even smaller.

Freestanding Furniture Style Vanity

Wall mount vanities do not go all the way to the floor. As the name implies, they are mounted directly to the wall. They require more flooring material, because the floor under the vanity is finished, but the added expanse of flooring tricks the eye into thinking the room is larger than it is. These style vanities give a modern look to a room, but the trade-off comes with lost storage.

Drawers Doors and Niches

When designing for your bathroom remodel, it’s important to take into consideration the items you want to store in the bathroom. Talk to your bathroom contractor about your needs for storing towels, toiletries, personal care appliances, and if your bathroom should also have storage for cleaning supplies.

Depending on what you need to store, they can make a recommendation on the correct configuration of cabinets with interior shelves and doors and cabinets with drawers. For many items, storage in a deep drawer is not practical. Bath towels and toilet paper for example aren’t well suited for storage in drawers. Bath salts, cotton balls, feminine hygiene products, and many more items are better suited for drawers.

Inspired Remodels believes that with a little forward thinking, function can be beautiful. For example, in this bathroom, the makeup mirror was attached to the wall negating the need for storage.

In addition, the mirrors are on hinged and hide additional storage.

This shower stool not only provides a safe, stable place to sit and shower, it doubles as storage of personal care products as well.

Showers can include niches for storage as well. Bath soap, shampoo, conditioner can all be kept at the tip of your fingers.

Custom cabinets can be designed to fit just about any wall space. You just need a bathroom contractor that is also a creative designer.

The Designing Bathroom Contractor

Inspired Remodels is the Orange County bathroom contractor that is a full service design and remodel firm. When you hire Inspired Remodels for your bathroom, kitchen, or whole house remodel you get a full service contractor. From the initial design to the final touch, Inspired Remodels will be with you every step of a way.

As a licensed, insured, and bonded general contractor Inspired Remodels can handle all facets of your bathroom remodel. You bring the ideas and we bring them to life. Need some inspiration? Check out our portfolio of bathroom remodels.

Call (949) 716-1938 today for your consultation or use our online contact form.

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Tips

Looking to give your kitchen or bathroom a facelift? If you are planning on updating your home, here are a few kitchen and bath remodeling tips to get the best results.

Light walls and reflective surfaces make room appear larger

Make the Room Feel Larger

We all like the feel of unlimited space when indoors. Maximize the space in even the smallest of rooms when you put color and light to work for you.

Light Colors. Make the kitchen or bath feel bigger without adding square footage when you use light colors. Any room feels bigger with light colors on the walls. It doesn’t matter whether you use paint, tile or wood; if it’s on the walls make it light.

Light finishes on the cabinets will also make a room feel larger. Light, bright, and smooth all give the illusion of space that really isn’t there.

Reflective Surfaces. Strategically place mirrors to add the appearance of space. Don’t forget that any reflective surface acts like a mirror. This means high gloss finishes on cabinets, floors, and shower walls, will make a room look bigger.

use LEDs in kitchen and bathroom remodel to save money

LEDs light the way

Go Green with LEDs

Lighting is an important part of any room. It’s especially important in the kitchen and bathroom. Whether you are considering recessed can-style lights, under cabinet lights, or interior cabinet lighting you should incorporate LED lighting where possible.

LEDs are small, so they are perfect for tiny spaces. They also emit very little heat. This is particularly important for installations inside cabinets. The use much less energy to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb. The cost more initially, but you will recoup your money in savings over the life of the bulb; and LEDs have a long life. You can expect LEDs to last anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000 hours. On the low side that means you could leave the light on for 2 years and it still wouldn’t burn out!

Keep in Mind Resale Potential

You may plan to live in your home for many, many years but plans can change. A change in jobs, marital status or health may require a move. The more “unique” you make your kitchen and bath remodel, the harder it will be to sell your home. What appeals to you may not appeal to future potential buyers. An experienced kitchen and bath remodeling pro knows what unique touches are popular with others and can help you strike just the right balance.

