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Inspired Remodels

bathroom remodel

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Tips

By / Bathroom Remodel, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on 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.

kitchen and bath remodeling tips to make a room appear larger use light walls and reflective surfaces make room appear larger

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!

kitchen remodeler makes kitchen functional

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.

sample orange county kitchen and cath remodel job y Inspired remodels

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.

Shower Remodeling Inspiration for 2025

By / Bathroom Remodel / Comments Off on Shower Remodeling Inspiration for 2025
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.

After shower remodeling blue and green floor tile matches wall tile behind white tubPopular Shower Remodeling Styles

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

Orange County bathroom remodel after picture showing black subway tile installed with white grout in herringbone patternWith 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!

shower remodel creates wet room

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.

shower remodeling gives spa like feel to bathroom

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 Showerssteam bath

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.

bathroom after shower remodeling

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.

 

 

Changing the Conventional Wisdom on Orange County General Contractors

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on Changing the Conventional Wisdom on Orange County General Contractors

Orange County general contractors often get a bad rap. People call them sleazy, unresponsive, unreliable, and dishonest. They refuse accountability. Then, when you need them the most, they disappear.

The contracting industry contains good and bad apples. Unfortunately, stereotypes rise from the actions of a few bad actors.   Inspired Remodels changes the view of Orange County general contractors.

General Contractor Horror Stories

Hire a general contractor and expect licensed, professional, and skilled workers.  The last thing you expect is a job that drag on for months. Or, subcontractors showing up to threaten placing a lien on your property because you haven’t been paid. That’s what happened to Robert S when he hired a general contractor to remodel his kitchen.  Read the entire horror story on Yelp.

Or, how about Susan? She hired a general contractor to redo her kitchen.  The job required the general contractor to replace ceiling popcorn with texture.  Sounds nice? Well, Susan received more than she expected.  The crazy general contractor hired a subcontractor to remove the popcorn and apply texture to every surface in the kitchen!  That’s right, imagine your ceiling and every wall covered in texture.  Talk about going overboard!

orange County general contractor adds blue lower cabinets and white upper cabinets to kitchen with grey and white blacksplashcustom kitchen remodel features blue cabinets

Design/Build Orange County General Contractor

Inspired Remodels paints a different picture of general contractors in Orange County.  See, Inspired Remodels maintains an active license, has full insurance, and keeps your best interest at heart.  They act as a design/build firm. Therefore you never suffer from miscommunication between the design firm and the contractor. So, whether you want a bathroom remodel, a kitchen remodel, or  custom cabinetry or flooring, they create the plans and specifications. Once you approve the design, they schedule the work. Next, they perform the work to your delight.

Patty G in Trabuco Canyon posts on Yelp

screenshot of Orange County general contractor review for Inspired Remodels on Yelp

Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online and schedule a consultation.  Share your project ideas, budget, and needs. Then, prepare for amazing results.  Get quality work performed to your satisfaction with Inspired Remodels.

Article originally published on 7/29/2016. It has been updated to reflect current information.