Consumer Information

Questions About Your Kitchen Remodel: What You Didn’t Know You Needed To Know!

When remodeling your kitchen, certain decisions are pretty apparent to the average consumer. For example: Do I want stained or painted cabinetry? What scope of construction will my project entail (complete gut/renovation, sprucing up existing cabinets, new paint, new countertops, etc.)? What is the overall style I want to achieve? These large-scale opinions are relatively easy for clients to determine early on in their project planning. However, as any distinguished designer can tell you, the small details are just as crucial to achieving your dream kitchen. Here, I will address some issues to consider while planning your kitchen remodel that you may not have thought of.

Selecting The Finishes Of Your Fixtures:

The rules of everything needing to have “an exact match” have been thrown out during recent years. Designers and clients are now mixing and matching finishes among their hardware, plumbing fixtures, and lighting. The choices are limitless, and there are practical usage considerations to be made that go above and beyond the basics of being aesthetically pleasing. Brushed finishes hide smudges and droplets far better than their polished counterparts.

Hardware:

What will look and function best? The sheer number of styles and finishes available for decorative hardware can be overwhelming. It is best to have your designer guide you through the selection process, as there are many things to consider. Size is a significant consideration, and it is not uncommon for us to use 3-5 varying lengths within a single kitchen. You want to make sure that the handle-to-drawer/door proportion looks and feels correct. No tiny handles on huge drawers. This is another area in which mixing and matching is allowed.

island with a sink

Codes, Laws, and Permits……Oh My:

It is essential to find out what codes in your area pertain to construction, preferably before it is time for an inspection. Some cities have codes that dictate the way hood fans must be ventilated, or disposals in the sink may need to drain. The town in which you live probably has its own electrical codes as well. These are things to consider beforehand, as they can affect your design layout. These issues can also cause headaches on the back end if not properly planned.

Type Of Sink and Mounting Style:

The farm sink of today is not your grandmother’s farm sink. Deciding the type of sink you’d like is the first step: under-mount, drop-in (self-rimming), triple/chef styles, and farm sinks are among the most popular choices. Think about how much you use your sink and what it is used for primarily. If you are a heavy-duty scrubber and are very rough on your sink, then the ceramic ones may not be for you. The other consideration about the sink is how to mount it. If you are planning to have laminate countertops, the sink will need to be dropped in and cannot be under-mounted, because of the risk of water damage to the wooden sublayer of the top. Mounting a farm sink can be tricky, too, and can pose a water damage threat to the front of the cabinet if not protected. This is why we, at Walker Woodworking, recommend sitting any farm sink with an exposed front on a piece of your selected stone countertop. We also always request your specific sink at our shop during construction to ensure a proper fit.

A large white kitchen with white cabinetry and a double sided gold faucet with wood flooring

Finishes and Edges Of Your Stone Surfaces:

The basic materials of the countertops and tile you select are essential; however, the texture that you choose to finish them in can change the entire look. Polished stone or tile will give a more modern or transitional look to your kitchen. Whereas, tumbled, textured, or honed stone surfaces can lend to a traditional old-world feeling. Along that same line, you will need to consider the edge profile for your countertops. The straight line of an eased, squared, or pencil edge lends to a clean and modern style. In comparison, either a bullnose edge or an ogee offers a touch of softness, blending more with the classical elements of a classic look.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when planning the details of your kitchen. You can rest assured knowing that our design staff will assist you with any of these decisions that you wish.

If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call Jan at 704.434.0823 or contact us through our website.

If you are only in the dreaming stage of beginning to plan for a new kitchen? We would love to talk to you and work with you to fine-tune your very own remodel plan.  If you’re ready to be further from dreaming and closer to construction, call Walker Woodworking today at 704.434.0823.

Please feel free to add a comment about your personal experience with keeping your new kitchen clean.

/onMarch 7, 2017/updatedJanuary 28, 2026/inConsumer Information
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