Tricky ways to save on your kitchen remodel

Tricky ways to save money on your kitchen remodel Kitchen design and planning is a daunting task. We often know the look we want, but many times our budgets aren't as large as our wish lists are long. But that doesn't mean we can't have a remarkable kitchen remodel— we just have to get smart. Reach into the designer inspired bag of tricks for savvy ways to get full-on style with a much smaller price tag. Get the kitchen you have always wanted without going broke.

(Photo Credit - Houzz)

#1 Tile

Problem is you found the most amazing tile for your kitchen backsplash and its way over your budget. One tricky way to save money on your kitchen remodel is to use that amazing tile, as an accent to another complimentary, lower priced tile. This way you are getting to save money while still going with your desired style. Try using the expensive tile in a pattern above your range or as a trim to your backsplash. When is a backsplash not just a backsplash? With a little attention to detail, you can take your backsplash from a run-of-the-mill design feature to the focal point of the whole room.

#2 Lighting

Illumination is key to adorning interior spaces. Proper kitchen design necessitates well-lit areas to allow you to conveniently work in the kitchen. As a result, ample natural light inside the kitchen space is indispensable. Designer lighting can be expensive, and sometimes the splurge is not feasible. Try looking for faux luxe lighting or resale shops; you can generally find affordable lighting that looks just like designer décor and no one will know. Looking for décor steals? Try World Market and Home Goods.

#3 Flooring

That hardwood caught your eye in your home décor magazine? If hardwood is a must, but would bust your budget you must try Vinyl Plank Flooring. VPF looks like genuine hardwood although is over half the cost. A variety of desirable characteristics continue to make this versatile flooring material a popular option to this day. The colors and pattern options that are available with vinyl flooring are nearly endless, and the maintenance is simple.

Mistakes to avoid in your Bathroom Remodel

Mistakes to avoid in your Bathroom Remodel Some things are meant for other rooms in your house, rather than your bathroom. Don’t waste your well earned money on your next bathroom remodel. Avoid bathroom remodel mistakes by avoiding these materials or colors.

1. Wall to Wall Carpet

Carpet is majorly discouraged by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  Yes this is one comfy flooring to rest your toes on after a long bath, but this material harbors mold, mildew and bacteria. Ultimately carpet in your bathroom is a health concern, more so than a decorating fail. 30 years ago this was a big trend in the remodeling industry, now we are more aware of the risks imposed by carpet in bathrooms. Skip the carpet and opt for a few bathroom throw rugs that can be washed and dries regularly. Tile flooring in bathrooms is a great surface to choose when remodeling your bathroom floor. Tile is easy to clean and disinfect, durable, there are a millions design and color options and will last as long as your bathroom.

2. Wall Paper

We all see the fancy bathrooms in the magazines that display lavish wall paper; fact of the matter is that any high moisture will cause the wall paper to peel eventually. Think about this, why use wall paper in a steamy room, when people use steam to remove old wall paper? Your bathroom produces the most moisture and steam in the whole house. If you must, absolutely must, have your bathroom wall papered – use a high quality, Vinyl wall paper. DO NOT attempt to use a peel and stick wall paper, this will be a waste of time and money. Peel and stick wall paper will bubble and peel within weeks if not days. Wall paper will last the longest in half bathrooms or bathrooms used less frequently.

3. Yellow paint

Avoid breaking out the Canary Yellow paint for your bathroom remodel, as this color is not a great choice for bathrooms. Yellow and yellow tones can make a bathroom look brash, and create a room that obscures your reflection. Ladies, note to self, don’t apply makeup in a yellow room. Choose colors that have a gray or blue tint to get that Spa like feel in your bathroom. Also consider the size of your room before picking a paint color. Darker colors are best suited for larger rooms, and light colors for small rooms.

Affordable Bathroom Remodel Design Ideas for Your Home

Affordable Bathroom Remodel Design Ideas for Your Home When it comes to bathroom remodeling, there is so much that you can do that costs very little. With simple changes, you can make your bathroom into a brand new space, an oasis where you can relax and unwind at the end of the day. Take one or more of the suggestions below and put them to work in your bathroom to have a nice place to relax as you finish the work day.

