Six Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Bathroom Countertop

When choosing a bathroom countertop, you want something that’s not only stylish but functional as well. Knowing how you are going to use your bathroom will help you narrow down your choices and decide on what’s best for your needs.

Before making any remodeling plans, consider the following six questions to ask when choosing your bathroom countertop, to help you infuse your bathroom with character and convenience:

1. What are your bathroom requirements?

Consider how the space will be used. Are you planning a powder room, master bath, or one for everyday family use? Think about all the toiletries you and your family use there. A good bathroom countertop is the one that fits your lifestyle.

2. How will you use your countertop?

More traffic In the bathroom means more mess. Do you have children in the household? A good choice for this situation is getting a durable and easy-to-maintain surface.

3. How much maintenance can you handle?

Having kids and teenagers at home usually means that your countertop needs cleaning more often. In this case, less delicate surface makes sense.

4. What’s your budget?

The cost of a bathroom countertop varies widely – you’ll pay more for custom counters than for a vanity. Keep in mind that a good bathroom counter, if maintained properly, will last for many years to come. It’s smarter to determine your ideal material and find one that you can afford.  

5. Is the upgrade for your home or your next home buyer?

Go with what you really want if the countertop is for you. If you're upgrading to sell your home, keep practicality in mind while not compromising the quality and appearance.

6. What materials speak to you?

In any aspect of remodeling, aesthetics can’t be ignored. But you shouldn’t decide based on beauty alone. Take the time to look around. You should get something that’s non-porous and doesn’t stain easily. Quartz and cultured marble are all good options. If you want to add some “green” to your bath design, choose recycled-content surfaces or these eco-friendly alternatives.

Answering these questions while you’re in the planning zone can help simplify the process and find the materials that work best for your space.

When it comes to bathroom renovation, we can custom make and fit the countertop to meet your needs. Contact us today at 503.232.620 or visit www.milanstoneworks.com for a free estimate.

8 Common Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

When done right, transforming your old bathroom from dingy to dazzling can add value to your home. It’s an exciting home improvement project to work on and sounds all too easy. However, you don’t want to find yourself drowning in unanticipated problems and unexpected costs. So when you are planning a remodel, avoid these common pitfalls.

Mistake #1 - Thinking bigger is better

You’ve read that right. Bigger isn't always better. It doesn’t matter whether you have a large bathroom or trying to squeeze in an extra space for the growing needs of your family. What’s important is that the design matches your lifestyle.

Mistake #2 - Ignoring measurements

In a remodeling project, you might be too preoccupied with the design and other fun stuff. Before you create your blueprint, consider functionality. Measure the distances accurately and plan it carefully so that you can open the bathroom door without blocking anything or the cabinet doors won’t bang against other surfaces.

Mistake #3 - You have a thing for curbed-shower

Not only does a curbless shower adhere to universal design principles but it can enhance the appeal of your bath and make it look cleaner and bigger. This is fairly easy to accomplish so make sure to mention this to your contractor before construction.

Mistake #4 - No view out

It’s no fun spending in a dark, damp bathroom. If you are relocating your bath, choose a room with small windows. If not possible, install an operable skylight to allow natural light and fresh air to get in.

Mistake #5 - Budgeting too little or over-paying for your new bathroom

The average bathroom remodel costs around $16,000, according to Remodeling Magazine. If you encountered water damage and molds in your old bathroom, you might be spending more as you’re likely to replace old pipes, countertop, and fixtures to reduce problems later on.

While it’s important that you are working within you budget and shopping the best deal on fixtures and materials, it is critical not to save to the point of compromising the quality. Getting way too low or too extravagant can cause you more trouble later. For example, cheap cabinets will have doors that don’t fit properly. This is also true when you choose substandard materials that can lead to water damage,

You should not also skimp on paying for reliable contractors. Remember, cheaper is not always better. Be sure to work with skilled, licensed, and insured contractors.

