What Room Should You Renovate First?
When it comes to Los Angeles home renovations, you might be wondering what room to start with first. While the kitchen and bathrooms are usually two rooms that are usually first, the order in which you should complete your whole-home renovation is entirely up to you! It’s really what you want to see redesigned first or what your priorities are in terms of design. However, if you need a bit more guidance on your major Los Angeles home makeover, we’re here to help!
We understand that you may be confused as to what room should go first or even where to start. To figure out the best approach, here are a few suggestions on how to find the right path for your total home renovation.
Make sure you hire the right Los Angeles renovation specialist
This will help make your home remodel so much easier and run more smoothly throughout the duration of the project. The right LA developer will help guide you through the process, make the right suggestions, take care of all the necessary permits and provide you with ease of mind that the home renovation will be done on time and on budget. LA Design Build is a renowned LA renovation contractor ready to help you tackle any home renovation project in the Los Angeles area and beyond!
Go with an inside-out approach
While a professional Los Angeles renovation contractor will guide you through your home renovations, if the crew does ask about your preference, you can never go wrong with an inside-out remodel approach. This means working your way inside to the outside. Think inside things like walls and floors to cosmetic finishes being considered the outside. But hiring a professional will know where to start and then where to go from there, taking into account your personal needs and preferences.
Choosing to work in the wrong order can actually be disastrous for you. You run the risk of wasting money and time to make needed repairs if something goes wrong. Doing your home renovation in a methodical way will not only save you money and time, but you’ll also finish the remodel a lot faster, cleaner and with much better results.
Benefits of Motorized Window Blinds And Shades
At LA Design Build, we want our clients’ lives to be as convenient as possible and do so by suggesting a variety of renovations that will make their homes more comfortable and lives so much easier. While we do specialize in Los Angeles home renovations, we also like to upgrade average homes to smart homes in a number of ways! One design and home remodel suggestion we like to offer clients is upgrading to motorized window blinds.
Window blinds are a household staple for blocking light, protecting privacy and adding style. While many homes often have basic vinyl window blinds, we like to suggest a swap to motorized window blinds that go beyond the simple task of opening and closing. With motorized window blinds, they perform the exact same purpose of traditional ones with added functions and convenience. Also, they look good doing it!
Wondering what benefits motorized window blinds will add to your home? Here are a few of those benefits to consider:
Added Safety For Pets And Children
Blinds can be scary for parents and pet owners because of their dangling cords. These cords often pose as a suffocation hazard if children play with them, and they become entangled in them. Pets are also in danger as they can also become entangled in the cords if they are very long. When it comes to the safety of your family, motorized window blind provide peace of mind.
Home Efficiency Boost
Another huge benefit of motorized window blinds is how they can boost your home’s energy efficiency. They do so with insulation and light control. Motorized window blinds provide better control of lighting in your open. When they are open, they let in a lot of natural light so that you don’t need to turn on any lights or fixtures during the day. Pus, you can set your motorized blinds to open and close during specific times of the day to maximize your home’s lighting efficiency. Both light control and insulation can help reduce your monthly utility bills.
Furniture And Decor Protection
Direct sunlight can cause your furniture pieces to fade and damage them. However, motorized window blinds can help you protect your interior styling decor and furniture by allowing automated programming to control the amount of light that enters the room, for how long and during what times of the day. You won’t have to remember to close the blinds yourself in the afternoons when the sun’s rays are brighter.
Added Security
Motorized window blinds offer added security whether you’re home or not. Since they can operate automatically any time of the day, they can make it seem like someone is home even if you’re not there. Plus, they act as a deterrent to thieves when used with an automated home lighting system.
Better Sleep
Your room will be dark when it needs to so that you can get a good night’s rest. Also, you’ll be able to sleep better since no natural light will enter the room until you set the motorized blinds to open. And, setting your motorized window blinds to gradually open in the AM will help wake you up more naturally than abruptly when your alarm goes off.
Increases The Value Of Your Home
Since motorized blinds are custom fit to your home’s windows and professionally installed, they’ll add instant value to your home when you choose to sell it. It’ll be an added value potential buyers will want, and they’ll be more attracted to your house.