Paint

Paint can go a long way and is something you can do to change the look of the room for very little money. By simply taking a new paint color and applying it to your walls, you have a fresh color scheme that can be relaxing or bold, whatever you like! Find a color that speaks to you and apply it to your bathroom walls. Add new accent pieces in a varying color for a unique look.

Decorative Touches

If your bathroom is painted in a neutral tone, you can simply purchase new decorative touches to change the look of the space. A new shower curtain, window treatments and other décor items are affordable to purchase and when you go with a completely new color scheme, the bathroom will take on an entirely new look for very little money. By making these simple changes, it will seem like you have spent a lot of money but you really only did a few minor changes to get the new look.

Lighting

Another great way to continue with bathroom remodeling is to change out the light fixtures of the space. Depending on how large your bathroom is or how many bathrooms you have in your home, you may need to change out several fixtures. Many older homes have outdate lighting that once replaced, breathes life back into the space. If you lack lighting experience, hire a Los Angeles remodeling contractor to do the job for you. After the new light fixtures have been added, you will be surprised at how different the space looks and feels.

Full Remodel

If you have the time and money, it can be worth the effort to consider a full bathroom remodel. By changing out old vanities and sinks, showers and tubs as well as lighting and décor, you can have a completely new bathroom with a new look and feel. This of course will be a great deal of work and you will need some help. Trying to tackle a full remodel with little to no experience can lead to trouble. By hiring a Los Angeles remodeling company, you will be able to have a team on hand who know just what to do and can bring new life to your bathroom space.

Overall, any change you do to the bathroom will help you to have a new space to enjoy in your home. Start with simple changes and work your way up to major remodeling projects in order to completely redo the space and enjoy a new bathroom in your home.

Luxurious Bathroom Makeover Ideas

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to get away and treat ourselves to a spa day, like every day of the week?  Well, if that dream is a bit out of your reach for financial or practical reasons, there are a few things you can do to your current bathroom to give it that spa feel. Most Los Angeles remodeling contractors will tell you the same thing, creating a spa bathroom of your dreams are practical and more affordable than daily trips to the local spa. Modern design and technology makes getting your own spa bathroom very possible. Here are the basic must haves in order to really have the spa bathroom you desire.

1. Extra-large soaking tub.

Many tubs are made deeper than previous models for prolonged soaking and resting. If this idea catches your attention, consider adding a stylish grab bar preventing unnecessary slips when entering or exiting. Along with these separate soaking tubs comes a growing request for shelves and spaces to place candles, decorative plants and handy baskets of towels and pampering lotions. Incorporating a TV in the bathroom for viewing from the tub is another amenity that is well liked and asked for more and more.

2. Steam room and Luxury Shower.

No more quick showers with this spa-like feature in your master bath.  With added space and multiple shower heads and built in bench, this becomes the ultimate way to pamper you.  Also, adding in glass panels and doors will help create an open and more spacious feel to the space.

3. Entertainment system with TV.

With the other features of your spa-like bathroom, it is obvious that you will be spending more time in the space.  Adding flat screen TVs and stereos in bathrooms is becoming more and more popular as homeowners are creating their ultimate oasis to soak away the day.  We’ve even seen small refrigeration units installed to have cold beverages readily available!

4. The right color!

Spas use neutral shades to keep the feeling of the room peaceful and relaxing. When introducing new colors, stick to neutral and earthy tones. Try using whites and light blue shades for a modern feel and light greens and wood for an earthier vibe.

5. Heated floors and a heated towel rack.

Every spa has those warm, cozy robes and towels – why not mock the idea and have a heated towel rack installed so that you never have to endure a cold towel again. And why go through the inconvenience of stepping onto cold bathroom tile floors when you can have heated floors?  Not only do they welcome bare feet but they make it easy to step out of the shower without getting chilled after you relaxed.

