Great Designs for Bathroom Remodels

Some of the great designs named in remodeling bathrooms that will give you an improved and better space are: the tub is the star, the cantilevered double sink, the bathroom wardrobe, and antique and traditional looks.

Remodeling your bathroom brings out the best of your bathroom space. This will benefit not just the resale value of your home but also the experience of the people using the space daily. Remodeling according to how you want your bathroom to look, will give you extra credit. Make use of the following bathroom designs to help keep your bathroom remodeling project moving:

The tub is the star

The "tub is the star" design focuses more on the surroundings of the bathroom space. The bathroom is used as a utensil for sight seeing. This type of design makes use of the double-ended tub. It is a type of bath tub that enables you to lie on both sides. You can have a warm bath laying against or facing the window. It is mostly used in houses with a contemporary architectural design.

The cantilevered double sink

A "cantilevered double sink" design provides you the advantage of bigger bathroom space. It makes use of a deep-basin shaped sink. The double sink is placed on a cantilevered bathroom counter. Having two sinks in the bathroom will provide you and your partner the time to brush your teeth or wash your face together. This will also save you time. A cantilevered double sink is generally used in a modern home.

A bathroom wardrobe

The position of the tub in this design is placed in the center of the room with one end of it positioned on the wall. The bath tub will cover the pipe on the wall. However, the person will be facing the wall when he or she uses the bath tub. Place a mirror on the wall adjacent to the bath tub to fix this problem. Wardrobe storage is one of the main components in a bathroom wardrobe as well. This will save space in the other part of the house. It will also allow you to directly change or store clothes after taking a bath.

Green Bathroom Remodeling

The green bathroom remodeling advantage that is most talked about is that it saves energy and water resources. It also takes advantage of recycled or refinished materials. Bathroom remodeling makes property attractive to homeowners, hotels or motels, apartments or any other person that has bathrooms that need to be updated. This is especially important in a sluggish economy where prospective property buyers are looking for properties that have energy and water efficient fixtures already installed.

Home improvement adds value to any property. And that is why realtors who know the advantages of remodeling are educating those they are helping in selling their properties that potential home or property buyers are looking for energy efficient fixtures and appliances. Realtors who understand and embrace the this knowledge are using it to sell four times more houses than their competitors.

Bathroom remodeling in combination with refinishing involves the consideration of many factors before the home renovation starts. Whether your motivation is environmental responsibility, or saving money, bathroom remodeling would make you feel satisfied. Your bathroom, is your place of solitude, health, hygiene and relaxation.

Many building materials vendors' are selling bathroom remodeling materials that are made of recycled materials like tile; vanities and flooring for example. Recycled fixtures like refinished sinks, and countertops save money and conserve natural resources. Antique claw foot tubs are becoming popular again. Newer tubs are not as good as the originals, therefore, many home owners prefer the old fashion traditional claw foot tubs.

Environmentally sound bathroom remodeling starts with a good consideration of water resources. How is water used? That means that much consideration should be given to how much water is used while flushing the toilet and also how much water your shower heads use. For instance switching from an old standard toilet to a much smaller, dual-flush toilet, alone can reduce your water consumption by 22 percent.

Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas for Your Home

Small bathroom remodels are available all over the internet. Most designers jump at the chance to renovate a small bathroom because it offers a great opportunity to test their skills at utilizing space. Making a small room look bigger is a challenging prospect. But with the proper ideas and creativity, a small bathroom can turn into a giant space filled with opportunity.



The most important aspect of remodeling a small bathroom is storage and organization. Careful planning in this area can literally double the space of your bathroom, and add to its unique design in the process.



Nothing makes a bathroom look smaller than clutter. Such things as towels on the counter, a magazine rack next to the toilet, statues, and bulky pictures should be reserved for larger rooms in the home. This also includes the bathtub itself. Shampoo bottles and soaps should be kept off the showers edges and instead stored in an accessible place that's out of view.



