Bathroom Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
Your bathroom might not be one of the biggest rooms in your house, but it’s one of the most essential. If it’s time for you to remodel, you want to make sure you’re taking advantage of every inch of space and making the right decisions for your home.
The following tips will help you avoid any mistakes before you begin:
Setting a Budget
A budget is one of the most important decisions you can make before a bathroom project. Before you buy anything, price out each item. Remember to account for tile, flooring, showerheads, lighting, ventilation, plumbing, paint and cabinets. Get a few estimates for work from contractors. This will help you get an idea of where to save and where to splurge, depending on what matters most to you.
Putting Everything Together
Finishes can drastically vary from one brand to another. What might be champagne brass to one company looks like antique brass with another. Using an idea board or viewing the different materials in person will help you make the right decision before any work begins. Many companies, like Miller Residential, have a showroom where you can view the cabinets, tile and hardware to eliminate future design regret.
Adding Ventilation
The bathroom is one of the most humid places in your home. Showers and baths add a great deal of moisture. Make sure you install proper ventilation to remove unpleasant odors, particles and humidity. This will also prevent mold from growing.
Consider Spacing Clearances
Take the time to review the layout of your existing bathroom and ways to upgrade it. How many people use the room? Can you avoid traffic jams when multiple people are using the space? Make sure you have room for towel bars and toilet paper holders as well as any hooks to hang items.
Adding Enough Storage
Eliminate countertop clutter by considering the most efficient ways to utilize space. Take stock of the items in your current bathroom and identify where they should be stored so they’re out of sight. Cosmetics, toiletries, towels and medications should all have designated storage space.
Using a Subpar Contractor
Good companies may cost extra, but they can save you time and money by ensuring the job is done well the first time. Use a residential construction firm with a good reputation and experienced installers. They should provide a contract and insurance upon request. Bathrooms are tricky and need to be done correctly to ensure proper drainage and ventilation.
What to Expect During a Hardwood Refinishing Project: A Timeline of What to Know
Hardwood floors are popular for many reasons. While beautiful and durable, they do require occasional upkeep. Hardwood should be sanded and stained every seven to ten years.
If your floors are starting to look scratched up and faded, it may be time to have them refinished. Here are a few tips to help manage your expectations for a floor refinishing project:
Move Furniture Aside
Designate a storage space away from the hardwood areas where you can stack furniture and larger items. Then remove any free-standing pieces such as leaning mirrors or coat racks. The more you move, the easier it will be for your floor refinishers. Many companies will help move large items for an additional cost.
Prep and Tape Up Rooms Not Being Sanded
After furniture is moved, the flooring company will plastic tape areas that aren’t being sanded to keep them from getting too dusty. Miler offers a dust containment system which minimizes dust. They take every precaution to minimize unwanted dust. Large plastic tarps will be taped around open doorways and rooms. Quarter round toe molding will also be removed before prepping the area for work.
Sand and Buff the Wood
A team of professionals will apply even pressure to the wood with a dustless power sander. They start with a rougher grit sandpaper to remove the current finish and then go back over the wood a few times with a consistently finer grit to create a smooth and even surface. Then they carefully vacuum all the dust and debris to prep for staining.
Apply Coatings
Miller Residential offers several finish options, including water-based urethanes, oil urethanes and tongue oil. Each of these require different processes based on drying time. No pets should be in the home while the finishes are applied. Make sure your flooring contractor applies at least two coatings to the floors. Miller will apply 3-4 coats of finish.
Install New Base Shoe Molding
After the floors have been stained, new shoe or quarter-round molding will be added along the perimeter of the rooms. The quarter round molding will be cut and stained to match the exact color of your floors, or they will provide and install primed molding. New toe molding makes your home look cleaner and more polished.
Air It Out
Urethanes need time to air out and cure. You should wait at least two days before moving back into your home, more if someone is pregnant or you have young children. Plan to stay at a hotel, family or friend’s home for a few nights if possible. The extra time is worth it.
Enjoy Your New Floors
Newly finished hardwoods can completely transform your home. Now that your new floors are ready, make sure you take good care of them. Apply felt protection covers on moving furniture such as chairs or bar stools to prevent scratching. When cleaning, make sure you use products that are meant for hardwood flooring. Well-kept hardwoods will continue looking great for years to come.
A Pro’s Guide to Flooring
When considering a home flooring remodeling project, there’s a wide range of materials to choose from. The options can seem overwhelming. But there are distinct advantages to each.
Let Miller Residential’s flooring experts help you decide on the right style for your home:
Natural Hardwood
Wood is one of the most popular choices. It’s durable, beautiful, and lasts for generations. If your current wood flooring is beginning to show wear after years of use, Miller Residential’s sanding and refinishing team can sand and stain the wood in one of hundreds of colors. While the most popular natural wood is oak, you can also install maple, walnut, hickory, or even bamboo flooring.
