The Essential Checklist for Your First Meeting with a Kitchen Designer.
Kitchen Design, Home, New Products
Take the stress out of your kitchen renovation and hire a kitchen designer.
Are You Dreaming of a Kitchen Remodel? Let's Make it a Reality!
Imagine: stepping into a kitchen that reflects your unique style, a space that's as functional as it is beautiful, where every detail sparks joy. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a weekend brunch enthusiast, a well-designed kitchen elevates your everyday life. But where do you begin?
Don't worry, I'm here to guide you! As a professional kitchen designer, I've helped countless homeowners transform their kitchens into dream spaces. Today, I'm sharing my secrets to getting started on the right foot.
First things first: take a deep breath and embrace the journey. Designing a kitchen can be exciting, but it also requires careful planning and informed decisions. That's where a kitchen design professional comes in.
Think of your kitchen designer as your design compass. They possess the expertise to navigate the intricate details, from space planning and material selection to navigating the construction process. Investing in a designer is an investment in your peace of mind.
Here's why a pro is your secret weapon:
Expertise: They understand the intricacies of kitchen design, ensuring optimal functionality and aesthetics.
Guidance: They'll help you navigate the vast sea of options, from cabinetry to countertops, appliances to hardware.
Budget Savvy: They'll work within your budget, ensuring you get the most value for your investment.
Stress-Free Process: They'll handle the logistics, saving you time and headaches.
How To Plan For A Kitchen Renovation:
Ready to find your dream kitchen designer? Look for someone who's a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). These credentials signify expertise and commitment to the industry.
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty!
1. Define Your Style: Are you drawn to the timeless elegance of traditional design, the sleek lines of modern minimalism, or the warmth of rustic charm? Flip through magazines, browse Pinterest boards, and create a mood board filled with images that inspire you.
2. Consider Your Needs: How do you use your kitchen? Do you entertain often? Do you have young children or pets? Understanding your lifestyle helps tailor the design to your unique requirements.
3. Set a Budget: Kitchen renovations can range from modest to extravagant. Be realistic about your financial limitations and communicate openly with your designer.
4. Ask Questions! Don't be afraid to inquire about everything, from their design philosophy to their experience with specific materials and contractors.
Remember: your kitchen is an investment in your home and your well-being. Choose a designer who listens to your vision, respects your budget, and guides you towards creating a space that reflects your personality and brings you joy for years to come.
Steven Gambrel the master.
Step 1: Gather Inspiration & Organize Your Ideas:
Mood Boards: Pin your favorite kitchen styles, color palettes, and functional elements on Pinterest or create a physical mood board. Let your imagination run wild!
Kitchen Binder: Dedicate a binder to collect brochures, magazine clippings, and notes on specific materials, appliances, and design ideas. This will be your go-to resource throughout the process. Also, check out my guide - How to Get Organized for your Remodel with my kitchen remodel binder It has 18 pages of templates to help keep you organized with the process:
Start your journey today! Not hiring a kitchen designer? Contact me for a virtual consultation and let's turn your DIY kitchen dreams into a delicious reality - dvd2design@gmail to schedule a virtual consult
or if you are in Fairfield, CT, call and visit me at 203-609-1547 to make an appointment to meet in the showroom. Together, let's create a kitchen that's as beautiful as it is functional.
Here are some Questions to Ask a Kitchen Designer
Working with a kitchen designer on your kitchen renovation is going to be extremely helpful and a good investment for the best possible process and decisions along the way. A kitchen design will set you up to ensure the success of your renovation project. Be prepared to have an honest dialogue with these starting points, and you will ensure a great start to your process.
What To Expect, and What To Ask: Top 10 Questions
How much will this cost?
Discussing the Budget. You need to consider your home’s value and be honest with your answers. A designer is only trying to gauge the right options given your price point.
Creating your “forever” home can typically be an investment of 8% of your home’s value. (Consumer Reports quotes 10% estimate on your home value, but in New England that is a little high)
Sprucing up for resale? (spend no more than 5% of home’s value)
What Is Your Design Style? How do I know my design style?
