Working with Professionals
10 Times You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer
These specialists can solve layout issues, save costs, update an older space and create custom design details
Wondering if your project would benefit from hiring a kitchen designer? These design pros are experts at creating well-thought-out, functional spaces and are always up-to-date with the latest kitchen design trends. If you’re thinking of undertaking a kitchen redesign, renovating an old house or creating your dream kitchen, a kitchen designer might be the perfect design pro you need to see your project through. Here are 10 times it makes sense to engage a kitchen designer.
2. You want to add value to your home
A freshly renovated kitchen is high on many buyers’ wish lists. If you’re selling your house or apartment (or plan to in the future), you’ll want to make sure your home stands out with a kitchen that goes above and beyond builder-grade basics by hiring a kitchen designer to upgrade your space.
Kitchen designers are well versed in current (as well as timeless) design trends and know what appeals to future buyers, making them ideally suited to guiding design decisions when a home sale is on the horizon.
If you’re renovating to sell, your budget will be a particularly pressing concern. To avoid overcapitalising on your kitchen reno, click on this link to find kitchen designers in your area, then use the Budget drop-down menu to search for pros via project cost, from affordable to high-end designers.
A freshly renovated kitchen is high on many buyers’ wish lists. If you’re selling your house or apartment (or plan to in the future), you’ll want to make sure your home stands out with a kitchen that goes above and beyond builder-grade basics by hiring a kitchen designer to upgrade your space.
Kitchen designers are well versed in current (as well as timeless) design trends and know what appeals to future buyers, making them ideally suited to guiding design decisions when a home sale is on the horizon.
If you’re renovating to sell, your budget will be a particularly pressing concern. To avoid overcapitalising on your kitchen reno, click on this link to find kitchen designers in your area, then use the Budget drop-down menu to search for pros via project cost, from affordable to high-end designers.
3. You want access to the latest tech
Three-dimensional renderings and drawings of renovation projects aren’t just cool – these high-tech offerings allow you to get a realistic picture of what your finished space will look like and assess various options before committing. This can save you avoidable and expensive alterations, which lead to headaches and scheduling delays, not to mention reducing unnecessary spending.
Different designers use different 3D modelling software, but some programs are easier for homeowners to understand than others. Pros who use Houzz Pro business management software can create accurate 3D floor plans for you to review – complete with paint colours, floor finishes and furnishings – before you commit to a kitchen design. Look for the I Use Pro Software badge on a pro’s Houzz profile.
Thinking of engaging a kitchen designer? Find specialised kitchen designers near you on Houzz to discuss your project
Three-dimensional renderings and drawings of renovation projects aren’t just cool – these high-tech offerings allow you to get a realistic picture of what your finished space will look like and assess various options before committing. This can save you avoidable and expensive alterations, which lead to headaches and scheduling delays, not to mention reducing unnecessary spending.
Different designers use different 3D modelling software, but some programs are easier for homeowners to understand than others. Pros who use Houzz Pro business management software can create accurate 3D floor plans for you to review – complete with paint colours, floor finishes and furnishings – before you commit to a kitchen design. Look for the I Use Pro Software badge on a pro’s Houzz profile.
Thinking of engaging a kitchen designer? Find specialised kitchen designers near you on Houzz to discuss your project
4. You’re renovating an old house
From outdated building codes to unusual historical design elements, updating an older house is a challenge that requires a special touch. An experienced kitchen designer can help you navigate this tricky process smoothly.
When kitchen designer Sarah Roberston of Studio Dearborn redesigned the historical New York, USA kitchen shown here, she had to balance design elements from the earliest portion of the home – dating back to the early 19th century – with an addition completed in the 1920s. The result nods to the home’s rich history while incorporating fresh, modern touches.
From outdated building codes to unusual historical design elements, updating an older house is a challenge that requires a special touch. An experienced kitchen designer can help you navigate this tricky process smoothly.
When kitchen designer Sarah Roberston of Studio Dearborn redesigned the historical New York, USA kitchen shown here, she had to balance design elements from the earliest portion of the home – dating back to the early 19th century – with an addition completed in the 1920s. The result nods to the home’s rich history while incorporating fresh, modern touches.
5. Sustainability is important to you
If you’re considering a kitchen renovation, you’ll no doubt want it to last as long as possible, both to save unnecessary waste as well as the time and expense of embarking on a subsequent renovation.
Kitchen designers have in-depth knowledge of environmentally responsible choices and can guide you when it comes to selecting sustainable materials in your design or reusing existing features. Not only does this help the state of the planet, it can also lead to a ‘healthy’ home design free of toxic materials and with low VOCs.
If you’re considering a kitchen renovation, you’ll no doubt want it to last as long as possible, both to save unnecessary waste as well as the time and expense of embarking on a subsequent renovation.
