Shaker cabinets Archives - Inspired Remodels

Orange County General Contractors Outside and Inside

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / No Comments

Some Orange County general contractors only work on kitchen remodels and bathroom updates. But Inspired Remodels, the premier Orange County general contractors, updates homes inside and out. No room or space is off limits when you want a fresh, new feel to dated interiors and exteriors.

Dana Point Exterior Remodel

The updates to this Dana Point home become obvious the moment you drive up. Coastal tones on the siding and the front door let you know you are about to experience the best of Orange County living.

Just follow the custom pavers on the path to the side of the house. Notice the thoughtful landscaping that respects the coastal climate and the texture and color of the pavers. Every element works together for a cohesive feel.

The mahogany fence and sliding gate establish a visual and physical boundary. Mahogany makes great Southern California gates and fences because it resists rot, insects such as termites, and decay. It also offers incredible dimensional stability. That means that warping and splitting don’t cause problems. The dense grain and natural oil repel moisture naturally as well.

Making the most of Dana Point living means spending time outside with good food, good friends, and surrounded by family.

This patio creates a space that is large enough for everyone while still feeling intimate.

LaCantina doors blend the indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly.

Trabuco Canyon Kitchen Remodel

Inspired Remodels creates beautiful and composed interiors as well. As full-service general contractors, they offer complete design and build services. This Trabuco Canyon kitchen remodel showcases the craftsmanship that goes into every project.

Kitchens need task lighting to prep and cook safely. When functionality is beautiful, kitchens work and look great.

Under-cabinet lighting and recessed lighting give this kitchen ample light to safely prep and cook food. The task lights installed under the upper cabinets flood the countertops for safe cutting, chopping, and food prep. Recessed lights provide the light necessary to look in cabinets, drawers, and pantries. Lighted display cabinets bring a decorative touch to a functional area.

Two-tone cabinets add visual interest. Shaker-style cabinet doors and drawers give the space a timeless appeal. White cabinets increase the light feeling in this kitchen, while the dark cabinets on the island bring warmth to the room. Classic matte black hardware works equally well with both finishes.

Inspired Orange County General Contractors

Get inspired updates to your home in or out from Inspired Remodels, the inspired Orange County general contractors.

From room additions to room updates, Inspired Remodels works with you to create the design you want and then build the space you will love forever.

Follow on Instagram for more inspiration.

Kitchen remodeling after: Bright white cabinets with warm wood tone accents and freestanding marble island

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Predictions for 2026

Out with the old, in with the new! With every new year comes new trends in kitchen and bath remodeling.

For 2024, the design industry predicted green would be the color of the year. You could find everything from green toilets and tubs to green cabinetry and tiles.

2025 continued the trend of more natural colors, but shifted to warm wood-tones. Design magazines, Instagram ads from top designers and vendors, and home improvement shows all showcased white oak cabinetry with Taj Mahal countertops and matte gold fixtures!

With 2026 before us, you can expect to see new design trend predictions. With some input from trusted vendors and our years of experience, here are Inspired Remodel’s top predictions kitchen and bath remodeling predictions for 2026.

Terrazzo

Going hand-in-hand with 2025’s popular design trend of biophilic design, terrazzo is making a comeback! Composed of natural, often recycled materials, terrazzo was traditionally used for floors and countertops. In 2026, expect to see terrazzo and terrazzo-look tile used in a myriad of ways in kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

Available in a variety of different colors, terrazzo makes a great choice for adding a little mid-century modern flair to their homes. However, actual terrazzo comes with a price tag that some people aren’t ready to meet. The terrazzo wall tiles in the bathroom above are actually made of porcelain. Arizona Tile offers a wide variety of terrazzo and terrazzo look products.

This terrazzo backsplash tile from Arizona Tile ties the cool green of the cabinets and the stainless steel of the appliances together perfectly. This is a kitchen that just works!

Warm Wood Tones

A bold contrast to the once-popular all-white kitchens, homeowners continue to look for ways to add warmth to their homes in 2026.

While 2025 was all about natural or whitewashed white oak, cabinet manufacturers like Masterbrand, St. Martin, and Shiloh continue to add new stain options in the medium-wood tone range. Committing to a kitchen of all stain-finished cabinets can be a difficult decision and oftentimes reminds homeowners of the kitchens from their childhood homes (remember those orangey, oak cabinets?).

