kitchen renovation Archives - Page 3 of 4

Custom Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for Inspiration

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Thinking about making a change in your kitchen this year but aren’t sure where to start? Check out these ideas and get your custom kitchen remodeling juices flowing. Inspired Remodels is all about sharing our inspiration to spark your creativity. Here’s what’s going on in Orange County kitchen remodeling.

Built In for Convenience and Style

These days, the kitchen is the center of entertaining. So why not put everything you need in one spot that ties the kitchen to adjacent entertaining room? Well, why not?

What’s not to love about this built-in bar at the end of the kitchen space? It’s stylish and ties in perfectly with the rest of the kitchen. there’s plenty of storage for stemware space to display decorative steins, and room for a full liquor cabinet and wine storage. The countertop is an easy-to-clean surface and matches perfectly with the rest of the kitchen as you can see in this shot.

Now, guests can help themselves to a beverage and still be part of the action in the kitchen without getting in the way of the cook! Great for guests and even better for the cook in the kitchen. This is a kitchen that is built for entertaining.

Color is King

Don’t be afraid of a little color in the kitchen. Sure, white is still a favorite for it’s “clean” look, but you can still add pops of color. A little can go a long way to change the look of a kitchen. See how these blue lights do more than just provide illumination?

That vibrant blue is just the right touch of color to be a game-changer in an otherwise neutral kitchen. The crackled look to the glass adds texture to the light. Pendant lights are one way to add accent color to a kitchen. But, they aren’t the only way. Tile is more than just a material for backsplashes and floors. It brings color too.

We all know that grey is the new black. But, sometimes gray and white need to have a colorful fun. The aqua and green in this tile accent piece create a permanent work of art above the cooktop. And unlike other art forms, this tile won’t be damaged by heat and will be easily cleaned of any grease or food splatters. An area that prominent demands a special touch, and this tile does the job with style.

Wood Doesn’t Need to Be Wood Anymore

Wood adds a natural warmth to any room. But caring for wood in a high-traffic or heavy-duty use room isn’t easy. Wood floor may look beautiful in a kitchen, but they aren’t always practical. So get wood warmth and style with the durability of tile! Wood-look tile has been a mainstay for bathrooms but it’s coming to a kitchen near you..or maybe even your kitchen. Many custom kitchen remodeling jobs in Orange County are using wood-look tile in the kitchen. It’s easy care and durable.

You can’t tell the difference between the wood cabinets and the “wood” floor. This tile will stand up to spills, dropped knives, and heavy traffic. It’s the perfect floor for a busy kitchen. Damp mopping won’t mar or dull the shine. This floor will last for many years. Unlike wood, it won’t need refinishing.

Wood doesn’t need to be dark. See how this wood-look tile complements the white cabinetry? This simple but stylish kitchen remodeling project incorporated a wood-look tile in tones to complement the traditional tile backsplash and contrast with the white wood cabinets.

Inspired Custom Kitchen Remodeling Starts with Inspired Remodels

Stop dreaming of a custom kitchen remodel and start planning one today. The design/build experts at Inspired Remodels are ready to help you design and create a new custom kitchen that works as well as it looks. From custom cabinets, to built-ins, to new flooring and more, Inspired Remodels is where inspired custom kitchens start. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Inspired Remodels online and schedule a consultation today.

What Your Renovation Contractor Knows that You Don’t

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Starting to think about a renovation in the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom? Whether the job is a major addition or just a remodel, here’s a few things your renovation contractor knows that you don’t.

Why Bids Vary Wildly

Behind every bid for a renovation or remodel is a renovation contractor. The contractor’s bid is influenced by many factors. But, the chief factor is their overhead. If you hire a contractor that has a large staff and large offices, the contractor has a large overhead to cover. That bid will be higher.

In addition, some contractors take shortcuts that can end up costing you more in the long run. If the job requires the work of a plumber, but the contractor doesn’t use a licensed plumber for the work, you can end up paying extra in repairs.