Kitchen designers have in-depth knowledge of environmentally responsible choices and can guide you when it comes to selecting sustainable materials in your design or reusing existing features. Not only does this help the state of the planet, it can also lead to a ‘healthy’ home design free of toxic materials and with low VOCs.
6. You want a well-thought-out kitchen
Whether it’s cabinetry that fits your extra-large pans or a benchtop perfectly proportioned for your height, having just-right details is often what takes a space from ho-hum to exceptional. With their knowledge of everything from thorough space planning to custom-designed cabinetry and smart features (such as the discreet charging drawer shown here), kitchen designers are experts in crafting thoughtfully designed spaces.
Whether it’s cabinetry that fits your extra-large pans or a benchtop perfectly proportioned for your height, having just-right details is often what takes a space from ho-hum to exceptional. With their knowledge of everything from thorough space planning to custom-designed cabinetry and smart features (such as the discreet charging drawer shown here), kitchen designers are experts in crafting thoughtfully designed spaces.
7. Your existing kitchen is cramped
A kitchen that’s too small can really cramp your (cooking) style. If you need to creatively gain some extra space, consider adding a specialised kitchen designer to your design and construction team. This design pro can come up with innovative ways to rethink your available space and make your cooking and dining area feel more spacious and light.
The kitchen shown here in Minneapolis, USA, was once dark and cramped, with little storage and even less benchtop space. Kitchen designer Kate Roos removed a peninsula, added a custom built-in hutch for additional storage (pictured here on the right) and turned a cupboard into a functional pantry – all without adding any square metreage.
A kitchen that’s too small can really cramp your (cooking) style. If you need to creatively gain some extra space, consider adding a specialised kitchen designer to your design and construction team. This design pro can come up with innovative ways to rethink your available space and make your cooking and dining area feel more spacious and light.
The kitchen shown here in Minneapolis, USA, was once dark and cramped, with little storage and even less benchtop space. Kitchen designer Kate Roos removed a peninsula, added a custom built-in hutch for additional storage (pictured here on the right) and turned a cupboard into a functional pantry – all without adding any square metreage.
8. You want to extend your cooking space with an outdoor kitchen
A kitchen designer’s expertise can take your outdoor kitchen to the next level. This design pro can craft an outdoor space that takes into account current building codes in your area and the best construction practices, as well as design trends and optimum kitchen workflow.
Browse more beautiful outdoor kitchens
A kitchen designer’s expertise can take your outdoor kitchen to the next level. This design pro can craft an outdoor space that takes into account current building codes in your area and the best construction practices, as well as design trends and optimum kitchen workflow.
Browse more beautiful outdoor kitchens
9. You need to redesign your bathroom or laundry too
Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries all share a certain number of features – including plumbing and cabinetry – so it makes sense that many kitchen designers also specialise in renovating these rooms as well.
If you have a bathroom or laundry that also needs some love, a kitchen designer can handle the entire project, ensuring that the design and installation processes are streamlined and cohesive.
Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries all share a certain number of features – including plumbing and cabinetry – so it makes sense that many kitchen designers also specialise in renovating these rooms as well.
If you have a bathroom or laundry that also needs some love, a kitchen designer can handle the entire project, ensuring that the design and installation processes are streamlined and cohesive.
10. Aesthetics are important to you
Yes, it’s possible to hire a builder to handle a basic kitchen renovation. But if aesthetics and current trends are important to you, a kitchen designer is the pro you’ll want on your team.
This designer specialises in current kitchen trends and can offer a much wider range of fixtures and finishes than anything you could get on your own.
Plus, their little black book of industry contacts will prove invaluable when it comes to securing trade prices and staying on schedule. To find highly rated kitchen designers in your area, click on this link then search using the Rating drop-down menu.
Yes, it’s possible to hire a builder to handle a basic kitchen renovation. But if aesthetics and current trends are important to you, a kitchen designer is the pro you’ll want on your team.
This designer specialises in current kitchen trends and can offer a much wider range of fixtures and finishes than anything you could get on your own.
Plus, their little black book of industry contacts will prove invaluable when it comes to securing trade prices and staying on schedule. To find highly rated kitchen designers in your area, click on this link then search using the Rating drop-down menu.
Your turn
Have you used a kitchen designer before? Tell us what you enjoyed about the experience in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Wondering whether an interior designer would be a better fit for your project? Find out here with Why You Should Hire an Interior Designer
Have you used a kitchen designer before? Tell us what you enjoyed about the experience in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Wondering whether an interior designer would be a better fit for your project? Find out here with Why You Should Hire an Interior Designer
If your kitchen just isn’t working for you, flow could be the culprit. A kitchen designer’s specialised expertise means this pro is especially well suited to finding creative solutions for flow issues in this hardworking room.
The owners of this home in Toronto, Canada, hired kitchen designers from Square Footage, who removed the walls separating a little-used formal living room and dining area. The result transformed what was previously a cramped, dislocated series of rooms into one generous, airy open-plan kitchen and dining space overlooking the backyard.