“What trends are actually worth following?
“How do I avoid choices that won’t age well or will look dated in just a few years?”
“What will make my bathroom feel calm, durable, and functional every day?”
“How do I get more storage?”

You’re not chasing a showroom look—you’re building a space that supports your routine, your comfort, and the uniqueness of your home. And while trends shift constantly, some ideas have earned their place because they consistently serve real families well over time.

Here are the bathroom trends we see Mill Creek homeowners choosing with confidence.

Trend #1: Warm, Natural Color Palettes

Trend #2: Layouts That Fit Real Life

You can love inspiration photos and still design a bathroom that works for your daily rhythm. The beauty of a remodel is that it is a chance to truly make the space your own. We are seeing an rise in thoughtful design that prioritizes usability for everyday convenience – without sacrificing style. This looks like:

• Enlarging walk-in showers for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience
• Removing bulky corner tub decks to reclaim valuable space
• Adding simple, intentional storage near the vanity and shower with inset wall niches, and custom cabinetry built to include options like laundry pullouts and hot tools drawers

Great design doesn’t ask you to adapt to it—it adapts to you, which is exactly what a great designer does.

Trend #3: Clean, Textured Tile with Staying Power

Trend #4: Lighting That Sets the Tone

Lighting can make or break how a bathroom feels, especially on those foggy Mill Creek mornings. A layered approach—vanity lights, soft overhead fixtures, and warm LEDs—creates a soothing environment and makes tasks like shaving or makeup much easier. Adding dimmers to bathroom switches allows control over the lighting so that it’s there when you need it.

Trend #5: Storage That Actually Works

The trend isn’t more storage; it’s smarter storage. Homeowners are choosing solutions that reduce clutter and simplify the morning routine, including:

• Drawer-heavy vanities for easy organization
• Shower niches that blend seamlessly into the design
• Recessed medicine cabinets behind mirrors and linen cabinets add storage
• Cabinets featuring laundry pull outs, custom organizers, and hot tools drawers hide the mess and keep everyday items within reach

These practical details do more to improve daily living and create a space that is enjoyable to use than any decorative trend.

Trend #6: Sustainability That Saves Money

Mill Creek homeowners care about efficiency, but not for bragging rights. They want solutions that reduce utility costs and hold up over time. That often means water-saving fixtures, efficient ventilation fans, and durable finishes designed for longevity in a moist climate.

Where Homeowners Feel Most Uncertain

The biggest challenge isn’t figuring out which trends you like—it’s knowing which ones fit your home. Every Mill Creek house comes with its own quirks: angled rooflines, aging plumbing, limited square footage, or natural-light constraints. Navigating these details is where having a thoughtful guide matters. Someone who helps you clarify your goals and translates them into a plan you can feel confident about.

A Bathroom Built Around You

Your bathroom shouldn’t just look polished the day it’s finished—it should continue supporting your lifestyle, your comfort, and your long-term needs. At JL Remodeling, we help Mill Creek homeowners sift through all the “latest trends” to find what’s genuinely right for their space and budget.

Ready to Explore What’s Possible in Your Mill Creek Home? If you’re considering a bathroom remodel and want guidance that’s clear and pressure-free, our team would love to help.
Schedule a design conversation with JL Remodeling today and get clarity for your project’s next step. Call us at 425-493-4742 or email us at hello@jlremodeling.com.

The post A Bathroom Designed for the Way You Live appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Touch Up High-Use Areas

One of the quickest and easiest ways to increase the value of your home is by freshening up areas that show wear and tear. High-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms tend to show the most wear, so consider refreshing those areas first to get the most bang for your buck.

To do so, either touch up your current paint where it is worn or, if necessary, repaint to a color that will appeal to a broad range of people. It’s a great idea to do both interior and exterior paint in order to help the house’s overall appearance and boost its curb appeal. In addition to paint, consider replacing high-wear items like front door knobs, kitchen faucets, and the like.

Install New Flooring

Speaking of high-use areas, one element of every home that gets worn quickly is the floors. Despite the initial expense, replacing or refurbishing the current floors can easily pay for itself when selling your home. As buyers tour different houses, new floors stand out. In conjunction with the fresh paint we mentioned above, these two changes alone can make your home feel new, clean, and inviting. If you want to get the highest possible offer for your home, consider upgrading the flooring.

