Selections Matter

When they hear the word, many people assume selections include paint color and the tile for the kitchen backsplash. But the term covers a lot more than that. 

Appliances

Your kitchen appliances, as well as your washer and dryer, count under the heading of selections. As you choose appliances, you have several things to consider including

• energy efficiency,

• the types of appliances you want,

• what finishes fit best with your needs and style (Stainless steel? Matte black? A fun, retro color?),

• the appliance size: standard, counter-depth, etc, and

• if you want integrated appliances that seamlessly blend in with your kitchen cabinets (including whether you want panel-ready appliances that match your cabinets exactly).

Paint

The paint colors you use throughout your home impact how it feels. Is it bright and airy? Cozy, with dark colors? You can choose to color drench a room (paint the whole thing, including the ceiling, one color), or use neutrals throughout the space and let the color take a back seat to the furnishing you bring in. Your color choices will also depend on the lighting in each room: remember that the same paint color can look very different in various rooms. 

The finish you choose for your paint is important as well. If you have small children, it’s usually best to go with the highly-cleanable satin or even semi-gloss. High-gloss paint on built-ins and cabinets is growing in popularity. It’s a bold choice you may love.

Flooring

Choosing your flooring is perhaps the most impactful design decision you will need to make in terms of both the functionality and style it adds to your space. It’s a visually large component that sets the tone of your home.

It can be hard to decide what type of flooring to use, not to mention what color or style. Some great flooring options include

• hardwood

• luxury vinyl planks or tile (LVP or LVT)

• tile (various types including natural stone, porcelain, and ceramic)

• cork 

• carpet

Each of these types of flooring has benefits and drawbacks, and many people like to mix and match flooring instead of choosing one for the whole house. Because flooring is such a huge part of your home, it’s generally best to go with a classic, time-tested style rather than a trendy one that you may grow tired of in a few years.

Cabinetry and Countertops

The type and style of cabinets you want in your kitchen, bathrooms, mudroom, and laundry room all fall under the heading of selections. You’ll need to choose style, color, and material. It can help to look at photos of cabinets, either on Pinterest, in a home magazine, or in our gallery to get an idea of what you like. 

As with flooring, you have a lot of options when it comes to your countertops (both for the kitchen and the bathroom). The most popular materials include

• granite

• marble 

• quartz

• quartzite

• butcher block

• stainless steel

The type of countertop you choose will have a lot to do with your lifestyle, willingness to maintain it, personal preferences, and budget. 

Fixtures and Hardware

Think of your fixtures and hardware as the finishing touch on your home. They complete the look, adding style and flair. This category includes things like your faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms, drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and light fixtures. Here again, you’ll be choosing a style (what shape do you want?) and a material (what type of metal and what finish?). 

Many people like to choose one finish, like matte black, and use it throughout the house. A current trend is to mix metals, using brass and matte black together, or brushed nickel and warm gold in the same space. This makes your home feel more curated and put together over time.

When it comes to lighting, it’s generally best to use multiple sources and different types of lighting in one room. For example, in the kitchen, you will want to use task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting. Your light fixtures can coordinate with each other or match exactly, depending on the look you’re going for.