Renovating Timeline: When to Choose Kitchen Fixtures and Finishes
Is it taps first and sinks second, or should cabinets lead the way? Here's a timeline for your kitchen renovation
Rebekah Zaveloff
18 May 2022
Many homeowners think designing a kitchen starts with choosing elements such as appliances, flooring, cabinet finishes, benchtops, tapware and lighting – and to a point it does. But I try to keep my clients from worrying about many of these items until after the space planning is complete. The huge number of options can be distracting, and it is often overwhelming to make all these decisions at once. Overcommitting too early can also stifle creativity and hinder your progress in achieving the best kitchen design for your home.
For some, choosing kitchen fixtures and finishes feels like being a kid in a candy store. They like everything and can’t stay focused on what’s right for the overall aesthetic or design. For others, it’s paralysing. They get so worried about picking the wrong finish or fixture that they have trouble making decisions or focusing on other important aspects of the job at hand.
Even though we always start a kitchen renovation with inspirational images to get an overall idea of what the client wants the kitchen to look like, I often shelve most of these until after the preliminary plans are complete. I view kitchen renovations as a series of small, layered choices. Here are some ideas for how and when to make these choices after your space planning is complete.
Updating your kitchen? Find a local kitchen designer and renovator near you on Houzz
Even though we always start a kitchen renovation with inspirational images to get an overall idea of what the client wants the kitchen to look like, I often shelve most of these until after the preliminary plans are complete. I view kitchen renovations as a series of small, layered choices. Here are some ideas for how and when to make these choices after your space planning is complete.
Updating your kitchen? Find a local kitchen designer and renovator near you on Houzz
1. Appliances, sinks and lighting
I recommend that clients select appliances and sinks during this preliminary design phase, which often comes before selecting the rest of the finishes and fixtures. This means the floor plans can reflect the proper sizes of your appliances and sink, which will in turn affect the cabinetry and lighting layout.
I also recommend choosing the style and number of lighting fixtures during this phase: this includes your recessed lighting as well as the number of pendants above your kitchen island, and any other lighting fixtures needed to complete the lighting plan so your builder or electrician can provide an estimate.
I recommend that clients select appliances and sinks during this preliminary design phase, which often comes before selecting the rest of the finishes and fixtures. This means the floor plans can reflect the proper sizes of your appliances and sink, which will in turn affect the cabinetry and lighting layout.
I also recommend choosing the style and number of lighting fixtures during this phase: this includes your recessed lighting as well as the number of pendants above your kitchen island, and any other lighting fixtures needed to complete the lighting plan so your builder or electrician can provide an estimate.
It’s also time to decide whether or not you want a preparation sink in addition to your main sink.
At this stage, it’s fine if you decide to change the size of your sink, range hood or other appliances. When you reach the phase involving final construction documents or ordering cabinets, however, these decisions and measurements must be finalised.
Similarly, the number of lights and pendants you use affects how many junction boxes you need on the ceiling – and that decision needs to be made before plans are approved and before your builder closes up the plasterboard after preliminary electrical work is done.
This is why your kitchen professional may ask you to finalise the lighting plan before choosing your benchtops.
At this stage, it’s fine if you decide to change the size of your sink, range hood or other appliances. When you reach the phase involving final construction documents or ordering cabinets, however, these decisions and measurements must be finalised.
Similarly, the number of lights and pendants you use affects how many junction boxes you need on the ceiling – and that decision needs to be made before plans are approved and before your builder closes up the plasterboard after preliminary electrical work is done.
This is why your kitchen professional may ask you to finalise the lighting plan before choosing your benchtops.
You might have selected your appliances earlier in the design phase, in terms of manufacturer, model number and size, but remember that stainless steel isn’t the only option. Some companies offer a vintage finish, while others offer a wide array of enamel colours. Choices like this can determine the look and feel of your kitchen in one sweeping gesture.
2. Cabinets, benchtops and tiles
Depending on what type of design and building professional you hired, you may start the finishes and fixture selection process from a different jumping-off point.
Rather than choosing the wood species and finish for your cabinetry in isolation, then selecting your benchtops and tiles, I like my clients to work on an overall palette of materials at the same time. Layer the materials and create collages of patterns, textures and colours to see what combinations work best.
Your chosen design professionals can also use Houzz Pro software to collate a Mood Board for your project that they can share with you.
Sometimes, my client may request a ‘white kitchen’, meaning white cabinets, but there are many whites out there, and the materials and colours you juxtapose them with make a huge impact on what the overall kitchen will look like.
Depending on what type of design and building professional you hired, you may start the finishes and fixture selection process from a different jumping-off point.
Rather than choosing the wood species and finish for your cabinetry in isolation, then selecting your benchtops and tiles, I like my clients to work on an overall palette of materials at the same time. Layer the materials and create collages of patterns, textures and colours to see what combinations work best.
Your chosen design professionals can also use Houzz Pro software to collate a Mood Board for your project that they can share with you.
Sometimes, my client may request a ‘white kitchen’, meaning white cabinets, but there are many whites out there, and the materials and colours you juxtapose them with make a huge impact on what the overall kitchen will look like.
For the modernists out there, you would think selecting finishes and fixtures might be easier, with less adornment and fewer decisions to make. For some this might be true, but I find that for others this style can be just as challenging. It’s all about restraint and editing.
The small choices in this kitchen include sleek appliances, non-invasive lighting, a full-height splashback and a waterfall-style island benchtop.
The small choices in this kitchen include sleek appliances, non-invasive lighting, a full-height splashback and a waterfall-style island benchtop.
