Trending on Remodelista: 5 Things Nobody Tell You About Remodels

You can’t always trust the conventional wisdom when it comes to remodeling. Here are five things the Remodelista editors think you should know before you get started:

1. Lemon juice will etch marble.

Above: See more of Michelle’s marble backsplash in My Dirty Secret, or How I Learned to Live with a Marble Backsplash.

Think twice before you install marble countertops in a kitchen. Luckily, when Julie discovered a rough patch on her newly installed marble counters (presumably the result of spilled lemon juice), her husband Josh found a polishing powder that removed the scar. Read more in 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Marble Countertops.

2. Zellige tiles are tough to clean.

Above: No two zellige tiles are identical, as evidenced by this Zellige Terracotta Weathered Tile.

Handmade clay Zellige may be the trendiest tile of 2019, but these tiles have imperfect edges and uneven surfaces. “This adds charm, but can make the tiles trickier to wipe down—and can also create a prime place for fabrics to snag,” writes Annie in 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Zellige Tiles.

3. Clawfoot tubs are space hogs.

Above: Do you have room for a freestanding bathtub? See more tips in Remodeling 101: Romance in the Bath: Built-In vs. Freestanding Bathtubs. See House Call: Endless Summer in a London Victorian for more of this project. Photograph via Light Locations.

“If size is a consideration in your bath, keep in mind that older, freestanding baths tend to take up more space: they’re often bigger than built-in models, and are generally installed with some space between the bath and the wall,” writes Annie. Read more tips in 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Clawfoot Bathtubs.

4. Painting laminate kitchen cabinets is a waste of time.

Above: Photograph by Leslie Santarina.

Wood cabinets are the best kind to paint. “Any material that you can scuff up with sandpaper so that paint adheres is viable. That’s why laminates aren’t a good choice—you can paint them, but it won’t be long-lasting,” says painter Albert Ridge in How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: 5 Tips from a Master Painter.

5. To make a room look big, install shiplap vertically.

Above: Photograph by Justine Hand.

“Most people think of shiplap installed horizontally in a room (which itself can help carry the eye around the space, making it feel larger). But installing the shiplap vertically helps emphasize the height of the room, making it feel large,” writes Annie in 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Shiplap.