Why Hire a Kitchen Designer?

What are the responsibilities of a kitchen designer? Where do they begin? Are there certain guidelines certified designers must follow? How active are they in project management? These are all great questions asked by potential remodeling clients, and ones that Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, a Colorado design publication, posed to three kitchen designers.

The designers share why they enjoy kitchen design, a handful of what-not-to-do’s (Spoiler: Don’t plan a party the week after your project is scheduled to be complete!) and why who you hire makes all the difference. Check out “Why Hire a Kitchen Designer” for more.

Confessions of a Kitchen Designer

Redesigning your kitchen often comes with a laundry list of questions, both on the part of the client and the designer. Some of the client’s biggest concerns though, reveals Christopher Peacock in “Confessions of a Kitchen Designer,” in House Beautiful, include:

How long will remodeling my kitchen take?
“A minimum of six months. More likely nine months.”

Which areas should we devote the most resources (read: money) to?
“60% for cabinetry, 25% for appliances, and 15% for countertops.”

What are some common mistakes people make?
“Too big. Too grand. Too much stuff. Thinking an island can’t be too big — wrong! Anything bigger than eight-by-four feet is unnecessary. Wanting too much counter space. You don’t need more than four feet.”

For more of Peacock’s secrets, including what not to do (hint: any estimate that seems too good to be true, probably is) and what materials to use to increase the resale value of your home, check out the article in House Beautiful.