Home Improvement Archives - Page 7 of 35

Flooring Contractor Uses Biophilic Design in Orange County

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / 1 Comment

Biophilic design evolved from Biophilia and was introduced by Stephen Kellert in 1983. It has gained popularity ever since. This design connects our indoor living spaces with the outdoor environment through design. Inspired Remodels, an Orange County flooring contractor, understands that the choice of flooring materials and colors plays a key role in the overall biophilic design. Think of a color palette that resonates with the local Orange County landscape, from desert to mountains, sea, and sky. Consider natural and man-made materials that emulate their natural counterparts.

after flooring contractor installs grey flooring in living area

Grey wood floors, plants, and natural fiber rug contribute to biophilic design

Flooring Material Options

Any Orange County flooring contractor that uses biophilic design looks first to natural materials. Some examples of natural materials that could be used for flooring options include stone, wood, bamboo, concrete, or even tile made to look like these materials.

Natural Stone

For the Orange County landscape, slate, sandstone, and travertine offer the rugged textures and tones of our beautiful mountains and rock formations. The use of a matte finish maintains the earthy look of the stone. It is important to note that natural stone may not be right for every home as it does require regular maintenance and sealing.

Engineered Wood

While any wood does the job, selecting lighter tones or weathered woods maintains the biophilic aesthetic and complements other natural design elements. Woods like oak or hickory bring warmth while mimicking the sun-bleached look of our arid region. Available from most brands are wide planks which help to maintain the natural feel. Engineered wood has shifted from the shiny, polished look of the 90’s to a more matte or wire-brushed finish.

Alternative Tile Options

Natural stone or engineered wood may not be the right fit for every home. If you are looking for the biophilic aesthetic without the care and maintenance of natural materials, tile brands like Arizona Tile have created porcelain tiles made to look like wood, concrete, slate, or even marble.

Color Schemes

Natural finishes make the ideal starting point for color options. Matte finishes maintain the aesthetic. The flooring color should complement or contrast with the other colors used in the room.

Popular not only to biophilic design but also deemed as one of the industry’s trends for 2025, earth tones. Think colors that appear naturally. Colors such as sandy beige, soft taupe, or warm terracotta pair well with rust red, ochre, or burnt orange to mirror the rocks in the Santa Ana mountains.

Neutral grays mimic the weathered look of rugged stone and mountain shadows. This flooring color pairs well with warm walls and balances cool tones in the room.

Orange County flooring contractor photo after installing wood LVP in kitchen with green cabinets and white countertop

LVP looks like wood

Desert greens like sage or olive echo native flora. Soft blues and blush pinks bring in the colors of the Pacific and sky at dusk or dawn. Luxury vinyl flooring (LVP) planks in ash or oak naturally match these colors.

Accents in Natural Finishes

Other ways to incorporate biophilic design into your home include accents and accessories.

Wood accents. Things like floating shelves, mantels, or accent walls finished in a natural wood bring natural warmth into the space and embrace the tones of biophilic design.
Natural fiber rugs and carpet. Whether sisal, jute, seagrass or another natural fiber, accent rugs or even carpet are available through brands like our partners at Fibreworks.

Flooring contractor after picture: Hardwood flooring on stairs and landing

Stair flooring is not a DIY project

Orange County Flooring Contractor for Biophilic Design

Not every flooring contractor in Orange County understands the use of biophilic design. Get your flooring through Inspired Remodels and you will be assured that your design incorporates biophilic design if that’s your preference.
Bring your design ideas to Inspired Remodels and reap the benefits of a truly inspired design for years to come. Schedule a consultation today.

Orange County General Contractor Finds and Creates Dream Homes

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Did you know that Orange County’s trusted home remodeling team also helps you buy and sell homes too? It’s true, Inspired Remodels the Orange County general contractor that creates dream spaces also helps you buy and sell as well. Through a partnership with a sister company, Inspired Realty, Joe Mueller acts not only as an Orange County general contractor but as a real estate broker as well.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The Clash rocked and jammed as they asked the question, “Should I stay or should I go now?”. Homeowners looking to upgrade or remodel major portions of their homes often ask the same question.

Maybe you need another bedroom or bathroom to accommodate a growing family or need renovations to make the home accessible for older family members.

If you love your neighborhood and have room for additions, Inspired Remodels provides all the general contractor services required for a full home remodel and update from top to bottom.