Automatic Operation
Want your blinds to open and close at a certain time? Just set the timer and let them do their magic, day in and day out. You’ll never have to worry about having to close your blinds at night since they’ll automatically close at a set time you desire. And if you ever want to change that schedule, you simply change the timer or operate their use from a simple control.
Motorized window blinds can also easily integrate with your existing smart home systems so that they all work in sync with each other to improve your home’s efficiency and convenience. LA Design Builds routinely installs motorized window blinds into our Los Angeles home renovation projects when asked and can suggest which brands to go with. We also specialize in Los Angeles smart homes and can help integrate them into a better overall smart home system based on your needs and wants.
What Is A Ground-Up Development?
While we do many home renovations and remodeling projects here in the Los Angeles area, we also specialize in ground-up developments. A renovation or remodeling projects is simply adding to your existing space to enhance it’s design and style. Bathroom remodels and kitchen renovations are common projects of ours, but we also do many ground-up construction builds around Southern California.
A ground-up development project is creating an entirely new structure from scratch. This includes building foundations, footings, walls and everything else included in a new construction build. It’s essentially starting from zero and creating something where nothing existed before. This can include an entirely new home or even constructing new structures on your existing property (ie. a back house of instance).
Ground-up developments are often a bit more complicated than your everyday kitchen remodel or bathroom renovation. It’s usually longer and requires more permits, man power and patience. However, it’s all worth it in the end once the structure is 100% complete and you can finally marvel in the completion of your new home, building or structure. A huge benefit of opting for a ground-up construction in Los Angeles is the complete flexibility you have with design. You get to have a say on how you want the structure to ultimately look and function. You are 100% capable of customizing the structure to fit the various needs of your family or business.
Because you are building a completely new structure, ground-up constructions do tend to be more expensive than regular Los Angeles renovations. They also do require more permits and blue prints in order to complete the project up to code and more. At LA Design Build, we handle everything when it comes to ground up development projects. This includes all permits, design and construction, making the often complicated process easier for clients.
As a notable ground-up developer in Los Angeles, we can help you create a home of your dreams or the office your business deserves. These projects are worth the investment and that includes hiring the right Los Angeles contractor for your needs. Currently, we are developing our most luxurious projects to date – The Nightingale Project on Billionaire’s Row in Los Angeles. This is the most expensive neighborhood in Los Angeles and this project definitely fits in with surrounding homes given how grandiose the projects is. We serve all of Southern California and are ready to make your Los Angeles ground-up construction dreams a reality!
How To Have A Great Relationship With Your Renovation Contractor
Hiring the right home renovation contractor is important to the success of the new home addition. Once you’ve done your research, accepted recommendations and decided on which Los Angeles renovation contractor to go with, you’ll want to take the right steps to set up your working relationship for success. To help the renovation process go smoother, you’ll want to ensure a beneficial and professional relationship with your Los Angeles remodeling contractor. After all, you don’t just sign the contract, place the deposit and then hopefully wait as your new kitchen renovation or bathroom remodel is finishes. Instead, you’ll want to have a good understanding of what to expect throughout the home renovation process and what your own responsibilities throughout the process are.
Here are a few tips on how to go about that professional relationship:
1. Communication Is Key
Communication is important in any relationship and having an open and established line of communication between you and your kitchen renovation contractor is essential. Any home remodeling project is a very personal and emotional experience. Here you are inviting a contractor and the crew into your home everyday until the project is done – sometimes when you aren’t home. You won’t be able to use the room that’s undergoing the renovation, and you’ll have to adjust your life around the remodeling project. Talking about what. you want, budget and progress as openly as possibly will help make the entire experience much better. Regular communication should include work progress to delays and any challenges or problems that might arise or be of concern to you.
2. Trust Your Contractor
You chose your Los Angeles renovation contractor for a reason so don’t go back on that trust once the remodel begins. Trust that they understand what you want and have the skills and knowledge to complete the job. Hounding them won’t help the process or your relationship with them. It’s natural to have questions about things in the beginning as you see the demolition process, but try not to question what your contractor is doing because they’re the professionals when it comes to home renovations.
