Ideas for a Sustainable Bathroom

Want a bathroom design that looks like a luxury spa? You can have the polish and finish of a magazine photoshoot all while saving energy and money.

Consider sustainable upgrades like low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient lighting. Want to give your walls a splash of color? Use low VOC (volatile organic compounds) or VOC-free paint. This eco-friendly option has less impact on air quality and reduces allergy-inducing toxins. You can also buy VOC-free wallpaper!

For your vanity, consider reclaimed wood. Using recycled materials is great for sustainability because no new materials were created with toxin-emitting machinery. If you’re going the DIY route, you could use something you already own like a short bookcase or nightstand as a vanity.

Kitchen and Bath Design with You in Mind

Whether your kitchen simply needs a new look, or you want to tear the walls down and start over, our interior designers can bring beauty and functionality into this key space. Maybe you're looking for low-maintenance flooring, upgraded countertops, or built-ins for added space. Many problems can be solved with the help of a new set of expert eyes.

Want a custom bathroom design too? You begin your busy day and wind down at bedtime in this often-neglected room. A well-designed bathroom that is comfortable for users of many sizes and abilities can also be the loveliest bath on the block. We work with materials from the indulgent to the budget-conscious to create baths our clients will love for years.

Learn more on our website!

All Smiles from Start to Finish!

For the best kitchen and bath design for your Ann Arbor home, hire the pros! Our expert designers have an eye for colors and materials while also keeping functionality in mind. A beautiful space is great, but a beautiful space that works efficiently is even better. 

Contact Alpha Design + Build to create the space you’ve always wanted.

Sustainable Kitchen Design Ideas

Want to design a beautiful and eco-friendly home?

You don’t have to trade style for sustainability! With the right design choices, you can achieve a showroom-style kitchen and bath design, all while keeping it good for the environment (and your wallet).

Reclaimed and natural materials make you feel at one with nature but remember that natural materials don’t always equal eco-friendly! Try to go for man-made materials that mimic the look of stone and wood to reduce the environmental impact of your countertops and tiles.

Consider:

• Products made from recycled materials
• Products made from renewable resources like bamboo
• Materials with low embodied energy (the energy required to produce a product)

Additionally, choose energy-efficient appliances and long-lasting cookware. Many common kitchen appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators use a lot of energy. Look for the Energy Star label when shopping for finishes for your new kitchen design!

Learn more on our website!

All Smiles from Start to Finish!

For the best kitchen and bath design for your Ann Arbor home, hire the pros! Our expert designers have an eye for colors and materials while also keeping functionality in mind. A beautiful space is great, but a beautiful space that works efficiently is even better. 

Contact Alpha Design + Build to create the space you’ve always wanted.

Create Ways to Promote Wellness in Home Design

Have you been paying more attention to your physical and mental health this year?

Did you know home design can affect your mental health?

Designing for wellness at home means creating spaces that promote good physical and mental health. Incorporating everything from improved air quality to using textures, materials, colors, shapes, and even furniture layouts can ease anxiety and make you feel more relaxed and productive.

Experts at Houzz recommend the following small, doable adjustments:

•  Get rid of tripping hazards: Especially as we age, eliminating fall hazards while undergoing the kitchen and bath remodeling process is crucial! Some of the biggest tripping hazards are rugs, cords, and items that get left out like bags and shoes. Consider a design that has a place to store everything, and choose materials that minimize the chances of an at-home injury, especially in the bathrooms. 
• Set up the kitchen for healthy meal prep: Design your kitchen to promote preparation of healthy foods! An uncluttered and hygienic space that functions well for meal prep is essential. Make everything in the pantry easy to access, and consider open shelves rather than closed cabinets so you can easily see ingredients.

Read more about custom kitchen and bath remodeling on our website!

If you want to make your home feel like a more productive and nurturing space, we can help! Talk to us about kitchen and bath remodeling today.