12 Must-Haves for a Designer's Dream Bathroom

12 Must-Haves for a Designer’s Dream Bathroom

Tricky ways to save on your kitchen remodel

Tricky ways to save money on your kitchen remodel Kitchen design and planning is a daunting task. We often know the look we want, but many times our budgets aren't as large as our wish lists are long. But that doesn't mean we can't have a remarkable kitchen remodel— we just have to get smart. Reach into the designer inspired bag of tricks for savvy ways to get full-on style with a much smaller price tag. Get the kitchen you have always wanted without going broke.

(Photo Credit - Houzz)

#1 Tile

Problem is you found the most amazing tile for your kitchen backsplash and its way over your budget. One tricky way to save money on your kitchen remodel is to use that amazing tile, as an accent to another complimentary, lower priced tile. This way you are getting to save money while still going with your desired style. Try using the expensive tile in a pattern above your range or as a trim to your backsplash. When is a backsplash not just a backsplash? With a little attention to detail, you can take your backsplash from a run-of-the-mill design feature to the focal point of the whole room.

#2 Lighting

Illumination is key to adorning interior spaces. Proper kitchen design necessitates well-lit areas to allow you to conveniently work in the kitchen. As a result, ample natural light inside the kitchen space is indispensable. Designer lighting can be expensive, and sometimes the splurge is not feasible. Try looking for faux luxe lighting or resale shops; you can generally find affordable lighting that looks just like designer décor and no one will know. Looking for décor steals? Try World Market and Home Goods.

#3 Flooring

That hardwood caught your eye in your home décor magazine? If hardwood is a must, but would bust your budget you must try Vinyl Plank Flooring. VPF looks like genuine hardwood although is over half the cost. A variety of desirable characteristics continue to make this versatile flooring material a popular option to this day. The colors and pattern options that are available with vinyl flooring are nearly endless, and the maintenance is simple.

9 Tips to Revamp your bathroom without a Remodel

9 Tips to revamp without a remodel Maybe you don’t have the budget to fix up your guest bathroom, or maybe you are just trying to save that budget – either way you came here because you want ideas to revamp without a remodel. Even without a bathroom remodel, there are still plenty of things you can do to make your bathroom a new sight to see. Here are nine ideas to spruce up that guest bathroom that gets no love.

1. Paint your bathroom a bold color. For the cost of a can of paint, you can take your bathroom from boring to energizing. With a little elbow grease of course. You would be surprised how much a new paint color can really make a difference and create an almost remodeled appearance.

2. Transform your space with textiles. Beautiful towels don't have to cost a lot of money, and displayed prominently, they can really change the look of a space. Add funky towel holders that aren’t the typical ones you see in bathrooms. A boldly patterned shower curtain can also make a big difference!

3. Add an unexpected rug. Try an oriental or fancy rug in the bathroom, because why not? No one said you must to stick with basic bathroom mats. Change it up! Check out DIY river rock mats for the bathroom for a taste of nature in your bathroom.

4. Add some shelves into the empty spaces. Add decorated shelves for extra storage space, and a little architectural interest, too. If you have no extra space for shelves, pick up a wheeled storage cart.

5. Work some wallpaper into your bathroom.  Not cheap, but cheaper than remodeling – wallpaper can really change your bathroom. And if you pick really crazy prints or textured wallpaper, people won't be looking at much else.

6. Add a little art. Nothing transforms a bathroom like a little art or custom decor. Just save your precious pieces for spaces with a little less humidity.

7. Paint the ceiling. Painting the ceiling makes for an unexpected, dramatic look, and draws the eye upward. You can even get ceiling tiles for that antique look!

8. Pick out interesting fixtures in bright colors. Your necessities don’t have to be boring; you can supplement your basic colors for cheerful colors and prints. Try painting your fixtures an unexpected color – for instance mustard yellow!

9. Add a statement mirror.  An interesting mirror is sure to draw the eye — and brighten up the room as well. Without breaking the bank you can find a second hand antique mirror or even try framing your current mirror to save money.

