Are you thinking about remodeling your fireplace? Often, the fireplace is the focal point of the room, so be remodeling it, you can actually change how people perceive the entire space, even if you change nothing else. Updating your fireplace’s look is actually easier than you might think. Here are a few different ways you can remodel your fireplace to give it a brand new look.

Replace the Hearth

The hearth is the section of stone, brick, or tile that’s in front of the fireplace. It’s there to protect your floor in the event that a spark escapes from the fireplace. If that spark were to land on the carpet or a wood floor, it could start a fire. Hearths were once plain stone or brick, but now, they’re much more decorative. You can change up the tile or stone you’ve used for the hearth, giving the front of the fireplace a different look.

Change the Look of the Chimney

While you can have a hearth that doesn’t match the chimney, most people remodel both to look the same. They will use the same tile up the entire wall, or they will put in a stone that matches or compliments the hearth. For example, if you do wide white tiles for your hearth, you could run those same tiles vertically up the chimney. On the other hand, you could setup the hearth in a dark tile and then the chimney and the frame of the fireplace in a brighter color to create more contrast and make the space pop.

Look for a Unique Mantle

Some people choose not to have a mantel over their fireplace, which is certainly an option. However, during a remodel, you may want to find a new mantel that perfectly ties the fireplace into the rest of the room. If you have an elegant space, you may want to go with a very decorative mantle. For a simple, minimalist room, a mantle that has no frills at all may be the best way to go. For a whimsical space, you may want to look for a mantle carved from a tree branch. The options are endless. You can even commission custom mantles from some companies and artists.

Remodeling your fireplace isn’t a difficult project, but it does require some thought. You want to be sure the chimney, mantle, and hearth all work together to create an amazing focal point that will truly stand out.

Remodel Works has years of experience with kitchen, bathroom, and other types of home remodeling. Our experience and know-how lend to our reputation as the best-in-the-business in San Diego and surrounding areas.

Choose the best remodeling company in San Diego, Remodel Works. Contact us today for a free quote!

If you’re thinking about remodeling your home office, you first have to sit down and come up with a design and layout. While the layout is an important part of every room, it’s especially important in your home office. You want to make certain space is designed in such a way that you can work effectively and efficiently. Everything should be laid out to be conducive to your work. This means your home office layout may not necessarily be the same as someone else’s if the two of you are in different industries or have different work styles.

Leave Yourself Space

Don’t overcrowd your home office. You want to be sure the layout gives you enough space to comfortably sit behind your desk, walk around any workspace you may have, and be able to reach all of your equipment, tools, and other items. If you don’t necessarily need an extra table in your office, don’t put one in just because you have it. That will only crowd the space and make it look smaller.

Where Are the Outlets?

Most people who have a home office have a computer, printer, and other electronic devices. All of these devices need access to a power outlet. If your room only has one or two outlets, part of the remodel may include hiring an electrician to install a few more. Doing so will give you the freedom to put your desk just about anywhere without trailing power cords across the room.

Lighting Is Important

Layout is more than just deciding where your furniture is going to go. You have to take into consideration factors such as lighting. If there’s a window behind your desk, is the light going to come in and shine on your computer monitor, making it difficult to see? Do you want to primarily use your overhead lights, or would you like to work by the softer light from a lamp? Determining what your light sources are, where they’re located, and how the light will affect your workspace is just as important as deciding where you’re putting the furniture.

These are just a few tips for laying out your home office that you may not have taken into account. The key part of any home office remodel is to lay everything out so it’s easier to work, and taking into account outlets, lighting, and space will help you do that.

Are you thinking of adding a bathroom on to your home? Whether you’re building a new addition to the house or are building a new bathroom in a part of another room, you are taking on a project that has a number of costs with it. Unlike remodeling or even adding on another bedroom or other space, adding a bathroom involves running new plumbing lines and making certain everything is watertight. While the costs do add up, you might be surprised at the final cost of such a renovation. If you’re thinking about adding on a bathroom, here are some things to realize about the cost.

A Basic Bathroom Isn’t That Expensive

First, don’t panic about the budget. Adding on a fairly basic bathroom isn’t that costly, especially if you’re taking space from an existing room. If you want a quarter or half-bath, you’ll find that $5,000 is a generous budget. Even if you’re adding in a shower and tub, that will still cover the costs of a basic bathroom. It won’t be extra-spacious, and it won’t feature high-end fixtures, but $5,000 will get you a functional bathroom. For those who have several people sharing a bathroom, that may be all you need to make mornings go much more smoothly.

