Must Have Luxurious Trends For Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

Making upgrades to your bathroom from time to time is a great way to boost your home’s value while also ensuring that you have a stylish and comfortable place to get ready for the day. Consider using a few of the latest trends for your bathroom remodel.

Wet Rooms

Wet rooms feature a completely waterproof design that provides you with more interior design options. For example, you can use stone or concrete materials in this type of bathroom to give it a more rustic or upscale appearance. A wet room can also help you save on space, since you can have a shower with a small or partial enclosure installed rather than bulky doors.

Toilet with a Built-in Bidet

Having a bidet provides you with a more convenient way to keep clean. This is one of the latest bathroom trends is luxury toilets featuring a built-in bidet. When choosing one of these for your bathroom, keep in mind that some offer special features, such as heating the toilet seat or playing music – yes, really! Your architectural designer will need to know about this feature as this requires an electrical outlet on the wall below your toilet which is not a common electrical element.

Countertops

When you’re comparing bathroom countertop material options, consider choosing marble. This material is among the more recent trends for bathroom remodels. Marble countertops provide bathrooms with a touch of elegance and a timeless appeal while also giving you a durable surface that isn’t vulnerable to cracks and heat damage.

Cabinets and Vanities

Cabinets and vanities with a floating design are among the latest styles for bathrooms. These designs can give bathrooms a more spacious appearance while also providing plenty of storage space. Floating cabinets and vanities hang off the wall rather than reaching the floor, which opens up space underneath.

Tile Styles

The latest bathroom tile styles feature tiles in a wide range of visually appealing shapes, such as arabesque, chevron, and hexagon shapes. These styles can be used to adorn bathroom backsplashes, wall and ceiling accents, and shower walls. Tile can add a lux designer touch to any bathroom, especially when you work with an experienced interior design professional to tie it into your complete design.

Tubs

Recent bathtub trends favor freestanding tubs with a deeper design, which offers a more comfortable and luxurious soaking environment. Japanese soaking tubs are among the designs in demand, especially for those with smaller bathrooms. These rounded tubs take up less space than traditional tubs.

Floors

What kind of flooring material should you choose for your bathroom? Recent trends for bathrooms include wood planks and travertine. Wood planks provide an organic look and feel to bathrooms, while travertine adds a warm look. Options can include tile that looks like wood, but in fact is non-slip and easy to clean.

Body Sprays

Body sprays provide a feeling of being in a gentle rain shower. These sprays also help create a spa-like environment in bathrooms for added luxury and comfort. Multi-body sprays that spray water horizontally are among the options to consider if you want to add this feature to your bathroom. Again, your designer needs to know this plan in advance so they can add all the plumbing elements for your contractor. Adding this later may cost time and money.

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel thinking about all the design trends you want in advance is important. That’s why working with a firm like Drafting Cafe Architects is so easy. We counsel you on these possibilities and have an interior designer on staff to help you plan ahead for materials and features. Contact us for a Free Estimate and learn more about our services. We can assist you in using the latest bathroom trends for your remodel and create the ideal look and environment for your bathroom oasis.

Important Reasons You Need a Permit for Your Remodeling Project

Sometimes homeowners are challenged by the complexity of codes and permits when planning a remodel. You may think these regulatory measures are nothing more than a needless government intrusion or a pointless cash grab. So you don’t get caught out, read on for a better understanding of permits and codes and what they mean to you.

Building Permits, Understood

Briefly defined, building permits are official written authorizations that a government (typically at the city or county level) issues to approve specific construction or remodeling projects. Following regulations and avoiding the wrath of government officials is an absolutely essential reason to secure a permit before beginning any significant construction or remodeling work. More than a legal requirement, permits ensure that all work is performed safely and in compliance with relevant construction, zoning, and building codes.

Building Codes, Understood

As defined by FEMA, building codes regulate the ”design, construction, alteration and maintenance of structures.” The permitting process centers around making sure that you do not break these codes in your construction or remodeling process. Setting minimum requirements to ensure the safety, health, and long-term welfare of all building occupants is their main purpose. Codes are essential to helping build your structure to protect people during earthquakes and extreme weather events.

The Benefits of Adhering to Permit and Code Regulations

Homeowners may resent the permitting process, but these regulations actually exist for your protection as well as the protection of others. They ensure that all projects result in structures and features that are safe to live in and use. Permits also add value to any property investment by serving as proof that all construction work was completed with industry best practices and in compliance with building codes. The inspection processes that are included in most permits can also keep contractors honest and guarantee that they deliver quality work.

The Dangers of Ignoring Permit and Code Regulations

Homeowners who skip the permitting process not only forfeit the various protections and benefits above but may face harsh repercussions from local authorities. If government officials need to force you to obtain a permit, they might double or triple the fees. Even worse, they might shut your project down or force you to tear down work that you have already completed. If your contractor completes a project without complying with the permitting process, you can only hope that they adhered to building codes for your safety and the safety of others.  

In short, as the law resource NOLO puts it, “if your project requires a permit, get a permit.” And, furthermore, partner only with reputable contractors who take the time to get a permit themselves before beginning any construction or remodeling project.

Acquiring Professional Assistance

One of the key things to consider when choosing professional construction planning and design services is the ability (or lack of ability) of their architectural designers interact effectively with the local permit office. The codes for the region where a designer works should second nature and they should bring these to your attention early in the process so you have clear expectations.