One of the best solutions for storage is cabinets, especially recessed cabinets that are imbedded directly into the wall. This gives the bathroom extra space because it utilizes the area behind the bathroom itself. Cabinets and vanities that stick out are huge space wasters, so replacing those alone will do wonders for the perceived spacial elements of your bathroom.



Adding a small closet can also help. For example, if you can store your towels in the closet rather than hanging them on a towel rack it will make the bathroom seem more open and accessible.



This also applies to the actual amenities of your bathroom like the toilet and sink, whose sizes can vary widely depending on the home owners personal tastes. Selecting a smaller sink and toilet will do wonders for the width of a bathroom. When working in small spaces like this, little differences here and there can really add up. Remember this when selecting your amenities.



Mirrors can literally double the perceived space of a room, so a big mirror is absolutely essential for a small bathroom. This is the only case where bigger is better, so look for a mirror whose size borders on being excessive to the space allotted to it.

The Right Flooring for Your Bathroom

While many homeowners believe that flooring is more for aesthetics than anything else, your flooring services multiple purposes in the bathroom. When you're getting ready to do bathroom remodeling you need to put careful consideration in the type of flooring that you'll install. Very specific factors come in to play with the bathroom, from water retention and absorbency, stain resistance, safety when wet, overall durability, cost, how it fits with the design. Here's a look into the different flooring options to consider while you prep for bathroom remodeling in your home.

Carpeting: While it might not seem like the best idea in an environment that is perpetually exposed to moisture, carpet is actually a great option for the bathroom - you just have to make the right purchase decision and do your homework on the carpet you want. You need to install carpet that is stain-resistant as well as milder-resistance.

Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile for bathroom flooring is designed a little differently than the ceramic tile you would use on a countertop or backsplash. While those surfaces are smooth, ceramic flooring tiles are made with a textured surface to prevent slipping. It's a favored option for floors because of the custom designs, shapes and more that are available - lending an opportunity to create a truly unique floor in your bathroom.

Laminate: Laminate is made of layers of material that have been bonded together for strength and durability, including resin and wood fibers. The final pieces are formed together into compressed planks with an image that's imprinted on the surface. This allows a custom design in various material styles and colors, most commonly wood. It's durable and easy to clean, making it an affordable and great option for many bathroom remodeling projects.

Hardwood: It's an added expense, but it's difficult to replicate the beauty and character that comes from a hardwood floor. It lends a great deal of warmth and comfort to the bathroom environment, which is beneficial if you're the type to rely on your bathroom for relaxation after a long day. Even older wood floors can be easily refreshed and to ensure safety you can apply a no-slip finish in the bathroom.

Get Spring Fever!

When spring rolls around you can get Spring Fever. You start cleaning up areas around your home that you've let go during the long winter. You've also started to notice a few things that could look better - things that need improvement. There are plenty of home remodeling projects that have been discussed to death in magazines and across the internet. So here are a few much-less talked about ideas to spruce up your home - and add value, should you choose to sell:

Add a Master Suite: There is typically a "master bedroom" in most homes and apartments, but a Master Suite can be something entirely different, depending upon interpretation. There is usually room to expand most bedrooms, knocking out part of a wall in a different room to make way. Adding even five feet to a bedroom can give it a much more open appearance. Also, expanding the bathroom, adding more luxury to its décor, can give you - or potential buyers - a total feel of comfort.

Upgrade Your Bathroom: Similar to the above idea, adding a real Master Bathroom can add elegance to your home. Even if the new bathroom is not a part of the master bedroom, it can be a viable option. Guest bathrooms that have been renovated to give comfort and relaxation to visitors can keep friends content at get-togethers.

Install a Gate: While outside some budgets, installing a gate at the outside of your residence can add much to both the scenery of your home and the security of it. Large gates with an intercom system can let you know when you have visitors as well as deter potential thieves from targeting your home.