3. Patience Is Key
Renovations can be a timely process, which will differ depending on what you’re remodeling, the design you want and more. Of course, you’re eager and impatient to get started on the renovation, but try not to really prod them to jump into the renovation before everything is set in place, including design, permits, etc. The LA home contractor will give you a timeframe upfront, but know that it could change depending on a number of variables. Patience is key during the entire process. If you’re not satisfied with the timeline or how the renovation is coming along, make sure to communicate such feelings to your contractor.
At LA Design Build, we pride ourselves on having an excellent relationship with all of our clients. We are 100% upfront about everything and transparent regarding materials, costs and the duration of the requested remodeling project. We want our clients to love the finished remodeling project and do everything we can to ensure that they feel seen and heard throughout the process.
Things To Know About Marble Countertops
There’s something luxurious about marble, which is why it’s a favorite material in bathroom renovations and kitchen remodels. The material is simply stunning and can really enhance an interior. We love using marble in various projects not just for countertops, but also for bathrooms, showers and islands. It’s an affordable addition with such luxurious aesthetics and goes with a variety of design trends. Here are a few things to know about marble countertops for your next kitchen renovation or bathroom remodel.
1. Marble Is A Porous Surface
When we say porous surface, we mean that the material has pores in it, which are very small crevices that allow air and liquids to penetrate in it. Marble is a porous surface, so if anything is dropped on it, the liquid is able to flow into those small microscopic holes. Because of this, it’s important to seal marble countertops to prevent damage and stands. However, it’s not a permanent solution. You’ll need to reseal the marble countertops about every six months if you’re an avid cook. However, if you do find stains on the surface, you can use ammonia and 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide to wipe the stain clean. Despite it’s porous feature, marble is still a great addition to any Los Angeles kitchen renovation project.
2. Marble Is Soft
Marble is not only a porous surface, but also a soft stone. It’s a lot softer than granite, so you want to make sure you don’t lean against your marble island while wearing a metal belt or any long metal jewelry pieces to avoid scratches.
3. Marble Works With Different Designs
One reason we love marble is because it perfectly complements a number of different design styles. Go with a modern look and pair it with chrome accents. You can also add in gold or brass accents for a luxe look. Marble works great with various design styles, which is a reason why it’s so popular right now.
4. Marble Is Heat-Resistant
The stone is heat-resistant, making marble countertops a great ides if you love to bake or cook. but even though it can withstand heat, you don’t want to risk ruining the surface and should still use something in between the hot pan and the marble countertop.
There are various types of marble countertops to consider, depending on your price point. There’s Carrara marble that’s more affordable given it’s readily available while you can opt for a rarer more luxurious stone like Calacatta marble. This option provides a whiter surface and more dramatic grey veining.
How To Choose A Los Angeles Contractor
If you’re a Los Angeles homeowner who is ready for a remodel, then you’re most likely going to need an LA-based contractor to come in and do the work needed to transform your home into your dream space. But where should you start? How do you know what to look for in a Los Angeles contractor? What makes them qualified for the job? To help you navigate the often challenging process of finding a Los Angeles remodel professional, here are some tips so that your LA remodel goes as planned.
Do Your Homework
You don’t want just any company coming in to do your home remodel in Los Angeles. To ensure you choose someone qualified for the job, you’ll want to do your homework and research various companies before actually picking up the phone or emailing them for an inquiry. Make sure you scan websites and all social media to get a feel for their work. Reach out via email or social media if you have any follow up questions regarding the work you see online. Ask questions like:
- Have they done previous renovation you need before?
- If they have contacts with well-known suppliers?
- What’s their specialization when it comes to home renovation?
LA Design Build has quite an extensive portfolio when it comes to Los Angeles home renovations. We also have several contacts with well-known suppliers in the industry. We prefer to work with top names who we know provide quality products and materials. When it comes to specialization, we do it all!
Check For Licenses
It’s important that you hire a licensed LA renovation specialist. LA Design Build is fully licensed and insured, as well as current on all our licenses so that you can rest assure that your home renovation project is completed on time as planned.
Invite The Contractor Over
It’s a good idea to provide Los Angeles contractors any lists you have on your wants and desires for your renovation project. Also, get their ideas and see how they would improve your space so that you can take their ideas and incorporate it into your overall desired look. You’ll want to review the space with the contractor in your home. At LA Design Build, we like to go into a space to get a feel for what needs to be done and how it should look – always taking into consideration the wishes of the client.