Vinyl Flooring
LVT, which stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank, is one of the fastest growing flooring options. It’s easy to install and extremely resilient. There are three layers: Base vinyl, a design layer that mimics wood, and a transparent top layer for protection. LVT is durable, waterproof, and less expensive than natural or engineered wood.
Engineered Wood
If you’re looking for wider plank style, engineered wood may be your best choice. Because it has a thin sheet of wood on top and a thicker fiberboard underneath, it may warp less than natural wood. While engineered wood is more durable, it isn’t waterproof. It also can’t be refinished like natural wood.
Carpet
Carpet is a popular option to several reasons. The color range, pile options and warmth of carpet is ideal for bedrooms and stairway runners. It’s slip-proof and easy to replace. Carpet choices can come in residential, commercial, and even modular applications. It’s also easy to price carpet based on your budget range.
Tile
Tile flooring is elegant, versatile, and inclusive. You can choose from porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite, or cement. There’s simply no end of options for size, color, glaze, or patterns. Tile can be installed in sheets or individual pieces to make a custom mosaic. You can also add radiant heating underneath the tile to keep it warm in the winter.
Miller Residential’s showroom is centrally located in West Chester. Stop by to view their large range of options in carpet, wood, tile and LVT. You can compare colors and styles in person to ensure your new flooring fits the style of your home.
A Thoughtful Home Remodel
A local couple recently decided to downsize from a house in Exton to a townhouse in West Chester. They reached out to Miller Residential to renovate a few areas of their new home.
The most extensive project was a complete bathroom makeover. The owners wanted a larger, updated shower with stylish tile and hardware. They also wanted more bathroom storage.
AFTER
BEFORE
Designer Shawna Beauchamp helped design a bathroom layout that was a better fit for the homeowners. The outdated bathtub and vanity were replaced with an elegant double vanity, tall cabinets and a bench seat for additional storage.
“We created a stylish, roomy and functional master bathroom that upgraded the master suite,” says Shawna. “The large format porcelain tile on the shower walls created a clean look. MSI’s Savoy Crema porcelain mimics Calacutta Gold Marble without the fuss of natural stone. We also used the same material in a different size for the floor tile. “
The kitchen was given a fresh facelift with a new tile backsplash, quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances. A microwave was also installed above the stove to increase counter space.
AFTER
BEFORE
“Everything worked out beautifully,” says homeowner Sandy. “We loved our color and material selections. It made a big difference in the look of our home.”
On the first floor, new hardwood replaced older carpeting, and existing wood floors were sanded and finished to create a seamless look.
“They were very happy with the upgraded enhancements to their new house,” says Shawna. “The project was also completed within the timeline the couple needed to move into their new home.”
Preserving the Past at a Historic Venue
Miller Residential recently completed a complete floor refinishing and project at Newtown Square’s Hunting Hills Mansion. The 4,500 square foot area was sanded down to bare wood, restained and sealed with Waterlox for additional protection.
The project involved a team of Miller Residential flooring specialists working for two weeks on the large ballroom, foyer, stairs and rooms. The bridal suite had suffered termite damage, and wood filler was hand-applied to carefully preserve the white oak flooring.
“We needed to approach this restoration with caution to prevent any additional damage,” says Project Manager Tim Sheehan, who rehabbed the floors five years ago. “We applied tongue oil to bring back its natural beauty.”
Hunting Hill Mansion was built in 1915 by the Jeffords family. The stone manse was designed in the English Tudor style and features ornate plaster and a grand staircase.
The mansion is part of the Parque venue space, which features courtyards, fountains and gardens in the middle of the Ridley Creek State Park. To learn more, click here.
Kitchen Cabinet Lines at Miller Residential
Although Miller Residential was built on a tradition of artisan flooring, our team of designers and installers has grown to include custom kitchen, bathroom and basement renovations.
We recently opened an extensive showroom that allows customers to choose their materials in person, giving them the opportunity to make the best design choices for their home.
Miller’s showroom offers an array of carpet, tile, marble, countertop, backsplash, cabinet and hardware selections. Flooring, cabinets and countertops can be compared together to ensure a cohesive and complementary look.
Lead Designer Shawna Beauchamp creates effortless kitchens tailored to the taste and lifestyle of each client. From large kitchen islands to functional storage, she designs exceptional custom kitchen and bathroom layouts.
“We partner with a range of national cabinet manufacturers to offer different price points for each client,” says Shawna. “We even have outdoor kitchen options.”
A unique corner cabinet pullout drawer featured at the Miller Residential showroom.
