I really like your post as I was in the same position not to long ago. I found this site and the generosity of the people who post to be invaluable. I've often wondered how many decisions there are to be made doing a relatively straightforward kitchen model. 200? 500? 1000? Nevermind, a large remodel.

To add a few things to your list:
door and drawer pulls - style and finish
drawer and cabinet accessories
garbage disposer
counter top - material and style (more than 1 style?)
under cabinet lighting
light switches and recepticles
soft close doors and drawers
appliances
and at least 100 more!

The best advice I can offer is to find some pictures and styles to use for your inspiration. Usethis site extensively to research the pros and cons of sinks, faucets, countertop materials, backsplashes, lighting and everything else. It's all here. Post your questions frequently becuase there are so many folks here willing to provide assitance.

oh yes right, i read someone who had 4 doors to enter kitchen and thought switches at two doors were enough. she regrets it now. such a great site that gives such good ideas!

thanks for additions battin4th!

I chose frameless cabs with slab wood drawer fronts because I like the cabinet access with frameless and the clean contemporary unfussy look of slab drawers IF they are made out of a beautiful wood. I picked premium QS oak because I found the wood flecking/graining spectacular. We have island seating because we have a tiny house and no formal dining room. So the eating area has a nice table that expands, but we (when it's the two of us) always eat at the island. If you get an island for eating, get super comfy stools. Trash recycling depends on where you live. Here in my town, aluminum, glass, and paper all go into the same bin. Hence, we only have two cans. I, unlike most, did not want to give up cab space for trash so we have a large sink cabinet and I have both cans, my disposal (batch feed BTW which I learned about on this forum) and some cleaning supplies under there. All fits no problem.
Appliances: I got top of the line but shopped them off craigslist and ebay. All brand new but it was a risk. For me, the risk paid off. Saved about 6K. Figure out your lighting and switches ahead of time. I would imagine myself cooking in the space and where I would use what small appliances and had my outlets place accordingly. The two outlet ones I had placed horizontally because I knew I was getting glass subway tiles and it would fit within the tile.

Flooring: we live in So. Florida, have a yard that holds water, a pool, and 3 little dogs with little bladders. We wanted no maintance and never ever to have to replace the floor. The only choice for us was tile. We got rectified porcelain because I wanted 1/16th grout joints and we used epoxy grout in a darker color because I wanted no maintance.
I think that answers a bunch of your questions.
Good luck!

Your best bet is to do a google search on whatever decision you are making (example: best faucet on gardenweb, show me your pendant lights on gardenweb, etc). The search feature on the GW website does not work well, google search is the best. 90% of the time there is a thread for what you are questioning. If you don't find your answer by searching old threads, post your own message. Everyone here is so helpful! Good luck!