Bathroom Remodel Ideas for Small Spaces

If you are currently space challenged, your bathroom remodel needs to accomplish a lot in a small footprint. Fortunately, there are many ways to maximize space so that you can get the features you need without a lot of square footage.  The key is to speak with a bathroom expert that knows how to position things along with tricks for packing more into a small space. 

Here are some of our favorite ideas:

• Use a pedestal sink.  If you are remodeling a small powder room, there is typically no need for a lot of storage. This is the space most often used by guests, so install a pedestal sink instead of a traditional vanity.  It will clear up floor space so that the room looks larger than it is. 
• Look to the walls.  Instead of placing things on the floor, use the walls in your bathroom remodel.  For example, toilet paper can be hung on the wall next to the toilet instead of using a stand that is placed onto the floor.  Using a medicine cabinet for your mirror will also create storage on the wall while eliminating the need for a cabinet on the floor.  
• Use a curved shower rod.  This will not take up any additional floor space but will make the interior of the shower feel larger than it is, important for people that don’t like confined spaces. 
• Built-in storage.  A contractor can build cubbies into your wall that can be used for storing towels, toilet paper, and anything else that you may need.  This is an excellent way to gain storage without eating into your floor space.  It can also help you to stay organized and eliminate the need to place towels in a hallway linen closet. 
• Shallow counter and cabinets.  If you aren’t fond of the pedestal sink, you can have custom cabinets created that are more shallow than normal.  A counter can be placed on top to give you the benefits of a bathroom countertop without taking up too much floor space. 
• Hanging lights.  If you are limited on wall space, use hanging lights instead. You can get really creative and use it as a decorative piece as well.  While small, these lights can provide the illumination you need while also enhancing the design of the space. 
• Add texture.  When you have a small space, it is the perfect time to incorporate exotic textures and bright colors.  You can use a small powder room to incorporate your favorite things without feeling like you are going overboard.  For example, use mosaic tiles to cover the walls or your favorite shade of coral.  Since the room is completely confined, you don’t need to worry about it matching the other spaces in your home. 

Whether you are planning a bathroom remodel of an existing space or want to incorporate a new bathroom into your home, small spaces can do the trick without taking needed floor space from other rooms.  For example, an under the stairs bathroom can create a needed powder room without impacting the rest of the house.  To learn more about your options, call Quality Kitchen and Bath today.

New Features in Custom Cabinets That Your Family Will Love

If you are remodeling your kitchen, custom cabinets are a must have solution for creating the perfect space.  Cabinets do more than simply hold your dishes, they have changed over time to become more beautiful and functional than ever. When working with Quality Kitchen and Bath you can select exactly how they will look on the outside along with how they function on the inside. 

When you decide to remodel your kitchen, call us for a consultation.  We will go over your wish list along with learning more about how you use your kitchen, how many people cook and eat at home on a regular basis.  We will also want to know about the type of food that you cook and any special appliances that you use to make sure that there is a place for everything. There is no reason to remodel your kitchen and not include enough storage for every item both large and small.  With this information we will advise you on what type of cabinets and features you should have inside of your kitchen.

Here are some new features that custom cabinets can have. 

• Baking sheet storage.  In many kitchens baking sheets or trays are in a single drawer underneath the oven.  This is messy and makes it difficult to grab the right baking tray when you need it.  Instead, a cabinet can be created with wooden slats separating trays.  They can stand straight up making it easy to see and grab what you need when you need it. 
• Silverware storage.  The silverware drawer can easily become overcrowded.  Instead of placing a plastic tray inside of a drawer we provide silverware storage that can be built right in.  Not only can it be built in but we can build in two layers of storage into one single drawer.  That way the silverware you use daily is on top but can be slid back to show extras or the silverware that is reserved for special occasions. 
• Slide out drawers.  This is one of the most convenient features in custom cabinets.  The face of the cabinet looks the same, but the base pulls out so that you can easily see and grab exactly what you need without digging through a dark cabinet. We can even build a double layer so that you can sort things like placemats easily. 
• Pull out towel holder.  Kitchen towels are a must have in any kitchen but they don’t look aesthetically appealing.  We can build a custom towel holder that is hidden behind a cabinet front. 
• Spice cabinet.  Spices can get cluttered very easily.  We can build a pull out spice cabinet or drawer that has a narrow space for the spices.  This way you can see everything easily.
• Wine storage.  If you love wine but don’t have space for a wine cellar, we can build wine storage into your custom cabinets. Tell us how large your wine collection is and we will design a space for it.  