Mistake #6 – Not matching hardware and fixtures

If you are going to choose a faucet in nickel, the other components (towel bar and rings) should have the same material. Compare finishes before purchasing. If possible, get hardware and fixtures at the same place.

Mistake #7 – Mismatched finishes on sink, toilet, shower, and tub

Your sink, toilet, and tub should have matching finishes. Before you buy anything, compare samples of materials.

Mistake #8 - Doing it yourself

Doing it all could create costly mistakes if you failed to rewire the room correctly or botch the plumbing. It is recommended that you hire a professional to take over your bathroom remodel.

Ready to give your bathroom a bold new look? Call Milan Stoneworks at 503.232.6206 for all your remodeling needs.

3 Tips for Designing a Spa-Style Bathroom

Homeowners these days are looking for stylish ways to add comfort and cutting-edge functionality in their bathroom. Aside from increasing the value of your home, having a little luxury won’t hurt. If you’re stuck for ideas, read along.

Add spa-worthy products and features

There are a wide range of tubs and showers available today. Some will allow you to fully immerse yourself in bubbles while others send sound-wave vibrations through the water.

You can also opt for shower heads mounted on the walls and ceilings. These showers can be adjusted for a personalized therapeutic experience. You can preset temperature, sprays, steam, and water use.

Both offer the ultimate relaxation and will forget all your worries.

Don’t limit your imagination

Countertops come in beautiful surface materials and colors that are perfect for your kitchen or bathroom. Coupled with a stylish vanity, it leaves a sophisticated touch. You can also get inspiration from high-end hotels and adapt a few designs according to your budget. Elegant vessel sinks, vanities, wood finishes, floors, toilet enclosures, and lighting are just some of the features you can change to have a hotel-inspired bathroom. Carefully handpicked materials, finishes, and fixtures will give you stunning visuals with an enhanced appeal.

Plan ahead

Take some time to map out the outline of your dream bathroom. Whether you’re remodeling or building a new home, planning ahead is essential. Even the most intricate details can make a huge difference in your bathroom. Decide what you need to prioritize and spend more on what matters. By planning smart, you can explore all the possibilities and achieve your dream of a luxurious bath.

We are here to help you create a blueprint that will meet your standards and satisfy your long term personal vision of a cozy retreat in your own home. Contact us today for your upcoming bathroom remodel or visit www.milanstoneworks.com to see our portfolio.

Home Remodeling: Kitchen, Bath, & Living Room

Creative home remodeling can be a fun and fulfilling venture. By working on these projects now, you and your family will truly enjoy all the comfort and convenience of a brand new home.

We recently worked in partnership with Orlando Construction, Inc. for this project in Vancouver. See how the renovation team transformed the family room, kitchen, and bathroom. Head over to their Facebook page for more photos.

Living Room

Before -- Needs a new fireplace façade

After -- A perfect spot to gather with family and friends.

Kitchen

Before -- Pristinely white kitchen

After -- The stunning semi-gloss floor provides just enough sheen to reflect light around the kitchen

It’s amazing how a new countertop can give the kitchen a fresh new look!

One of the kitchen trends today is making the kitchen island highly functional. In this case, the stove is integrated into the work station.

With this kitchen island, the wonderful homeowners can enjoy a clutter-free space.

Laundry Room

Gone are the days of unfinished loads in the dark basement. Who wouldn’t love doing laundry in this space?

Bathroom

 

Before -- Needs a little bit of color accent to revamp this bathroom

After -- A cozy retreat to enjoy each time you walk through the door

     

Improved lighting, updated fixtures.

       

Classic yet functional. The renovation is perfect for this home!

The vanity paired with crisp stylish accents gives the room a good contrast of vibrancy and classic simplicity.

As you can see from the photos, the remodeling project turned out beautiful which is always an exciting part of our job! We can help you plan and customize your dream kitchen, bath, or living room. Our extensive network of professional contractors will come in on time and on budget. Learn how by visiting our website at www.milanstoneworks.com

5 Secrets to a Great Bathroom Design

When it comes to planning your bath, focusing on function will help you simplify and carry out the most basic daily routines. These efficient ideas will allow you to create a beautiful and useful grooming space tailored to your needs:

• Cosmetics and personal items should be placed where you need it without having to stoop or strain. This will make it easier for you to get everything in a single area and move around the room to complete your morning routine.