Tip: Order current samples of the materials you’re considering. Make sure you visit your stone supplier to view and tag the actual slab of marble (if you’re using it) for your benchtops, and be sure to order a current control sample of tile if you’ve chosen that for your splashback. All these extra steps will cut down on costly mistakes.
Using decorative tiles in your kitchen is a great way to express your personality and style, but proportion and scale are critical. Tiles are a rather permanent decision: once they’re up, they’re expensive to change. It’s wise for you or your designer to do colour and pattern studies, and look at tiles alongside photos and samples to be certain you’re making the right choices.
Browse more contemporary and on-trend Australian kitchens
Browse more contemporary and on-trend Australian kitchens
3. Flooring
For timber floors, matching the stain colour is one of the most challenging phases of a project. If you have original floors and plan to solely renovate your kitchen – or are laying new timber floors to match the old for continuity – don’t expect a perfect match. Many floors in old homes are made from old-growth wood, and flooring is manufactured differently now. The natural patina of an old floor is nearly impossible to match. Companies offering reclaimed timber floors can make that matching process easier.
For timber floors, matching the stain colour is one of the most challenging phases of a project. If you have original floors and plan to solely renovate your kitchen – or are laying new timber floors to match the old for continuity – don’t expect a perfect match. Many floors in old homes are made from old-growth wood, and flooring is manufactured differently now. The natural patina of an old floor is nearly impossible to match. Companies offering reclaimed timber floors can make that matching process easier.
Testing is the best way to get a close match. Even if you’re not trying to match new to old, performing stain tests on samples of the actual flooring is the best way to get it right.
If you want tile or stone floors, work on selecting those materials at the same time as your cabinets, splashback and benchtops. The relationships between these materials is critical – it’s tough to mix different types of stone and tile without making your kitchen look like a showroom.
If you want tile or stone floors, work on selecting those materials at the same time as your cabinets, splashback and benchtops. The relationships between these materials is critical – it’s tough to mix different types of stone and tile without making your kitchen look like a showroom.
4. Paint colours
After I’ve worked with my clients to choose the materials palette for their kitchen, we arrange the samples together to then focus on paint colour. The reason this phase often comes later is because the kitchen might be under construction and still have the old paint colour on the walls. The floors may also be covered in protective sheeting, which can affect the appearance of your chosen colours on the walls.
After I’ve worked with my clients to choose the materials palette for their kitchen, we arrange the samples together to then focus on paint colour. The reason this phase often comes later is because the kitchen might be under construction and still have the old paint colour on the walls. The floors may also be covered in protective sheeting, which can affect the appearance of your chosen colours on the walls.
When looking at your paint swatches, be sure your walls are primed white. If you plan to paint your window and door frames, prime them white too. If you’re keeping them as they are, make sure they are free of dust. Any amount of colour in the room can throw off the new wall-colour sample tests.
Arrange your paint colours next to the other materials in the room to get a good sense of how the colours work together.
Arrange your paint colours next to the other materials in the room to get a good sense of how the colours work together.
5. Decorative details
Details including shaped cabinet doors, handles, niches for spices and oils, drawer inserts, and decorative lighting should all be considered while working on the design development and finish and fixture selection.
Details including shaped cabinet doors, handles, niches for spices and oils, drawer inserts, and decorative lighting should all be considered while working on the design development and finish and fixture selection.
6. Furnishings and accessories
Choosing bar stools, tables and chairs for an eat-in kitchen usually comes at the end, but this is also important and needs consideration. Think about adding patina and texture through vintage pieces if you can find them. And don’t forget about items such as artwork, area rugs or runners. Small touches such as these can add much character to a newly renovated kitchen.
Choosing bar stools, tables and chairs for an eat-in kitchen usually comes at the end, but this is also important and needs consideration. Think about adding patina and texture through vintage pieces if you can find them. And don’t forget about items such as artwork, area rugs or runners. Small touches such as these can add much character to a newly renovated kitchen.
Your turn
Did you find this guide helpful? Tell us in the Comments below and share your own renovating tips, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Curious to see what Danish design experts predict for the future of kitchens? Don’t miss this Pro Panel: How Is the Island Shaping the Kitchens of the Future?
Did you find this guide helpful? Tell us in the Comments below and share your own renovating tips, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Curious to see what Danish design experts predict for the future of kitchens? Don’t miss this Pro Panel: How Is the Island Shaping the Kitchens of the Future?
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We’re working with a designer at a remodel company and all finishes (including tile and paint) had to be done early before final sign off; as we wait months for materials to all come in (they won’t start construction until everything is ready) I’m having doubts and second guesses. We’re to far in to the process now but I really wish we had we had worked with a design firm. We initially thought our budget wasn’t big enough to work with an interior designer and I won’t make that mistake again.
Keir, we did our kitchen last year. We worked with our contractor and a designer at the cabinet company. I really like how the kitchen turned out, but we made some significant mistakes. Most importantly, we didn't change our floors.
We're now hiring an interior designer to help us plan our future projects. We want to redo our floors, doors, baseboards, bathrooms, family room, and laundry. She's going to design our home, do the drawings, and help us select materials. Then, we'll be able to get quotes from contractors that are all for the same thing. Once the project starts, she'll come by to make sure the contractor is following the design plan.
I think it's going to work out much better than projects we've done in the past because we'll have a plan. We'll be able to do it in stages and still have a cohesive home.
A current consideration are the supply issues with appliances. Lead times of six months for some European brands are not uncommon, and this needs to factored in to avoid delays and disappointment.