Wine Cellar: Few home additions garner as much conversation as a wine cellar. Even if you're just starting out on your collection, a few bottles properly placed can add a sense of intellectualism to your home, even if you're only a mild to average collector. They're surprisingly easy to install, and most professional remodeling companies are seasoned in the different varieties.

A Bathtub for a Bathroom Remodel

When planning a bathroom remodeling project, it used to be that you didn’t have many choices of bathtubs, but today there is a bewildering array of tubs in different shapes, sizes, and materials. How do you choose which kind of tub is right for you? Here are some of the factors to consider when selecting a bathtub.

Ergonomics
If you are particularly large or tall, you might be more comfortable in a wider or longer bathtub. On the other hand, if you’re petite, you probably don’t want an extra deep soaking tub. If you like long soaks, you might prefer a tub that has contoured armrests and back support so you can rest easy.

Safety
If someone in your household has trouble maneuvering, or if you’re planning to retire at your home, take these factors into consideration during your bathroom remodeling project. Install grab bars in the bathtub area and think about installing a walk-in model, which permits you to enter the tub through a door rather than stepping over the rim.

Style
How are you planning to decorate your bathroom? If you’re going for an old-fashioned look, a claw-footed cast iron tub might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you want a pampered, spa-like environment, you probably want the luxury of jetted or soaking tub.

Bathroom
Configuration depending on the layout of your bathroom, it may make more sense to have a free-standing tub in the middle of the room or an alcove tub set into the wall. Jetted tubs often need a platform that raises them above the floor.

Bathroom Renovations Are Definitely Worth It!

Renovating your bathroom can end up being a very costly project, and for that reason many people venture nowhere near full renovations, and often stick to surface repairs and improvements. However, in some cases, superficial renovations are simply not enough, and the homeowner must sometimes go for a full makeover, which basically requires the tearing down and rearrangement of all the bathroom's elements.

This process is usually a very expensive one and of course it depends on the size and type of your bathroom. Naturally, it also depends on the types of materials you're planning on using (expensive, fancy and ornate materials, or sturdy and reliable ones), the different and new accessories and fixtures you'll need to buy and install (a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower all come with a full-scale bathroom renovation), and of course your contractor's fees. Also remember that you'll also need money to pay not only your hired help, but also the people hired by your contractor, such as the plumbers.

Once the core repairs and renovations have been completed, only then should you concentrate on your bathroom's surface. By concentrating on the surface, I mean repainting, and rearranging the lighting in the room... if you can afford it, you can also choose to install some granite or marble counter-tops to add that luscious finishing touch to your masterpiece. Also remember that you can repaint much more than solely your walls; for example, you could have some intricate patterns painted on some of your accessories such as the sink or the bathtub and really customize your bathroom to your tastes and turn it into your little private sanctuary.

Green Ideas for a Bathroom Remodeling Project

Bathroom remodeling appears to be one of the most well liked home remodeling projects today. Remodel projects can go from total demolition and remodel all the way to changing out a few decorative items. No matter what you choose to do, it does not have to be a difficult or expensive process. What's really exciting about remodeling today is that you have a number of eco friendly furniture and home decor remodeling options.

Once you have determined the budget for your project, move on to measuring the space. Keep those measurements with you while you shop. For eco friendly decorative items, like bathroom vanities, you will want to do your shopping online. That is where you will find the largest selection of eco furniture. You'll also find good retailers that are willing to help you to ensure that you are finding top quality eco products.

Once your new floor plan, concept, and needed tools and equipment are established you may begin the actual bathroom remodeling process. Make sure you review all of your design concepts with your contractor, if you're hiring one, prior to starting the remodeling project to ascertain everything will be accomplished the way you want it.

People utilize and waste more water in the bathroom than any other area in the home. Throw in all that water utilization with shampoos and soaps and the power employed to heat the water, and your bathroom could be causing a lot of harm to the environment. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be the case.

