Designer Kitchens

Designer kitchens need to be incredibly functional but they should also be beautiful and distinctive. For this reason bespoke elements like burnished wire mesh cupboard doors are increasingly popular. They can be teamed with diamond-cut brass handles to add an elegant, contemporary twist to industrial style. Adding a few free-standing elements like this can break up a kitchen design and create interesting vignettes. They can also allow room for a personal touch, such as displaying an inherited collection of pottery.

A professional kitchen designer will be up to speed on trends but will also consider your lifestyle and the unique layout of your home. They will take measurements of your space and create a sample using computer software that can be modified until you are happy with the result. This will be a good indication of how well the designer listens and can understand your ideas.

It’s a good idea to interview multiple designers before hiring one. Ask for references and a portfolio of past work to see their style and project range. Look for certifications with the National Kitchen and Bath Association, which requires at least 17 years of experience to become a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD). Affiliations with other professional organizations can also be a clue to their level of expertise.

A reputable kitchen designer will be able to explain their fee structure and the services they offer. Some designer firms include design fees with the purchase of a product, such as cabinetry, while others will charge separately for each service they provide.