Adding on Verses Remodeling

If you’re thinking about remodeling an existing bathroom instead of adding on a new one, note that remodels costs can actually be more expensive. On average, a bathroom remodel is between $8,000 and $14,000 due to demolition and other costs.

The Add-Ons Are the Costly Part

But what if you want more than a basic floor tile or a simple shower enclosure? This is where you’re going to start to see the costs of your additional bathroom go up. Running new plumbing lines is going to cost about the same no matter what you do. Even larger bathrooms don’t really cost that much more since you’re just running a few extra feet of pipe. It’s when you start looking at expensive backsplashes, all-glass enclosures, soaker tubs, and other spa-style fixtures that the costs greatly increase.

If you truly want a luxurious bathroom with everything you’d find at a high-end spa, you could spend as much as $75,000. That’s a lot of money, but it may be worth it if it lets you create the bathroom of your dreams.

It’s one thing to remodel your kitchen or bathroom, but it’s quite another to gut your entire home and remodel it. Many people would consider this a fairly extreme project, and it is. Whether you’re doing major renovations on your own home or on a property you plan on selling after you’re done, you’re going to be concerned about the bottom line. What does it cost to fully gut a house and remodel it?

There Is No Set Cost

The first thing to realize is about pricing a full gut and remodel is that there’s no real set cost. There are fairly flat costs for things like removing and building walls, running new electrical wiring, and other basic changes, but so much of a house is customizable that pricing is almost always dependent on what materials you want to use. Using higher quality materials or materials that are more difficult to find will increase the costs substantially.

What this means is that the cost of remodeling a home can be around $150 per square foot on the low end, but around $250 or more on the high end. For a home remodeled in a luxurious, higher-end look, it can be quite expensive. For example, you could spend $75,000 on creating a gorgeous spa-style master bathroom with large tub, walk-in shower, and double vanity.

A Balancing Act

Often, this means that gutting and remodeling your home is a balancing act between rooms. If you want a higher-end kitchen, for example, you may have to scale back your plans for a bathroom. If you’d like a large, costly light fixture in your entryway, you might have to go with a less expensive one in the master bedroom. Look at where you really want those luxurious touches and determine which ones are worth it and which ones you can give up.

“Casita” is a Spanish word that translates to “little house.” Unlike tiny houses, though, a casita is generally a small, apartment-like space that’s a part of a larger single-family home. It’s similar to a mother-in-law suite, or an attached apartment. This space is generally self-sustaining in that it has a kitchenette and is about the size of a large hotel room or studio apartment. Generally, casitas have an attached full bath and may even have a second room, although they traditionally have a very open concept layout. A casita remodel can bring a whole new set of issues in terms of matching the main house’s aesthetic. Here are a few tips for this project so that you get off on the right foot and have a final space you’ll love.

Remember to Maximize Efficiency for your Casita Remodeling Project

Your casita can function as a tiny house. You may have an aging parent or other relative living in the space, or you may host guests fairly regularly. In either case, you want the space to be inviting and provide everything a person needs. This means you need to maximize every square inch of the casita. You need to have enough storage to hold everything while also leaving the space looking open and uncluttered. Hidden storage and storage that runs floor to ceiling can certainly help, as can creating a large walk-in closet or pantry area.

You may also want to look at furniture that provides hidden extras. A sofa that converts into a bed may be a nice option if you’re using the space as a guest room, but also want to enjoy it yourself when no one is staying over. A table that expands may also be a good option for a casita. You may even want to consider installing a Murphy bed or a daybed.

Think About the Occupant

If your casita home remodel is being done to create a living space for a parent or other older person, you may need to make certain it is accessible. This means you may need to remodel the bathroom to have a walk-in shower or tub instead of a traditional tub. You may also need to install hand grips and other items that make it easier and safer for an elderly person to get around. On the other hand, if you’re renting out the space on something like AirBnB, you may want to take inspiration from hotel rooms and make the space look as inviting as possible.

Do You Want to Change the Space with a Casita Remodel?

Before you start your casita remodel, you need to decide if you want to change the physical layout of the space. You may need to look at your casita house plans to determine if you can or should move walls, enlarge the bathroom, or change up the kitchen. Just like doing a remodel on a larger space, you have to consider everything from electrical to load bearing walls before you start major renovations. However, enlarging your casita or revamping the floor plan can make a huge difference. Again, remember that you’re working on a small space, so it’s important that you make use of it efficiently. Wasted space isn’t an option with a casita.

