Many homeowners believe that the first step in a kitchen remodel is to choose new appliances, cabinets, countertops, flooring, and other fixtures and finishes. While these selections should be made fairly early on, selecting a layout should come first. You’ll need to make your choice based on the size of your kitchen, the infrastructure of your home, and your lifestyle preferences.
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Once space planning is complete, it’s time to get serious about picking kitchen fixtures and finishes. Here’s the ideal order in which you should make your selection.
Appliances, Sinks, and Lighting
Since these fixtures may require changing the plumbing and electrical wiring of your kitchen, you should decide on them first. Appliances, in particular, can affect cabinetry size and layout. Decide now if you want a traditional range, an oversized chef range, or a cooktop and wall oven.
You must also decide whether you want one kitchen sink or two, as well as the type, amount, and location of light fixtures. You might not have the exact style picked out yet, but you should know whether you want can lighting, semi-flush mounts, or pendants.
Cabinets, Countertops, and Backsplash
These finishes make up the brunt of a kitchen’s aesthetic. Therefore, rather than picking them out separately, you should consider an overall palette of materials simultaneously. Layer sample materials for cabinets and hardware, countertops, and backsplash tiles, creating a collage of colors and patterns to see what you like best. A designer can help you keep scale, proportion, and style in mind as you narrow down your selection.
Flooring
With a design scheme coming together, it’s time to get the floor involved. You have numerous options to choose from. For instance, you may want to keep your home’s original flooring and simply refinish it to complement the new cabinets.
On the other hand, you might prefer to replace your old linoleum, cracked tiles, or warped wood floors with something new. A designer can help you sift through your options with durability, maintenance, and cost in mind.
Paint Colors
Every decision up to this point should be made before construction begins. However, you shouldn’t finalize the paint color until the project is almost complete. One of the easiest ways to ensure continuity is to pull a color out of the countertops or backsplash tiles. Prime the walls white before you paint sample swatches to avoid the old color from throwing off the new one.
Furnishings and Accessories
Finishing touches such as decorative plate racks, wall art, area rugs, and barstools come at the very end. These additions can add lots of character to a newly remodeled kitchen, so take your time picking them out.
USA Cabinet Store offers endless options for kitchen fixtures and finishes to suit every style and fit every budget. For inspiration, check out our past kitchen projects. Then, if you’re ready to begin a kitchen renovation in Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, or Houston, TX, contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
