In all the excitement of picking out appliances and choosing paint colors during your big kitchen remodel, it can be easy to forget about little details. We’re talking about those small touches that might go unnoticed at first, but that can totally change the look and feel of your space. If your cabinets don’t vibe with the curtains or your kitchen’s workflow isn’t quite right, you (and your guests) will notice. The big picture might be fun to plan, but those little details are a big deal. So, when you dive into decorating your kitchen, keep an eye on the details, and you’ll be living large in a stylish and convenient kitchen in no time. 

Feel Your Flow 

Kitchen design isn’t just about aesthetics: to get the most out of a new kitchen, you want to make sure your space flows properly. A great rule of thumb when arranging a cooking space is the kitchen triangle. Your three kitchen essentials – the fridge, the sink, and the stove – should form a triangle, with each side measuring between 4 and 9 feet. This way, moving through the kitchen during meal-prep should be smooth and simple, and you won’t get tripped up along the way. The untrained eye might not be able to see the difference between a kitchen with a proper workflow and one without, but when the time comes to actually use your remodeled kitchen masterpiece, you’ll definitely notice. 

Hardware Made Easy 

Picking the right hardware might not be at the top of your list when it comes to kitchen design, but it can make a big difference in the ambiance of your space. Think about how to coordinate the shapes and colors of cabinet handles and drawer pulls with the rest of your design aesthetic. A good rule of thumb is to choose based on the undertones of your room. Gold, bronze, or black hardware is best suited to warm-toned walls, while grey and other cool colors are complemented by silver, pewter, and stainless hardware. If your cabinetry is white, feel free to go wild on cabinet hardware! Interesting knobs and handles are a great way to add some personal flair. 

So, mix and match, try out some unusual designs – you never know what effect they’ll have in your space! Don’t forget to try out your hardware before you buy, too. Even the most stunning hardware won’t feel very luxurious if it pinches, pulls, and squeezes your hands every time you open a cabinet. 

Light it Up 

You’ve probably spent plenty of time thinking about the gorgeous lamps you want hanging over the dinner table or the stunning statement sconces that will greet visitors as they walk in, but decorative lighting isn’t the only way to brighten your kitchen. Task lighting is another vital, often overlooked aspect of kitchen design. Sure, it might not be as fun to plan, but practical lighting choices are what can turn your kitchen into a functional space fit for a pro. So, don’t skimp on those little lighting details! Under-cabinet lighting helps illuminate countertops for easier food prep, and a vent hood with top-notch built-in lighting can make all the difference when it comes to whipping up dinner. 

Finish First 

Sure, you’ve thought about all the amazing brands and features you want in your new kitchen appliances, but have you thought about the finish? Your appliances’ finish, that final detail in your appliance-buying journey, can make or break the look of your kitchen. Stainless steel is a stylish and safe choice, but it’s not even close to being the only option out there! Black stainless steel is making major headway in the world of kitchen design, and can add a certain boldness and style to your space. Satiny slate can make a kitchen feel cozier, while white can make the whole room glow, no matter what your lighting is like! Some brands are even offering appliances in fashionable shades of bronze-y rose gold. That’s right, you can get a fridge to match your iPhone. The future is now. 

Window to the Heart 

Pay attention to your windows. No, not just what’s outside them – though if your kitchen has a great view, that’s definitely a bonus. The right window coverings can do a lot for your kitchen design, and you shouldn’t leave that kind of planning for last. Think about what kind of coverings will complement your style early on. Roman shades, Venetian blinds, curtains, drapes, and shutters … there are a lot of options to choose from! Having control over your lighting can help emphasize the parts of your kitchen you love and cut uncomfortable glare in the evening. Some types of shutters will need to be built into the wall, while drapes and wooden blinds will need to be coordinated with your kitchen’s style, so plan accordingly during your remodel. 

A Leg Up 

Legs and corbels, corbels and legs. Whew, try saying that five times fast! A corbel, for those who don’t know, is the triangle-shaped wedge that holds up countertops, wall shelving, or a built-in wall hood. Just like the legs of your tables and chairs, corbels exist primarily for the sake of function, but when redoing your kitchen, it’s important to think about them from a design perspective. The options for shape, style, material, and color are endless in these often overlooked details, and the right choice can add a lot of character to your space – or throw off your look entirely. Ornate, scrolling corbels can add an extra boost of elegance to a Tuscan kitchen, while slim, square-cut legs in a pale wood can be just the thing to tie your Scandinavian-style cooking space together. These details give your whole design strong legs to stand on! 

Shelve It 

Don’t underestimate the power of your shelving. It can be easy to take cabinetry for granted, but if planned carefully, your shelving can be more than just a place to store your stuff, it can also be a major design element in your new space. Solid cabinets, glass paneled cabinets, and open shelving all have very different effects on a room, and before you even start thinking about paint and color palettes, you should decide which type of cabinets you want. Solid cabinets are perfect for creating a sleek, minimalist look, while glass cabinets can add extra light to a dark kitchen, and provide a space for displaying family treasures (like photos, art projects, and fine china). Open shelving is less common, but its ability to create a relaxed, roomy feeling in a small kitchen shouldn’t be underestimated. Choose carefully, because your shelving can set the tone for your whole kitchen! 

Don’t wait until your renovations are almost finished before you start to think about the little things. These details might not be the first things to catch a visitor’s eye, but if done right, they can take your kitchen from drab to fab, and create a space to put even Chip and Joanna to shame! Your dream kitchen is just a few details away, and don’t forget, when you're picking out the perfect pieces for your new kitchen, Don’s Appliances is always here to help!