We reinvent homes and take their designs to new heights. With every project, we relish in the opportunity to design an experience as our project managers take into account how clients will interact in their space rather than just focus on material applications. Our vast portfolio includes kitchen and bathroom renovations, ground-up developments, full-home automation and more. We bring expertise and a tailored approach to each individual project, which includes management from concept to completion.
Contact us today to start your Los Angeles home renovation project!
3 Reasons Why You Should Opt For A Modern Shower Renovation
Is your shower old and outdated? Or maybe your shower is too small or needs a complete overhaul to meet your overall design preferences. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just bought a new home or have been in your current home for quite a few years, your shower could definitely benefit from a shower renovation. Not only will it heighten your bathroom’s overall design, but it’ll make take a shower more enjoyable and functional.
At LA Design Build, we specialize in modern shower design for homeowners based in Los Angeles who want to give their showers a complete makeover. When creating a modern shower, you’ll want to include the following in your bathroom renovation project:
Natural Materials
Modern design uses natural materials as a way to add some warmth to the space. When designing a modern bathroom or shower, natural materials like moisture-treated woods (like teak) or stones like travertine are great choices that encompass a modern look. Even colorful ceramic tiles in stacked patterns or laid in brick will provide lots of warmth to your bathroom. Also, natural materials are complemented by mixed metals, such as shiny finishes like chrome or burnished textures like brass. When looking to modernize your bathroom or shower, think about what natural materials you prefer or let us help guide you to what would look great in your space.
Neutral Color Palette
Using natural materials is the first step to creating a modern shower. To build upon that design, you’ll also want to choose a neutral color palette to match the materials. Shades of beige and brown are often used to bring out the warmth of the wood or natural stone accents. However, that’s not to say that color isn’t used in modern shower design either Modern design also incorporates vibrant colors to bring the space more texture and make it all pop visually.
Simple & Clean Style
In general, a modern shower design is about creating a simple and clean space, where form and function are important. To add a bold statement, the design style can also incorporate geometric shapes and sleek lines. Symmetry and creating some balance are also characteristics of a modern shower aesthetic.
The end goal of creating a shower or bathroom remodel is to create a space that is warm and inviting. It should provide comfort and a sense of ease, mimicking a spa-like experience. LA Design Build specializes in Los Angeles modern shower and bathroom renovations and can help you create a space of your dreams. As a renowned Los Angeles renovation specialist, we’ve worked on countless homes to create modern and functional spaces for our clients. See more of our work here!
Summer Home Trends
Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to think about updating your home with new decor, accessories, colors and more. Each new season brings a slew of new design trends that are aimed at making your home nicer and more stylish. For summer, here are a few design trends that’ll warm up your space for the summer:
Accessories Galore
If you’ve ever wanted to go the more-is-more route when it comes to decor accents and accessories in your home, here’s your chance to finally go through with the trend. Accessories that were once used to adorn shelves of bookcases are now being used in every part of the room as the maximalism trend grows. Think of the trend as an easy way to add pops of color and varying dimension to a space. Now’s the chance to go overboard when it comes to accents, decor objects, art, books and more!
Well-Worn Wood
If you’re a fan of wooden accents, then you’ll love to hear that well-worn wood is a huge trend at the moment. Wood pieces with aged patinas are huge and what’s great about this trend is that it can be used in multiple design aesthetics. Raw or reclaimed wood pieces is a great way to add organic beauty and warmth to a space, while the tones perfectly add dimension to any interior space. Plus, it’s totally eco-friendly and sustainable since most well-worn wood pieces are vintage.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a design trend that’s been growing over the past few years. But today’s wallpaper options are beautiful, modern and add lots of character and style to a room. Wallpaper is literally everywhere right now and it can be used for walls, on the back of bookcases, on the ceiling and more. It’s a great way to add some flair to any room without overwhelming the rest of the space.
Rattan Decor
Another huge summer design trend right now is rattan. This is furniture made from the stems of palm and is usually associated with outdoor furniture. However, it’s now frequently used inside and provides natural, boho vibes. The earthy material can make modern spaces feel warmer and more natural.
