A Good Fit: 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Kitchen Designer
A good designer knows which questions to ask about your kitchen project. But what should you ask them before you sign?
Shopping for a new kitchen is exciting, but it can also be daunting, especially if you’re just starting out or can’t decide what you want. A skilled kitchen designer should be equipped with the right questions – about your lifestyle, cooking habits and daily routines – to help them build a picture of your home, your family life and your needs, in order to plan your perfect kitchen. But what should you be asking them?
Here are 10 questions our design team often get asked, which we think will help you get the measure of your new kitchen – and your designer.
Here are 10 questions our design team often get asked, which we think will help you get the measure of your new kitchen – and your designer.
2. What’s popular right now?
Asking your designer what’s trending now will help establish their level of knowledge and enthusiasm for design. If you want a very on-trend kitchen, you’ll need a designer who’s up to date with the latest styles and who can help you pick colours, materials and accessories accordingly.
Similarly, if you’re not interested in the latest trends, your designer should be able to suggest suitable alternatives. You could ask them what features contribute to a timeless style of kitchen and how best to create a look that will last.
Asking your designer what’s trending now will help establish their level of knowledge and enthusiasm for design. If you want a very on-trend kitchen, you’ll need a designer who’s up to date with the latest styles and who can help you pick colours, materials and accessories accordingly.
Similarly, if you’re not interested in the latest trends, your designer should be able to suggest suitable alternatives. You could ask them what features contribute to a timeless style of kitchen and how best to create a look that will last.
3. How many people will work on my design?
A number of clients ask us how many designers will work on their kitchen plan – in other words, is it just one person’s ideas, or do a few different designers give their opinions?
Our clients only have one point of contact, but we have a number of designers look at any given design. That way, we gain fresh perspectives, and different ideas and ways of doing things that someone else might not have thought of. It also creates a checking system to ensure all details of the design are correct and will work, and that nothing has been missed.
Ready to hire a kitchen designer? Find local kitchen designers on Houzz, see examples of their work and read reviews from previous clients
A number of clients ask us how many designers will work on their kitchen plan – in other words, is it just one person’s ideas, or do a few different designers give their opinions?
Our clients only have one point of contact, but we have a number of designers look at any given design. That way, we gain fresh perspectives, and different ideas and ways of doing things that someone else might not have thought of. It also creates a checking system to ensure all details of the design are correct and will work, and that nothing has been missed.
Ready to hire a kitchen designer? Find local kitchen designers on Houzz, see examples of their work and read reviews from previous clients
4. Can you accommodate my budget?
You might not want to share your budget with a designer straight away, but if you don’t, you risk being presented with a beautiful design you simply can’t afford. Disclosing your budget early on means your designer can achieve the look you want, but using materials and options within that budget.
For example, a quartz benchtop can recreate the luxurious look of granite or marble, yet is a less expensive option.
Your designer can also offer cost-saving tips. If a full glass splashback is too costly, for example, they might suggest a glazed accent panel behind the stove instead, which involves less material, so costs less.
Your designer can also advise how much you need to allow for other components, such as flooring, benchtops and sinks. Setting a budget and sticking to it is important, otherwise your project can quickly become stressful and unenjoyable.
You might not want to share your budget with a designer straight away, but if you don’t, you risk being presented with a beautiful design you simply can’t afford. Disclosing your budget early on means your designer can achieve the look you want, but using materials and options within that budget.
For example, a quartz benchtop can recreate the luxurious look of granite or marble, yet is a less expensive option.
Your designer can also offer cost-saving tips. If a full glass splashback is too costly, for example, they might suggest a glazed accent panel behind the stove instead, which involves less material, so costs less.
Your designer can also advise how much you need to allow for other components, such as flooring, benchtops and sinks. Setting a budget and sticking to it is important, otherwise your project can quickly become stressful and unenjoyable.
5. How many design options will you present to me – and in what format?
When planning your kitchen, you need a designer who is willing to show you different options until the design is right for you. You might be unsure of altering an existing layout and need to compare different possibilities, or you might want to consider changes in cabinetry or benchtop colour. Your designer should work through every aspect of your design with you, tailoring the specifics and details it until it’s right.