Renovate the Kitchen & Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms tend to show their age more than other areas of the house. Outdated appliances and bygone design fads in these rooms can make your whole house feel old and undesirable, lowering its value. If a large-scale kitchen and bathroom remodel is out of your budget, even some minor DIY updates—such as repainting cabinets, adding new cabinet pulls, and installing new countertops—can help increase the value of your home. By updating the look of these rooms, you will find more interested buyers.

Open Up the Floor Plan

Open floor plans are certainly in style, and having a home that has large, shared spaces will command a higher price compared to one with more siloed rooms. Specifically, modern home buyers are looking for an open floor plan that connects three of the major rooms in the house. If you’re already planning on remodeling, then changing up the floor plan to connect the kitchen, living room, and dining room areas into an open concept can be another great way to add value.

Finish the Basement

Finally, if your home has an unfinished basement, consider finishing it. Finished basements add another level to your home, creating a unique space that is separate from the rest of the house. As a result of their more relaxed and genuine atmosphere, they are quite popular on buyers’ wish lists. Finishing your basement is a great way to add liveable square footage to your home and will positively affect its resale value.
That’s it! Those are five ways you can immediately increase the value of your home. Looking for help in putting these steps into action? Contact us today for a quote on your home remodeling project.

The post 5 Upgrades to Increase the Value of Your Existing Home appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Tile Variations

The first thing to understand is what kind of tiling best suits the area you are working in. There are lots of different types of tile to choose from, each with its strengths and weaknesses in different areas in the house. Ceramic, quarry, vitrified and terracotta tiles are all very good options for floors and walls throughout your home, natural stone tiles like marble or granite are often used in kitchens, and mosaic tiles are best used in kitchens and bathrooms. Knowing what type of tile you are selecting for what job is important, as it allows you to find durable and long-lasting options that will seamlessly blend in with the room you choose.

Size and Practicality

The next step is understanding what kind of tiles to choose based on the layout of the room and your desired aesthetic. If the room in question is larger, such as a kitchen or living room, then larger tiles will usually complement the space nicely. In the same way, smaller tiles would be better suited for smaller areas like the bathroom to avoid the tiles being too imposing for the space.

Incorporating what we know about tile variations, natural stone tile may lend itself to a bigger living room, while a slightly smaller more decorative terracotta tile may be better suited for a smaller living room. Natural tiles are also a great option for bathroom floors because they are less slippery when they get wet, while larger terracotta or quarry tiles can minimize the appearance of dirt in a mudroom or hallway. 

Grouting Choice

The final thing to consider when selecting tile is grout. If you want your floors to be seamless and have minimal gaps, consider porcelain and natural stone tiles that have very little gaps between each piece. If you prefer a style that will need visible grouting, then choose a grout color that won’t clash with your tile of choice.
Ultimately, the tile you choose is up to your personal preference. These tips are here to help inform you so that you can make the best possible tile selection for your home in terms of functionality, longevity, and personal style preferences. If you have any questions, or if you simply want more insight about selecting tile for your home, contact us today!

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Tile Selection appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Here’s what you need to know about cleaning granite countertops.

Daily Cleaning for Granite Countertops

Knowing how to do the normal day-to-day cleaning is the most important part of knowing how to properly clean granite countertops. You’re not going to want to use anything that could tarnish the appearance of the granite, things like vinegar, windex and bleach can all dull the shiny finish on granite. 

You’ll also want to avoid using abrasive cleaning tools, similar to steel wool or other rough items, because that can scratch the surface of the granite and leave a permanent mark. The best cleaning solutions to use on granite countertops is a simple warm water and soap mix along with a gentle cleaning rag or towel. You can also use a 50:50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water if you desire. Because granite is not very porous and is sealed it does not take much more than basic cleaning materials to maintain the appearance and cleanliness of the granite. 

Removing Stains from Granite Countertops 

Although granite is sealed and it is difficult for things to be absorbed into it, it is still possible for your countertops to be stained. If a spill is left uncleaned on the counter for too long, it can end up staining the granite and ruining the look of your expensive countertops, which is why it is important to know how to take care of these things. 

To remove stains, you will need to make a mix of baking soda and water that will create a paste. You can apply this paste using a gentle cleaning rag or towel to the stained spot, then rinse with warm water afterwards. 

It is important to understand that the stain may not come out on the first try, and if you don’t succeed, then you will want to try again a few more times. If you are still having no luck after multiple tries and it seems like you’re dealing with a very tough stain then you’ll want to take a different approach. 