9 Tips to Revamp your bathroom without a Remodel

9 Tips to revamp without a remodel Maybe you don’t have the budget to fix up your guest bathroom, or maybe you are just trying to save that budget – either way you came here because you want ideas to revamp without a remodel. Even without a bathroom remodel, there are still plenty of things you can do to make your bathroom a new sight to see. Here are nine ideas to spruce up that guest bathroom that gets no love.

1. Paint your bathroom a bold color. For the cost of a can of paint, you can take your bathroom from boring to energizing. With a little elbow grease of course. You would be surprised how much a new paint color can really make a difference and create an almost remodeled appearance.

2. Transform your space with textiles. Beautiful towels don't have to cost a lot of money, and displayed prominently, they can really change the look of a space. Add funky towel holders that aren’t the typical ones you see in bathrooms. A boldly patterned shower curtain can also make a big difference!

3. Add an unexpected rug. Try an oriental or fancy rug in the bathroom, because why not? No one said you must to stick with basic bathroom mats. Change it up! Check out DIY river rock mats for the bathroom for a taste of nature in your bathroom.

4. Add some shelves into the empty spaces. Add decorated shelves for extra storage space, and a little architectural interest, too. If you have no extra space for shelves, pick up a wheeled storage cart.

5. Work some wallpaper into your bathroom.  Not cheap, but cheaper than remodeling – wallpaper can really change your bathroom. And if you pick really crazy prints or textured wallpaper, people won't be looking at much else.

6. Add a little art. Nothing transforms a bathroom like a little art or custom decor. Just save your precious pieces for spaces with a little less humidity.

7. Paint the ceiling. Painting the ceiling makes for an unexpected, dramatic look, and draws the eye upward. You can even get ceiling tiles for that antique look!

8. Pick out interesting fixtures in bright colors. Your necessities don’t have to be boring; you can supplement your basic colors for cheerful colors and prints. Try painting your fixtures an unexpected color – for instance mustard yellow!

9. Add a statement mirror.  An interesting mirror is sure to draw the eye — and brighten up the room as well. Without breaking the bank you can find a second hand antique mirror or even try framing your current mirror to save money.

Transform your home with the trends

Transform your home with the trends Keeping up with interior design trends is no easy task. When this requires a serious financial investment most of us prefer to ignore them. What if there were easy ways to transform the look of your home without having to replace the furniture? We offer you some simple home design transformations following recent trends in the world of interior design.

Contrasting Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is often the most expensive to redesign. Because of this kitchen cabinets are the oldest pieces of furniture in many homes. Don’t worry! You can transform your kitchen cabinets by just putting a fresh coat of paint in the colors that are on trend now. The biggest design hit these days is painting the lower and upper cabinets in two different colors. The most popular is grey  for the lower and white for the upper cabinets. You can pick from different shades of grey for the lower cabinets, ranging from very dark to very light. This stylish and timeless color scheme will add glamour to your kitchen.

Persian Rugs in the Bathroom

Opt for a colorful Persian rug instead of a bathroom mat. Bathrooms can feel somewhat sterile and adding a pop of color is a simple solution. Persian rugs are a hot trend at the moment. They are very graphic and colorful and they are often enough to transform the look of an entire room. They work well in the bathroom and make a perfect accent item.

Mixing Old and New

Mixing furniture and other design elements from different decades or even centuries is very on trend. For example you can mix ultra modern furniture with old vintage dressers and chairs. This brings an eclectic feel to living spaces. You would want to make your home to look like there are layers of history in it and this is easy to achieve by adding some antique pieces. Think again before you throw away old furniture!

Homier Bathroom

One of the hottest interior design trends of 2016 is bathrooms that feel like living spaces. There are several tips and tricks you can follow to achieve that cozy bathroom feel. Add a seating area in the bathroom or just a comfortable armchair. You can also add furniture with more shelving. Plants are also a good way to make the bathroom look more like your living room.

Source: www.persquare.com

Tricky ways to save on your kitchen remodel

Tricky ways to save money on your kitchen remodel Kitchen design and planning is a daunting task. We often know the look we want, but many times our budgets aren't as large as our wish lists are long. But that doesn't mean we can't have a remarkable kitchen remodel— we just have to get smart. Reach into the designer inspired bag of tricks for savvy ways to get full-on style with a much smaller price tag. Get the kitchen you have always wanted without going broke.