Building a Natural Connection through Home Design

Whether we’re at home or at the spa, we all want a better connection to nature! Using natural elements in your home design and architecture can help you feel more grounded and anxiety-free.

The major focus in designing wellness spaces is creating a place that’s aesthetically pleasing to the eye and the body!

Consider these design elements:

• Add plants (even fake ones) for a lush, calming feeling
• Use wood elements like cabinets, or wood finishes
• Bring the outside in by using deep greens and blues in your color schemes

Read more about custom kitchen and bath remodeling on our website!

If you want to make your home feel like a more productive and nurturing space, we can help! Talk to us about kitchen and bath remodeling today.

Cabinet Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen

Is your kitchen less than organized? 

Do you have small appliances, cookbooks, extra utensils, and other clutter lining your countertops? 

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. The kitchen is truly the heart of your home, and you can turn it into your favorite room with some storage solutions to help get your clutter under control.

Every inch of counter space is prime real estate! Keep everything organized with these tips:

1. Install a slide-out prep station: If you’re short on counter space, you can get a butcher block board installed inside a drawer. If you want to be extra efficient, cut a hole in the board and keep a slim garbage can underneath for peels and pits.
2. Double up on shelves: Using wire shelf risers, you can increase your vertical storage space, giving you more room for mugs, dishes, and bowls.
3. Supermarket pantry: Give your pantry a makeover and follow the “first in, first out” rule. Put the newest boxes and containers behind what’s already open, and keep things organized with labeled containers.
4. Ensure your storage is working in the best way possible: If you’re not making the most of your shelves and drawers, you could be wasting a whole lot of kitchen space. Consider moving around the shelves every so often as you reorganize. Most of us leave the layout of our kitchens the way it was when we moved in, but you can add up to 50% more storage space simply by changing the layout to make it more efficient.

Read more of our tips for kitchen and bath design on our website!

Great Kitchens are Built on Great Design

Whether your kitchen simply needs a new look, or you want to tear the walls down and start over, our designers will bring beauty and functionality into this key space. Maybe you're looking for low-maintenance flooring, upgraded countertops, or built-ins for added space. Many problems can be solved with the help of a new set of expert eyes. We're great with tight spaces and will help you envision a place you'll love and where memories are made.

A great kitchen begins with a great plan, and we have the knowledge and access to bring a world of exciting materials and fixtures to your door while helping you stick to a budget.

Contact us today to get started!

Light Up Your Home with These Kitchen and Bath Lighting Ideas

Looking for a way to light up your home?

According to Better Homes & Gardens:

“When choosing an under-cabinet light fixture, it's important to understand the various types of lightbulbs each uses so you can pick the one that best suits your needs. Different types of light bulbs will also cast different shades and temperatures of light. The price of the bulb may also figure into your decision. Some, like LED bulbs, are more expensive to purchase but will last longer.

• Traditional incandescent bulbs are the most affordable option and provide a bright, warm light, but they have the shortest life-span and use more energy than other lights.
• LED under-cabinet lighting is extremely efficient and generates little heat, but their light isn't as natural as other options. Their expensive price tag is offset by a long life-span. Learn more about LED lighting for kitchens.
• Halogen lights are efficient, long-lasting, bright, and emit a natural yellow-white light. Excessive heat can be a problem, so they are best used with a dimmer.
• Xenon lights are similar to halogen lights but burn brighter and put off less heat. They are expensive but have the longest life-span of all bulbs.
• Fluorescent lights are extremely energy efficient, long-lasting, and low heat. Fluorescent lights emit a cool, greenish-blue hue.”
  

Visit our website to read more!

Contact us Today!

Make your living room, basement, or kitchen the ultimate gathering space for your friends and family with a home remodeling project. We can help you make your dream design come to life!

Our relationships with subcontractors are of paramount importance, too. Our plumbers, electricians, tile setters, painters, heating and cooling experts are an invaluable part of the Alpha team, project after project. We’ve spent years with these folks, and you can rest assured that everyone working on your home is someone we’re proud to have represent our company.