This is the million-dollar question. Typical categories for style are Traditional, Modern, Contemporary, Transitional, Mediterranean, California Style, New England Shaker, or 18th Century inspired shaker, English Country, or French Country style kitchen. You don’t need to worry about what the details and defining differences are between each of these styles. Most kitchens today are a slight blend of styles. Look to your architecture and the guidance of your designer to find the right style for you.
A designer will always ask, “Do you have a few images of what you like to share with me?” Whether on Pinterest, a few magazine pages you love, or a design book, your style is best defined with images. I like to listen to them prepare a mood board with images showing details I think will work well with the location and style of living my client would prefer. The kitchens I am showing here throughout this post are often on my mood boards when working with clients. All styles are beautiful when executed intelligently.
I also suggest you set up a pinterest account if you don’t have one already. Pinterest is a great digital filing cabinet, and the #2 search engine on the World Wide Web. It is full of kitchens from designers, magazines, and more. I’ve curated my inspirations here: dvd Interior Design: Kitchen and Bath Board
Your designer needs to be asking you lots of questions, do you entertain? How is the new kitchen or bath to be used? How many children, how many pets? etc.
Depending on your answer, certain materials and configurations will be based on your answer. Also, consider how often you use your kitchen, Infrequently, Day in and day out, or Multiple users.
These questions will define the overall priorities and best finishes for your kitchen.
Ask your designer, what Appliances are the latest introductions that you think I should consider.
You will be deciding on your appliances while shopping at the appliance store, but your designer should also have some insight into this industry since they work in it for their business and they should be abreast of the latest trends. Especially now as we are having a kitchen revolution in 2020. What we cook with, how we use it, aging-in-place features, new lighting features, and energy efficiency, the evolution away from Gas ranges to electric and induction. ( yes some buildings in NYC are banning gas cooking appliances, and favoring electricity!) These issues and so much more are changing the way we live our lives in our kitchens.
As a designer, I like to shop with my clients to make sure they are receiving clear and valuable information, not just being sold the highest commissioned item ( yes the appliance shop pays commissions on certain items over others)
Buying new ones? If so, then have they been selected? Knowing your overall budget for everything is important before you buy your appliances. All projects have creep-in costs from when you first start, so it’s important to have quotes from many aspects before you start. This way you can make adjustments for items that really matter to you.
An experienced and knowledgeable kitchen designer should know all about the latest in kitchen product introductions and improvements in cooking appliances. You can ask if they attend KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. This is a true indicator of a real trained designer versus a cabinet salesperson. A designer is interested in the kitchen space and all the current and updated elements for creating the best possible home.
How do you suggest my kitchen or bath relate to adjacent spaces?
Is the kitchen part of a great room
Is it walled off from the living room and formal dining space? How to best design a layout that optimizes the feeling of space and light!
Adjacent to the family room or breakfast nook? Can you combine spaces
Is the bathroom in public areas of the home
Be prepared to offer more information about your project. Such as…
Do you have any Construction restraints that we need to plan around?
Who will be the Decision-makers on this project?
Interior designer, Architect, Other key people
What elements are you wanting to incorporate into this room?
The success of any kitchen design is its seeming simplicity. On closer inspection, you will notice a complexity of design that seamlessly pulls together design trends from different eras. Styles such as Industrial style glazing, popular in the ’70s and very of the moment now, sometimes combined with a turn of the century style metro tiles and currently on-trend,
0r the most popular for 2020 and beyond, the 18th-century Shaker-inspired cabinetry. We often reinterpret the shaker door to a more elegant detailing, combining functions that delight the eye with the same level of aesthetic. The result is a warm elegant space perfect for modern family living.
How To Find A Kitchen Designer
Choose a certified/licensed interior kitchen designer. A certified NKBA kitchen designer will have met standards set by the National Kitchen and Bath Association including:
7 years of experience designing kitchens
Skills in design and space planning
Ability to assess the needs of customers to design a plan to meet their objectives
Knowledge of construction, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical
knowledge of the latest trends and appliances, the introduction of Smart Technology, and sustainable products.
Ready to take the next step?
If in Fairfield, CT, Contact me for a complimentary consultation, and let's unlock the potential of your dream kitchen!