(Photo Credit - Houzz)

#1 Tile

Problem is you found the most amazing tile for your kitchen backsplash and its way over your budget. One tricky way to save money on your kitchen remodel is to use that amazing tile, as an accent to another complimentary, lower priced tile. This way you are getting to save money while still going with your desired style. Try using the expensive tile in a pattern above your range or as a trim to your backsplash. When is a backsplash not just a backsplash? With a little attention to detail, you can take your backsplash from a run-of-the-mill design feature to the focal point of the whole room.

#2 Lighting

Illumination is key to adorning interior spaces. Proper kitchen design necessitates well-lit areas to allow you to conveniently work in the kitchen. As a result, ample natural light inside the kitchen space is indispensable. Designer lighting can be expensive, and sometimes the splurge is not feasible. Try looking for faux luxe lighting or resale shops; you can generally find affordable lighting that looks just like designer décor and no one will know. Looking for décor steals? Try World Market and Home Goods.

#3 Flooring

That hardwood caught your eye in your home décor magazine? If hardwood is a must, but would bust your budget you must try Vinyl Plank Flooring. VPF looks like genuine hardwood although is over half the cost. A variety of desirable characteristics continue to make this versatile flooring material a popular option to this day. The colors and pattern options that are available with vinyl flooring are nearly endless, and the maintenance is simple.

Mistakes to avoid in your Bathroom Remodel

Mistakes to avoid in your Bathroom Remodel Some things are meant for other rooms in your house, rather than your bathroom. Don’t waste your well earned money on your next bathroom remodel. Avoid bathroom remodel mistakes by avoiding these materials or colors.

1. Wall to Wall Carpet

Carpet is majorly discouraged by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  Yes this is one comfy flooring to rest your toes on after a long bath, but this material harbors mold, mildew and bacteria. Ultimately carpet in your bathroom is a health concern, more so than a decorating fail. 30 years ago this was a big trend in the remodeling industry, now we are more aware of the risks imposed by carpet in bathrooms. Skip the carpet and opt for a few bathroom throw rugs that can be washed and dries regularly. Tile flooring in bathrooms is a great surface to choose when remodeling your bathroom floor. Tile is easy to clean and disinfect, durable, there are a millions design and color options and will last as long as your bathroom.

2. Wall Paper

We all see the fancy bathrooms in the magazines that display lavish wall paper; fact of the matter is that any high moisture will cause the wall paper to peel eventually. Think about this, why use wall paper in a steamy room, when people use steam to remove old wall paper? Your bathroom produces the most moisture and steam in the whole house. If you must, absolutely must, have your bathroom wall papered – use a high quality, Vinyl wall paper. DO NOT attempt to use a peel and stick wall paper, this will be a waste of time and money. Peel and stick wall paper will bubble and peel within weeks if not days. Wall paper will last the longest in half bathrooms or bathrooms used less frequently.

3. Yellow paint

Avoid breaking out the Canary Yellow paint for your bathroom remodel, as this color is not a great choice for bathrooms. Yellow and yellow tones can make a bathroom look brash, and create a room that obscures your reflection. Ladies, note to self, don’t apply makeup in a yellow room. Choose colors that have a gray or blue tint to get that Spa like feel in your bathroom. Also consider the size of your room before picking a paint color. Darker colors are best suited for larger rooms, and light colors for small rooms.

Mistakes to avoid in your Bathroom Remodel

Mistakes to avoid in your Bathroom Remodel Some things are meant for other rooms in your house, rather than your bathroom. Don’t waste your well earned money on your next bathroom remodel. Avoid bathroom remodel mistakes by avoiding these materials or colors.