Contact one of our experts today to get your casita remodel project started!

Getting ready to do a major bedroom remodel? Remodeling your bedroom may seem like a fairly easy task when compared to remodeling a bathroom or kitchen. You aren’t limited by things such as appliance connections, gas hookups, or plumbing connections. You can put almost anything in any part of your bedroom, right? While you may have a few limitations, overall it is easier to do a bedroom remodel. However, you do still need to plan out the remodel before you start.

Take Accurate Measurements

One concern with the bedroom is that you do have a very large piece of furniture—your bed—that will take up most of the space. You want to make certain that you’ve taken accurate measurements of the room so that you can determine where your bed is going to go. This is one of the decisions you need to make early on in the process because your bed is going to act as an anchor for the room. The positioning of everything else in the room depends on where you put your bed, and its position depends on where it will fit.

Be Sure to Take Windows and Doors into Consideration for your Bedroom Remodel

Two obstacles may make it difficult to place your bed and other furniture where you want it: windows and doors. You can put your bed up against the windows, but that may look awkward, especially if you have a tall headboard. This can limit where you put your bed. In some cases, you may actually only have one place where it can go up against a wall. However, don’t be afraid to angle it in a corner. While it does leave empty space behind your bed, you can use that space to store your luggage or other items. Doors can also act as obstacles, especially if they open up into the room.

Determine Your Color Scheme

Another vital part of your bedroom remodel is your color scheme. Again, this is somewhat going to revolve around your bed. Do you use a particular bedspread or have a specific blanket or afghan you put on your bed? If so, you may want to coordinate the colors in that bedspread with the rest of the room. If you don’t, you may want to consider using colors that are somewhat neutral so whatever you have on the bed won’t clash. For example, if you paint your walls a dark blue, you may find that your bed’s green sheets don’t really work. You might not care, but if clashing colors bother you, it can destroy the feeling of peace and serenity you want to have in the bedroom.

Select Your Pops of Color for the Perfect Bedroom Remodel

When planning out your bedroom remodel, you may decide on colors for the walls and floor along with the color of your bedspread, but you also need to consider where you want your pops of color. These are the contrasting pieces that will really stand out. You may want your bed to be that pop of color, but you might not. You might want it on the curtains or a rug. For example, you might paint the walls a light grey, use a dark bedspread, but then have a yellow rug and curtains. The yellow will really stand out, and you can continue it through artwork and other small decorative pieces.

These are just a few things to take into account at the beginning of your bedroom remodel. By doing so, you’ll be able to better plan out where you want your furniture to go and what you want the final look to be. Contact us today to get your remodeling plan in motion!

There was a time when not too many people cared about the environment. Its rapidly-declining state over the last decade or so, however, has alerted many to the fact that not taking care of the environment is tantamount to not taking care of ourselves and future generations. Because frankly, how can we expect to live on a planet where the ecology is out of whack?

Some may say it’s a case of too little, too late, but it’s still heartening to know that many among us are now making an effort to live greener lives, starting with turning their houses into more eco-friendly homes. If you’re planning a home remodel or even a new home construction, here are some of the ways you can make your home a much greener place.

Sustainable materials

Concrete is one of the most commonly used materials in construction, but there are materials out there that are better than concrete when it comes to eco-friendliness. Bamboo, for example, is excellent for floors and walls. Another type of sustainable material that is growing in popularity is recycled plastic, which, when added to concrete, fortifies it. Of course, wood is also a great sustainable material for any construction project.

Also, don’t use paint or wood treatment products that contain solvents and other substances that may harm the ozone layer.

If you want your home to be as eco-friendly as possible, talk to a sustainability consultant who can guide you as you explore your options. You can also hire home builders that specialize in sustainable structures.

Better insulation

If you want to make your home as energy-efficient as possible, then make sure it’s adequately insulated. When you have well-insulated walls, doors, windows, roofs, and floors, you can prevent heated or cooled air from escaping, and that should improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Skylights

Are you dependent on artificial lighting to brighten up the interior of your home during the day? You can end that dependence by installing skylights, which would let sunlight into your home and illuminate everything for free.

Aside from illumination, letting more sunlight in your home through skylights provides health benefits as well, including improved vitamin D production and better sleep.