Call me for a full service, design, manufacturer, and delivery for your luxury kitchen, one that reflects your personality. 203-609-1547 or email me at [email protected] to learn more
P.S. Don't forget to follow my blog and social media for more design inspiration and expert tips!
Dreaming of Joseph Dirard
via Hudson Valley Lighting
Two-toned with wood and painted finish. We will see more of this in 2023 -2024. The use of wood is returning.
A Trusted Kitchen Designer Can Help Through Every Step of the Process! Helpful Insights from the best layouts, and integrating your appliances into the kitchen, to Knowing and helping you with What to Expect During Your Remodel!
Michael Smith Interiors: The Master
Questions to Ask Before You Begin. How many people use the kitchen? How often do you cook or entertain? Will you need space for dining? What are your must-haves? Where will your work triangle fit in? How can you maximize storage space? Are you using every bit of space?
Barlow and Barlow
Barlow & Barlow
I hope you found this list helpful and feel that you are better prepared for this first step in your renovation.
P.S. Are you following DVD INTERIOR DESIGN on the LikeToKnow.it app yet? If not, this is an easy way to shop all of our favorite finds, including additional app-exclusive content just for subscribers! Just sign up on your phone and you can get started right away!
Do you want to be organized for your kitchen renovation? Then you may need our “Kitchen Remodel Checklist”.
This in-depth, one-of-a-kind kitchen remodeling organizer and reference guide has been crafted to make it easy to prepare for your project, and get organized, no matter what path you choose, DIY or with a team.
This 18-page binder is my gift to my clients and you, the remodeler.
If you're new to renovation or remodeling homes, and you are serious about being organized through the process, then this kitchen remodeling organizer and reference guide is an absolute MUST-HAVE.
Includes 1 PDF printable file * 18 pages of letter size printables of checklists, scheduling, and budget tracking.
( to learn more about how to use this guide, click here: Kitchen Remodel Project Guide )
Kitchen via DEVOL: Click here to learn more about Color Trends and Benjamin Moore’s Color Of The Years: October Mist.
KITCHEN ISLANDS + LIGHTING
An island that I recommend most often, is something that looks more like furniture than a block in the middle of the room? These are perfect for increasing your workspace in a small kitchen.
Here are some of our favorites:
POPULAR ARTICLES
ABOUT:
Deborah von Donop Wants to Design a ‘Better Life’ for You — at Home
The New Yorker is known for creating warm, livable spaces where no detail is overlooked.
Deborah brings a passion for classical design and training from 20+ years in the design industry to every project and client. Inspired by the intimacy of fine residential design, Deborah appreciates the way sophisticated , nuanced design can transform a space. She values the aesthetics of functional design.
Thank you again for every email, text, note, Facebook message, Instagram comment, all of it. You are the reason I love what I do so much. I am thankful and consider it a privilege to be a small part of your life.
Peace be with you,
xoxo
Deborah
The Essential Check List for Your First Meeting with a Kitchen Designer.
Favorite Pin!
Hands down,most favorite kitchen this year! M+M Interior Design in Illinois
Athena of Eye Swoon
Influencers and Author: Athena - Eye Swoon, Brooklyn, NY.
Relaxed elegance, perfect for bachelor/bachelorette, new family, or someone downsizing.
Designer: Matthew Quinn
Renowned kitchen and bath designer Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio had no reservations about crafting a regal space with modern amenities while paying homage to the architecture of the home. I love the floor-to-ceiling Dutch inset cabinetry painted Light Blue by Farrow & Ball. The hammered brass hood and hardware, as well as the Calacatta Gold Extra marble island, offering warmth and heritage to the 21st-century space.
Tip: “Everyone responds to blue with marble and brass,” says Quinn. “It’s comfortable, and you can imagine yourself in space. While it feels modern with innovative ideas, it still feels warm and timeless.”
The Essential Checklist for Your First Meeting with a Kitchen Designer.
5 Design Secrets For Creating A Beautiful Home. I’m extremely determined to create an Interior Designer out of my readers and hopefully, it will be you. So when you get a chance make sure you check it out.
PS: Don’t forget to check out my Interior Design Shopping Guides in the Shop, I highlight the most up-to-date shopping resources for your home at great prices.
