Choose a kitchen designer

Kitchen designers can help you get the most out of your home renovation, but which one should you choose? Talking with an expert may just save you the hassle of choosing the wrong designer for your home.

Q. What should someone look for when choosing a kitchen designer?

A. It's a good idea to hear testimonials from clients, see previous jobs and visit a showroom. As well as looking for someone who can provide creative design for your kitchen space, you need someone who's qualified so it's a good idea to check their credentials: is the business licensed to carry out the work, is the licence current, are they a member of a reputable association and are all the proper insurances in place?

Q. What's the one thing worth splashing out on in a kitchen design?

A. When designing kitchens, there are two areas to spend on - the benchtop and the cupboard doors. But it does depend on a few things: what sort of design you're trying to achieve, how big the kitchen will be and what sort of layout will work best. It really needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Q. What are your tips for creating a new kitchen on a renovation budget?

A. Designing a kitchen on a budget is easy if you use cost-effective materials, stick to an uncomplicated and straightforward design, and keep accessories and optional extras to a bare minimum.

Q. What makes a kitchen functional?

A. Having great storage and a good working triangle. The functionality requirements of each kitchen varies depending on the client, but generally speaking it's important to have all the required storage in practical places and to have a good work flow so that operating your kitchen is a pleasure.

Q. What's best - kitchen cupboards or drawers?

A. Generally I think full-extension drawers make a better storage solution. They allow you to access the maximum storage space, some of which would probably go un-used in a cupboard, and because of the drawer accessories available today, you can neatly stack and store items on top of each other.

Q. What does it take to be a kitchen designer?

A. Designers need to be able to visualise the kitchen to ensure it's functional while also trying to be innovative. For creative designs in the kitchen arena, they also need to understand the construction process to make sure that the kitchen they're designing can be built. Most of all, when designing your kitchen, they need to listen to you and work within your guidelines.

Contact a kitchen designer in your area and make your kitchen dreams come to life: