If I asked you to list the components of a kitchen, I’m fairly confident you could tick them off one by one. But, do you know the right questions to ask when selecting them for a kitchen remodel? If the answer is no, don’t worry! We’re about to walk through each of them.

Cabinetry

Cabinets are often the most important components of a kitchen in terms of form, function, and budget. Consider these questions when making your selection:

  • “Do I want stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets?” Stock cabinets are the most budget-friendly but custom cabinets are built to fit your space perfectly, with semi-custom cabinets representing a happy medium.
  • “What style do I want?” This answer will determine choices like shaker versus slab, painted versus stained, inset versus overlay, and so on and so forth. Speak with one of our design experts for a more in-depth breakdown of these options.
  • “Do I want any specialized features?” You can go crazy with specialized storage options, such as a spice rack. Another popular upgrade in recent years is soft-close hardware. Think about what would make your life easier.

Kitchen cabinetry - a component of a kitchen

Countertops

Countertops are another big component in terms of style and budget. Ask:

  • “How much am I willing to spend?” Butcher block is a good option for tight budgets while stone options like quartz, granite, and marble will run higher.
  • “How much maintenance am I willing to do?” Quartz is non-porous, meaning it’s easy to clean and highly resistant to stains. Granite and marble, on the other hand, are not and require more work to keep pretty. Butcher block is an in-between option, requiring occasional sanding and sealing to keep it in good condition.

granite countertop in JC Huffman kitchen

Appliances

Some people overlook appliances, thinking something along the lines of, “Just give me something that works.” But they really deserve more consideration since you’ll use them every day. Think about:

  • “How long will this appliance last? How energy efficient is it?” Some appliances, while initially appearing like a good deal, will actually cost you more in the long run if you have to keep replacing them. Similarly, paying more now for an energy-efficient appliance may reap energy bill savings down the line.
  • “Will I be happy using them?” Is the dishwasher loud to run? Does the oven take a long time to heat up? Does the fridge hum constantly? Consider how annoying these things could become every day.

Appliances in JC Huffman Kitchen

Sinks

Some people may find it surprising that I’m giving the sink its own section, but I really find it important. No matter what you’re doing, something is going to end up in the sink, making it one of the most heavily used items in the kitchen. When selecting one, consider:

  • “What material do I want?” Stainless steel is heavy-duty and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Enamel-coated cast iron is very pretty but can show some scratches if you’re not careful.
  • “How do I want it installed?” Personally, I’d advise against drop-in sinks. Way too hard to clean the raised lip. Under-mount or farmhouse sinks are the way to go since there’s no barrier between the countertop and the sink. You can just wipe any mess right in.

Farmhouse sink in JC Huffman kitchen

Information Overload?

We covered a ton of different components of a kitchen in this month’s blog! If you need us to elaborate on anything, please contact us and one of our design experts will be happy to help!

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