1. Wall to Wall Carpet

Carpet is majorly discouraged by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  Yes this is one comfy flooring to rest your toes on after a long bath, but this material harbors mold, mildew and bacteria. Ultimately carpet in your bathroom is a health concern, more so than a decorating fail. 30 years ago this was a big trend in the remodeling industry, now we are more aware of the risks imposed by carpet in bathrooms. Skip the carpet and opt for a few bathroom throw rugs that can be washed and dries regularly. Tile flooring in bathrooms is a great surface to choose when remodeling your bathroom floor. Tile is easy to clean and disinfect, durable, there are a millions design and color options and will last as long as your bathroom.

2. Wall Paper

We all see the fancy bathrooms in the magazines that display lavish wall paper; fact of the matter is that any high moisture will cause the wall paper to peel eventually. Think about this, why use wall paper in a steamy room, when people use steam to remove old wall paper? Your bathroom produces the most moisture and steam in the whole house. If you must, absolutely must, have your bathroom wall papered – use a high quality, Vinyl wall paper. DO NOT attempt to use a peel and stick wall paper, this will be a waste of time and money. Peel and stick wall paper will bubble and peel within weeks if not days. Wall paper will last the longest in half bathrooms or bathrooms used less frequently.

3. Yellow paint

Avoid breaking out the Canary Yellow paint for your bathroom remodel, as this color is not a great choice for bathrooms. Yellow and yellow tones can make a bathroom look brash, and create a room that obscures your reflection. Ladies, note to self, don’t apply makeup in a yellow room. Choose colors that have a gray or blue tint to get that Spa like feel in your bathroom. Also consider the size of your room before picking a paint color. Darker colors are best suited for larger rooms, and light colors for small rooms.

Small Bathrooms with BIG design ideas

Small bathroom remodel, big ideas.....

 

You may not have a 1000sq foot bathroom, but there are things you can do when designing your remodel to maximize space and make your room feel larger than average.

Here size doesn’t matter! And you can have it all in any size bathroom remodel.

When redesigning a small bathroom you want to use your space wisely and make the room more open. By opting for a corner shower tub combo, you can have the luxury of a bath tub while not losing space in the room. If you have that awkward corner in your bathroom, utilize this space for your new shower stall. The great thing about current bathtub designs is the fact that they are becoming more innovative and makers are thinking of bathrooms of all sizes. If you don’t love a corner shower and you want to have a modern look and feel to your small bathroom look into free standing bathtubs, such as Freestanding Slipper Tub. http://www.vintagetub.com/randolph-morris-freestanding-slipper-tub-no-faucet-drillings-rmocfs130.html?utm_id=IDAXX&gclid=CNqj8piovccCFQwyaQod-HkGZA. These deep soaking tubs add style and don’t take much space.

Another way to make your room feel larger is to cut clutter and utilize storage space. Less clutter will open up any room and give it a fresh and clean design. A piece of framed art work can be hinged and hung to hide a sunken storage compartment in the wall, if you can’t cut back on clutter.  Floating shelves can be built in places where space isn’t used for instance above a bathtub or above a window, or you can turn a wine rack into a towel holder hung on the wall. Having a floating sink installed in place of an old vanity could be a good choice for a small guest bathroom remodel. These modern sinks take less space and remain clutter free! Think “Less Is Better” in spaces that are tight or cramped.

               Light and color play a large role in making a room appear larger than it is. If you can add a window or make a window larger, do it. If you can’t take down walls to increase space – add windows or skylights.  Bringing in light and the outdoors will add the idea of space. You can have a bay window act as a shelf to display bathroom essentials, adding style and function to the window. Dark colors will make a room seem smaller, so chose light and bright colors for small bathroom remodels. Don’t let this scare you away from using patterns and texture when remodeling. Adding an accent wall, wood paneled wall, or textured wall paper can draw the attention off the size of the bathroom and onto the great style. If you have a freestanding tub – chandeliers make a statement and add bright light to the room. The use of floor to ceiling tile will also make a room larger, stay away from horizontal designs which make your ceiling feel low overhead.

For more bathroom remodel ideas check out our HOUZZ account and get your creative juices going: http://www.houzz.com/projects/1228298/guest-bathroom-los-angeles