Kitchen Designer: How Do I Choose the Right Kitchen Designer?

By H&H Cabinets Kitchen Renovation 0 Comments

If you are a homeowner staring down the barrel of a new build or renovation, you know two things for certain; you want your new kitchen to look great, and you want an improvement on the old one by a kitchen designer. But, with so many kitchen styles on offer, how are you meant to have the knowledge to design, build and install the right one?

The short answer is, you’re not. That’s why expert kitchen designers exist. However, choosing the right kitchen designer in Melbourne can be tricky, especially when there are so many options. You’ll need to do a bit of research to make sure you find the best option as design mistakes are costly, and you don’t want to go to the trouble of a revamp only to be unhappy when it is finished.

To help, the kitchen designers at H&H Cabinets have detailed some tips to consider when choosing a kitchen renovation expert to ensure you love the results.

Tips in Finding Kitchen Designers in Melbourne

Tip #1: Assess the provider’s design ability and creativity

Design skills are definitely improved with experience, so a great way to tell the level of a designer’s ability is by seeing how long they have been designing for. With an extensive portfolio of kitchen renovations under the belt, you’ll know they are well-positioned to handle any issues or spanners that may be thrown in the works. Always ask to see examples of their work!

See if they can show you 3-D visuals and various conceptual designs of the work, but also make sure they have a plan for implementing the practical requirements of kitchen life as well. Remember, good design isn’t just about looks; it’s also about function.

Tip #2: Understand the designer’s technical knowledge

A kitchen designer should understand architectural drafting and construction with a decent amount of experience in both. Up-to-date knowledge of building and industry trends is vital to ensure that you get a state-of-the-art kitchen design.

When refreshing a look with a kitchen renovation, you’ll likely want a modern aesthetic that is also timeless to ensure you get a good return on your investment. To achieve this, your designer needs to understand the latest trends and how they will work in your space.

Tip #3: Details of their product knowledge

The right kitchen design is heavily reliant on the right products and appliances. This also requires knowledge and skill, and the best kitchen designer for the job is the one that will know high-quality cabinet makers and appliance firms.

As a bonus, someone with good industry connections can usually ensure you get the best available prices on your chosen goods.

Tip #4: Assessing their experience

As we touched on above, the experience of your kitchen designer is essential, especially when you are committing to them with a big financial investment. Choosing a designer with experience goes beyond merely seeing examples of their work. See if you can find reviews or case studies from other clients who have worked with the designer. There is no better way to assess what someone is like to work with than reading the comments of those who already have.

Tip #5: Do they have the ability to understand your needs?

On large projects like a kitchen renovation, good communication is vital. It is important that you are clear about the aspects of kitchen design you want, and it’s even more important that your chosen designer understands you.

The best kitchen designers give advice and support, working with you to achieve a kitchen design you adore. They listen to all of your ideas and provide realistic solutions for your concerns. A great kitchen designer considers your living space, lifestyle, cooking style and any other relevant needs when creating your new space. As the client, you set the terms!

Tip #6: Ensuring their return communication skills

Communication is a two-way street, so as important as your kitchen designer understanding you is; it’s just as important that they can communicate clearly with you, as well as building contractors, electricians, plumbers and any other relevant professionals. This is vital to ensure your job is done on time and within budget.

Tip #7: Ask your friends

As we mentioned above, speaking to, or hearing from, those who have already worked with the designer is great, but it’s even better if you know and trust what these people say. Therefore, speaking to friends or family to see if they have a designer recommendation is a good place to start, especially if you have seen and love their kitchens!

Tip #8: Ask to see any qualifications and credentials

While you really can’t get a better idea than a portfolio of previous work when it comes to a designer, you’ll also want to check that your chosen kitchen designer has the qualifications and credentials they need (or, more importantly, claim to have).

A designer needs to have an eye for great design, but they require formal training in construction, plumbing and electrical elements as well. Finally, for safety, you need to ensure that your plans and build adhere to any legal requirements and professional codes of conduct.

Choosing the right kitchen designer in Melbourne

With many years of experience in kitchen design and creation, the team at H&H Cabinets proudly tick all of the required boxes listed above. We have a stunning portfolio of work and a team of highly trained experts who will work with you to achieve the kitchen of your dreams.

Take the first step and contact us today to begin the discussion about your new kitchen. We are confident that you will quickly realise you are dealing with a knowledgeable and professional team who can bring all of your kitchen desires to life.