• Select high-quality fixtures and accessories for your bath. Moisture can create permanent rust spots on cabinet shelves so make sure you invest on a rust-free aluminum material for your grooming station.

• Think about the space you have and get the right size of mirror to fit in your space. Position it properly where you can see yourself without having to lean or bend. A mirrored medicine cabinet is a great space saver as well. Aside from the functional mirror, you can place all the items you need, keep toiletries organized, and cut down on visual clutter. Consider installing a locking compartment for your prescription medications to keep them out of reach of children.  There are also medicine cabinets with adjustable shelves for a more customized and organized storage. You can even find one that is customized for left-handers.

• Proper lighting is important in your grooming station. Multiple light sources at different angles are recommended for better illumination. Choose bulbs that give off soft light from the middle of the color spectrum and use a combination of ambient and task lighting to help balance light intensity.

• Bathroom vanities come in different styles and sizes but the most important thing is to choose the right one that fits your space perfectly. Whether you wish to sit or stand as you groom, your vanity should be able to offer convenience.

Thinking of upgrading your bathroom and refreshing it with a new vanity? Let Milan Stoneworks install it for you! We can design custom bathroom vanities that suit your space, style, and taste. Call us today at 503.232.6206 or visit www.milanstoneworks.com for more details.

Big Ideas for Small Baths

Home baths these days have nearly doubled in size, although some still keep their old 5- by 8-feet home bathrooms due to lack of space for remodeling. If you have a small bath, don’t fret as the makeover possibilities are just as enticing for your space. With the right colors, chic fixtures, décor, and glamorous finishes you can create the illusion of a roomy bath even without a big budget.

Maximize the corner. Put unused space into work by adding corner storage unit or shelving. You'll be surprised to see that you have just the right storage and more space to store the essentials, with no room left over for clutter.

Downsize the toilet. Replace your old toilet with a compact elongated model. Aside from the familiar comfort it gives, newer toilets use less water making them friendlier to the environment.

Use solid colors. Instead of busy patterns, go for light, natural tones. You’ll eventually notice the open, spacious feel. For a more creative look, play with textures and keep prints to a minimum. The powder room is a better choice to showcase your style.

Look for a bathtub designed for small spaces. Open up sight lines and make your bathroom look bigger with a lower-walled model bathtub. It’s perfect for either taking a shower or a pleasant dip.

Opt for a smaller faucet. Some faucets may just be too large for the sink. You’ll be happier with a space-saving, single-hole faucet.

Streamline the shower. A sliding shower door or screen come well-recommended for small bathrooms as it doesn't require space for door clearance. The clear glass creates an illusion of size and stretches the visual length of any bathroom.

Downsize the vanity. A wall-mounted sink is a real space saver and makes your bath look like there’s an added square footage. The best part about it is that you don’t even have to compromise your style. Add an extra dash of elegance by changing your standard mirror with a decorative frame that complements the style of your vanity.

Adjust your view. Keep this light and airy. Hang your cabinet at a more comfortable height to avoid unnecessary bending. Use niche shelving and a mirrored medicine cabinet to replace bulky furniture if necessary.

Choose the right countertop. Save on expensive cabinetry and give your bath an unrivaled, classic look by splurging on a marble countertop. It gives room for towels and toiletries under the sink. You can also use simple cotton skirting instead of traditional doors.

Just because a bathroom is small doesn’t mean it has to be short in style. Remodeling a bathroom, no matter what the size, doesn't have to limit your creativity. Use your imagination to transform your confined bathroom into a serene master bath.

Get a free quote for your countertop of choice and gain inspiration for remodeling your bath. Contact Milan Stoneworks today!

Call us today at 503.232.6206 - or visit our website to view our portfolio: www.MilanStoneworks.com

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