A kitchen remodel is about much more than choosing new cabinets and countertops. The finishes you select—from faucets and sinks to cabinet hardware and appliances—can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen.
For homeowners planning a kitchen remodel in Savannah, GA, it is also important to think about what is happening behind the walls and underneath the cabinets. Moving a sink, adding a pot filler, installing a new dishwasher, or changing the location of your refrigerator can all involve plumbing work that should be planned early in the remodeling process.
Whether you’re updating a kitchen in the heart of Savannah, renovating a historic home, or giving a newer home in Pooler, Wilmington Island, or the surrounding Coastal Georgia area a fresh look, the right combination of finishes and plumbing fixtures can make your kitchen both beautiful and functional.
Start With the Kitchen’s Plumbing Layout
Before selecting finishes, consider your kitchen’s existing plumbing.
Are you keeping the sink in the same location? Are you adding a second sink to an island? Do you want a pot filler above the range? Are you replacing an older dishwasher or garbage disposal?
These decisions can affect the plumbing installation and should be considered before cabinets, countertops, and walls are finalized.
This is especially important when remodeling older Savannah homes. A kitchen renovation may uncover older plumbing materials, outdated connections, or previous modifications that need to be addressed before the new kitchen is installed.
Planning the plumbing early can help prevent expensive surprises later in the remodeling process.
Choosing a Kitchen Sink Finish
The kitchen sink is one of the hardest-working fixtures in your home, but it can also be one of the most noticeable design elements.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel remains a popular choice because it works with almost any kitchen design. It pairs especially well with modern, transitional, and industrial-style kitchens.
A stainless steel sink is also a practical choice for busy kitchens because it is durable and relatively easy to maintain.
Fireclay and Porcelain
For homeowners looking for a more traditional or farmhouse-inspired kitchen, a white fireclay or porcelain sink can create a classic look.
These sinks can work beautifully in Savannah homes where homeowners want to preserve or complement traditional architectural details while still incorporating modern conveniences.
Composite and Stone Sinks
Composite sinks can provide a more contemporary appearance while offering a variety of colors and textures.
If you’re selecting a sink based primarily on appearance, don’t forget to consider how it will be used every day. The best kitchen sink is one that fits your design while also standing up to cooking, cleaning, entertaining, and everything else your kitchen handles.
Kitchen Faucet Finishes: More Than Just a Style Choice
Your faucet is one of the first things people notice when they walk into a kitchen, making it an important part of the overall design.
Some popular kitchen faucet finishes include:
Chrome
Brushed nickel
Stainless steel
Matte black
Brushed brass
Polished brass
Bronze
There isn’t one “right” finish. The key is coordinating your faucet with the rest of the kitchen.
For example, a warm brass faucet can complement wood cabinetry and natural stone countertops, while matte black can create contrast against white cabinets and lighter countertops.
You should also think about functionality. Pull-down sprayers, touchless faucets, filtered-water faucets, and other modern features can make everyday kitchen tasks easier.
And because your faucet is a plumbing fixture you use every day, installation matters just as much as appearance.
Don’t Forget the Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal may not be the most glamorous part of a kitchen remodel, but it is one of the fixtures you’ll appreciate every day.
If you’re replacing your sink or cabinets, it’s a good time to evaluate the age and condition of your garbage disposal.
During a kitchen renovation, a plumber can also check the disposal connection, drain configuration, and surrounding plumbing to make sure everything works properly with your new sink.
Dishwasher Plumbing Should Be Part of the Plan
A new dishwasher can be one of the easiest upgrades to overlook during a kitchen renovation.
If you’re changing your cabinet layout, replacing your sink, or moving appliances, the dishwasher’s water supply and drain connections need to be considered.
Proper installation helps your new dishwasher operate correctly while reducing the risk of leaks beneath your cabinets.
Because even a small plumbing leak under a kitchen sink or dishwasher can cause significant damage if it goes unnoticed, these connections deserve careful attention during a remodel.
Pot Fillers: A Popular Kitchen Upgrade
Pot fillers have become a popular feature in many kitchen remodels, particularly for homeowners who spend a lot of time cooking.
A pot filler is installed near the range and allows you to fill pots without carrying a heavy pot back and forth from the sink.
They can also create a beautiful focal point behind the range.
However, adding a pot filler isn’t simply a matter of attaching a faucet to the wall. The plumbing supply line needs to be properly planned and installed before the wall is finished.
If a pot filler is on your kitchen wish list, bring it up with your plumber and remodeling contractor early in the design process.
Coordinate Your Finishes Before Installation
One of the easiest ways to create a polished kitchen is to coordinate your finishes.
Think about how your:
Kitchen faucet
Cabinet hardware
Appliance finishes
Lighting
Sink
Backsplash
Countertops
Cabinet color
will work together.
You don’t necessarily have to match every finish. In fact, mixing finishes can create a more custom and intentional appearance.
The important thing is to have a plan before installation begins.
Kitchen Remodeling in Savannah Comes With Unique Considerations
Savannah homes range from historic properties and older neighborhoods to newer construction throughout the surrounding area. That means no two kitchen remodeling projects are exactly alike.
A kitchen renovation in a historic Savannah property may involve different plumbing considerations than a kitchen remodel in a newer home in Pooler or the surrounding Coastal Georgia communities.
The age of the home, existing plumbing, kitchen layout, and scope of the renovation can all affect what needs to happen behind the scenes.
That’s why plumbing should be part of the remodeling conversation from the beginning—not something that gets addressed after the cabinets are ordered.
Planning a Kitchen Remodel in Savannah, GA?
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation in Savannah, don’t wait until the cabinets are installed to think about the plumbing.
Your sink, faucet, dishwasher, garbage disposal, refrigerator water line, pot filler, and other fixtures should all be considered as part of the overall kitchen design.
A little planning upfront can help your finished kitchen look better, function better, and avoid unnecessary plumbing surprises during construction.
Joe Hubbard Plumbing can help homeowners in the Savannah area with the plumbing side of kitchen renovations, from fixture installation and sink plumbing to plumbing modifications needed for a new kitchen layout.
Planning a kitchen remodel? Contact Joe Hubbard Plumbing to discuss your kitchen plumbing needs before your renovation gets underway.
