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How to Use Color in Kitchen Remodeling: Tips for SoCal Homes

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on How to Use Color in Kitchen Remodeling: Tips for SoCal Homes

Kitchen remodeling breathes new life into a home. In Orange County, where style reigns, creating a high-end kitchen relies on the creative use of color. From cabinetry to flooring, backsplashes, and lighting, the right color choices transform your kitchen into a stunning, functional space.

Kitchen remodeling after with Black and white kitchen design with matte gold accents

Cabinetry: The Heart of Kitchen Design

Cabinets constitute the largest visual feature in most kitchens, making their color choice critical. Consider neutral tones like white, cream, or gray for a high-end look. These timeless shades give your kitchen a spacious and elegant feel.

Opt for deep navy, forest green, or even black and make a bold statement. These darker tones create a luxurious atmosphere and pair beautifully with brass or gold hardware. Orange County kitchens that draw on the environmental beauty of our area pull in soft blues or sage green without creating dark rooms.

Ladera Ranch kitchen remodeling after showing contrasting quartz countertops

For a stunning and stylish statement, mix cabinet colors. Use a neutral base for the upper cabinets and a richer tone for the lower ones or the island. This two-tone approach adds depth and visual appeal, creating a standout kitchen.

Kitchen Remodeling and Your Flooring Choice

Your choice of kitchen flooring provides another avenue to play with color in kitchen remodeling. For a warm and inviting feel, opt for light wood such as natural oak or ash shades. These tones work well with both contemporary and classic kitchen designs. That makes them the safe choice for long-term appeal.

Kitchen remodeler after photo White and walnut kitchen with blue glass herringbone backsplash

If you prefer tile flooring, consider wood-look tiles. They offer the beauty of wood and the durability of tile. Or look for traditional floor tiles with patterned or textured designs in neutral or earth tones.

Backsplashes: A Canvas for Creativity

Planning the backsplash provides a playground or having fun with color. Subway tiles in white or neutral tones serve as the most classic choice. But modern Orange County kitchen remodeling projects often feature backsplash tiles as art. Glossy tiles in rich tones like teal, emerald, or cobalt blue bring energy to your kitchen.

White shaker style kitchen cabinets with blue backsplash and quartzite countertops

For a more subdued, high-end look, consider marble backsplashes with natural veining. These offer subtle eye-catching patterns with a classic look. Orange County coastal kitchen remodels use tiles in beach-inspired hues like aqua or sandy beige to match the coastal vibe.

Balance your backsplash with the rest of the kitchen’s color palette to maintain harmony.

Lighting For Function and Mood

Lighting does more than illuminate the kitchen—it influences how colors appear. Choose fixtures that complement your kitchen’s overall style casting the best light on your color scheme.

Pendant lights over an island or dining area allow the introduction of metallic tones like gold, bronze, or copper for warmth. Opt for matte black or sleek chrome finishes for a modern or industrial touch.

Consider the lightbulbs you use.  Cool white bulbs make whites and grays appear crisp and clean, ideal for a minimalist kitchen. Warm yellow bulbs create a cozy atmosphere and enhance natural wood tones. Include dimmer switches so you can adjust the brightness based on the mood and occasion.

kitchen remodel incorporates open concept for kitchen and dining areas

Kitchen Remodeling Tips for Picking a Cohesive Color Palette

Start with your primary palette and build from there. For example, if you opt for white cabinets, bring in warmth through wood floors and color through the backsplash. If you love dark cabinets, balance them with lighter floors and countertops.

Don’t forget to consider the colors in the adjoining rooms. This gives the entire home a feeling of cohesiveness.

Orange County kitchen and bath contractor after photo with furniture style kitchen island

Kitchen Remodeling in Southern California Style

For a Southern California kitchen that reflects the Orange County climate and lifestyle, work with an Orange County kitchen remodeler. Inspired Remodels helps incorporate colors and finishes in a design that creates a space that feels fresh and welcoming. From sandy neutrals, ocean blues, and earthy greens to marble, quartz, and natural stone, you’ll see options for materials that not only give you a high-end look but also stand up to daily wear and tear.

 

Flooring Contractor Uses Biophilic Design in Orange County

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 Flooring Contactor Sheds Light On Common DIY Flooring Mistakes

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on Orange County Flooring Contactor Sheds Light On Common DIY Flooring Mistakes

Are you thinking about installing new flooring in your home? It’s tempting to take the DIY route to save a few bucks. But before you dive in, consider this: DIY flooring projects often end up costing more in the long run. Why? Because without the proper know-how, you’re bound to make easily avoidable mistakes. Ask any seasoned Orange County flooring contractor about common DIY mistakes. You will hear about these common mistakes.

level with bubble showing floor is level

Not Understanding the Importance of Preparation

DIYers often underestimate the importance of preparation. Skipping crucial steps like proper subfloor preparation or moisture testing leads to flooring disasters. Without a level surface or proper moisture protection, failure waits in the wings. The flooring fails sooner rather than later.

For example, that fabulous wood flooring that’s all the rage now requires acclimation. Whether installed by a DIY’er or a pro, wood flooring material needs time to acclimate to the environment before installation. Pros know how to open and stack flooring planks and understand how long the acclimation process takes.

Many DIY enthusiasts overlook this critical step. Their floors warp or buckle over time and only then do they call in a pro.

Orange County flooring contractor uses wood-look tile to create spa feeling with white marble walls and white soaking tub

Wood-look tile offers a waterproof alternative to wood in the bathroom

Picking the Wrong Flooring

Selecting the right flooring material for your space is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality. However, many DIYers make the mistake of choosing based solely on appearance, without considering factors like durability, maintenance requirements, or suitability for the room’s purpose. They end up with great flooring in the wrong room or the wrong house. Environment and lifestyle matter.  

When you work with an Orange County flooring contractor, they serve as advisors as well as installers. These pros won’t put wood floors in the bathroom, they’ll advise you to pick wood-look porcelain or ceramic.

Pros know what flooring stands up to high foot traffic from people and pets. DIYers lack this expertise.

Flooring contractor after picture: Hardwood flooring on stairs and landing

Stair flooring is not a DIY project

Poor Measuring and Installing Tools

Every flooring pro knows the maxim “Measure twice, cut once”.  Unfortunately, many DIYers fail to heed this advice. This equals wasted materials, material shortages, and a patchy appearance to the final product.

Even a small measurement error can result in gaps, uneven seams, or misaligned tiles or planks. Even if they measure correctly, DIYers often lack the skills, precision, and attention to detail required for proper installation. Complex techniques like pattern matching, seam sealing, or proper adhesive application require practice.

Poorly measured and installed flooring looks amateurish and fails to stand up to wear and tear.

after bathroom remodel flooring contractor shows grey and white pattern tile flooring and blue vanity

This tile pattern is no problem for an Orange County flooring contractor

Go With a Seasoned Orange County Flooring Contractor

Sure, the allure of DIY seems appealing. But, tackling a flooring project without the necessary expertise leads to costly and unattractive mistakes. From improper preparation and measurement errors to poor installation techniques and material selection, the risks far outweigh the potential savings.

Avoid these risks. Work with a professional Orange County flooring contractor like Inspired Remodeling. These pros bring the knowledge, skills, and tools to get the job done right the first time.