Kitchen Plumbing and Electrical

Choosing the Right Components for Your Kitchen

The kitchen is back! Kitchens have regained their rightful status as centers of household activity and social gatherings–good news that may call for some kitchen remodeling. The first change that comes to mind may be kitchen cabinets or facings, but plumbing and electrical appliances and fixtures are also integral to the overall design.

Plumbing fixtures generally include a main sink, possibly an auxiliary vegetable or prep sink, faucets, and sprayers which are custom-designed to compliment any style and color scheme. When faced with a dazzling rainbow of lustrous porcelain, eye-catching faucet profiles, and innovative accessories, it may be tempting to make a final selection while standing in front of the display and work it into the design later, especially if you’ve found a bargain. Take a breath, write down model numbers and dimensions, ask for a color chip, and take the time to assess how the component will fit into your plan.

Most kitchen electrical components can be categorized as major appliances, lighting, or ventilation. The range of styles and finishes of electrical components rivals that of plumbing fixtures, but function, location, and dimension are more critical in the selection of most electrical components. Here’s where extreme care goes into making sure everything works with everything else, both aesthetically and functionally. For instance:

The main area lighting fixture compliments the lines of the cabinetry and the finish of the faucet, but does it provide the right amount of light considering what will be absorbed by appliances, cabinets, or kitchen tile?

Have you provided enough room to the right and left of that side-by-side refrigerator so that both doors can be opened 180 degrees for cleaning?

If you’re going to have an island cook top, have you planned for a ceiling vent hood? And will the ceiling vent hood work with your area lighting plan, or will it cast shadows in inconvenient places?

Will there be enough floor space to pass by the oven or dishwasher when the door is open?

Rarely does a kitchen remodeling plan survive an actual kitchen remodeling job without a few changes along the way–it just ensures that changes can be made more smoothly.