Life, Styled
When planning a kitchen remodel, some decisions feel straightforward—painted or stained cabinets? Full renovation or partial upgrade? Traditional or modern aesthetic? Quartz or granite countertops? These are key choices that set the tone for your project.
However, it’s often the smaller, easily overlooked details that make a kitchen truly functional and enjoyable. In this post, we’ll explore a few of these important yet less obvious elements—and why they deserve just as much attention during the planning process.
Selecting The Finishes Of Your Fixtures
In the past, design rules often dictated that all finishes in a kitchen needed to match exactly. Today, that rule is being reimagined. Designers and homeowners are embracing the freedom to mix and match finishes across hardware, plumbing fixtures, and lighting, allowing for more personalized and dynamic spaces.
This approach not only expands your design possibilities but also brings practical advantages. For example, brushed finishes excel at concealing smudges and water spots, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. Polished finishes, on the other hand, offer a clean, reflective look that adds brightness and sophistication. Choosing the right combination allows you to blend aesthetics with everyday functionality, creating a kitchen that’s both beautiful and livable.
Hardware
When selecting hardware for your kitchen, both functionality and aesthetics play a crucial role. This is another area where mixing styles and finishes is not only acceptable—it’s encouraged. However, with numerous options available, ranging from traditional to contemporary and everything in between, the process can quickly become overwhelming.
One key factor to consider is size. It’s common to use 3–5 different handle or pull lengths within a single kitchen to achieve a balanced, proportional look. The goal is to ensure that the hardware is proportionate to the size of each drawer or cabinet—tiny handles on large drawers can be visually and functionally awkward.
Partnering with a designer can simplify the process and ensure the result is cohesive and customized to your space. At Greenbrook Design, we take pride in helping our clients choose hardware that not only complements their style but also meets their daily needs with ease and comfort.
Take a quick look at our resource page to see what might be the perfect fit for your kitchen remodel.
Type Of Sink and Mounting Style
Today’s farmhouse sinks are a far cry from the ones your grandmother used—offering both charm and modern functionality. The first step in choosing the right sink for your kitchen is deciding on the type: under-mount, drop-in (self-rimming), chef-style, or triple-bowl configurations. Farmhouse sinks are among the most popular options.
Your sink selection should be based not only on style but also on how you use your kitchen. Consider your daily habits: Are you frequently scrubbing pots and pans? Do you need extra space for prep work? For those who are tough on their sinks, more delicate materials—like ceramic—may not be the best fit. Durability, ease of cleaning, and compatibility with your countertop material are all factors worth weighing carefully. Houzz shares a few more thoughts on choosing the right sink for you.
Another important factor in choosing your kitchen sink is how it will be mounted. Suppose you’re planning to install laminate countertops. In that case, an under-mount sink is not an option, as the material can be susceptible to water damage due to contact with moisture and the wooden sublayer. In this case, a drop-in (self-rimming) sink is your best choice.
When it comes to farmhouse sinks, proper mounting is essential to prevent potential water damage to the cabinetry. If you opt for a farm sink with an exposed front, we at Greenbrook Design recommend mounting it on a piece of your selected stone countertop. This method ensures that the sink is securely anchored and that the front of the cabinet is protected from water exposure.
Additionally, to guarantee a seamless fit, we always request that clients provide their specific sink during construction, allowing us to ensure everything aligns perfectly with your chosen materials.
Finishes and Edges Of Your Stone Surfaces
While the material you select for your countertops and tile plays a key role in defining your kitchen’s overall aesthetic, the finish and texture you choose can significantly alter the look and feel of your kitchen. Polished stone or tile surfaces offer a sleek, modern, or transitional appearance, reflecting light and creating a contemporary vibe. On the other hand, tumbled, textured, or honed finishes evoke a more traditional, old-world charm, adding warmth and character to your space.
In addition to texture, the edge profile of your countertops is an important consideration. A straight edge, such as an eased, squared, or pencil edge, contributes to a clean, minimalist style perfect for modern kitchens. For those seeking a more classic or traditional look, a bullnose or ogee edge provides a softer, more elegant touch, seamlessly blending with timeless design elements.
As you can see, the details of your kitchen remodel—from finishes to edge profiles—can transform the space in subtle yet impactful ways. At Greenbrook Design, we’re here to guide you through these decisions, ensuring that every element aligns with your vision and enhances the functionality and beauty of your kitchen.
Click here to see a gallery of kitchen styles.
Are you just in the dreaming stage of planning for a new kitchen? We would love to talk to you and work with you to fine-tune your very own remodel plan. If you’re ready to move from dreaming to construction, call Greenbrook Design today to schedule a design meeting at 980.404.9600.
Walker WoodworkingWhile the kitchen was often viewed as the place where food was merely prepped and served, it has transitioned into a command center as people gather to talk or enjoy a snack while getting some work done. Layouts have slowly shifted to accommodate this change, which has produced the open concept. This floor plan allows families to stay connected even when they are doing things in different areas of the home. While not as popular as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, many families still choose this floor plan because of their desire to stay close to their family and guests. Today, we want to discuss the open floor concept, the elements that make it up, and if it is the right fit for your family.
Greenbrook DesignYou have just waved goodbye to your last child as they head out to college. While you adjust to not having kids in the house, you also begin to realize that you now have more space, but you’re not sure what to do with it. There are many ways to reuse the space, expand existing spaces, or make room for something new. Let’s take a look at the design possibilities available to you.
In the second of our three-part series on selection tips, we want to focus on tile. Backsplash, shower walls, and flooring are just a few of the many uses for tile since it is beautiful, durable, and timeless. Sometimes considered a small part of the design, it has the potential to make a big impact on the design. Here are some helpful tips when choosing tile.
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