Who this guide is for
- Homeowners wanting a designed kitchen
- People who want an efficient, attractive layout
- Anyone coordinating cabinetry, appliances and finishes
- Owners comparing interior designers for a kitchen
Judge kitchen layout skill
A kitchen layout has to make cooking, storing and moving easy while looking good. Ask how the designer approaches the working layout and look at kitchens they have designed.
An efficient layout is the foundation of a good kitchen.
- Ask how they approach the working layout
- View kitchens they have designed
- Discuss workflow and storage
- Balance looks and function
Assess fittings and finishes
Cabinetry, worktops, appliances, lighting and hardware all have to work together and stand up to heavy use. Ask how the designer selects and combines fittings for looks and durability.
Good selection balances style and how the kitchen is used.
- Ask how fittings are chosen
- Discuss durability under heavy use
- Confirm a coherent palette
- Balance style and practicality
Understand supplier coordination
Kitchens often pull together several suppliers — cabinetry, worktops, appliances. Ask how the designer coordinates these so everything fits and arrives in order.
Coordination is a big part of a kitchen designer's value.
Clarify role versus the trades
A designer specifies and coordinates; the kitchen is built by fitters and trades. Be clear what the designer delivers and how they work with the fitter, plumber and electrician.
Keep regulated work with qualified trades.
- Clarify what the designer delivers
- Confirm coordination with the trades
- Keep regulated work with qualified trades
- Discuss procurement and oversight
Brief and compare clearly
Give each designer the same brief and inspiration so proposals compare. Ask about kitchens like yours and confirm fees in words.
Keep plumbing, electrics and gas with qualified trades.
Hiring checklist
- 1Define your kitchen goals and style
- 2Gather inspiration, appliances and constraints
- 3Ask how they approach the working layout
- 4View kitchens they have designed
- 5Ask how fittings and finishes are chosen
- 6Discuss durability under heavy use
- 7Ask how suppliers are coordinated
- 8Clarify what the designer delivers
- 9Give each designer the same brief
- 10Confirm fees in words and relevant experience
Common mistakes to avoid
- Hiring a generalist with no kitchen-specific experience
- Focusing on looks without an efficient layout
- Underestimating the supplier coordination involved
- Confusing what the designer delivers versus the trades
- Comparing proposals that are not like for like
- Assuming the designer handles regulated trade work
When to involve a professional
- Keep plumbing, electrical and gas work with qualified trades
- Confirm how the designer coordinates with the build trades and suppliers
- Ask to see comparable kitchen designs
- Confirm relevant experience and fees in words
- Remember kitchen and trade requirements vary by location and project
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
What does a kitchen designer do?
They balance an efficient layout, durable fittings and a coherent look, often coordinating cabinetry, worktops and appliance suppliers. They specify and coordinate, while the kitchen is built by qualified fitters and trades.
How do I judge layout skill?
A kitchen layout has to make cooking, storing and moving easy while looking good, so ask how the designer approaches the working layout and view kitchens they have designed. An efficient layout is the foundation.
Why does supplier coordination matter?
Kitchens often pull together several suppliers, and coordinating them so everything fits and arrives in order is a big part of a designer's value. Ask how the designer manages this across cabinetry, worktops and appliances.
Who does the actual fitting?
A designer specifies and coordinates, while the fitter, plumber and electrician build the kitchen. Keep regulated plumbing, electrical and gas work with qualified trades, and remember requirements vary by location and project.
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