Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer

What’s good to know before you start your research?

Graeme Metcalf, a multi-disciplinary designer at Dan Kitchens Australia, says:

There are many different types of kitchen designers. Some are independent, who work for themselves and provide the plans for a fee. Most are affiliated with a kitchen manufacturer and, within this cohort, most are paid a commission upon signing you up to buying a kitchen – this is called a commission-paid designer. There are also a few kitchen companies that don’t pay a commission to their designers.

Gemma Haddock, a designer at Collaroy Kitchen Centre, says:

Houzz and Google are a great starting point. From there, you can filter companies to suit your style, needs and budget based on portfolios and reviews. Reading reviews and comments about the company’s designers will give people a good idea of what to expect.

Is this the year of your dream kitchen? Browse kitchen designers near you on Houzz, see images of their work and read reviews from previous clients

Glenda Roff, a designer at Character Group, says:

The Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute of Australia (KBDi) website is a good place to start. You can use their ‘Find a Designer’ tab to read about designers and see examples of their work. You can narrow down the selection by choosing which state and area you are located in. Information on each designer will usually include their qualifications, specialty areas, services offered, and a link to the website of their company.

Reviews on Houzz are also helpful to get an insight into their relationships with their clients.

How important is it to look at examples of a designer’s previous work?

Haddock says:
Very important. This is essentially a designer’s portfolio and typically their best work.

But it’s hard to judge a designer solely on their previous work. As a designer, my result will always come down to the decisions of the client. I can only give my professional and experienced advice and guidance on finishes and design, but ultimately it’s the client who makes the final decision.

Finding a kitchen supplier with experienced designers who are passionate and will listen to clients’ needs will essentially provide the best results.

Roff says:
Perusing photos of a designer’s work can give you lots of information. There is a lot to be said for working with a designer who ‘gets’ you, so if you like a designer’s work, even if it is not exactly what you are after for this project, that is an excellent starting point.

Having said that, you may not see anything you personally like, but there is other information you can glean from photos that may mean it doesn’t matter.

For example, have they completed projects in a range of styles that may indicate they are responding individually to the architecture and their clients’ styles? Can you see things you haven’t seen before, which would show they are widely read and up-to-date with new materials, technology and trends? Are there any quirky elements that suggest they listened and observed their client carefully and responded with a bespoke design that fitted the client and space perfectly?

Browse more images of incredible kitchens by Australian designers

Metcalf says:
Most new clients come to me and my colleagues because they’ve seen something we’ve designed and want something similar, but tailored to their distinct needs, desires and aesthetics. These projects run the smoothest and deliver the best outcomes for the homeowner.

So, from the client’s perspective, seeing what a professional has designed in the past is critical and liking what they have done is more so. Not all designers are gifted at all kitchen styles and some choose to excel in only one style.

Is it important that they’re part of a recognised kitchen association?

Metcalf says:
It helps to know that a particular designer has met the requirements of a recognised association (usually a design qualification or industry experience), is committed to industry learning through that association and upholds the trade practices of that association.

I’d also take it a step further and find out what design qualifications they have and how long they’ve been working in the industry.

What are the main questions to ask at the initial consultation?

Metcalf says:

• What are the fees associated with getting my kitchen designed?
• If it’s a free design service, do I get to keep the plans?
• Which plans, drawings and details are provided as part of your design service?

During the first in-home consultation and measure, expect the designer to ask many questions about your needs and desires for the new kitchen, the appliances you’re after, your family size, how you cook and entertain. They are trying to work out the scope of the project, often called the design brief. Apart from asking questions, the designer should also be very attentive to your answers.

Is it important to find out how their schedule is looking?
Metcalf says:

Yes! But a good kitchen designer will tell you how busy they are, because expectations must be managed. In-demand designers may take a few weeks to do the first in-home consultation and measure with you, and a couple of weeks after that to present their design to you. In terms of how Dan Kitchens Australia works, once we have had the first consultation, we endeavour to present the kitchen design within two weeks.

Roff says:
Even if you are fairly flexible with your timing for the project, it is always good to know whether this is going to be a one-month, three-month or 12-month project. Some designers have a list of clients just waiting to start the process.

Haddock says:
Absolutely. Although a busy designer can often imply a great designer, it will ensure the client’s needs are met if they are working to a particular schedule.

Are there any upfront costs you should be aware of?

Roff says:
All designers need to be paid in some way. How much, and whether this is a direct up-front fee or through broader billing for production will depend on the designer.

At Character Group, we charge AU$385 for one room, and AU$55 for every additional room. This fee includes meeting with the clients, a full set of drawings including 3D renderings, and pricing for the cabinets and stone. Copyright of drawings remains with Character Group.

Haddock says:
This varies across the industry. Some companies offer a complimentary design service while others or independent designers will charge varying costs. Personally, the cost has no reflection on the quality or experience of the service provided.

Metcalf says:
If you approach a kitchen designer working for a kitchen company, most do not charge up-front for design as this designer is usually commission-paid (they get a commission from their employer for every job they sell).

Niche kitchen companies or independent kitchen designers will charge a fee for design. They do so because they take on more challenging projects, spend more time on design, provide revisions to the design and deliver greater detail in the design. From my experience, design-service fees within Australia are anywhere from AU$500 up to AU$10,000.

What if a designer creates mood boards, 3D drawings or early concept drawings before you hire them?

Metcalf says:
The expectation now is that most designers, whether through a ‘free’ measure and quote service or through a paid design service, will at a minimum provide a floor plan and 3D drawings of the kitchen design.

The quality of the design work and of what you receive can be vastly different. It’s best to ask the kitchen designer what you will get through their design service, paid or otherwise.

What else is good to know?

Haddock says:
When engaging a kitchen designer or a kitchen supplier, it’s so important to ensure that everything has been considered, from the kitchen sink and the coffee machine to the baking trays and everything in between.

In order for a kitchen to be functional to its user, it’s crucial that the designer understands the cooking styles, the appliances that are regularly used and how the overall space is utilised.

Are the users big entertainers, are they big bakers, do they have children involved with the cooking or seating to be accommodated? Do they have cats and dogs that require space, wine fridges to be included, or are there certain height restrictions to be aware of? If a designer isn’t asking these questions, then it’s unlikely the design is going to be tailored to the user.

Metcalf says:
Be wary of designers offering to design and price your kitchen on the spot during the first consultation. Good design takes time, not two or three hours during a first consultation.

Roff says:
Don’t be afraid to show a designer your inspiration pictures out of fear this will stifle their creativity. Your personality, lifestyle and space, as well as any challenges of the design, will feed into the process, and in good hands this will result in an amazing kitchen.