There are many questions that you have already asked yourself, most likely before you even seriously considered remodeling. “What color cabinets do I want?” “What ‘theme’ do I want my kitchen to have: i.e. Modern, Craftsman, Rustic-chic” etc. There are, however, some trickier questions that may arise while you’re underway in your remodeling process. To help avoid surprises, here are a few questions for you to ask/consider before remodeling your kitchen.
What are the building codes in your area?
There are a massive amount of rules that are laid out by building codes. These actually affect most decisions in a home remodel, depending on your area and project conditions.
For example, a common building code will which hood fan you must use to ensure proper ventilation. If there happens to be a surprise inspection, and your home isn’t up to code, you could have a serious headache and spend more money than originally planned.
Here is a some good info about building permits.
What profile should I use for my countertops?
The shape on the edge on your countertops may seem like a tiny detail, but this is actually very important. While this is all about personal taste, choosing the wrong one runs the risk of clashing. (Really round edge countertops with shaker cabinet doors can really clash for example.)
A popular choice for a counter profile is the “bullnose” or “demi-bullnose” option. This is essentially a half circle or quarter circle. This is a common choice because the look is less “sharp” than a minimalist eased edge. If you’re clumsy like me, you’ll also appreciate this profile, as bumping into it will be a lot less painful. Ultimately, however, this is a decision that comes down to personal priorities.
Here is some more info on countertop profiles.
What finishes should my hardware and fixtures be?
Selecting fixture finishes isn’t all about style and aesthetic, there are practical reasons for these choices as well. For example, brushed finishes hide fingerprints and water spots much better than polished metals. Brass and gold-tones tend to be warmer and more dramatic, and stainless steel or silvery-tone finishes tend to blend while adding a bit more sparkle.
On a small side note, we recommend choosing appliances from the same manufacture. While different manufactures may use the same finish, there will be small designs in terms of handles and “body lines” that will make everything look mismatched.