StarMark Cabinetry
StarMark Cabinetry has a delivery turnaround of six to eight weeks. They offer oak, walnut, maple, alder, hickory and cherry cabinets with a wide variety of stain and paint colors. Their artisan cabinets, which have custom capabilities, have been made in South Dakota since 1978.
Mantra
Mantra cabinets come in three styles and have one of the quickest turnaround times in the industry. Their cabinets are assembled and shipped within 7 to 10 business days.
“The Mantra cabinet line is our most affordable,” says Shawna. “Although they’re not custom, they can handle the majority of kitchen layouts.”
Diamond Cabinets
A subsidiary of MasterBrand, Diamond Cabinets is a comprehensive company that offers three levels of cabinet lines, from semi-custom (Vibe and Distinction) to custom (Edge). Their lead time is between 10 and 12 weeks.
Vibe is the most affordable line, with more than 20 cabinet door styles. They also have the shortest delivery time of 8 to 10 weeks.
Distinction is the most popular line, a mid-range offering with specialty doors and organization features. There are more than 50 door styles and types of wood to choose from.
“Lastly, Diamond offers the Edge line, which has the largest range of colors and stains,” says Shawna. “Their unique color treatments and edges on doors offers the most flexibility and range for kitchen design.”
Wolf Endurance Cabinets
Miller Residential also offers an outdoor kitchen cabinet line with Wolf Cabinets. These weather-resistant cabinets are ideal for your patio, deck, garage or mudroom. The Endurance line of Wolf Cabinets are made of powder-coated aluminum and come in a range of colors and cabinet doors.
Top Five Trends for 2023
Ring in the New Year with a stylish home!
Yes, you heard it here: Paint stencil borders are back. The new stencil patterns are less fussy, but they’re making a big statement with interior designers and are expected to continue growing in popularity with clients.
What other trends are coming this year? Miller Residential has you covered.
Sustainable Design
Eco-friendly, organic and natural elements are increasingly in demand. Major furniture and home decorating companies such as Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams Sonoma have even designated areas of their offerings as sustainable and have committed to expanding these product lines. As more people search for ways to help the environment when buying new furniture, this trend will only continue to grow.
Mixing High and Low Pieces
Luxe couches and discount lamps? A vintage dresser with collectable art? Designers are on board with this trend of pairing expensive and inexpensive items. It gives clients more flexibility with their budget and shows creativity and originality. The days of buying all your furnishings from one store are over. Mixing and matching are in.
Brown
If 2022 was the year for the color green, 2023 is chocolate brown. Yes, we know you’ve painted your entire home gray. But the new variations of warm browns, almonds and beige colors will make you want to reach for a paintbrush. If you don’t want to change everything in your house over, consider using brown as an accent color with pillows, curtains and lamp shades.
Curved Lines
Boxy, angular furniture is being replaced with curved pieces. Couches, chairs and stools with wavy lines are popping up in design homes and catalogs. This trend doesn’t mean you need to replace every piece of modern furniture you own. One or two pieces will update the look of your home.
Texture
Coziness is also in style. Textured fabric, layered fringe and funky trim bring warmth, color and fun to your home. Consider using texture with throw pillows, blankets or baskets. They add instant style and colorful flair. Layered texture also makes the room more welcoming to family and guests.
A New Home Build with Messick Custom Homes
Miller Flooring partnered with Bill Messick of Messick Custom Homes to build a new home in Garnet Valley. The new home features the latest in residential design, with new engineered flooring, carpet, and luxury vinyl tile (LVT). The home went on the market and was sold quickly.
Miller installed all flooring and tile for the kitchen, family room, living room, bedrooms and bathrooms.
Miller Residential’s team of installers created beautiful stairways for the custom home.
All tile and grout work was completed by Miller Residential.
Top Flooring Options for 2023
One of the biggest impacts you can make to increase the value of your home is renovating your floors. New carpets or floors instantly update the look of your house while making every room look brand new. A majority of realtors say it’s one of the first things they tell their clients to replace before listing their property.
There’s an extensive range of options to choose from in today’s flooring market, including hardwood, engineered, LVT, carpet and tile. Miller Residential carries them all in their newly redesigned showroom.
The number of choices can be confusing, so we narrowed down the pros and cons of each material:
Natural Hardwood
Wood is one of the most popular choices for a host of good reasons. It’s durable, beautiful, and lasts for generations. When it starts to show signs of wear and tear after years of use, Miller Residential’s sanding and refinishing team can sand and then stain the wood to update it with any color. While the most popular natural wood is oak, you can also install maple, walnut, hickory, or even bamboo flooring.
Engineered Wood
If you’re looking for wider plank style, engineered wood may be your best choice. Because it has a thin sheet of wood on top and a thicker fiberboard underneath, it may warp less than natural wood. While engineered wood is more durable, it isn’t waterproof. It also can’t be refinished like natural wood. The cost for engineered is similar to natural, unless you’re using high-end hardwoods.
