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Inspired Remodels

Bathroom Remodel

Remodeling Contractor Uses Lighting for Ambiance and Function

By / Bathroom Remodel, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on Remodeling Contractor Uses Lighting for Ambiance and Function

You spend a considerable amount of time in the kitchen and bathroom. When the lighting is poor, it totally spoils the visual appeal of the room. Even worse, it makes using the room for its intended function a nightmare. Who wants to shave or cut up vegetables when you can’t see what you are doing? You must choose lighting options carefully. One sign of a competent remodeling contractor is their ability to incorporate creative lighting. How does your contractor stand up?

bathroom remodeling contractor uses different types of lighting in different zones of the bathroom

Creative Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Bathroom lighting sets the mood for the room. It should also provide enough light to perform personal hygiene routines safely. You need several types of lighting in the bathroom. Try these creative ideas.

Use dimmers

You want bright light for shaving, showering, or applying makeup. But that’s not the light you want soaking in the tub. Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the intensity of the light to suit your moods and needs.

Task lighting

For task lighting, you divide the bathroom into zones. This allows you to focus illumination where you need it. For example, the vanity zone is equipped with a brighter task light than the water closet or toilet zone. The bathing zone utilizes separate task lighting. This approach allows to illuminate each zone with the appropriate amount of lighting, or the tasks performed in the zone.

Focused lighting

Recessed lights are another great idea. The lighting cans are installed flush with the ceiling and flood light downwards. They are excellent for lighting up the entire space. Install this style of lighting by mirrors to enhance the effect.

Layer lighting for a dramatic effect

Layered lighting is a lighting system that incorporates three different kinds of lights: overall, task and accent. Overall lights are generally recessed lights that illuminate the room, while task lights illuminate zones based on function. Accent lights in the bathroom might be pendant lights, profile lights, or backlit mirrors.

kitchen remodeling contractor installed undercounter lights to provide task lighting in small kitchenKitchen Lighting Ideas

The kitchen is a room for gathering and working. Whether you are prepping a meal, enjoying a bite with family or friends, or cleaning up, it’s important to see what you are doing. Talk to your kitchen remodeling contractor about using some of these “bright” ideas.

Brighten up the kitchen island

If the kitchen island is your pride and joy, show it off with ceiling lights. Use hanging lights to provide task lighting and give the space an industrial vibe at the same time – perfect for modern kitchens.

Create a vintage vibe

All pendant lighting doesn’t need to look industrial. Milk glass and tulip style shades provide a very subtle vintage vibe. Even if you are going for a farmhouse look, the vintage aura makes the kitchen warm and welcoming. Rubbed bonze is a great metal for creating that vintage vibe.

brushed nickle and white glass pendant lights illuminate the kitchen island

Pendant lights for all kitchens

No matter if your kitchen is modern, traditional, rustic, vintage, or farmhouse, pendant lights suit all styles. Space them evenly and either hang them at the same height or varying heights depending on the look you want.

Inspired Remodels – The Inspired Remodeling Contractor

Ready for an inspirational kitchen or bathroom? Want a spa in the master bath or a space to craft culinary creations? Turn to Inspired Remodels to taking your inspiration and turn it into a design that looks beautiful and functions flawlessly.  Call

 

Shower Remodeling Ideas for Walk-in Showers

By / Bathroom Remodel / Comments Off on Shower Remodeling Ideas for Walk-in Showers

Shower remodeling is tricky. The shower sets the tone for the entire bathroom. Get the shower wrong and the entire bathroom looks like a disaster. Here’s a little practical advice and some ideas to get you thinking about your next shower remodeling project.

finished shower remodeling project showing how to create a rectangular showerSpace Determines Shape in Shower Remodeling

Your walk-in shower size is determined by the space available. Think outside the box to make the most of the space you have. Showers finished shower remodelingproject showing a corner showercan be curved, rectangular, square, and can tuck into many unlikely places. In the photo above, the shower was placed in the area between the door to the room and the vanity. Not the traditional space but it works perfectly to create the traditional rectangular shower space.

On the other hand, this space saving walk-in shower makes use of a corner. With a walk-in shower, you aren’t constrained by the size of a traditional tub. This corner shower is spacious and makes most of the room available. Using clear glass for the enclosure make the space look larger too. When you install light tile on the shower walls you visually make the room appear larger as well. The contrasting accent tile on the wall and shower floor provide texture and visual appeal.

Corner showers and curved showers make the most of a small space. So think outside the box when looking at the shape and size of the room.

