Kitchen Renovation: Do You Need a Designer or an Architect?
What's the difference between an architect, a kitchen designer or a designer at a kitchen manufacturer? We reveal all
Designing a stylish and functional kitchen takes skill. Fortunately, there are experts you can call on to lend a hand. We canvas the differences between professionals who can help you.
Natural materials and steel – a mix of earthy and industrial – work well in this petite architecturally designed kitchen in the USA
I want to renovate my kitchen. Should I hire a kitchen design firm or an architect?
Most kitchen designers are specialists in their field; they’re across the latest product knowledge and design innovations, and they understand the concept of a functional kitchen layout.
Kitchen designer Anne Ellard from Kitchens by Kathie says choosing a kitchen designer with interior design experience gives homeowners the complete package. “We help clients to achieve that balance between the aesthetics and the functionality of the space,” she says.
Kitchen designers’ qualifications are varied. Among the options are many online courses and a Certificate IV in Kitchens and Bathrooms, which takes 14 months to complete and is a national accreditation. Many kitchen designers are also qualified interior designers.
Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
I want to renovate my kitchen. Should I hire a kitchen design firm or an architect?
Most kitchen designers are specialists in their field; they’re across the latest product knowledge and design innovations, and they understand the concept of a functional kitchen layout.
Kitchen designer Anne Ellard from Kitchens by Kathie says choosing a kitchen designer with interior design experience gives homeowners the complete package. “We help clients to achieve that balance between the aesthetics and the functionality of the space,” she says.
Kitchen designers’ qualifications are varied. Among the options are many online courses and a Certificate IV in Kitchens and Bathrooms, which takes 14 months to complete and is a national accreditation. Many kitchen designers are also qualified interior designers.
Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Clerestory windows invite the light inside this architecturally designed timber kitchen in Brisbane, Queensland
An architect’s area of expertise is generally looking at the bigger picture – the art and science of building design. Architects, who study at university for five years, can visualise how the kitchen space integrates with the overall home. If you have an open-plan kitchen and are planning on renovating other rooms in the near future, it may pay to organise an initial consultation with an architect.
An architect’s area of expertise is generally looking at the bigger picture – the art and science of building design. Architects, who study at university for five years, can visualise how the kitchen space integrates with the overall home. If you have an open-plan kitchen and are planning on renovating other rooms in the near future, it may pay to organise an initial consultation with an architect.
This white-on-white beach-style butler’s pantry kitchen in Sydney, NSW, is by a kitchen designer and features open shelving
But, even for a one-off kitchen renovation, Scott Weston, from Scott Weston Architecture Design says getting an architect onboard is a good idea. “We can go with the existing layout, or turn things on their head and reinvent them,” he says. “An architect’s designs aren’t cookie cutter; they’re not guided by companies that may have a self-interest in selling a particular product.”
Weston says an architecturally designed kitchen, with full service from concept to completion, may cost upwards of $7,500 for the plan only, and does not include the build.
3 Great Small Kitchens… and How They Did It
But, even for a one-off kitchen renovation, Scott Weston, from Scott Weston Architecture Design says getting an architect onboard is a good idea. “We can go with the existing layout, or turn things on their head and reinvent them,” he says. “An architect’s designs aren’t cookie cutter; they’re not guided by companies that may have a self-interest in selling a particular product.”
Weston says an architecturally designed kitchen, with full service from concept to completion, may cost upwards of $7,500 for the plan only, and does not include the build.
3 Great Small Kitchens… and How They Did It
This modern Melbourne, Victoria, kitchen by a kitchen designer has contemporary black pendant lighting and grey cabinetry
Some kitchen designers are employed by, and available to renovators, through affiliations with kitchen manufacturing companies. Kitchen manufacturing companies usually stock the latest materials, finishes, layout ideas and colour palettes, but you are limited to what’s offered by that company.
The client is often charged a modest fee to access the designer (this usually starts from $150), which is part of the cost of the kitchen if you go ahead with it. It’s usually a design-only service and does not include the build.
Some kitchen designers are employed by, and available to renovators, through affiliations with kitchen manufacturing companies. Kitchen manufacturing companies usually stock the latest materials, finishes, layout ideas and colour palettes, but you are limited to what’s offered by that company.
The client is often charged a modest fee to access the designer (this usually starts from $150), which is part of the cost of the kitchen if you go ahead with it. It’s usually a design-only service and does not include the build.
This architecturally designed Perth, WA, kitchen includes white benchtops, bi-fold windows and a servery for indoor-outdoor living
There are also kitchen designers who work independently, and many offer a full service. Jo-Anne Balchin, from Key Piece says a kitchen designer’s job is not only to tick the boxes in the client’s brief, but to create a bespoke kitchen that pushes the boundaries of what a client believes is possible.
“It’s often those little unique idiosyncrasies in our final design that our clients love the most,” she says. “We spend several hours and take a thorough brief, do a full set of working drawings, with all the specs, and everything’s documented – so anyone can quote the job.”
Balchin says full service for an independent kitchen designer may cost from $3,000 to $4,000.
Renovation Education: The Costs Per Item of a Classic Kitchen
There are also kitchen designers who work independently, and many offer a full service. Jo-Anne Balchin, from Key Piece says a kitchen designer’s job is not only to tick the boxes in the client’s brief, but to create a bespoke kitchen that pushes the boundaries of what a client believes is possible.
“It’s often those little unique idiosyncrasies in our final design that our clients love the most,” she says. “We spend several hours and take a thorough brief, do a full set of working drawings, with all the specs, and everything’s documented – so anyone can quote the job.”
Balchin says full service for an independent kitchen designer may cost from $3,000 to $4,000.
Renovation Education: The Costs Per Item of a Classic Kitchen
This industrial-style Melbourne kitchen by an architect features brass, copper, black cabinetry and mosaic splashback tiles
Regardless of whether you choose a kitchen designer or an architect, don’t opt out and go it alone. Ellard says that as well as providing practical design solutions and a stress-free renovation experience, a good designer will help clients avoid costly mistakes. “For example, a client might not realise a two-pack polyurethane finish may not be the best option for young kids: it will chip if it gets hard enough knocks,” she says.
Your turn
Which professional would you use for your kitchen renovation? Let us know in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more kitchen inspiration? Read up on 7 Design Ideas to Ace Your Kitchen Island Storage
Regardless of whether you choose a kitchen designer or an architect, don’t opt out and go it alone. Ellard says that as well as providing practical design solutions and a stress-free renovation experience, a good designer will help clients avoid costly mistakes. “For example, a client might not realise a two-pack polyurethane finish may not be the best option for young kids: it will chip if it gets hard enough knocks,” she says.
Your turn
Which professional would you use for your kitchen renovation? Let us know in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more kitchen inspiration? Read up on 7 Design Ideas to Ace Your Kitchen Island Storage
The kitchen is the hub of a family home. It’s where we grab brekkie on the go, connect with friends over a cuppa or Friday night pizza, and it’s where kids sprawl over benchtops doing homework. When renovating, there’s a vast array of potential designs and inclusions to consider. Calling in design professionals will help. But who do you choose?