CAD drawing,kitchen design ideas,before and after

Why you should hire a Kitchen and Bath Designer

Benefits Of Hiring A Kitchen & Bath Designer

Many consumers can feel overwhelmed by the daunting task of remodeling a major portion of their home.  The average homeowner is not a naturally skilled handyman, especially with built in cabinets, so construction knowledge may be limited and can seem like a lot to learn.  That is why it is very important to have the right people with the correct knowledge and skill set to assist with your project.  Want to view photos from this entire project? 

If you’ve never done a renovation, when you begin the process of planning a kitchen and bath remodel, it is easy to be inundated by the sheer number of design options (inset, overlay, full overlay), selections (appliances, tile, lighting, flooring), and the numerous vendors (counter top specialists, plumbers, electricians) who want to sell you items for your home.  This is where a designer can come in and help you sift through these options for you.  They can help you achieve your new ideal space, without sacrificing quality or your overall budget.  The main benefits for hiring a Kitchen and Bath designer are:

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Education and credentials: Many designers have attained their preliminary design knowledge through education in the form of a Bachelor’s or even Master’s degree from a reputable University. The subject and course matter will vary from school to school but most institutions will teach a wide range of courses, such as: 2D and 3D Design, space planning, human dimensional standards, drafting, AutoCAD, finishing and textiles, history of design, lighting, and color study.  In addition to a large course load many design students are required to complete an internship to gain invaluable field experience and learn the core of client relationships that are built when working in a design firm.  I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in interior Design during the spring of 2008 from Western Carolina University.  Their design program is NKBA accredited, which helped give me an added boost in Kitchen and Bath Design specifically.  Many designers choose to add to their credentials by attaining another level of certification after they graduate and begin working.  I did this through the NKBA by completing an extensive exam to become a certified Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer.  As a designer’s career progresses they will be able to achieve higher levels of certification through many different organizations and tests, such as: ASIDIDS, NKBA, and NCIDQ.  The important thing is to make sure they have some type of education in design before you hire your designer.

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Daily Learning:  Since the average homeowner may only complete one or two remodels in their lifetime it is important to utilize the expertise of someone who plans out kitchens and baths on a daily basis.  The trends for the home are ever changing and a designer will have access to all of the latest gizmos and gadgets to make your room work best for the way you live in it.  Many people think ‘I know what goes into a kitchen or bath; it can’t be that hard to plan’.  However, you would not go into a hospital and tell a surgeon how to operate, you relinquish the control to him because you think ‘he must know what he’s doing; he does it all the time’.  Granted, this is a bit extreme, but it is the same reasoning people should use when hiring a designer for their expertise.  They plan spaces all the time and they know what they’re doing, you can trust their ideas and you won’t be disappointed.

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Background in space planning and functionality:  Every person has their own preferences for their particular space.  Being a good designer means listening to your clients wants, learning how they use their home, noticing physical characteristics or any limitations, and then melding these items into a cohesive design that works for the end user.  There are certain “Standards” in kitchen and bath design planning that a designer automatically knows based on the average user.  Some of these standards are set by code, but others come from the development of our homes through previous years of trial and error.  Any good kitchen designer should know that the work triangle in the kitchen is centered around the layout of the sink, cook top, and refrigerator (since these are the main work areas).  There are standards of how much room should be left between each of these areas as well as standard depths, minimum clearances, workflow considerations, and many other spatial planning constraints to consider.  Only a qualified designer will know all of these standards and be able to implement them in your home.

CAD drawing,kitchen design ideas,before and after

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Business relationships with vendors:  As I discussed earlier, sorting through all of the finish details for a project in your kitchen or bathroom can seem like an endless task.  Since designers plan spaces everyday they already have an integral network of reliable and trusted business partners that they can recommend to you.  The good thing about using their referrals is the level of confidence your designer will have using their contacts.  Trust is a crucial key to business relationships, so you can be sure they trust the work of whoever they recommend for your home.

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. This beautifully styled french country kitchen has many elements of character. The custom hood, egg and dart trim accompanied by the glass front cabinets give this kitchen the feel of warmth and welcome! Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking. This beautifully styled french country kitchen has many elements of character. The custom hood, egg and dart trim accompanied by the glass front cabinets give this kitchen the feel of warmth and welcome! Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Budget planning, saving time and money:  Still not convinced?  The most important reason of for hiring a designer, it will save you time and money.  You can make all of your selections in advance and feel good about those decisions and know exactly how much your renovation will cost before you even start.  Designers can save you money; they know where to find the best prices and their resources are unlimited.  They will save you time by bringing the selections to you and giving you a select few choices.  Don’t hesitate to give your designer a budget from the very beginning; if you have a limit on what you are willing to spend you need to let them know that.  Remember if you are ‘doing it yourself’ and you are not happy with what you have selected, changing your mind might cost money, making mistakes cost money.  Good planning with the help of a designer will save you time and money in the end.

These are just a few of the benefits of using a Kitchen and Bath Designer to assist you with your project.  When you hire a designer, or work through a firm that has one, you get the expertise of an experienced professional who can solve problems, help you avoid costly mistakes, and create and attractive, affordable space that meets your lifestyle needs.

More photo’s from this project.