Drafting Cafe Architects have extensive knowledge of the Bay Area’s building code requirements and can provide you with high quality plans and drawings that your contractor will be able to get approved. If there are design questions on plans they draw, they are happy to respond to your city or county’s permit office. For more information on permits and codes contact Drafting Cafe Architects today.

Functional Ways You Can Remodel Your Small Kitchen

Homeowners start the kitchen remodeling process for a wide variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons, however, has to do with size.

If your kitchen seems too small and cramped, you can consider removing a wall to expand into other areas of your home. You can also increase your kitchen’s square footage by adding on a breakfast nook or even an entire new room.   

If these options are impossible or undesirable, there are still plenty of things that a skilled architect or interior designer can give you to provide extra breathing room in your kitchen. Here are just a few ways to make the absolute most of your limited kitchen square footage with a beautiful remodel.

Pare Down Cabinets and Shelving with Fixtures

When you bought that bread maker you thought you’d use it all the time, but it has sat unused at the back of your cabinet for the past decade. You can probably say the same for any number of kitchen appliances. And do you really need all that extra cookware and flatware? By reconfiguring your cabinets and shelving to reflect your actual storage needs, you can open up a tremendous amount of space in your kitchen. A kitchen that limits storage areas to absolute essentials also creates an incredibly pleasing minimalist aesthetic.

Get Creative with Storage Areas

An effective kitchen remodel will make the most of every nook and cranny that your kitchen has to offer. With the help of a good architect or interior designer,  you can discover space that you didn’t even know that you had. Consider designs that add extra cabinets above a window and fill the space above your cooking range with shelves or cubbies.

Organize an Effective Galley Kitchen

A kitchen with a long and narrow layout that has storage space and counters on one or both sides of an open central area, known as a galley kitchen, is a great way to make efficient use of limited space. Although galley-style kitchens have developed a negative reputation for having a lack of ergonomic cooking prep space you can still create a kitchen that is not only exceptionally beautiful but highly functional.

Build Up Rather Than Out

When you have limited square footage to work with, installing cabinets to the ceiling is a great option for adding extra storage space while reducing overall clutter. Reaching the items that you store in those cabinets, however, can be a real problem. Rather than relying on a bulky stepladder that must be regularly accessed and requires storage space of its own, consider designing your kitchen remodel with a sleek rolling ladder feature. These rolling ladders not only make reaching items on high shelves a breeze, but they can make an interesting and stylish addition to your décor.

Get the Help of a Skilled Professional

If you own a home in the San Francisco Bay area and you want advice on how to make your kitchen more spacious, contact the experienced and knowledgeable professionals at Drafting Cafe Architects. No matter what your remodeling needs happen to be, you can receive a free estimate and advice from our team. We can help get your project off to a great start.

Best Interior Design Tips For Choosing Your Paint Colors

When your remodeling project includes new paint for your walls, it’s important to know how to choose the right tones. Whether you’re installing new cabinets and countertops in your kitchen or a new vanity or cabinets in your bathroom, you should aim for paint colors that enhance the room. The following tips can help you narrow down your options for new paint colors, but keep in mind that professional interior design services can help you select the best tones.

Complement or Contrast with Fixtures and Floors

When you’re choosing a paint color for the walls in your kitchen, you should consider the colors of your fixtures and floors. Otherwise, you could end up with wall colors that don’t pair well with the tones of your countertops, cabinets, floor, and other fixtures. You can choose paint colors that blend with the fixtures and floor for a more uniform design. Another option is to choose paint colors that contrast with the cabinets and other fixtures. However, make sure you don’t select paint colors that clash.

Consider the Room Size

An important element of interior design is choosing paint colors that improve the appearance of a room. Depending on the size of the room, this could mean choosing lighter paint tones to create a more spacious look and feel. For example, you can go with lighter wall and ceiling paint colors to make a bathroom seem larger. Darker paint tones typically make rooms look smaller, so it’s best to avoid choosing these for bathrooms or other smaller rooms in your home. You can choose darker paint colors if you want to make a larger room feel more cozy and inviting, such as a spacious living room.

Think About Lighting

As you compare paint color options for your home, consider the lighting in each room. Certain paint colors work better in different types of lighting. For example, you should avoid choosing a bold paint color for walls that receive a lot of natural light. Sunlight can make vivid tones appear overpowering, creating an unpleasant effect. Instead, choose neutral or lighter tones for these walls, and save brighter colors for areas that get indirect light.

Plan a Monochromatic Scheme

Monochromatic design schemes can work well when they’re done right. This schemes involve using variations of a single color to create visual appeal in a room. For example, you can choose various shades of blue for your bathroom walls, vanity, tiles, and cabinets. If you’re remodeling your kitchen, you can choose varying shades of grays or neutral tones for your walls, countertops, and cabinets. Keep in mind that you can also choose a paint color for your walls and trim that adds a visually striking look in an otherwise monochromatic room, such as white paint in a bathroom that’s mainly blue.

If you’re thinking of making some changes to your home in the San Francisco Bay area, visit Drafting Cafe Architects get information on interior design services. Our interior designers in Oakland CA can help you choose paint colors that enhance your home. You don’t need to be working on a remodeling project through our firm. Our interior designers can help even with your DIY project.