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Orange County Flooring Contractor Talks Flooring Trends 2021

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Note: This article was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the latest trends as seen by Inspired Remodels, the leading Orange County flooring contractor.

Changes in flooring trends lack the speed of other interior design trends. But flooring does have trends. Inspired Remodels, Orange County’s go-to flooring contractor shares what’s hot in 2021 and the trends that are here to stay.

What’s Hot in Flooring

Orange County still loves hard surface flooring. It’s perfect for our active lifestyles. Carpet still has its place in 2021, but it is not in Orange County homes. We continue to skip over carpeting until it regains popularity (if it ever does). But trends many of the trends we saw in 2017 persist today.

flooring contractor uses wood-look tiles in bathroomWood Look Floors

First, there was tile, then there was wood. The hottest trend in flooring continues to be a tile that looks like wood. You get the durability of porcelain with the beauty of wood. Wood look tile makes for an easy-care routine and comes in a wide variety of colors, grains, and textures. It’s a favorite of this flooring contractor and Orange County homeowners.

In 2021, hardwood and wood-look floors get a twist. Hand-scraped flooring hit the design scene about the time as barn doors. The flooring provides a distressed or rustic look that goes so well with many Orange County homes.

Hand-scraped finishes show up on wood, bamboo, and wood-look tile. You’ll even find some engineered click-lock flooring sporting the hand-scraped finish.

You don’t need to utilize Mission-style decor to enjoy hand-scraped flooring.

Light Wood Floors

flooring contractor installs wood floor to contrast with shaker cabinetsWhether it is engineered wood, natural bamboo, or even wood-look tile, light-colored floors are hot. Move over espresso and make way for blonde floors. Red oak and white oak are both light woods with beautiful grain. Hard maple costs more, but as the name implies it is hard. An even harder “wood” is bamboo, which is increasingly popular. Technically a grass, bamboo scores higher on the hardness scale than actual hardwood. Eucalyptus provides another eco-friendly option and is naturally light-colored. Birch and ash are both light, but don’t take stain well. They work best when you want a natural poly finish.  You will find all of these wood finishes in natural wood or wood-look tile.

Grey Tones

Grey continues to be the new white. This shade continues to top the color charts in 2021. People flock to grey for its calming influence. These days, we can all use a little calm.  Grey flooring is perfectly at home in a traditional or modern room. It’s great for the kitchen or bathroom because it works and plays well with so many accent colors. Grey is chic and grey is clean and we think it is will enjoy continued popularity for the next 10 years and beyond. Wood-look tiles in grey tones are showing up in more and more Orange County bathrooms. That’s because tile is perfect for the bathroom and grey compliments most all cabinetry. Add on the appeal of a wood appearance and you’ve got a winner for bathrooms.

Patterns

Geometric patterns migrated from backsplashes to the floor in the last few years. Find chevrons, herringbones, and other patterns in bathrooms and kitchens too. Wood and tile floors gain interest when installed with interesting patterns.

Patterns offer the potential for fabulously inspired design or can create an incredible eyesore. Ensure your pattern works well with the rest of the interior. Patterns provide the perfect level of detail when perfectly executed. The tile medallion design gracing this entranceway will look just as stunning in 20 years as it does today.

flooring contractor uses herringbone tile patter in San Clemente bathroomAnd the combination of a herringbone tile pattern with a neutral color creates a fashion-forward look that endures.

And speaking of patterns, the herringbone continues to offer a cost-effective way to achieve the chevron look. Chevrons require a miter cut on every tile or wood plank to achieve their vee look.

On the other hand, chevrons pull off the same visual effect without the time and material-consuming miter cuts.

If you want the visual interest of vees, opt for a herringbone pattern every time.

Flooring Contractor Tips for Flooring Selection

With so many options, choosing is difficult. Inspired Remodels recommends that you consider 3 main factors when choosing flooring material:

Room Use. First, think about how the space is used. Usage determines factors such as durability and ease of care. High usage rooms need a surface that stands up to foot traffic. Kitchens get messy, kitchen floors need to be easy to clean. Formal areas may not require durable surfaces. A room used by pets requires stain and scratch resistance.

Room Location.  Entrance rooms must combine wow factor and durability. Most dirt, mud, and moisture get deposited on the floors next to exterior doors. In addition, entry areas need to make a statement. Whether it is a cheerful “welcome home” or a grand “welcome to my castle”, flooring plays a starring role in staging entryways.  Also, consider light exposure. Rooms that face south or west receive the most sunlight. This means more damaging UV rays and glare.