Vinyl Flooring
LVT or vinyl flooring is one of the fastest-growing segments of the flooring industry. LVT, which stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank, is extremely resilient because it’s made up of three layers. There’s a base vinyl, a design layer that mimics wood, and a transparent top layer for protection. LVT is durable, waterproof and less expensive than natural or engineered wood. It’s also come a long way towards looking like real wood.
Carpet
Nothing makes a room feel cozier than carpet. The color range, pile options and warmth of carpet is one of the reasons it’s used in nearly every bedroom. It’s also slip proof and easy to replace. Carpet can come in residential, commercial, and even modular applications. It’s also easy to price carpet based on your budget range.
Tile
Tile flooring is elegant, versatile, and inclusive. You can choose from porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite, or cement. There’s simply no end of options for size, color, glaze, or pattern. It can be installed in sheets of tile or individual pieces to make a custom mosaic. You can also include radiant heating underneath the tile to keep it warm in the winter. Tile has been around since Egyptian and Roman times. If it can last for centuries underground, it will stay in beautiful condition in your home.
Chester Spring Remodel
Miller Residential completed a full kitchen renovation for a busy family in Chester Springs. The homeowners had a dated kitchen with little storage space and a poorly designed stovetop located directly on the kitchen island. They wanted to open the kitchen up to the family room and add a prep and storage area.
The original cabinets were outdated and didn’t have space for well used items.
This large area was badly used space, with no storage for large items.
Lead Designer Shawna Beauchamp created a seamless transition from the kitchen to the family room by decreasing the load bearing wall, repositioning the appliances and moving the range to the outer cabinets. She added a clever, space-saving coffee prep area with hidden storage for shoes and bags.
The new kitchen features a large island, space for entertaining and preparing food, and increased functionality. The oven is now part of the outer cabinets, offering more footage for the island. The microwave and butlers pantry was thoughtfully designed to maximize storage.
The new kitchen, with clean white cabinets and a stylish blue island, is well suited for entertaining guests. It flows into the other areas of the house without losing needed storage space.
The new layout suits the needs of this growing family. All new flooring was installed as well.
Our Services
Flooring
At the forefront of our business, we take great pride in knowing materials, installation and care of everything flooring. With every product that we introduce and sell in our showroom, we have experts on standby for quality installation. On top of that, our in-house crew does a state of the art job in sanding and finishing hardwood floors.
Hardwood
Engineered Hardwood
Luxury Vinyl
Carpet
Floor & Wall Tile
Stair Work
Sand & FinishingHardwood
Engineered Hardwood
Luxury Vinyl
Carpet
Floor & Wall Tile
Stair Work
Sand & Finishing
Kitchens & Bathrooms
With all of the intricacies of designing and installing a new kitchen or bathroom, we can help to ease your mind during this process. Our design team works in tandem with our field crew while bringing your visions to life. With state of the art tile, countertops, cabinets and flooring, allow us to guide you as a partner in the model/ remodel/ renovation journey.
Cabinetry
Countertops
Shower Doors
Flooring
Tile (Including Listellos, Backsplashes)
Lifestyle Construction
We help to create and execute a beautiful space in your home or outdoor areas. Often, we take on full renovation projects as our customers see fit-which includes cabinetry, countertops, bathroom and kitchen appliances and fixtures. We also have generational talent on hand for hardscaping and outdoor tile/ stone projects.
Outdoor Fireplaces
Outdoor Kitchens
Patios
Stone Work
Home Gyms & Courts
Thanks to our Commercial flooring construction ties, we have the access and ability to help customers create a home gym or workout space- including basketball courts, commercial rubber floors for weights and exercise, yoga studios, tennis courts and more.
Fitness Rooms
Tennis- Basketball- Pickleball
Sport Equipment
Turf
About Us
Who We Are
We are a family run and operated business with 30 years of experience in flooring, tile, carpentry, and renovations. We strive to create lasting, quality work to reach each customers satisfaction. Our 30 years of flooring experience have helped to make an otherwise detailed design process a more appealing and interactive experience for our customers.
The History of Miller Residential
Miller Flooring Company was incorporated in 1989 by our owner Bill Miller. At its inception, hardwood flooring was the heart and soul of the services. Now, we have a Sports Construction side of the business handling commercial aspects while we at Miller Residential specialize in Flooring, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Home Gyms, Home Courts and Lifestyle Construction. We also continue to specialize in sanding and finishing hardwood. We are design- driven and work hard to assist customer's with not only designing their projects, but coordinating with the installers and field crews to ensure a fully executed job. Our professional and quality service has allowed us to become the flooring company of choice for many local building contractors, architects, designers, and homeowners.We are fully insured and bondable. We are also an active associate member of the National Wood Flooring Association and Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association.