The options with custom cabinets are endless when working with Quality Kitchen and Bath.  To learn more, call for a consultation today.

How to Design Your Bath Remodel

Summer is the perfect time for a bath remodel.  Since the weather hot and beautiful, you can be outdoors enjoying the sunshine while the experts transform your bathroom.  Before you get started it is important to think about the type of bathroom that you want and what features you need to make the space work perfectly for you. 

Here are some questions to ask before a bath remodel:

1. How many people will use the bathroom?  A common problem with a bathroom is that they can become crowded. This isn’t an issue if you live alone but if you share a bathroom with a spouse or have several kids using a hallway bath it is important to incorporate enough space for everyone.  Let your contractor know how many people will be using the space and how old they are. 
2. Does the bathroom need to be ADA friendly?  If anyone uses the bathroom in a wheelchair, the space will need to be wide enough for the chair to turn around in. This is an important factor to tell your contractor about before the project begins. 
3. Do any children need to use the restroom?  As a contractor, we can incorporate kid-friendly features into your bath remodel. Simple solutions like installing two levels of sinks make it easy for a little one to wash their hands.  Additionally, a shorter toilet can be installed. This makes it easy for kids to use the restroom without help. 
4. What do you want to store inside of the space?  If you don’t have a nearby linen closet, there needs to be space to hold all of your typical toiletries along with extra towels, toilet paper, and more.  This can easily be built into the bathroom and fit seamlessly with the design. 

These are some of the basics that need to be discussed when designing your bathroom.  Once they are resolved it is time to focus on more design elements.  This is where you can be as creative as you like with things like color, fixtures, lighting, and more can completely transform the space.  For example, a spa-like bathroom can be created for the master that offers a serene getaway.  The powder room can be more fun and whimsical since it won’t be used as often. Simultaneously, a hallway bathroom shared by kids should be colorful and full of storage solutions.  All of these can be incorporated into the design by Quality Kitchen and Bath. 

We can also include some practical yet luxurious features like heated tile floors that can make your feet warm and toasty during the winter.  Heated towel bars can help your towels to dry quickly and give you something warm to wrap yourself up in.  Built in televisions can deliver the news while you curl your hair and brush your teeth in the morning while touchless faucets can keep germs off of your hands.  The sky is the limit with modern home technology.  To get started on your dream bath remodel, call Quality Kitchen and Bath today.

How to Create Storage with Custom Cabinets

You can use custom cabinets to create more storage in your home.  While they look fabulous in the kitchen and bathroom, their uses are far more extensive.  Since you can have the shape customized for any size space, it is easy to turn even the smallest nook into a functional storage space.  By using stunning design ideas and techniques, your storage solutions can be both beautiful and functional. 

Here are ideas you can try in your home:

