How to Pick Fixtures and Finishes for Your Perfect Kitchen

Picking and deciding on the right fixtures and finishes for your kitchen can be a prolonged process. The finishes and paint colors that you have chosen are one of the first things the newcomers and guests will notice about your newly remodeled kitchen.

Finished surfaces in the kitchen include faucets, countertops, backsplashes, cabinetry, lighting fixtures, hardware, and appliances. Choice of colors in your kitchen will determine the overall atmosphere in the room. Opting for soft shades of blue, green or gray will activate feelings of tranquility and serenity, providing calmness and peacefulness. Deciding on warm, earthy tones is going to create an inviting, charming atmosphere, where people feel relaxed and love to gather.

While getting all of these surfaces to coordinate well in the surrounding, make sure to give some thoughts on the character and design of the home. Finishes like flooring or cabinets also add to the overall look and feel. Even though coordinating finishes in the kitchen seems like a mundane, somewhat daunting task, be aware that there is no cut-and-dried way to do it spotlessly. However, it never hurts to skim through my post and take into consideration my carefully chosen ideas and advice. Stop racking your brain for best options, as your kitchen has to ultimately be a reflection of your own personal style and choices. Here are seven meticulously chosen tips for choosing colors and finishes to complement your remodeled kitchen design.

1. Sinks and Appliances

Generally speaking, when faced the tough decision before the final purchase of kitchen appliances, you get what you pay for. Investing a little more is likely to give you a longer product life and better performance. You should consider the functionality of the pieces as well as how they are going to present themselves in your kitchen. Stainless steel remains all times favorite because it is more durable than other finishes. Granite composites and cast iron have definitely seen the surge in interest too. Porcelain enamel, thanks to its timeless look, has earned a place in many homes. When picking the right appliances, think about how the sink is going to blend with the design of the countertops and cabinets. Just as stainless steel complements most styles, copper for example or oil-bronzed nickel works well with warm tones of Mediterranean or traditional kitchens.

If you consider yourself next Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson, always shop around a little bit more, double checking warranty details and follow-up service of your appliances. Customer service is also important for a buyer while making a decision.

2. Lighting

Well-chosen lighting fixtures are immensely powerful design tools that can alter any kitchen look. Professionals differentiate lighting and fittings into two vital roles, which is task lighting and mood lighting. The choices you make will influence the whole atmosphere of the room, lifting the kitchen and making it really stand out. Electricians advise using LED lights over workstations, for an effective and functional  meal preparation. You can save up to a third of your annual electric bill by using LED lights instead of conventional bulbs.  For technology freaks, there are some clever solutions of under-cabinet lighting or feature pendants to create truly unforgettable moments in the heart of your home. Additionally, incorporating power points or switch plates can enhance the colors, texture, and patterns of your kitchen backsplash wall.

#Tip: Incorporating a wide array of matched surfaces helps to unify the overall look of your kitchen, but not every finished top coat has to ideally match. Balance your finishes with similar metal fixtures. For example, your black stainless steel refrigerator may not match your copper faucets, that you insist on having. In that case look for similar metal lighting fixtures, like brass or bronze, to go with your appliances.

3. Countertops

These days we are spoilt for choice while renovating or remodeling our kitchen bench tops. There is a large variety of options to choose, from stone, engineered stone or glass hard surfaces. Before picking the right countertops for your kitchen, consider that nothing can make a bolder statement than the choice of the counter.

• Granite has dominated the rankings for decades, thanks to its natural beauty, durability, and sustainability. Deciding on stone counters, like marble, granite or limestone, is a common sense investment. Once the stone is sealed, you receive maintenance-free years of use. Be careful though with spills as kept moisture may lead to stains. Take into account the weight of natural stone, as there might be a need of supporting cabinets and different installation time.
• If you love a traditionally looking kitchen, pick timber bench tops. Wood ages with grace and brings interesting texture and warmth into any room. Timber also has to be sealed before use, for easier maintenance. Bamboo counters look similar to real timber but are not as costly.
• Try stainless steel countertops, to achieve a commercial or industrial look of your kitchen. Stainless steel is most sought after material, right after granite or marble.
• Another great option to consider in concrete. There is a variety of different colors and finishes, including polished, smooth or textured.