Everyone on the team has the same goal – to keep a smile on our clients’ faces from start to finish.
Contact us today to get started! We can help you with your project in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities.

Upgrade Your Kitchen with Modern Trends

How can you make modern upgrades to your kitchen but still have a timeless design? 

The start of a New Year means time to refresh, and your kitchen is no exception! Think about how much more efficient your kitchen would be with the addition of smart appliances, more storage space, and a huge island to use as a gathering space for your family.
 

We can help make it happen!
 

Read the full article about 2021 kitchen design trends on our website and talk to us today about your kitchen remodeling project! We’ve got the tools to bring your vision to life and we can get it done under budget and on time.
 

“I absolutely love my house now. It looks brand new, and I have received many compliments from my neighbors (some of whom I have never spoken to before).”  - Kathy, Saline, MI
 

See why your friends and neighbors choose Alpha!

Need Help Designing Your Kitchen? See These Trends for 2021

Finally tackling that kitchen remodeling project you’ve been putting off?
 

Many homeowners say kitchen and bath remodeling is at the top of their to-do list in 2021, but don’t know where to start.
 

With so many decisions to make (both design and budget-wise), how do you choose?
 

We’ve got the answers on our website! Read our article about the top design trends in 2021 to help you make the right decision for your family.
 

Need Help Designing Your Dream Kitchen?

 

There are so many design elements to decide on, if you need help, you should talk to the pros! Alpha Design + Build has been helping families in Washtenaw and the surrounding counties create their dream kitchens for years and is ready to help you too.
 

Our design team has the vision to bring your dream to life, and our experienced contractors have the know-how to make it happen on time and on budget.
 

If you’ve been putting off a kitchen remodel, 2021 is the time to finally make it happen. Contact us today to get started!

Baths Designed for Lasting Use and Aesthetic Delight

According to the National Association of Home Builders, personalized spas as part of a main bathroom experience is one of the top remodeling projects most homeowners have on their to-do lists. Homeowners identified these spa elements as high on their list of priorities:

1. In-shower LED lighting
2. Roomy showers with benches or seats
3. Steam showers
4. Comfort-height toilet seats
5. Radiant heat flooring
6. Lounge chairs or chaise lounge seating
   

How Expensive Are Spa Add-ons?

The word “spa” can mean different things to different homeowners. It can mean having a jacuzzi tub or steam room installed, or even a sauna. It can also include a lounge chair, and a large shower with high-tech additions like LED lights and music capabilities.

A typical small bath remodel could cost $20,000 or more. Depending on the cost of your fixtures, cabinets, demolition, complexity of plumbing/electrical/layout, etc… a more advanced, spa-like remodel could cost twice or even three times that.

Visit our website to learn more!

Our experience and attention to detail will ensure your bathroom will be a calming and organized oasis. You begin your busy day and wind down at bedtime in this often-neglected room. Let us inspire you to create your dream space! Contact us today!

Keep Your Kitchen Organized and Clean

Every inch of counter space is prime real estate! Keep everything organized with these tips:

1) Install a slide-out prep station: If you’re short on counter space, you can get a butcher block board installed inside a drawer. If you want to be extra efficient, cut a hole in the board and keep a slim garbage can underneath for peels and pits.

2) Double up on shelves: Using wire shelf risers, you can increase your vertical storage space, giving you more room for mugs, dishes, and bowls.

Read our full list of kitchen storage tips on our website!

De-clutter One Drawer at a Time

Remember – you don’t have to rearrange and clean out your entire kitchen all at once! Start with one drawer, one cabinet, or one shelf. It can make a huge difference, and tackling one small project at a time will keep you from getting too overwhelmed.

Contact us today to get started!

 

Storage Ideas for Your Kitchen

Is your kitchen less than organized? 

Do you have small appliances, cookbooks, extra utensils, and other clutter lining your counter tops? 

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. The kitchen is truly the heart of your home, and you can turn it into your favorite room with some storage solutions to help get your clutter under control. 