Budget. Flooring costs add up quickly. Factor in the useful life of the flooring material when evaluating costs. A hardwood floor can be expensive upfront, but can be refinished and last over 50 years with proper care.  Laminate flooring may cost less initially, but has a much shorter life. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of padding if you decide to buck the trends and go with carpet.

Get Inspired Flooring

For inspired flooring designs, talk to Inspired Remodels. View our inspired flooring portfolio to see what’s possible and then Contact Us on-line or call (949) 716-1938 and talk to Jason and Joe Mueller.

 

 

 

 

Educated Decision – The Inspired Remodels Story

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Joe Mueller, local home improvement contractor and President, Inspired Remodels, was featured in a recent article in the California Business Journal. 

Joe’s story is inspiring. After college, all Joe wanted to do was change lives through education. When the economy faltered and he lost his job at a local private school, he decided to change lives by changing people’s living spaces.  Homes in Orange County will never be the same.  The article was based on interviews with Joe and some of Joe’s customers. The writer was clearly impressed with what he heard.

Mueller is the essence of a professional who exudes confidence, experience, integrity, professionalism and trust.

Read more about Joe’s inspiring journey from school teacher to the region’s most sought-after remodeling contractor in this article. See photos from a few of his projects and hear from his customers. Whether you are thinking about making changes to your home or changes in your professional life, Joe’s transformational tale will leave you inspired!

home improvement contractor Joe Mueller featured in Cal Biz Journal

If you are ready for a bathroom, kitchen, or whole house transformation, call (949) 716-1938 to schedule a consultation.

 

Why Work with a Design Build Remodeling Contractor

By / Bathroom Remodel, Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on Why Work with a Design Build Remodeling Contractor

If you are remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or any other room in your house it pays to work with a design-build remodeling contractor. It is much more efficient, reduces the chances of communication errors, and makes for a smoother experience.  Here’s why.

Traditional Model

With the traditional model, you would hire a designer to create your design. This person would work with you to come up with the floor plan, layout, finishes, and fixtures associated with the remodel. They would come up with specifications and turn the job over to you. The designer or planner may or may not be able to make recommendations for a contractor to do the work. They may or may not be willing to manage the work. Commonly, you take the architectural plans, find your contractor, and supervise the job. If there is any question about materials or the plan, the contractor lets you know, you check with the designer and then get back with the contractor.

This isn’t the easiest or most efficient way to do the job. But it does give you the benefit of the services of an experienced designer.

Design Build Model

With a design-build model, the contractor provides design services. The contractor has a person on staff who works with you to create your design. You sit down with your idea book and the designer listens to how you want to use the space as well as your wants and needs.  The designer then works with you to create a plan that incorporates what you want out of the space with the budget you have established.

Once the designer is finished the plans are turned over to the build portion of the company. The general contractor brings in the necessary materials and subcontractors to do the work. If there is a question about the plan, communication is easy because the contractor and designer are not only on the same team, they work for the same company.

This model reduces homeowner stress. It also improves communication. Design-build increases the probability that the job will be completed on time and budget.

remodeling contractor portfolio

                                                       Sample of Work by Inspired Remodels – Orange County’s Design Build Remodeling Contractor

Work with a Professional Remodeling Contractor

No matter which approach you take, work with a professional remodeling contractor. A professional remodeling contractor knows what permits must be pulled, has relationships with professional tradesmen, carries liability insurance, and is licensed by the State of California.

A professional won’t burn you on your kitchen remodel or leave you underwater with a bathroom do-over. Most of the horror stories you hear are the result of working with unlicensed contractors, so hire a pro.

Inspired Remodels is Orange County’s Design Build Remodeling ContractorInspired Logo

Get Inspired from Floor to Ceiling

Want the best for your next bathroom or kitchen remodel? Hire the best. Hire Inspired Remodels.  Joe and Jason Mueller will sit down with you to discuss your project. They turn your dream into reality. They craft kitchens that function as well as they look, bathrooms and bedrooms that provide a retreat, custom cabinets, and fabulous fireplaces. Whether you need one room or a whole house, Inspired Remodels is up to the task. Just check out what their clients have to say on Yelp.  Then call (949) 716-1938 and schedule your appointment today.