Don’t Do it Yourself

Speaking of using a professional remodeler, make sure you do! A kitchen or bathroom remodeling project is not the same as remodeling the bedroom or dining room. Plumbing is involved and you also need to think of the practical logistics of using the room. Use an experienced professional. Pick someone who understands your style and taste. Make sure they are qualified professionals who are licensed and insured.

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling with a Design Build Firm

There are definite advantages to using the services of a design build firm on kitchen and bath remodeling projects. These type of projects involved several skilled trades and these services must be closely coordinated. A design build firm like Inspired Remodels will give you a realistic schedule for completion of the work. They have resources and connections that are invaluable if there are problems with materials or unforeseen issues arise. They handle all the plumbing and electrical subcontracting and can keep the project on time and on budget. They can do the legwork to reduce the stress involved with remodeling.

Call Inspired Remodels at (949) 716-1938 or use the handy on-line Contact Us form to set an appointment for a consultation. A new kitchen or bathroom doesn’t need to be a dream. Inspired Remodels can turn your dream into reality.

local bathroom remodeling contractors (Orange County) after photo with seamless glass shower, white soaking tub, dual mirrors, and 3 contrasting tile patterns

Shower Remodeling Inspiration for 2025

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel / Comments Off

This article was originally published on August 12, 2016. It has been updated to reflect current shower remodeling trends.

In Orange County, bathroom remodeling often includes a complete shower makeover. Once novel additions, benches and niches now come standard. Frameless glass, hexagon tile, and lighted mirrors feature prominently these days. Whether you are remodeling the entire bathroom or just looking to update the bathing facilities, here are some shower remodeling ideas to inspire you.

Popular Shower Remodeling Styles

Glass galore! Orange County shower remodeling projects include loads of glass in 2025. Frameless glass makes showers and rooms look larger.

With the rise in popularity of separate soaking tubs, frameless glass showers allow the shower and tub areas to blend seamlessly.

Some showers include two heads but no door!

This Roman shower keeps the spray from the two shower heads contained without the use of additional glass for a door. This shower remodel creates a space that is easier to maintain while providing a classic look. Make sure your shower remodeling project considers maintenance!

Shower Hardware

The selection of shower hardware does more than just deliver water for cleaning. It contributes to the spa experience. Multiple shower heads, additional shower jets, and handheld showerheads offer a car wash-like experience when showering!

Remember your shower hardware selection is just part of your bathroom hardware. Bathroom hardware accessorizes the room just as fashion accessories finish an outfit.

shower remodel matches black shower hardware to sink hardware

Shower hardware matches the sink hardware style and color

There are two design schools of thought when it comes to bathroom hardware. One approach is that all hardware must match in finish and style for a unified look. Other designers like the appeal of mixing and matching hardware finishes and styles to provide contrast.

The shower head doesn’t need to match the sink faucet, but the metals and styles should coordinate. If you like the mix-and-match approach, hardware can be one place to add a pop of color to a room that is otherwise monochromatic.

Steam Showers

Yearning for a steam shower? A bathroom remodel offers a great opportunity to incorporate a steam shower into your design. Steam showers are trendy now but they have their roots in ancient Rome.

Steam bathing is incredibly eco-friendly. A 20-minute steam shower uses only 2 gallons of water! Just compare that to how much water even the stingiest water-saving shower head uses.

Since a steam shower requires room for the generator, the best time to convert a conventional shower to a steam shower is during a remodel. Modern steam showers heat up quickly and can also be plumbed to deliver cold water to the same shower stall; combining the best of both shower worlds.

Get Inspired by the Shower Remodel Experts

Need more inspiration? Call on the shower remodel experts at Inspired Remodels. They’ve been helping Orange County homeowners convert remodeling dreams into reality for years.

Inspired Remodels offers full service, design/build general contractor services. This means they work with you every step of the way. From the initial consultation, through design, and then demo and renovation you will work with one firm. No worry about hassling with subcontractors for different trades. Your project manager will take care of anything. We understand that any remodeling to your home is stressful and we take care to minimize the stress.

Check out our portfolio of bathroom and shower remodeling jobs for even more inspiration then call (949) 716-1938 and schedule an appointment for a consultation.