bathroom remodel tips Archives - Page 2 of 3

General Contractors Guide to Functional Bathrooms

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel / Comments Off

General contractors will generally build any bathroom configuration you want. However, their extensive experience teaches what works and what doesn’t. If you want a great bathroom, where function and form come together to serve with style, follow these tips from general contractors for a successful bathroom remodel.

Don’t Make Space – Use Space

Even if you have a small bathroom, you don’t need to knock down walls to get more room. If you want more space, just use the space you have wisely.

Look for hidden opportunities to hide toiletries. This mirror doubles as a medicine cabinet and storage for personal care items. A slide-out shelving unit nestles snugly within the mirror when closed. The casual visitor to the bathroom would never know it was there. But for the person that uses the room on a daily basis, it’s a nifty way to keep personal grooming items close at hand. And it doesn’t chew up valuable space.

Bathroom Mirror – storage hidden

Bathroom Mirror – storage exposed

Another way to get more space is by using the underutilized area under items that are already in the bathroom. For example, you can use the area under a cabinet to store towels, like in this bathroom.

Shelf Under Cabinet Uses Space for Storage

If you want or need a shower seat for safety or convenience, use a shelf under the stool for storage of personal care items. This shelf can store shampoo, conditioner, soaps, sponges, body wash, etc within easy reach of the person seated. No getting in the shower only to discover you forgot something.

Seat with Storage

Use the Right Lighting

General contractors like Inspired Remodels get many requests when remodeling bathrooms. However, “could you please make this bathroom darker?” has never been one of them. These days, it’s best to provide a variety of lighting to get the most use of the room. You want functional lighting for some tasks and ambient lighting for others. Make sure the room has both.

For example, you want low light to create a relaxing atmosphere for your soaking tub. But you don’t want to apply your makeup or shave in low light. The solution? Incorporate room for candle stands in the tub area.

General contractors use ambient lighting to enhance tub area

Ambient Lighting for Soaking

For day to day grooming activities, you need functional lighting. This bathroom takes advantage of natural lighting and strategically placed functional lighting. Notice how the lights are placed next to the mirror? This provides much better lighting than lights over the mirror. Overhead lights can cast shadows. For the best lighting, take a tip from Hollywood and place the lights next to the mirrors and take full advantage of all natural lighting.

functional, natural, and ambient lighting

Pick the Perfect General Contractors

Get the best bathroom by working with the best general contractors. They know how to work with the plumbing and electrical you have in place and how to get the most from your room. Inspired Remodels is a design/build general contracting firm. That means that they not only work with you to design a fully functional and beautiful bathroom, they will build it for you too. That’s one point of contact for the entire project and one less headache for you.

Contact Inspired Remodels online or call (949) 716-1938 and talk to the Orange County general contractors that will deliver a bathroom that is functional to use and fabulous to look at.

Tips for Picking the Right Bathtub from Expert Bathroom Remodeler

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel / Comments Off

Do your dreams of a new bathroom include a new bathtub? Or are you just looking to put a new tub in an existing space. Whether you dream of soaking after a long day or giving the kids a quick bath before bed, the Orange County’s expert bathroom remodeler shares some things to consider.

Installation

How will your tub be installed? This is determined by the amount of space you have and the type of tub you want. Often, it is the amount of space that will determine the type of tub. In addition, will you need new plumbing or can the existing plumbing be used? Adding or moving plumbing will add to the cost of the install. You should discuss installation options with your bathroom remodeler early in the design process. A bathroom remodel is only as good as the original design.

Tub Styles

Freestanding. As the name implies, these tubs stand alone. Freestanding tubs the old-style claw-foot tubs or the new-style Japanese soaking tubs. This style tub doe not attach to the walls. Freestanding tubs are finished on all sides. They are generally plumbed from underneath. The old cast iron tubs are heavy and when you add in the weight of water (a little over 8 lbs per gallon) make sure the floor and subfloor can hold the weight. This is particularly true for 2^nd floor bathrooms.

Soaker tubs are deeper than conventional tubs. You want one that is insulated enough to hold the heat of the water on a chilly night. This style tub is great for soaking, but difficult to bend over for giving the kids a bath. This style is best reserved for the master bath.

Recessed Tubs. Recessed Tubs can take different forms. A recessed tub has three sides mounted to the walls. This is the common tub/shower combination. A recessed tub will have one skirted (or finished) side. Tile the surrounding walls in almost any configuration and give your bathroom a personal touch.

Corner Tub. A corner tub attaches to two walls in the corner of the bathroom. These large tubs occupy valuable real estate in the bathroom but if you have the space they are stunning. Corner tubs are commonly jetted, but non-jetted corner tubs are available.

Drop In Tub. These tubs look like mini spas. The tub itself has no finished sides. When installed, it is surrounded by a platform that is finished in stone or tile. Make sure to use non-slick surfaces for the steps. But you won’t need to remind an expert bathroom remodeler to do this, they already know. That’s why they are experts.

Occupants

Want to accommodate multiple bathers or soakers? Make sure your soaking tub will fit the number and size of your bathers. For two bathers, you will want to consider a corner tub, a whirlpool tub, or a custom drop in tub.

Size of Hot Water Heater

That fabulous soaker tub won’t be so fabulous if you can’t fill it with hot water. Many homeowners shop for more tub than they have hot water heater. This is another one of those times when working with an expert bathroom remodeler pays off. They will always make sure that your hot water heater has the capacity to serve your tub.

The Right Bathroom Starts with the Right Bathroom Remodeler

Pick your bathroom remodeler with care. A new bathtub can require new plumbing. You want a remodeler that can handle all trades, plumbing, electrical, flooring and drywall. Working with a contractor that provides design services will remove some of the stress and improve communication and workflow during construction.

Inspired Remodels can take your ideas and turn them into the bathroom of your dreams. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us to schedule a free consultation today. That dream tub may only be

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.

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!

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.

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.