Calming Home Colors
The need to create a relaxing space is more important than ever, which is earthy colors like taupe, sage green and dusty blues are huge right now. These colors remind us of nature and create calm vibes indoors. These colors are easy to add to your home decor, but you can also opt to paint your walls for a soothing space that’s right on trend.
5 Things Not To Forget For Your Next Home Renovation Project
Los Angeles home renovation projects should never be taken lightly. Whether it’s a bathroom remodel, a custom-built closet or a full kitchen renovation, home renovation projects take a lot of planning, time and money, so you want to make sure you do your homework in order to have everything go smoothly. Here are some common things that many forget when undertaking a home renovation project so that your home comes out exactly how you’ve always dreamed of:
1. Think About The Layout
When doing a Los Angeles home remodel, you’ll want to carefully consider the layout so that it benefits the entire family. You don’t want to add a man cave next to your child’s bedroom. Or a bathroom next to your kid’s play room. You won’t be able to fully use the rooms as they are intended because you’ll have kids next door. Thinking through the logistics of how the entire family will use the space ahead of time will save you lots of headaches down the line.
2. Have A Plan For Storage
As you’re doing your home renovation, think about where you’re planning to store all the stuff from that particular room. You don’t want to go into a renovation project not planning what you’re going to do with all the furniture or decor while the room is being remolded. Clear the space in advance so that you’re not in a rush when your Los Angeles renovation contractor shows up, and you don’t know where to put all the stuff!
3. Go With Durable Materials
Don’t just choose materials based on how good they look. You should also consider how durable they are. You want to make sure they last will look amazing in the future. This is especially true for those with pets and kids.
4. Have Enough Outlets
These days, you can never have too many outlets! With more electronics than ever before, the more outlets, the better. But be strategic about where you place the outlets and the type you go with. There are many that have USB outlets for all of your personal gadgets.
5. Have The Right Permits
Making sure you have the right permits is important to any home renovation project. If you ever sell your home, realtors and new buyers will want to make sure it was all done up to code. The great thing about LA Design Build is that we do all the permit work for you. We want to ensure a seamless renovation experiences for our clients and will go and make sure we obtain all the necessary permits needed for the project. We will also go the extra mile to get remodel projects approved with home association organizations, making the renovation process an easier and more convenient process.
4 Ways To Upgrade Your Home Organization
Home organization is at the top of everyone’s list right now. With Spring here, many are doing their annual spring cleaning and trying to get their home in order. In fact, home organization is a popular trend right now, with many looking for new and improved ways, tips and tricks and inspiration as to how to live a more organized life at home. Organizing your home is more than a trend though – it can be an act of self-care. Clutter has been known to cause anxiety and even depression, so having a nice and organized home isn’t just for appearances, but also for your sanity and mood. Here are a few ways on how to upgrade your home organization:
1. Compartmentalize Your Drawers
There’s one thing to declutter your drawers, but it’s a whole other thing to actually compartmentalize it. Now that you’ve gotten rid of old clothes you don’t wear, it’s now time to organize your drawers for optimal function and convenience. You might want to add drawer organizers to keep everything nice and neat.
2. Label Your Shelves & Containers
In your pantry, go the extra mile and organize your shelves by items and then label the containers and place them with like items. Labeling will make it easier for when you put everything back. Plus it makes your pantry look neat and tidy.
3. Organize Shelves By Color Or Size
Whether it’s a book shelf or a closet (or whatever else you keep stored), organize it all by size or color (or even both). This ads in visual order and inherent organization to whatever you are organizing. Just as labeling helps people put things back where they belong, this system does the same thing. Your built-in shelves won’t only look nicer, but they’ll also be much tidier, too.
4. Get The Clutter Out For Good On Countertops
Nothing beats the look of clean countertops devoid of any clutter. Even if you’ve gotten rid of the papers and small things that end up counters at the end of the day, go one step further and see what larger staples you can remove from your home’s flat surfaces for good. Maybe put small appliances away in the pantry or remove too much decor to other room where it would look better. Clearing off surfaces will not only make the space look better, but it’ll also lessen your anxiety and tendencies to go back to the clutter. At LA Design Build, we can easily create custom cabinets to hide all your countertop appliances in the kitchen or build special built-ins to add more storage space!