You Can Judge a Renovation Contractor by Demolition

If you think it’s hard to judge the quality of work a contractor will do before the work starts you are wrong. Renovation contractors know that you can begin to judge the quality of the work that will be done during the demolition phase.

If a contractor treats your home as a job site, it shows a lack of respect and a willingness to cut corners. A quality contractor treats demolition with the same care as they treat construction. The work area should be isolated with plastic sheeting where possible to retain dust. Protective coverings should go over floors to guard against damage from worker’s boots and debris carried through the house.

If the contractor asks you to pull any permits during the demolition phase or later in the project it is a large, screaming red flag that cannot be ignored. This is a sure sign the contractor has a problem with their license or has allowed their license to lapse.

The Actual Contractor is Rarely on the Job

The job of the renovation contractor is to see that the work is done as contracted and to the proper specifications. The contractor will hire and schedule subcontractors that perform the actual work.

Your contractor will assign a project manager to your job. The project manager will be on-site regularly. That’s a good thing, because the project manager will know the details of your job better than the contractor will.

Both the contractor and project manager should be available to answer your questions. A sign of a good renovation contractor is the willingness to return phone calls and respond to emails. It’s a sign of a great project manager as well.

Some Renovation Contractors Pass on Jobs

Repairing a DIY job gone bad can be a bigger hassle than building from scratch. Don’t be surprised if many renovation contractors take a pass on this type of work.

Frequently, the DIY horrors only get worse once walls come out and shoddy wiring and plumbing are exposed. This is why many contractors won’t take a job repairing bad DIY work. It’s better to hire a pro in the beginning than hire someone later to rescue the project.

Orange County Renovation Pros

For your renovation project, call Jason and Joe at Inspired Remodels. You’ll get a professional renovation contractor and an awesome project manager. It’s the team that’s creating functional and fabulous indoor spaces, one renovation at a time. Call (949) 716-1938 and schedule your consultation today.

A Kitchen Renovation to Make You Thankful

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Any renovation project is a major disruption. But a kitchen renovation or a bathroom renovation can make simple day-to-day activities even more difficult. But all those dinners of microwaved soup will be worth it if the project brings you a kitchen that is functional and beautiful. Now that’s a kitchen renovation to make you thankful. To make sure that’s why you get, follow these guidelines.

Pick the Right Kitchen Renovation Partner

To end up with the right kitchen, you’ve got to start with the right partner. You need a kitchen renovation expert that knows how to convert your dreams to reality. A kitchen is just more than a collection of appliances and cabinets. A kitchen includes all construction elements. You’ve got plumbing, electrical, drywall, HVAC, and flooring as well as cabinetry.

Changing the kitchen could mean changing the plumbing. The right renovation partner considers all the pieces that must come together to create the kitchen you want. When budget is a concern, that’s important. Pick Inspired Remodels as your partner.

Approve a Workable Design

Your renovation must start with a plan. Make sure the design you approve is a workable design. Kitchens are work spaces. The most efficient designs are based on the kitchen triangle. The refrigerator, sink, and stove are essential to cooking. Place these items in a triangle and the cook moves efficiently between the essentials. Include storage for the most used items in easily accessible places.

Work with a design/build contractor and make the kitchen renovation process easier. A contractor like Inspired Remodels not only creates a workable design, they execute the design as well. That’s one less headache for you.

Utilize Easy Care Finishes

Unless you want to spend as much time cleaning as you do cooking, pick easy care finishes. Do you pine for granite countertops? Did you know that quartz is easier to maintain? Tile makes a lovely backsplash, but do you want to scrub grout?

Talk with your kitchen renovation specialist during the design phase to pick out finishes that are not only lovely and durable but are easy to maintain.

Once you’ve selected your design and finishes, then set up your temporary kitchen in another area. Use disposables, small appliances, and practice patience. The end product will be well worth the disruption.

Celebrate with A Party

Once the work is complete, invite friends over. You’ll be thankful that entertaining and cooking is so easy in your new kitchen. Picking the right partner and relying on their expertise in design pays off in a workable kitchen. You’ll have a kitchen that’s great for cooking and easy to clean when you’re done. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us today and schedule a consultation.