• Dining room storage.  If you love hosting dinner parties or family gatherings it is important to have storage for your party supplies, linens, place settings, and decorations.  We can create built-in dining room storage for you to keep all of the extras that make a dinner party special.  By placing them in the same room, it will also reduce the time you spend preparing and cleaning up.
• Storage above the bed.  If you have a small master bedroom, you can increase your storage without taking up floor space.  Built-in storage can be designed around your bed, using beautiful custom cabinets.  You can even incorporate a headboard into the design to perfect the look.
• Window seat.  Maximize the space underneath your windows by having a custom window seat created.  It can have storage underneath for items like blankets, pillows, or games while providing a comfortable spot to sit and relax.
• Bookshelves.  Cabinets don’t always have to come with a front.  You can leave them open and create built-in bookshelves in any room of the house.  They can be installed along the sides of a doorway in order to maximize what is typically unused space.
• Shoe storage.  If you have a large family, or a lot of shoes, there is likely a large pile forming at the entrance to your home.  Built-in shoe storage is an ideal solution.  We can take a wall inside of your mudroom or next to the entry and use custom cabinetry to create small cubbies for each pair of shoes.  If this is in a visible space, lovely cabinet fronts can be installed to hide the clutter.
• Laundry room.  We can build custom cabinets in the laundry room with deep drawers that make it easy to store clean clothes in between folding, towels, extra sweaters and more.  A countertop can be placed on top to act as a good folding area.
• Built-in desks.  Whether you work at home or have kids that need to do homework, built-in desks can provide a place to work and much needed storage.  We can install a variety of cabinets to hold files, paper, pens, pencils, office supplies, and art supplies.  By giving everything a unique space in your home, clutter will be reduced.

Custom cabinets are the storage solution you have been looking for.  They can be made in any size and will fit in difficult spaces.  You can reduce clutter and become the organization queen or king by creating a plan for all of your storage needs then having us build the cabinets to accommodate them. 

Five Tips for Making Your Bath Remodel a Success

Before you start a bath remodel there are things you can do to make the process more successful.  In any remodel, there are bound to be surprises.  By preparing and creating a plan, you can stay on schedule and on budget.  Our team of experts can help you to do just that. 

Here are tips for making your project a successful one.

1. Plan for your remodel and buy the supplies.  Before you start demolition, know what paint colors you are using, the vanity you want to install, lighting fixtures that you need, tub, tile etc.  Consider each item that you want within your bathroom and buy it ahead of time.  Some items will take time to arrive or may be temporarily out of stock so wait to start your project until you have everything.  As a contractor, we will help with this process.
2. Apply for permits.  If you are doing more than a simple bath remodel, like extending out the space, you may need a permit.  We will help to facilitate this process by completing and submitting a permit application.  If one is required, the job can’t start until the permit is received.  The time of year and the county will determine how long this process will take.
3. Plan for storage.  A bathroom needs storage.  When considering your design options it is important to decide if your storage will use built in cabinets or if you want to buy storage that takes up floor space.  This should be incorporated into the design, and built-in storage needs to be created during the initial build out.
4. Ventilation.  Bathrooms without proper ventilation can suffer from mold issues.  When doing a bath remodel you can have a fan installed, window, or both.  Whenever possible we recommend incorporating both options because it gives you the maximum amount of air flow.  We can use windows with opaque glass so that no one can see inside when the window is closed.
5. Install good lighting.  The proper amount of lighting is essential for ladies that want to have their hair and make-up turn out perfectly.  A bathroom should include multiple lighting options so that it can be dim when you want to soak in the tub or bright when putting on eyeliner.  Consider recessed lighting that is installed in the ceiling along with lights over the bathroom mirror and an extendable makeup mirror that is lit.
6. Heated flooring.  If you want to keep your toes nice and toasty all year long, have heated floors installed.  This is a delightful way to heat the space and is an environmentally friendly solution.
7. Color.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with color.  The bathroom is the perfect place to have fun and try out a new color or texture on the walls.  Since the space is small and confined, it doesn’t have to match the rest of the house.  Get creative and have fun with your bath remodel.

For more ideas or to schedule a consultation give us a call today.

Design Ideas for a Summertime Bath Remodel

If you want to do a bath remodel this summer, we have fantastic ideas for you.  Remodeling your bathroom can be fun and increase your enjoyment of the space.  Since bathrooms are so small, it is easy to make a large impact fairly quickly.  Even with kids home from school it is easy to tackle this remodeling project and it can be completed in only a couple of weeks.  As an added benefit, the bathroom is contained so the rest of your house won’t be impacted by dirt or clutter.

This summer take advantage of the long days and start a home improvement project.  Our professional crew can transform your space quickly and beautifully.  By the time school starts back up you and your family could be getting ready in style.

Here are some of our favorite bath remodel ideas.