Energy-efficient light bulbs

Speaking of illumination, you are still going to need artificial lighting at night. However, forget about incandescent bulbs. Switch to compact fluorescent lamps instead. Better yet, go for LED lights, which use up to 75% less electricity and are long-lasting as well.

Water-efficient plumbing systems

Water wastage is an everyday fact. When our plumbing systems are of the older type, we tend to waste a lot of water simply because they weren’t designed to conserve precious water. It’s a good thing then that manufacturers saw fit to develop and produce water-efficient faucets, showerheads, and toilets designed to conserve water. Have them installed in your home and watch your water bill drop because of them. 

Houseplants

Many homeowners add plant life outside and inside their homes for aesthetic purposes, but plants do more than just beautify the place. They also release oxygen and filter the air for added measure. With houseplants, you are going to have improved air quality indoors.

Energy-efficient appliances

Appliances that carry the “Energy Star” logo use up to 10 to 50 percent less electricity than those without it. So go for refrigerators, AC units, and other appliances that bear the mark to ensure better energy efficiency.

Recycle and upcycle

Your home will be a much eco-friendlier place if everyone who lives in it practice recycling and upcycling at all times. They are the easiest way to cut overall waste. Buying tissues, paper napkins, and other products made from recycled material will also get a nod of approval from the environment.

Use microwave ovens

Many among us use conventional ovens when cooking, but did you know that microwave ovens are actually more eco-friendly? Microwave ovens use 50% less energy, they don’t emit heat, and many of its components can be recycled.

Solar power

Of all the tips for making a more eco-friendly home, this one is probably the one that requires a significant investment. Yes, installing solar panels for your home still costs a pretty penny, but think of its long-term benefits.

Electricity will inevitably become more expensive with each passing year, but when your home is partially or fully-powered by the sun, you won’t have to worry about huge energy bills anymore. The sun, after all, is one of the cleanest and freest energy sources of them all, and it will still be around for a couple billion years or more. It may cost some money, but it will mean incredible savings in the long run.

Solar power also means you can reduce your dependence on conventional energy sources, which are typically more expensive, harmful to the environment, and extremely limited.

There is no magic bullet to fix the environment, not with the harm we have inflicted on it for the last 200 years. Still, we can contribute to that goal in our own little way, starting with making our homes more eco-friendly.

So, you’ve decided to remodel your bathroom – this is a project that you’ll benefit from for years. People spend more time in the bathroom than they often realize, and it’s important that it’s a space where you feel relaxed. It’s often the first room you go into when you wake up and the last one you’re in before you go to bed. If you hate your bathroom, it’s going to put you in a bad mood in the morning and agitate you at night, making it harder to fall asleep.

But before you can begin the remodel and create a space you love, you need to decide on a style. Many people go traditional, but a contemporary look is also very popular. Which style is right for you? That depends on several factors.

Your Overall Home Style

While you may be tempted to look at your bathroom as an isolated area, you do need to remember that it’s also a part of your home. If you remodel your bathroom with a contemporary look, but the rest of your home is more traditional, it may feel a little out of place. The overall style that flows through the rest of your home will stop at the bathroom door. Some people don’t mind this at all and will mix various styles throughout the home, but others may find this transition jarring.

If you’re slowly going to remodel your entire home, though, you may not want to focus too much on how your new bathroom works or doesn’t work with the other spaces in the house. Those other areas will eventually be remodeled to fit more with the bathroom instead of the other way around.

Also, keep in mind the overall design of your home. If you live in an older Victorian-style manor house, for example, a very contemporary bathroom is likely going to stand out because it’s unexpected. On the other hand, if you have a very modern looking home, you may not want a completely traditional bathroom.

The Size

The size of your bathroom matters. Traditional design often includes pieces that, while not huge, aren’t exactly going to maximize space. Traditional claw-foot tubs, for example, aren’t small. Even a fairly traditional pedestal sink or vanity can take up a good amount of space. Going contemporary, though, allows you to mix in more modern pieces that may have a very different look but also are designed to use as little space as possible. This includes angular sinks, tubs, and toilets that use more unconventional shapes and lines.

What Do You Like?

While keeping the rest of your home’s style and design in mind is a good idea, and you certainly want to consider the size of the space, you also want to be sure you’re creating a new bathroom that you like. If you hate contemporary design with its angles and odd lines, don’t create a contemporary bathroom. You want a space where you can get ready for the day or relax in the bath. It has to feel welcoming to you, and that means going with a style that you like, even if that means your bathroom remodel doesn’t match the rest of your home.