Removing the Most Difficult Stains from Granite Countertops

You can create the same paste as before but this time you will apply the paste then seal it on the counter top, and wait for it to dry, which can take a couple days. Once dried, you can rinse it off with warm water. Hopefully you don’t run into a situation like this, but worst case scenario luckily you will be prepared to get rid of the stain and keep your granite countertops in great condition!

Knowing how to properly clean your granite countertops is essential if you want to keep them looking great and not giving into the wear and tear over the years. Now that you know how to properly take care of your granite countertops you’ll be able to keep them in good condition for many years.  

Ready for new countertops? Fill out the contact form and let’s talk! As a certified kitchen and bathroom remodeler, we’re thrilled to help our neighbors achieve their dream homes!

The post How to Clean Granite Countertops appeared first on JL Remodeling.

1| Brass is back!

One of the most popular design trends in bathrooms for 2020 is the return of brass finishes. From the light fixtures and mirror frames to the finishes on the faucets, brass has made a popular return to the bathroom. Brass adds glam and luxury to your bathroom. It can also provide a rustic design element if the finish is distressed.

2| Deep-soak tubs

Deep-soak bathtubs are a 2020 bathroom design trend that take a modern spin on traditional cast-iron, claw-foot bathtubs common in many older bathrooms. These modern, sleek tubs are constructed out of a variety of materials to fit the design of a bathroom. Whether porcelain or natural stone, deep-soak tubs are great for any bathroom and can come in any sort of design to match your bathroom remodel project.

3| Odd Shaped Tile

Another bathroom design trend making the rounds is odd-shaped tile. Breaking tradition, innovative home designers are choosing a variety of different shaped tiles, like shells or hexagons.

Oddly shaped tiles are a great way to add a fun and creative design to your bathroom that won’t be obnoxious and will still maintain the look of your bathroom style. For added interest, you may also partially tile a bathroom wall.

As a Lynnwood bathroom remodeler, we’ve noticed that this trend includes tiling to the height of a window, countertop, shower door/ curtain, or anything else in your bathroom. Tiling only part of a wall can be a great way to add the design element of tile into your bathroom without having to do a complete wall or area. It is a great way to cut down on the cost of tile or just to be creative with the design of your bathroom.

4| Flora          

The addition of plants in bathrooms, although not new, is becoming more and more popular as well. A great way to have natural beauty and colors that aren’t overwhelming and add an organic, soothing ambiance to your bathroom, encouraging a spa-like atmosphere.

5| Open shower designs

The design of showers is also changing in 2020. Open showers are becoming more popular. One wall with no enclosure such as shower curtain or glass shower door are becoming more popular in many current bathroom designs. Another 2020 bathroom design trend is a hidden shower drain. Instead of a large metal grate, the water drains into a crack or crevice which leads to the covered drain. This contributes to the sleek look of many modern bathrooms.

There are many new bathroom design trends in 2020 that you can easily incorporate into your new bathroom. Hopefully this list has given you some ideas that you can install into your new bathroom!

Ready to take on that bathroom remodel? Fill out the contact form and let’s talk! As a certified Lynnwood bathroom remodeler, we’re thrilled to help our neighbors achieve their dream homes!

The post Top 2020 Bathroom Design Trends appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Subway Tile

Subway tile provides a classic look that adapts well in most kitchens. White subway tile is a go-to for many, but consider adding extra intrigue with colored subway tile, as in this green kitchen backsplash seen in Unsellable Houses.

Herringbone Tile

In this small condo kitchen, our professional tilers installed gray tiles in a herringbone pattern. The tile design paired with natural wood shelving creates a functional focal point for the space.

Mini Hexagon Tile

Mini hexagon tiles add subtle texture to a kitchen space. Here, the white tile keeps the kitchen clean and bright while serving as a backdrop for exposed shelving and a warm wood island.

Elongated Hexagon Tile

Our team of professional tilers laid vertically elongated tile in this modern farmhouse kitchen. The tile pairs well with the rustic wood hood vent and adds a contemporary flair to the space.

Geometric Tile

Make a bold statement with tile kitchen backsplash. Calacatta Labrinto tile creates a high impact, geometric design on the walls of this eclectic kitchen.

JL Remodeling is a full-service, licensed kitchen and bath remodeler serving the Snohomish County region. We’re committed to quality, timeliness and service for every client. Our services include finish selection and tile installation. We’re the company that cares, and our professional tilers are here to help guide you through the process. Contact our team to begin your home remodel journey.

The post 5 Tile Designs to Inspire Your Kitchen Backsplash appeared first on JL Remodeling.