Splurge on Shower Heads

Take your time selecting your shower head. First think about the finish. Brushed nickel, chrome, and rubbed bronze are all popular finishes. Select a finish that complements the tile color or provides a dash of contrast. Structurally, shower heads designs are categorized as vintage, modern, or industrial.  Consider the finish and style of other bathroom fixtures when selecting the shower head. One walk-in shower doesn’t mean one shower head. Splurge on a rainfall shower head for those spa-like showers and a removable shower head for when you need to get down to business.  The walk-in shower to the left may be small in size but it packs a punch with multiple shower heads. Use one at a time or all at once.

If you plan to use multiple shower heads, talk to the shower remodeling contractor before work begins. You may need to increase the size of the pipes coming into the shower to provide enough water flow.

Extras to Elevate Your Shower Remodeling Project

Elevate your shower with windows, benches, and niches. Incorporate any of these in almost any shower design. Niches provide storage for in-shower grooming products and benches provide a space to sit and enjoy them.

Niches and windows also provide an avenue to customize your shower as well. Frosted glass contrasts with clear. Contrasting tile shapes and colors adorn niches. As you enjoy the rainfall spray or sit and give yourself a good scrub you’ll be glad you took the time to add those little extras to your project.

Rely on the Shower Remodeling Experts

Rely on the shower remodeling experts at Inspired Remodels to craft the walk-in shower of your dreams. From the largest ensuite master bathroom to the smallest guest bath, Inspired Remodels designs and builds custom walk-in showers, bathrooms, kitchens and more. Call (949) 716-1938 and schedule your shower remodeling consultation today.

 

 

 

 

Kitchen and Bath Contractors Tips to Preparing for a Remodel

By / Bathroom Remodel, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on Kitchen and Bath Contractors Tips to Preparing for a Remodel

Remodeling your kitchen or bath is exciting. But it’s also disruptive and frustrating. Experienced kitchen and bath contractors, Inspired Remodels, wants every remodel to be as stress-free as possible. When you follow these tips, your kitchen or bath remodel will be much easier.

kitchen remodel company creates floor plan based on triangle

Living During a Kitchen Remodel

Plan on living without a kitchen for at least a month. If this is a major remodel, it may be longer. You can’t eat out three meals a day for over a month, so use this plan:

Set up a temporary kitchen

Turn a spare bedroom, living area, or even the garage into a temporary kitchen. Move the fridge in there along with a coffee pot, small microwave, and a toaster oven. If you don’t have room for your full size refrigerator, invest in one of the small dorm-sized fridge/freezer combo. You don’t need much freezer space, but you will want a few ice cubes here and there and may want to store a small container of ice cream. After all, it is stressful to have your kitchen under construction. You may want to self-medicate with a cocktail or some ice cream. If you normally eat in the kitchen, set up a temporary eating area as well.

Buy disposables

Go ahead and buy disposable napkins, plates, forks, spoons, and knives. There are even biodegradable options available these days.  Even if you don’t like to eat with disposables, you will like washing dishes in your bathroom sink even less.

Plan for disruption

It’s going to get messy. An experienced  kitchen and bath contractor knows how to contain the dust and debris. Talk to them about this plan before demolition begins. Think how the disruption will affect your pets. You may want to start feeding them in an alternative location before work begins.

kitchen and bathroom contractors plans for remodel

Surviving a Bathroom Remodel

A bathroom remodel isn’t as disruptive, as you generally have more than one bathroom in the house. You only have one kitchen.

Even so, stock up on santizing gel and dry shampoo. When you’re sharing a sink and shower, you’ll find that the sanitizing gel and/or baby wipes are perfect for a quick clean up. Dry shampoo reduces the number of time you may need to stand in line to use the shower. As an alternative, you can always wash your hair in the kitchen sink.

Hang a mirror in an area with good lighting. This will come in handy when the working bathroom is occupied and you need to put on makeup or fix your hair.

If the cat’s litter box was in the bathroom undergoing remodel, you’ll want to make sure you move that a few days before the renovation so kitty gets used to the new spot. Having workers in the house is usually stressful for pets. Moving the litter box is also stressful. Moving the box in advance reduces the chances of accidents.

kitchen and bath contractors recommend you get out of house during a portion of renovation

Kitchen and Bath Contractors Recommend

No matter what type of project you do, it won’t hurt to get away for a few days. Living with a kitchen or bathroom remodel may set your teeth on edge if you are compulsively neat and orderly. Even the untidiest among us may get tired of the disruption.  Plan a small vacation to get you out of the house and away from the chaos for a few days.

Speaking of days, plan for disruptions. Every project, no matter how carefully planned, usually has its bumps in the road. If you are prepared for things to go wrong and for the budget to go over 10% to 20% it will be less stressful when it happens.

When you are ready for a remodel or update, call the kitchen and bath contractors that see your home as more than a job site. Inspired Remodels understands it is an honor to be invited into your home. You’ll get one point of contact for the entire project and communication will always be open and honest. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today.