Our experts share their favorite finishing touches for kitchens and baths.
Story by Tracy Dickinson
Featured in Winter 2024
Kitchen and bath remodels are usually motivated by a need to transform a dated space or to create a more efficient layout. But once you’ve settled on the right floor plan and overall design, selecting the little—or not so little—extras can put the ideal finishing touch on your dream project.
Extra style
Upgrading key materials can turn a nice design into something special.
“Choosing a fun, patterned backsplash or floor tile or a unique countertop can give the space that extra pop,” says Woodharbor’s Jammie Pekarek. “The first upgrade I recommend in a bathroom project is a tiled shower. It just adds that special touch that you don’t get from a fiberglass surround.”
She suggests a unique tile backsplash for the bathroom vanity or floor since these smaller spaces can benefit from those extra touches without breaking the budget. “You can go with a fun, bold tile or opt for a less dramatic tile installed in a herringbone or chevron pattern.”
Kitchen and Bath Company’s Tina Noel says, “In the kitchen or the bath, upgrading the cabinetry can make a huge difference. The more detail a door has, typically higher the cost. Wood species will also increase the cost, but the beauty of cherry, knotty alder, or hickory can be well worth the investment.”
Extra storage
In both kitchens and baths, sufficient storage probably has a greater impact on homeowner satisfaction than any other element you can consider.
“Everyone thinks about the storage options available in the kitchen,” says Noel. “But it’s just as important to have the right storage in the bathroom.” She says features like pull-out organizers for styling appliances, drawer dividers for toiletries and cosmetics, and tilt-out trays near the sink for toothpaste and toothbrushes make it easier to organize the storage without having to add a great deal of cabinetry.
Many bathroom remodels are incorporating laundry facilities these days, which creates different storage demands.
Jeanine Weinzierl of BDM/Moehl Millwork, says, “There are some great options for the laundry room that add a ton of convenience without taking up much space. Things like pull-down clothing rods, drawers with drying racks inside, and even slanted shoe racks take up very little square footage and can be tucked out of sight when not in use.”
Understanding not only your style but how you use your space is key to prioritizing the features that will matter most to you.
She also often recommends using fewer but deeper drawers in the vanity so large items can be stored more easily. “Open shelving for towels is a fun way to turn storage into a decor feature,” she says.
Walk-in pantries remain the most requested storage option when space allows. “Full working pantries or ‘dirty kitchens’ that house a second refrigerator, sink, and microwave are trendy right now,” Weinzierl says. “Any accessory or design feature that offers organization and better utilization of space is an asset.”
Noel says that not every home has the space for a full walk-in pantry, so selecting the cabinetry features that will provide the most value for the individual homeowner is important. “Cutlery dividers, roll-out shelves, in-drawer knife blocks, pot and pan organizers, peg drawers for organizing dishware, charging drawers for phones and accessories—all of these add organization and convenience.”
Extra features
Understanding not only your style but how you use your space is key to prioritizing the features that will matter most to you.
“There are a lot of fun features you can include.” says Pekarek. “But the first thing I suggest is a trash pullout. Being able to hide the trash out of sight makes such a difference.”
Weinzierl says, “I have a lot of clients who like to have the waste basket cabinet motorized so they can access the trash area when their hands are full. And designing a double pull-out for the waste basket provides additional storage space for things like trash bags and cleaning supplies as well.”
Some other popular design elements include open shelving, colorful cabinetry, and accent features.
“Adding a focal point feature to the kitchen is a great way to bring in more color,” says Pekarek. “Some homeowners opt for a dramatic range hood, eye-catching pendant lights over the island, or contrasting paint or stain for the island or the base cabinets.”
“One of my favorite design features is a pass-through door to the garage if the kitchen and garage share a wall,” says Weinzierl. “This is a fairly simple addition that makes bringing in groceries so much more convenient.”
She says that built-in coffee stations, beverage bars, and wine fridges are all high on the list of add-on features if space and budget allow.
“In the bathroom, popular upgrades include heated flooring, heated towel bars, as well as free-standing soaking tubs,” says Pekarek.
Each homeowner—and each home project—is different, these experts say.
“For a designer, the key is listening to the homeowner. The little extras are only worthwhile if they suit you and the way you live,” says Noel. •
Resources
- Jeanine Weinzierl BDM/Moehl Millwork
- Tina Noel Kitchen and Bath Company
- Jammie Pekarek Woodharbor
