Design Notes

Remodeling 101 Part 2 – Making Your Selections

We continue our remodeling 101 series with part 2 –  making selections for a kitchen remodel project. A remodel is like a journey, so to speak. To make a trip successful and memorable, careful planning is essential. The purpose of the journey must be established up front, of course.  Financially, plans must be made and adhered to. Small details must be addressed, while the big picture of the journey must not be lost in the details.   Otherwise, the journey may result in a miserable experience for everyone involved.  Avoid these problems when planning a kitchen remodel.

Let’s Get Started

Now that you have determined your budget goals (Remodeling 101 Part 1: Budgeting and Planning Remodel), it’s time to talk “design.” A kitchen remodel must begin with planning and designing for your existing space. Cabinetry will most likely consume the majority of your kitchen budget and will dictate the space and layout.

A significant kitchen remodel must be completed in the correct order for maximum efficiency.  Working with an experienced kitchen designer is a key factor in obtaining the best layout for function, organization, aesthetics, and overall flow of your kitchen remodel.

A kitchen designer can help you with all the elements involved and will suggest that you make your selections in this order. Consider the Selection Guide shown here:

  • Cabinetry design & space planning                         
  • Appliances
  • Flooring
  • Cabinet finishes
  • Countertop material & finishes
  • Backsplash
  • Sinks & fixtures
  • Lighting
  • Cabinet hardware

While the Selection Guide may seem daunting and overwhelming, the most significant factor is to understand all the possibilities up front instead of as an afterthought. Please note that cabinets are mentioned 3 times in this process. After 15-plus years of remodeling kitchens, we know the method that works best for most of our clients. The only time the process doesn’t follow this order is when the planning & design function is completely left up to the designer. (Omitting the client)

Keep in mind that this Selection Guide will provide the order in which your decisions should be made.   It’s okay to be thinking about all of these components at the same time. But ideally, this is the order that works best for most clients, even those who are well-organized and know precisely what they want. Based on our past experiences with clients, the more our designers use the Selection Guide, the more satisfied clients are with the final product.  Now, let’s break down each step.

Cabinetry Design & Space Planning

During this stage of the process, you really should put aside all other considerations and focus on designing your space. When remodeling a kitchen, think function, efficiency, style, and longevity. Choose cabinets you love and a layout that works for your family’s lifestyle. If you like to cook, organizing your kitchen for your cooking style may be your priority. Let’s say that you love to entertain in your kitchen.  If so, you need a layout that allows for people in your kitchen while maintaining your work zone. Maybe you want your kitchen to be the central command center in your home. A desk area for sorting mail and working on your computer may be needed. Of course, some people like the “WOW factor,” and insist on the newest styles and trends.    Kitchens are used in different ways by couples and families. Allow your cabinet design & space planning to meet your specific goals.  Needless to say, the majority of our client time is used for design & space planning.

Appliances

If you thought about appliances during your budgeting phase, you probably have an idea of the features you would like. To finalize your cabinet design, you need to make your final appliance selections. Size matters, and depending on your selections, you may gain or lose space for your cabinets. So plan carefully and discuss your decision with your design team.

Flooring

I am sure by now you have been thinking about what type of flooring to use. Many people already have hardwood floors in their kitchen and opt to have those refinished for a fresh new look. Replacing your floors can be an expensive part of the project compared to keeping and refinishing an existing floor. Before you make other finish selections, we recommend that you give much consideration to the flooring selection.

Choose Cabinet Finishes

Over the years, we have found that often, people approach cabinet design with a picture in mind. And while we can certainly replicate most finishes, we can’t make a picture of a kitchen fit into your space. Once you have decided on the cabinet design and your appliances (the most expensive parts of the remodel), you can think about your finishes.  We offer sample finishes in our showroom for customers to choose from.  If a custom sample is needed, we usually start by choosing a crown molding color to establish a color.  Once that decision is made, we provide a sample cabinet door. Sample cabinet doors will be invaluable when you are ready to select the countertops and backsplash you prefer.

Countertop Material & Finishes

Now that you’ve selected your cabinet finishes, it’s time to shop for the perfect countertop. The options are limited only by your budget, as prices are usually based on the type of material used and the quantity available. Of course, the most common material used today is granite, but marble and man-made stones are in very close second place.

Backsplash

Often, you can select your backsplash when choosing your countertops. It’s highly recommended to make an appointment when you decide to shop around for tile and granite, the most popular choices for a backsplash. When you enter a showroom with an appointment, you are more likely to be served quickly. Be sure to include an elevation view of your design drawings so the vendor can provide a quick estimate of the materials you will need for the backsplash.   For your visit to your first vendor, we recommend allowing yourself at least 1 hour for your tile presentation/discussion and 1 hour for your granite presentation/discussion.  By the time you visit your next vendor, you will be much more informed about what you are looking for and can narrow your selections down much faster. We advise you to visit only two vendors per day.  Too much information and too many choices can be overwhelming.

For A Bathroom Remodel

If you are working on a bathroom project and plan to have floor and wall tile with several patterns and pieces, you will need to schedule two hours at each showroom.

Sinks & Fixtures

Selecting your sink and fixtures will likely be the easiest decision. However, keep in mind that specs for farm sinks, apron front sinks, and oversized sinks need to be provided to your cabinet designer early in the planning stage.  Nothing is more disappointing than having a sink that’s too big for your countertop because of poor communication. Clients tend to worry about fixture finishes. There is no right or wrong selection when it comes to mixing metals. For example, a stainless steel sink and faucet will complement just about any hardware or light fixtures.

Lighting

Lighting can be a great selection to add a touch of your personality. Many people consider lighting a complement to kitchen design. Selecting the perfect pendants or chandelier can be time-consuming with so many options available online. We recommend selecting lighting components that provide plenty of light, are easy to clean, and add charm to your kitchen.

Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet hardware has significantly improved in the last 15 years. With so many options, narrowing down your favorites can prove challenging.  As much as we would love for hardware to be selected when cabinet finishes are chosen, that is rarely the case. Clients tend to let hardware be one of the final decisions they make. Selecting the perfect hardware for your kitchen is, of course, another big decision.  We understand that you want the hardware to coordinate with all of your other selections. It can be challenging to visualize which hardware will look best.  For example, some pieces are minimal while others are bulky.  Don’t hesitate to seek the advice of your kitchen and bath designer. Having seen many styles and finishes over the years, we have a good idea of which pieces look great and which only look OK.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Taking things one step at a time and having the guidance of a kitchen and bath designer will make your kitchen remodel more enjoyable. Following the recommended order in the Selection Guide will help you soar through the process, with all decisions made at the appropriate times. Kitchen and bath designers can help with as little or as much of the process as you need. Some of our clients prefer to take an active role in decision-making, while others leave all the options to us.

The scope of your project will determine how long this process takes. Removing old cabinets and installing new ones is simpler than removing walls and/or relocating plumbing and electrical systems. Whatever the scope of your project, please maintain patience and focus to ensure you’re pleased with the result.

The next part in our Remodeling 101 Series is “Tearing it out and Replacing it with beautiful Walker Woodworking Cabinetry.”

Thanks for reading. Tell us what you think. Was this article helpful? We would love to have your comments.

Did you miss the intro to this remodeling series? Click this link to see it now.

Did you miss Part 1: Budgeting and Planning Remodel Budget Analysis? Click here to see it now. 

/onJanuary 14, 2015/updatedJanuary 27, 2026/inDesign Notes
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