• For those folks tight on a budget, engineered stone is a way to go. Not only fairly inexpensive but also offers a wide range of colors to suit any kitchen. Since engineered stone is a mixture of real stone and resin, it requires no special handling or maintenance. Cheap, scratch-resistant and durable make it a real gem among many materials.
• If your goal is a transitional kitchen, then glass benchtops are the best option for you. You can get a textured glass or frosted look for a deep and rich finish, or choose mirror finish for an exquisite final result.
• Laminate countertops mimic real stone or wood materials, offering an extensive color range, patterns, and finishes.
• The last but not the least is acrylic solid surface, which can add splendor to any kitchen design, without spending buckets of dollars. The biggest disadvantage of acrylic bench tops is their limited heat resistance. With all the scorching hot pans and pots we need to think twice about choosing acrylic counters.

4. Cabinetry

The kitchen is by far the most used area in your house, so it is extremely significant to choose cabinets that will not go out of style quickly or look outdated next year. If you are tight on a budget, start your to-buy-list with the biggest and most expensive elements of your remodeling project. Chosen cabinetry is going to add character and show personality streak of the homeowner. Match dark, rich wood cabinets with slate-colored counters for an elegant and opulent result. A useful rule of thumb says that earthy shades complement warm finishes, such as brass or oil-rubbed bronze.  To add airiness to space go with neutral colors that are simple and easy on the eye. Bear in mind that cooler finishes, such as nickel, tend to go well with lighter hues. You may choose to stick to a particular color palette or use contrast finishes, such as white glossy cabinets with dark fixtures.

It may happen that cabinetry in your renovated kitchen is in good condition, and does not need replacing. In that case, recycle what you can, recover it, or paint the fronts to freshen up the look.

5. Flooring and Overall Color Scheme

As you make your selection for flooring material, bear in mind that kitchen floor is going to see some heavy traffic throughout the years of time. Wood flooring takes pole position in the ratings among most popular choices, with tile and natural stone following behind. While tile floor needs no special care, wood requires regular buffing and recoating, to maintain its exquisite color and texture.

While making a decision on flooring material, give some thoughts on the color scheme of your kitchen. For example, dark hardwood floors with matching dark wood cabinetry may overpower the room, creating a gloomy atmosphere, instead of rustical feeling. The color palette of fixtures and finishes ought to work together to achieve the mood you are looking for. Firstly, pick a paint color for your walls, to avoid an overwhelming effect. Secondly, by choosing appliances, cabinets, countertops and flooring, add some contrast in the kitchen. It is often best to choose neutral colors. By doing this you can ensure it will match the rest of your home decor, and will not be disliked when your taste has changed.

#Tip: Use trendy colors as complementary additions, for window treatments or seat cushions. If such bold color goes out of style, you can easily replace accent elements or paint a focal wall in a different hue.

6. Backsplash Ideas

If you want to brighten a dark kitchen, or simply incorporate fancy design into a traditional looking room, backsplash offers a unique opportunity that is both practical and stylish. Try experimenting with mosaic or metallic finishes to adorn your kitchen with texture, pattern and color. Some layouts offer a rare chance to turn a splash back into a rectangular window, bringing natural light into the room.

7. Decor Details for a Design Development

For a final finishing touch, choose personalized decor elements to put an accent on your kitchen style. Enhance the beauty of your design with a selection of personal, meaningful items, such as antiquarian or sentimental knick-knacks. Potted plants or vases with fresh flowers will add a fresh vibe to any kitchen. You can also coordinate your cookware with the main color theme of the room to finish off the kitchen design.

Finding a balance

Everything in the kitchen has to work together, therefore consider the style and design in other rooms of your home. While each room can stand alone, making a separate statement, as a whole the rooms create the big picture, a total harmony, and balance. Make sure to use coordinated and matching accessories and finishes to tie the rooms together. Finally, not every detail has to match, incorporate contrasting colors and transitions of patterns and textures in adjoining rooms.