Marrokal Design and Remodeling is Your One-Stop-Shop for Home Remodels

The full-service home-design remodel company offers homeowners one-stop shopping for their remodeling needs. “I develop a written program based on what my clients’ needs and goals are for their remodel,” says Steve Walton, Senior Design Consultant for Marrokal Design and Remodeling. He adds, “Throughout this I am digging deep and finding out what’s important to my clients. A lot of companies don’t ask these questions but this is how Marrokal Design and Remodeling starts to develop a preliminary budget for our clients.”

The company also uses value engineering to design the remodel with clients’ budget needs and requested items in mind. “Value engineering” means refining and sometimes redesigning aspects of the remodel to make it more cost-effective.

Why a full-service remodeling company?
This is perhaps one of the most significant points when choosing a remodeling firm. A full-service company keeps your remodeling project running smoothly by coordinating all of the necessary design, construction developments, and communication with trade companies through one primary source (removing the unnecessary hassle of trying to get numerous trade companies to work together).

“When people are first looking into a home remodeling project, money tends to be the number one factor but, when the work is finished, the money factor actually drops to six or seven on the list,” says Walton. He says what ends up being more important is the fact that the homeowner hired a remodeling company that provided a complete understanding of the entire remodeling process, and oversaw the project from the design phase to the building of it—leaving the homeowner with just one primary company to work with during the remodel.

What Should a Design and Remodeling Company Offer Me?

If a company offers free design, you’ll likely get what you pay for.  If a company is offering “free design” it’s likely that the design fees are somewhere hidden in the overall cost.

“The design can make or break the project,” says Steve Walton, Senior Design Consultant for Marrokal Design and Remodeling. It’s the least amount of the cost of the overall project but it’s highly critical to the success of your remodel. “With our process we’re going to talk to homeowners about what furniture is sentimental and how it will fit in the remodel, sun orientation, views, traffic patterns and flow, and our clients’ lifestyle—this is how we build the project. We don’t build it from a, ‘Oh, I want to add an 8 x 10 room.’ Instead I find out how my clients live and what they’re all about and then the project is designed based on those answers.”

Does the remodeling company offer several design options to help you stay within your budget?

“You have to be open to a certain budget range that you’re comfortable in and then you should really spend time up front reviewing a lot of different designs so that you don’t get locked into one design at one price point. That happens a lot. People will hire an architectural firm and they’ll end up going through weeks and weeks of planning or drawing. They’ll get a set of plans down to the point where they can then send it out for bids and then usually they find out that they’re over budget.”

Marrokal Design and Remodeling creates options that are best suited to its clients based on customers’ desired remodeling needs.

“The first meeting we have with the clients gives them specific costs for, say, six different concepts. That gives homeowners the freedom to choose based on their financial comfort level and design needs. It’s a huge difference from the architect drawing the plans, then the homeowner having to get bids on the project. This is why we’re so successful because we give clients the flexibility to choose the design and project that creates the best value remodel,” says Walton.

Marrokal Wins Remodeler of the Year!

Marrokal Wins Remodeler of the Year!  Here is a short excerpt from our success story:

No one has been immune to the challenges of the remodeling market the last several years, but Marrokal Design & Remodeling has weathered the storm better than most other firms.  With a strong focus on marketing and sales combined with smart management, San Diego-based Marrokal has maintained profitability even as revenues dipped in 2009 before rebounding this year. Because of that success and the way the management team has positioned the company for the next generation of leadership, Marrokal is our  Remodeler of the Year

To see the entire story go here: http://www.housingzone.com/pr/article/2010-remodeler-year-marrokal-design-remodeling









 

Company’s Design-Build Process Ensures Success in Home Remodeling

Americans spent an estimated $225 billion on home remodeling in 2008, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Remodeling represents approximately 2 percent of the United States economy and 40 percent of all residential construction. In the next decade, NAHB expects remodeling to overtake new home construction by dollar volume.