Let’s face it: we all have a junk drawer and a couple large utensils that we don’t know what to do with. Especially in these times when we’re all home and cooking more than usual, it’s important to keep the kitchen neat and tidy. 

Visit our website for our top storage tips!

Great kitchens are built on a great design

Whether your kitchen simply needs a new look, or you want to tear the walls down and start over, our designers can bring beauty and functionality into this key space. Maybe you're looking for low-maintenance flooring, upgraded counter tops, or built-ins for added space. Many problems can be solved with the help of a new set of expert eyes. We're great with tight spaces and can help you envision a place you'll love and where memories are made.

DESIGN: IT'S MORE THAN A PRETTY DRAWING

When you begin the process of remodeling, you likely have an idea of how you want your new kitchen or bathroom to look. Our professionally trained designers take your ideas, occasionally sprinkle in a few new suggestions uncovered as you explore the design possibilities together, and create the roadmap to your dream space. For this, we (like most remodelers) charge a "design fee." Obviously, this fee covers the emails, calls, and meetings with your designer, but there's much more to the design phase that this design fee covers.

Once you start working with a designer, we'll measure and photograph your space and begin planning your layout. We'll research ideas for cabinets, countertops, flooring, and hardware taking into consideration your budget, current space and future needs, and your aesthetic desires to begin developing a preliminary design. Once developed, we'll present the floorplan and 3D rendering to help you envision your new space and make any required modifications based on your feedback. 

After a final design has been developed, we'll begin selecting your materials together. We have many samples of cabinets, countertops, flooring, and hardware in our Design Center, but we may also suggest visiting a manufacturer's showroom for additional choices. Sometimes you'll do this step without us, but we may find it important or helpful for our designer to accompany you. 

Lastly, your designer will finalize your material prices and work with our project managers to prepare a formal quote.

Our designer's work doesn't stop there. When you move into the construction phase, your designer will compile, print, and present necessary specification materials and floor plans required to obtain a building permit and for our construction crew, as well as place the orders for your chosen products. If adjustments are required along the way, your designer is right there to make the changes to keep your project moving.

Working closely with your designer can help you avoid project delays or budget overages. Click here to examine a few ways your carefully crafted budget has the potential to bust.

Contact us today to talk to one of our designers and get your dream kitchen, bath, basement, or addition!

Upgrade Your Basic Kitchen Cabinets

Is your kitchen looking tired?

Are your cabinets worn, or in need of a new coat of paint?

Kitchen cabinets are a great place to start when refreshing your kitchen or doing a total remodel. Consider mixing up the colors on your upper and lower cabinets, or by adding cabinets to your island.

Visit our website to see other upgrades to consider when buying cabinets for the kitchen!

Hire Alpha Design + Build for Expert Kitchen and Bath Design in Ann Arbor and the Surrounding Communities!

Whether it's a kitchen, bath, basement, addition, or a whole house, we’ve built our 30+ year reputation on exacting design and workmanship. Our designers, project managers, craftsmen, and trades partners take immense pride in their work and in providing smiles from start to finish! Contact us today to get started!

Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinets: What's the Difference?

Remodeling your home? Do you want to take care of the kitchen and bathroom at the same time?

Before you buy cabinets, make sure you know the difference between bath and kitchen cabinets so you don’t overspend.


There are many elements to consider when remodeling any room, but the biggest item you probably think about is cabinets. Cabinets are one of the more expensive items on your to-buy list, and it’s important to choose cabinets that both meet the needs of your lifestyle and fit your kitchen and bath design preferences.

Read more on our website!

Hire Alpha Design + Build for Expert Kitchen and Bath Design in Ann Arbor and the Surrounding Communities!

Whether it's a kitchen, bath, basement, addition, or a whole house, we’ve built our 30+ year reputation on exacting design and workmanship. Our designers, project managers, craftsmen, and trades partners take immense pride in their work and in providing smiles from start to finish! Contact us today to get started!