To balance the wood tones, two-tone kitchen designs will remain popular with homeowners who select a wood tone for either the island or lower cabinets and a warmer white or beige color for the upper cabinets. See how this kitchen design remains light and spacious through the use of white uppers and still warm and inviting through the use of warm wood base cabinets and drawers.

Modified Shaker-Style Doors

Shaker-style doors are here to stay, but with a bit of a modern twist. Over the past year, cabinet manufacturers introduced a new style, skinny or slim shaker. Essentially, the frame of the shaker door has gotten skinnier.

This new shaker-style creates a streamlined aesthetic, helps make the space feel larger, and helps with maintenance too (more flat surface). The slick, skinny Shaker-style doors on these cabinets and drawers keep the kitchen looking classic and classy.

Hidden Features & Technology

Homeowners are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest in technology, but don’t want it to steal the spotlight. 2026 will bring advancements that enhance the modern, decluttered aesthetic everyone wants.

Great advancements in lighting continue to brighten up Orange County kitchens and baths. In the kitchen above, under-cabinet lighting discreetly highlights the details in this kitchen.

Mirrors that light up and even conceal electrical outlets keep bathrooms looking clean and spacious.

In addition to advances in lighting, other technologies introduced in the last few years include:

Simplified, flush-mount built-in outlets
Sleek, flush-mounted HVAC vent covers
Hidden bathroom fans
Integrated wireless charging stations built into countertops

Modern Kitchen and Bath Remodeling with Timeless Looks

For kitchen and bath remodeling that remains on trend with quality that will last years, turn to Inspired Remodels.

Each remodeling project begins with a discussion of your needs, wants, budget, and goals. Need a kitchen built for gracious, informal, or formal entertaining? How about a bathroom shared by teens or a primary suite retreat?

Inspired Remodels offers kitchen and bath remodeling, outdoor renovations, whole house updates, or just an upgrade to your fireplace. Schedule a consultation today to begin planning your 2026 remodeling project.

Comparing Custom Cabinets – Shaker versus Raised Panel

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

When it comes to renovating Orange County kitchens, most homeowners split their preference for custom cabinets. Shaker door fronts remain popular, but raised panel custom cabinets are popular as well.

Let’s compare the two custom cabinet styles.

Shaker Custom Cabinets

Shaker cabinets date back to the early 1800’s. The cabinet aesthetic grew from the Shaker’s commitment to designs that exhibited their belief in simplicity. The clean lines represent the purity that the Shakers sought in all corners of their lives – including their cabinets and furniture.

A simple center recessed panel sets Shaker cabinets apart from all others. At a glance, you recognize the Shaker style.

On the plus side

Shaker custom cabinets offer the opportunity to customize by adding ornamental hardware. You can swap the look of the door by simply swapping out the hardware.

In addition, Shaker-style cabinets have a timeless appeal that won’t go out of style and will be a draw when selling the house.

On the negative side

Let’s face it, Shaker-style cabinets are popular. Really popular. Really, really popular. That means if you want your kitchen to stand out or you are a fan of Avant Garde design, stay away from these cabinets. While Shaker custom cabinets can be finished in amazing colors, that recessed panel will still be an obvious design element.

Raised Panel Cabinets

Where Shaker cabinets feature a center recessed panel, raised panel cabinets veer into the more ornate. Think shaped, raised center panels accentuated by grooves and additional molding. They instantly add a more formal feel to any kitchen.

Raised panel-style cabinetry is newer than Shaker-style cabinetry. It only gained popularity at the beginning of the 21^st century, when the modern kitchen was born. Artisans carefully routed and carved doors to create the iconic raised panels we treasure today.

On the plus side

Raised panel custom cabinets certainly elevate the look and feel of any kitchen. They provide an avenue for creating a posh, upscale feel to the room. In addition, you get the ultimate in customization. Bespoke panels and molding make your cabinets like no other.

On the negative side

All that ornamentation adds to the cost of materials and labor that go into the custom cabinets. That makes the price for raised panel cabinets generally higher than their Shaker counterparts. In addition, the nooks and crannies created by the ornamentation capture grease, dust, and food particles. This means they are slightly more difficult to clean.

Custom Cabinet Pop Quiz

Inspired Remodels works with all types of custom cabinets. Take a look at these kitchens and see if you can identify the Shaker cabinets from the raised panel cabinets.