The presentation of designs is also important – and CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings should be of a high-enough quality, and show enough different room angles for you to truly visualise your intended space.
Bear in mind that some companies charge for designs. Find this out from the beginning, so you don’t end up buying from somewhere just because you’ve already incurred a design cost.
When planning your kitchen, you need a designer who is willing to show you different options until the design is right for you. You might be unsure of altering an existing layout and need to compare different possibilities, or you might want to consider changes in cabinetry or benchtop colour. Your designer should work through every aspect of your design with you, tailoring the specifics and details it until it’s right.
The presentation of designs is also important – and CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings should be of a high-enough quality, and show enough different room angles for you to truly visualise your intended space.
Bear in mind that some companies charge for designs. Find this out from the beginning, so you don’t end up buying from somewhere just because you’ve already incurred a design cost.
6. What’s the timescale?
It’s important to research a kitchen company before committing to them, including how they operate, and the likely timescale this means for your project.
Timescales vary between companies. If you order materials, fixtures or fittings from, for example, a European-based company, it will generally take longer, because they need to be imported. Bespoke designs also take longer, even if they use wholly local materials and suppliers.
If you know the timescale for each phase of your project, it will help you plan for it and ensure it all goes smoothly. This includes knowing how long the demolishers and trades are likely to be on site, how long you’ll be without a working oven and sink, and how long any remedial works will take.
Knowing the project duration also means you can make sure you’ve chosen the finishing touches, such as lighting or wall paint, in time. Your kitchen designer should give you an estimated completion date from the point of order.
It’s important to research a kitchen company before committing to them, including how they operate, and the likely timescale this means for your project.
Timescales vary between companies. If you order materials, fixtures or fittings from, for example, a European-based company, it will generally take longer, because they need to be imported. Bespoke designs also take longer, even if they use wholly local materials and suppliers.
If you know the timescale for each phase of your project, it will help you plan for it and ensure it all goes smoothly. This includes knowing how long the demolishers and trades are likely to be on site, how long you’ll be without a working oven and sink, and how long any remedial works will take.
Knowing the project duration also means you can make sure you’ve chosen the finishing touches, such as lighting or wall paint, in time. Your kitchen designer should give you an estimated completion date from the point of order.
7. How can I add value to my home?
Designing a kitchen to suit your needs is different from designing one to add value to your home. You can achieve both, but for the latter, you might need to forgo some preferred features.
You might love bright red kitchen furniture, for instance, but this won’t appeal to a mass market. Instead, your designer will advise more neutral cabinetry, like the type seen in this all-white kitchen. Similarly, while a top-of-the range kitchen sound system might be key to you, it’s unlikely you’d recoup the cost when selling your home.
As well as advising what not to include, your designer should be able to help you go for features that make strong selling points. This might include a design to suit the space, colours and materials that are popular and unlikely to date, and recognisable brand names for appliances.
Browse more contemporary white kitchens
Designing a kitchen to suit your needs is different from designing one to add value to your home. You can achieve both, but for the latter, you might need to forgo some preferred features.
You might love bright red kitchen furniture, for instance, but this won’t appeal to a mass market. Instead, your designer will advise more neutral cabinetry, like the type seen in this all-white kitchen. Similarly, while a top-of-the range kitchen sound system might be key to you, it’s unlikely you’d recoup the cost when selling your home.
As well as advising what not to include, your designer should be able to help you go for features that make strong selling points. This might include a design to suit the space, colours and materials that are popular and unlikely to date, and recognisable brand names for appliances.
Browse more contemporary white kitchens
8. Where do the kitchens you design sit in the market and why?
Not all kitchens are equal – a fact reflected in your kitchen’s quality and price, the service you receive, and the warranty.
There are different types of kitchens available, including off-the-shelf, flat pack/self-assembly ones, which are at the lower end of the market.
A mid-range style of kitchen consists of standard-sized cabinets, purchased ready-made and ready to fit. Custom kitchen designs are usually rigidly manufactured with glued and dowelled joints for all cabinetry. Having been engineered to a specific order, they are delivered assembled and ready for installation.
