What To Know Before Working With A Kitchen Designer

Have you seen some of the top design trends for the year, looked around your kitchen, and realized it isn’t working for you any longer? Perhaps you’ve run out of storage space, or maybe it’s time for a total upgrade? Whatever the case, you’re ready to redesign your kitchen and create a room you’ll love!

Have you considered working with a kitchen designer to make your dream kitchen a reality?

If you have, there are a few things you need to know before you begin. Learn what to expect working with a professional kitchen designer and how you can make the process smoother by being prepared.

Advantages Of Working With A Kitchen Designer

There are many elements to kitchen design, so having a professional on your side to walk you through the steps can make your dream a reality. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to get the most from your remodel.

What are the advantages of collaborating with a designer?

While there are some projects homeowners can handle on their own, such as a quick cosmetic upgrade, an entire redesign is a huge undertaking. From the layout of the kitchen, and selection of cabinet styles and hardware, to the placement of the appliances, there is a lot to consider.

Working with a kitchen designer takes the stress off you. Many homeowners underestimate how much time and work goes into a remodel or renovation. Plus, professionals already have connections with suppliers and contractors.

Whether you want a more efficient small kitchen design or you need kitchen design ideas to upgrade the look of your home, a professional designer can help. That said, there are ways you can help them along by preparing certain information beforehand and coming in with the right expectations.

Let’s take a look at what Von Tobel’s kitchen designers want you to know and then go over the ways you can best work together.

What to Know Before Working With a Kitchen Designer

The in-house kitchen designers at Von Tobel reveal everything they want homeowners to know about working with a professional designer. See how they weighed in so you can make the most of your renovation or remodel with this Q&A section.

Q: What do you wish homeowners knew about working with a kitchen designer?

Designer A: The more direct information they can give us upfront, the more time they’ll save everyone. What do you like? What do you not like?

Sometimes people worry about hurt feelings if we suggest something they don’t like. But, at the end of the day, it’s their home. So it has to function for them! We can give endless ideas, but our ideas are only as good as the feedback we get from them.

Designer B: Von Tobel employees care about their work. This isn’t just a job, it’s a career, and we put more heart and soul into a customer’s projects more than they know.

Q: What information should homeowners have organized and ready before meeting with you?

Designer A: Measurements! All perimeter wall measurements, including corner to trim and trim to trim around windows and doors. Ceiling height measurements, plumbing and gas centers, and outlet placement. Also, always take photos and bring them with you to the appointment.

Designer B: Appliance specifications are important information because they dictate a lot of design details.

Q: What’s your number #1 kitchen design tip?

Designer A: Throughout a remodel, expect hiccups and things not to go quite as planned. Whether it’s product arrival during the current shipping climate, scheduling conflicts with tradespersons, an installation or product issue—you name it! If a client’s expectation early on is that things may not go exactly as planned, it lessens the anxiety of the project as a whole for everyone involved. Life isn’t perfect; remodels certainly aren’t either!

Designer B: Create a space that you will love and use. Don’t do a project for anyone else but you and your family.

Know What You Want

Take a moment to look at your current kitchen.

• What works and what doesn’t in this room? For example, maybe you need more cabinet space or a different layout.
• Make a list of your current frustrations and what you’re looking for in the new design.
• Next, take a look at some kitchen designs that you like. What types of countertops catch your eye? What kinds of finishes do you like on the fixtures?

You don’t need to know every element of the design you want. However, when it comes to working with your kitchen designer, you can save time by telling them what you like (or don’t like) upfront.

Don’t be afraid to give your designer feedback. The more information you give them, the easier it is to create the kitchen you want.

Set Your Budget

The amount spent on home improvements increased by over 3% in 2020. That’s almost $420 billion on home repairs and improvements.

It’s important to set and stick to a budget to avoid overspending. Be honest about your budget when talking to your kitchen designer.

Your designer will consider your budget when choosing the best material, flooring, cabinets and other important aspects of creating a stunning and efficient kitchen space.

It’s also important to expect the unexpected as much as possible. It’s likely you’ll experience at least a few hiccups, from delays to scheduling conflicts. Having a contingency budget to cover unexpected costs is always a good idea.

Before meeting with your designer, you should have some basic measurements on-hand. Take perimeter wall measurements, from corner to trim and trim to trim around all windows and doors.
Know the ceiling height, the location of the plumbing and gas, appliance specs, and the location of all outlets.

Take plenty of photos of the area and bring them with you. This will give your designer a better idea of the room and help them with the design process.

The more information you have, the less likely you’ll encounter early setbacks and hiccups. If you’re not sure what information you need before meeting with your designer, send the company a quick message to ask or check their website for information.

Before meeting with your kitchen designer, make sure you have the above information prepared. The more you know about what you want and what you dislike, the easier the design process will be. Bring measurements, photos, and any other pertinent information with you.
Remember, this is your home, and this project should be for you and your family. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and offer feedback.

Are you ready to start working with one of Von Tobel’s kitchen designers? Schedule a free consultation today.