New bedrooms, new bathrooms, new kitchen, decorative stair railings, and updated flooring give an older house a new look. La Cantina doors that unite indoor living without outdoor entertaining double usable space. Inspired Remodels converts run-of-the-mill homes to family retreats.

Finding Your Dream Home

So, whether you opt for remodeling or moving, Inspired Remodels and Inspired Realty stand at the ready.
Tell the team about your dream home. If your existing home lacks the potential to realize your vision, you’ll find out. Then between Inspired Remodels and Inspired Realty, you’ll get all the help you need to get your existing home ready to sell and find your new home in the community you want.

When Joe takes off his Orange County general contractor hard hat and puts on his Orange County real estate broker polo shirt, he’s ready to scout for the perfect property for you.

Feel free to focus on the floorplan while Joe shares his vision for what the space can become. Most real estate agents lack the vision to see a home through the eyes of a general contractor.

Take out this wall, change this stairway, open up this room, and add windows, doors, or patios. The contractor sees what is possible and the realtor sees how to procure the property.

Orange County General Contractor Also Offer Real Estate Services

So, now you know. Inspired Remodels and Inspired Realty offer everything you need to sell a home, find a new home, or convert your existing home into the place of your dreams.

Share your vision and then find out whether it makes sense to stay or go. Either way, Inspired Remodels and Inspired Realty remain at the ready to help.

Orange County General Contractor Shares 5 Updates with Greatest ROI

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Exterior upgrades continue to deliver the best return on investment (ROI) in Orange County’s housing market. If you’re looking for the most impactful, cost-effective improvements, focusing on the home’s exterior is still the smart move. Inspired Remodels, a local Orange County general contractor shares 5 updates that return the greatest ROI. Not surprisingly, four of the five upgrades impact the curb appeal of the home and only one can be seen from the interior.

Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

Adding or updating a steel entry door returns the greatest bang for the buck in Southern California. According to Zonda Media’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, the money you spend on a new steel entry door returns about 300% of the cost in added home value.

Factors such as a relatively low cost for materials and labor compared to the positive high impact on exterior appearance make this update a no-brainer in the bang-for-the-buck department.

Garage Door Upgrade

This perennial ROI winner falls to second place in 2024, behind the entry door replacement. For many years, garage door replacement topped the ROI lists.

Like the entry door, garage doors won’t break the bank and add an incredible amount of curb appeal to homes.

These days, people opt for wood-look doors, doors with windows, and doors with architectural embellishments. No longer just a functional panel you raise when you take the SUV in and out, garage doors contribute to the overall style of the home.

With an ROI of 293.8% on average in this area, a garage door upgrade or replacement continues to be a great way to add value and curb appeal to your Orange County home.

After general contractor adds versetta manufactured stone panels to front of California house to look like stone

Source: Versetta Stone

Manufactured Stone Veneer

This product mimics the looks of natural stone. However, it costs less and is easier to install than natural stone, allowing it to pack a real ROI punch.

Depending on the amount of manufactured stone veneer installed, you can reap an ROI of up to 220% on a $12,000 project.

Don’t relegate stone veneer to the front of the home. This material’s versatility makes it the perfect choice for the backyard as well.

Create a Grand Entrance

Welcome home! Impress yourself, neighbors, and visitors with an impressive entryway. Removing the existing door, reframing, and adding sidelights and a new door create an awe-inspiring entry to your home.

This type of project requires more materials, more detailed work, and more labor than other exterior upgrades, so the ROI drops to 163%. Quite an impressive return on creating an impressive entrance to the home.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

This is the only interior project of the top 5 projects with the highest ROI. A minor kitchen remodel keeps the same layout, updates the cabinet fronts, replaces the flooring and appliances, and adds new hardware and countertops.

You can expect to see an ROI of about 139% with this type of update. However, this return doesn’t consider the energy savings from replacing old appliances with energy-efficient new appliances. Use the Southern California Edison Marketplace to compare the energy efficiency of your appliances before you purchase. Once you factor in energy efficiency, you may find your ROI is higher.

One Orange County General Contractor For All Your Needs

Whether your goal is ROI on the sale of your home or just a more modern, functional, and beautiful space, Inspired Remodels is the Orange County general contractor for all your needs.

From whole house remodels to kitchen renovations and shower remodels, let Joe Mueller turn your remodeling dreams into reality.

Schedule a consultation today.