At the very top end of the market are fully bespoke kitchens, like the one seen here. With these designs, there are no restrictions on shapes, finishes, colours, carcass size or materials. A bespoke kitchen may also include hand-finishing on cabinetry, carried out after fitting, and according to exact customer specification.
Not all kitchens are equal – a fact reflected in your kitchen’s quality and price, the service you receive, and the warranty.
There are different types of kitchens available, including off-the-shelf, flat pack/self-assembly ones, which are at the lower end of the market.
A mid-range style of kitchen consists of standard-sized cabinets, purchased ready-made and ready to fit. Custom kitchen designs are usually rigidly manufactured with glued and dowelled joints for all cabinetry. Having been engineered to a specific order, they are delivered assembled and ready for installation.
At the very top end of the market are fully bespoke kitchens, like the one seen here. With these designs, there are no restrictions on shapes, finishes, colours, carcass size or materials. A bespoke kitchen may also include hand-finishing on cabinetry, carried out after fitting, and according to exact customer specification.
9. What are my options regarding brand, range and manufacturer?
Whether it’s cabinets, appliances or benchtops, there are many brand and material options to choose from. Your designer should be able to advise you on the most popular, safest and most reliable brands. They should also guide you through the options, recommending the best ones to suit your needs and budget.
For example, if you never cook and care more about how your kitchen looks, there’d be no point in your designer recommending a top-of-the-range oven with the best technology. Instead, they could suggest you go for an oven with a similar look, but with simpler functionality – and then spend the saving on a striking splashback or better grade of cabinet finish.
Whether it’s cabinets, appliances or benchtops, there are many brand and material options to choose from. Your designer should be able to advise you on the most popular, safest and most reliable brands. They should also guide you through the options, recommending the best ones to suit your needs and budget.
For example, if you never cook and care more about how your kitchen looks, there’d be no point in your designer recommending a top-of-the-range oven with the best technology. Instead, they could suggest you go for an oven with a similar look, but with simpler functionality – and then spend the saving on a striking splashback or better grade of cabinet finish.
10. How do I choose the right style of kitchen for my home?
A kitchen design must work with the rest of your home’s interior. If you want to complement your property’s existing style, let your designer know this so they can work towards this goal.
If your initial meeting with your kitchen designer doesn’t take place in your home, take some photos of it with you so they can get a real feel for it. They can then advise on what styles will or won’t work. For example, if you have an open-plan kitchen and living area, you might want your cabinetry, benchtops and flooring to complement the adjoining space to create a flowing, harmonious feel.
Alternatively, you may want to create a contrast and firmly define the kitchen and living room areas as two separate spaces.
Whatever your end goal, it’s essential you let your designer know, so they can create your ideal kitchen.
A kitchen design must work with the rest of your home’s interior. If you want to complement your property’s existing style, let your designer know this so they can work towards this goal.
If your initial meeting with your kitchen designer doesn’t take place in your home, take some photos of it with you so they can get a real feel for it. They can then advise on what styles will or won’t work. For example, if you have an open-plan kitchen and living area, you might want your cabinetry, benchtops and flooring to complement the adjoining space to create a flowing, harmonious feel.
Alternatively, you may want to create a contrast and firmly define the kitchen and living room areas as two separate spaces.
Whatever your end goal, it’s essential you let your designer know, so they can create your ideal kitchen.
Your turn
What other questions for kitchen designers do you think would be helpful? Share your thoughts in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
For more great insights on kitchens, read up on How Practical Is… Handleless Joinery?
What other questions for kitchen designers do you think would be helpful? Share your thoughts in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
For more great insights on kitchens, read up on How Practical Is… Handleless Joinery?
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You’ll be working with your designer on something very personal, so you need to feel comfortable with them and confident in their ability.
When you first meet them, ask about their qualifications and to see examples of their past designs. If all their work looks similar or has an identical theme, you’ll need to decide if this appeals to you.
Ask what inspires them, to give you a further sense of their taste, passions and personality. You could also inquire about what kind of kitchen they have in their own home. A designer is creating a kitchen for you, not themselves, but it still helps to know what they like, and you might get expert knowledge of what really works.