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Inspired Remodels

kitchen remodel

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Tips

By / Bathroom Remodel, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on 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.

kitchen and bath remodeling tips to make a room appear larger use light walls and reflective surfaces make room appear larger

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!

kitchen remodeler makes kitchen functional

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.

sample orange county kitchen and cath remodel job y Inspired remodels

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.

Changing the Conventional Wisdom on Orange County General Contractors

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on Changing the Conventional Wisdom on Orange County General Contractors

Orange County general contractors often get a bad rap. People call them sleazy, unresponsive, unreliable, and dishonest. They refuse accountability. Then, when you need them the most, they disappear.

The contracting industry contains good and bad apples. Unfortunately, stereotypes rise from the actions of a few bad actors.   Inspired Remodels changes the view of Orange County general contractors.

General Contractor Horror Stories

Hire a general contractor and expect licensed, professional, and skilled workers.  The last thing you expect is a job that drag on for months. Or, subcontractors showing up to threaten placing a lien on your property because you haven’t been paid. That’s what happened to Robert S when he hired a general contractor to remodel his kitchen.  Read the entire horror story on Yelp.

Or, how about Susan? She hired a general contractor to redo her kitchen.  The job required the general contractor to replace ceiling popcorn with texture.  Sounds nice? Well, Susan received more than she expected.  The crazy general contractor hired a subcontractor to remove the popcorn and apply texture to every surface in the kitchen!  That’s right, imagine your ceiling and every wall covered in texture.  Talk about going overboard!

orange County general contractor adds blue lower cabinets and white upper cabinets to kitchen with grey and white blacksplashcustom kitchen remodel features blue cabinets

Design/Build Orange County General Contractor

Inspired Remodels paints a different picture of general contractors in Orange County.  See, Inspired Remodels maintains an active license, has full insurance, and keeps your best interest at heart.  They act as a design/build firm. Therefore you never suffer from miscommunication between the design firm and the contractor. So, whether you want a bathroom remodel, a kitchen remodel, or  custom cabinetry or flooring, they create the plans and specifications. Once you approve the design, they schedule the work. Next, they perform the work to your delight.

Patty G in Trabuco Canyon posts on Yelp

screenshot of Orange County general contractor review for Inspired Remodels on Yelp

Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online and schedule a consultation.  Share your project ideas, budget, and needs. Then, prepare for amazing results.  Get quality work performed to your satisfaction with Inspired Remodels.

Article originally published on 7/29/2016. It has been updated to reflect current information.

Kitchen Renovation Must Haves

By / Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on Kitchen Renovation Must Haves

When you are planning your next kitchen renovation you will be thinking about flooring, cabinet styles, finishes, counter tops, ovens, ranges, and refrigerators.  Those are all key components to any kitchen renovation.  But sometimes its the smaller things that can have a big impact on the finished kitchen.  Inspired Remodels shares a few must haves to incorporate in your next kitchen renovation.

Drawers Over Doors

When you think about new kitchen cabinets, you need to think about more than the finish and style.  You need to think abut how you will be using the storage space.  For maximum efficiency in the kitchen, select drawers over doors for the base cabinets.  Instead of opening a door, bending down, and rummaging around to get the item you need you can just pull out a drawer and the item will be right at hand.

use drawers instead of doors during your kitchen renovation to make space easier to use

These Orange County homeowners understood the benefit of drawers over doors during their recent kitchen renovation and are glad they made the switch every time they cook.  Extra deep drawers are perfect for storing pots and pans out of sight but within easy reach.

Maximize Natural Lighting

Mission-Viejo-Kitchen-11

Make the most of sunlight.  It makes even small kitchens look larger.  Saves on electricity too as natural lighting can be used for tasks during most of the day.  Avoid heavy window treatments. They block light and make the kitchen look smaller.

Centralized Pantry Area

pantry wall next to fridgeDesignate at least one wall as your pantry wall.  This saves steps when cooking and makes organizing and storing groceries a breeze.  These remodelers applied this concept to create a wall that looks good and provides plenty of storage just where you need it. This pantry wall is close to the fridge, minimizing the steps needed to gather ingredients.  Another option is to place the pantry wall next to the stove, where ingredients are handy.  Pantry walls don’t need to be next to an appliance.  But if they are, the best looking kitchens use either counter depth appliances or adjust the cabinet size to provide a smooth, finished appearance.

Quiet Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal

As kitchens are more and more integrated into the living space, the sounds emanating from the room are becoming just as important as the smells.  You want to be part of the action as you cook and clean, but your family won’t appreciate the noise from overly loud dishwashers and garbage disposals.

When comparing features, be sure to look at the decibel levels during operation.  Normal conversation is carried on at about 60 decibels.  Get too close to that number and you have to shout over the dishwasher or disposal.  Not good.

Many models made by Miele and Bosch operate in the 40 decibel range, making them perfect for open floor plans.  As the appliance gets quieter, the price tag gets bigger.  If your kitchen renovation budget doesn’t allow for one of these brands, pick a model with a delay start.  This will allow you to run the dishwasher after you leave for the day or go to bed at night.

Undermount Sink

Quartz-Countertops-22

Single Bowl Undermount Sink

Undermount sinks are not only popular, they are practical. With this style sink, the sink edge lip is mounted under the countertop. It works with solid countertops such as soapstone, granite, and concrete.  Laminate or tile counters will not have enough weight to support the sink. Undermount sinks provide a clean surface between the countertop and the sink. That means fewer crevices and cracks for crumbs and stains to hide in.  Just wipe the crumbs off the countertop and into the sink.  Clean up is a breeze. Speaking of clean-up, opt for a large sink that allows plenty of room to scrub those large pots, pans, and cookie sheets.  The lighter the sink, the more stains it will show.  Darker sinks won’t be stained by red wine, spaghetti sauce or coffee.

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  Double bowl undermount sink

Single bowl or multi-bowl is more a reflection of your cooking and cleaning style.  If you put most of your dishes through the ultra quiet dishwasher, then a single bowl is perfect.  If you prefer to hand wash your daily dishes, a single bowl is not very practical.  In that case select a two or three bowl sink.  If you have the space and the budget allows, a small prep sink is another must have.

Hire a Kitchen Renovation Pro

Hiring a company with expertise in kitchen renovation projects can be the difference between a dream kitchen that just looks good and a kitchen that looks amazing and functions like a dream.  Inspired Remodels can turn your dream kitchen into reality.  They will work with you to design a room that fuses function,, beauty, and your personal style.  Check out our portfolio of kitchen renovations and then call (949) 716-1938 to schedule your  consultation.