If you’re a homeowner interested in remodeling, what does this mean to you? It means that there are lots of companies to choose from so selecting the best company to get your remodeling project completed can be challenging. But if you understand what to look for in a home remodeler, you’ll be able to select the best one for your project.

Understanding the design-build company

Not all remodeling companies are created equal. In fact, not all remodeling companies offer the same services. A full-service, design-build remodeling company offers homeowners the ability to get all of their remodeling needs from the architectural design to the construction of their remodel met through one company that will oversee the entire project—from start to finish and even service beyond completion.

Marrokal Design and Remodeling is an industry leader based in San Diego, California since 1981. For over a quarter of a century, Marrokal’s design/build professionals have impressed homeowners with their attention to detail and unparalleled customer service.

“We have a great core group of people who really work hard for our clients. About 75 percent of our business is from referrals,” says Bruce Howard, Director of Production at Marrokal Design and Remodeling.
Howard started with the company 21-years ago. He says Marrokal Design and Remodeling plays an integral role in helping homeowners navigate their way through a highly confusing industry. “There are a lot of choices just in products, alone, such as tile. It makes it difficult for homeowners to figure out where to go to select a product and then even more difficult to choose which one is right for their home,” says Howard.

See What Our Customers Are Saying About Us!

Notes like this are not the exception but rather the rule. It seems this nationally recognized and award-winning company is constantly receiving praise for its work.  “Our sincere gratitude to Senior Design Consultant, Jim Dyjak, and his design team, Project Designer, Scott Hall, and Interior Designer, April Worrell, who came up with ideas we never thought of. Jim even managed to get us back some of our lost view by moving our kitchen, rearranging windows, enlarging sliding doors, and repairing the adjoining sun deck. The new kitchen is our absolute favorite with its nine-foot island (aka: the sushi bar). We look forward to many get-togethers with family and friends—they'll see firsthand what high-quality work Marrokal Design and Remodeling does,” writes homeowner, Marilou Seki from Point Loma.

And think about this, when is the last time you hired someone to work on your home and you wound up giving them an endearing nickname? You’ll probably have to think for a long while about that. That’s because the home improvement industry ranks high in consumer complaints but Seki had such an exceptional experience that she wrote this.  “Last, but not least, a special thank you to our Project Manager, Pete Hoffman. Frankly, we don't think we could have survived our home remodel without him. His availability for countless calls and questions, his professionalism, unflappable personality and quiet humor had my daughter calling him "Sunshine". Pete single-handedly kept us from panicking over unexpected problems with his calm presence and knowing where to find sensible solutions,” writes Mrs. Seki.

From Lakeside, the Chavarrias write, “It has been a few months since our remodel has been completed. The project was completed on time, no surprises, no flaws, and it absolutely looks great! We are still receiving compliments about how nice it looks.”

President of the company, Gary Marrokal, knows you simply can’t buy this kind of advertising. But he knows that you can earn the praise by doing extraordinary work and running an exemplary company. And, while his company has received many awards for its high industry standards, perhaps the most satisfying indicator of success comes from comments like this one from the Marmalejos.  “Businesses of every sort should use Marrokal as the model for recruiting only the best, retaining a highly professional staff, contracting and outsourcing with the best tradesmen, and setting the standard for customer service.”

So when you’re researching home remodelers, remember to look for an ethical company that makes you their top priority, offers full design/build services, and has a staff that is experienced and responsive. When you search for those criteria you will find Marrokal Design & Remodeling. Count on Marrokal to enhance your home, suit your needs, and exceed your expectations.

Decorating Your Bathroom With Your Style

There are numerous approaches to treating your bathroom wall. You can combine several types to decorate your bathroom:

Waterproof bathroom cladding - is constructed from uPVC honeycomb section panels that slot into each other using a tongue and groove system. The face of the panel has a vinyl layer, which is available in a number of different: wood grain; marble effect; tile effect or solid color.