• Storage.  Every bathroom should be full of built in storage solutions.  Whether you are a couple without children or a large family of five, storage is essential for keeping the bathroom clean and organized.  We can build cubbies into the wall to hold your towels so that a linen closet isn’t needed.  Custom cabinets can be made to hold the right size of makeup and toiletries.  Drawers can be divided for smaller items.  The key is to identify every member of the family that will be using the space and the items they use to get ready in the morning.  Once we know that we can create a storage plan to keep everything in its place.
• Heated towel bar.  This is lovely in the winter.  It will help your towels to dry faster and give you something warm to wrap up in on those colder days.
• Heated tile floors.  This is a fantastic solution for keeping the space warm.  Your toes will stay nice and toasty, and it is an energy efficient solution for keeping your bathroom warm.
• Install a window.  Many older homes don’t have windows in the bathroom. While a fan can be effective for removing excess moisture, it cannot provide the fresh air that a window can.  Have a window installed that can open so that you can have fresh air and let the moisture out year round.
• Custom mirrors.  Large blocks of glass mirrors look boring and have no character.  Use a large custom mirror, or two mirrors, instead.  This will improve the entire look of your bathroom and give it a custom feel.  You can also use the mirror to express your creativity.
• Double sinks.  This is a must have for anyone that isn’t single.  Brushing teeth, washing your face, and getting ready in the morning becomes much easier when you are not fighting over the sink.  Even the kids will appreciate this one.
• Lighting.  Have quality lighting installed so that you can see yourself while getting ready.

There are many other solutions for customizing your bathroom.  A bath remodel can be as simple as improving the aesthetic features or as complicated as adding more square footage.  We can handle it all and would be happy to share specific design ideas during an in-home consultation. 

Custom Cabinets for Your Home

If you need better storage, custom cabinets are the solution.  Many homeowners think of cabinetry in the kitchen only.  While it is absolutely necessary for an organized kitchen, they can be used in other areas of the home, as well.  We provide custom work for homes throughout the area.  Here are some of our favorite design and storage solutions.

Mudroom

When your family walks into the house they need an area to place coats, shoes, rain gear, backpacks, purses and more.  If you have a mudroom it can become an ideal place but still needs storage.  Placing a shoe rack on the floor simply won’t cut it.  Built-ins can be designed with a cubby up top for hats and purses, hanging coat storage underneath, and a bottom cubby for shoes and boots.  By installing one, for every member of the family, you can make getting out the door much faster.  This will eliminate the need to search the house for a new glove or boot when leaving for school Monday morning.

Entertainment Room

An entertainment room is great for relaxing with family and friends.  This is a fantastic area to play board games, video games, listen to music, and watch your favorite movie.  The challenge is that all of these things take up space and can make the room look cluttered.  Custom cabinets are the storage solution you need.  Individual cabinets can be designed with the storage item in mind.  For example, a board game cabinet needs to be wide and deep enough to fit the largest Scrabble set.  A video game cabinet needs to have smaller built in sections to separate games.  Understanding how you use the space enables us to design a custom solution.

The Garage

Who says the garage has to look cluttered and dirty?  If you are a hobbyist or like to keep your garage pristine, we can help by installing custom cabinets for the garage.  They can be made in any material or color that you like and house your tools and equipment.  This will save you time trying to find the right tool and help you to create a cool hangout spot.

Kitchen

A kitchen can always be improved by installing custom kitchen cabinets.  By evaluating the type of food you like to cook, how you cook, and the tools you use, we can create a plan for how to best store and access these items.  The kitchen is trickier than most places in the home because it is used so frequently.  Everything needs to have a flow in order to make cooking dinner a breeze.

Bathroom

Installing customized cabinetry in your bathroom can make getting ready in the morning faster and easier.  You can have special drawers for makeup, shaving supplies, accessories, towels and more.  Everything can have it’s place which will cut down on the time you have to spend digging for an item.  Careful planning can improve your routine.

For more custom cabinet solutions and ideas, give us a call.  We will be happy to meet with you and discuss options for improving your space.