Ceramic wall tiles - Ceramic tiles are still the best selling selection of bathroom wall treatment and are available today at very inexpensive prices. By using different sizes ceramic tiles and combining them with other tiles for a border, you can achieve an unusual design.

Custom Waterfall - Installing a custom waterfall in your bathroom is another modern design that is gaining wide acceptance. A waterfall mounted on the wall or set on any surface in the bathroom is a great way to transform your bathroom into a place that is refreshing and calming. A waterfall design in your bathroom is a guaranteed attraction and provide relaxation for the mind, body and spirit.

Bathroom paint or wallpaper - you can easily combine paint and wallpaper to cover your bathroom wall. For example, you may need to use tile inside the shower cubicle but paint or apply wallpaper to the rest of the bathroom, but try not to use lots of different products as your bathroom design might start to look cluttered. It is important is to use colors, textures, and patterns that complement each other.

What to Remember When Renovating Your Bathroom

The method of bathroom renovation should include redoing the structural elements along with surface alterations. You can change the layout of your bathroom. You might even consider a complete remodeling or tear out for totally revamping the moisture patches that have marked the joists and walls.

The basic thing is to have the bathroom renovation well financed. Bathroom remodeling is an expensive affair and this is why you need to specifically understand the requirements of the project. The reason for the high costs is the intensive sub contracting work that might be required. You may require plumbers, electricians and floor tiling experts to handle the job. Expenditure also rolls out from elements like cabinetry and bathroom fixtures. The most common way to get started is with the home equity loan.

Take a good look at the bathroom remodeling project and decide whether you need a contractor for the job. Simple tasks like toilet installations may be handled by yourself, but then for creating a tiled shower, you need the help of a pro. In case you go for hiring a handyman, you need to know about their skills. The contractor should be a licensed provider, although the license does not mean that he does quality work. It is an indication of the fact that the person has fulfilled the basic requirement of the licensing agency. Bathroom remodeling jobs may require building and electric permits. So it is advised that you apply for them early.

Designing the Bathroom of Your Dreams

A lot of people are often apprehensive and perhaps a little overwhelmed when it comes to remodeling the bathroom because of the the dizzying details involved in the selection of the color, materials and other accessories.

The bathroom is one room that takes a small amount of effort to design or decorate. Unlike other areas in your home, the bathroom just needs some paint or wall covering and replacement of the fixtures to give it a different look. The first step to a successful design is choosing the right kinds of materials. Whether it is a complete bathroom remodeling or just adding accessories to existing fixtures, your options are endless and fortunately - the marketplace is well-stock with paint in every tints, tones and shades and accessories for your bathroom at bargain prices.

Selecting the Right Tile and Wall Covering

The floors and walls set the atmosphere for the entire bathroom space. Choose an interesting floor pattern and wall color to create a unique bathroom design. Select a tile that has great pattern or color and coordinate a wall paint or covering that complements with the rest of the bathroom. Combining different tile sizes and patterns adds visual interest to any bathroom design.

Beautiful Bathrooms

It's not a great time to sell your home. We all know that. But some of us don't have much choice, and need to sell our homes now anyway. But how do you improve the value and appearance of your home on such a shoddy market? Perhaps the single most effective way of marking up your home's market value is to renovate or remodel your bathroom, especially with the installation of bathroom vanities.

When you really look at it, your home is a financial investment as well as an investment in your security. When you have lived out your time there, you're going to want a good return on the home you invested so much time and money in. Generally speaking, statistical evidence suggests that the kitchen and the bathroom are responsible for the largest returns on your investment, more-so than any other room on your property. A clean and well-kept but ordinary house won't exactly sell prospective buyers, but an aesthetically stunning kitchen and comfortable, attractive bathroom definitely will. To put it a bit frankly, buyers won't even notice if most of the rooms in your home are "ordinary," so long as your kitchen and/or bathroom stand out; attractive bathrooms, therefore, increase the probability of a purchase.