How Much Does Kitchen Design Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the kitchen design cost ranges between $4,871 and $31,777 based on 417 verified projects from Angi Pros nationwide. Most homeowners pay an average of $17,582, with costs varying based on the designer's level of involvement, the scope of your remodel, and your location. Full-service design packages, larger kitchens, and premium finishes can push your total toward the higher end of that range.

What Does a Kitchen Designer Do?

A kitchen designer is a type of interior designer who specializes in kitchen remodeling. They're the experts you want to talk to if you don't know where to start on your kitchen design but have an idea of what you'd like to change in your space. A kitchen designer can work with you on your kitchen layout, as well as themes, colors, countertops, and backsplash materials.

Kitchen designers often work with their clients to develop blueprints for the new kitchen, which will be passed on to the kitchen remodeler when it’s time to move to the next phase of the project.

However, kitchen designers aren't experts in more technical aspects such as structural design, electrical work, plumbing, and gas lines. You'll want to bring in a contractor specializing in those areas when it's time to start building.

Kitchen Design Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

The wide range of costs for a kitchen remodel design reflects the varied options available from different designers and the scope of work involved. Several key factors drive where your project lands within that range.

Level of Involvement

How involved your kitchen designer is throughout the process is one of the biggest drivers of your total cost. Most designers are flexible with budgets and can propose options that involve more or fewer hours of work, so hiring a designer for every step, from choosing countertop materials to overseeing appliance installations, will cost significantly more than bringing them in for select tasks only.

Scope of the Remodel

A kitchen design that only replaces appliances, countertops, and cabinetry will cost less than one requiring structural intervention such as removing a wall or rerouting pipes. Larger kitchens also translate into a bigger price tag, since more square footage means more design time and materials to account for.

In-House vs. Collaborative

If your plan requires your designer to contract with outside architects, builders, or engineers, costs will run higher than working with a design center that handles those tasks in-house. You will also need to cover each contractor's fees separately, on top of your kitchen designer's labor charges.

Deliverables

Part of your design fee covers the physical plans your designer produces, from basic sketches to detailed blueprints to 3D renderings, and more elaborate or specialized deliverables will add to your total. Before hiring, review exactly what each designer includes and what each service costs so there are no surprises later.

Fee Structure

When comparing kitchen designers in your area, you need to evaluate not just what they charge but how they structure their fees, since billing models vary widely across independent designers and larger firms. Most designers also require a deposit or retainer at the start of a project, typically between 25% and 65% of the total cost, with 50% being most common. An additional payment of usually 30% to 50% of the total is often due when cabinets are delivered to your home.

• Hourly rate: The most common approach, especially among independent kitchen designers, is to establish an hourly rate that will apply to everything from design time to site visits, meetings, and phone calls.

• Flat fee: Other designers or firms will establish a set charge from the beginning, whether for the whole job or for an initial proposal. This fee will likely be deducted from the final cost if you opt to work with the designer who made it.

• Cost plus or markup: Many designers work for companies that sell the fixtures you'll be including your redesign, and others will directly source materials on your behalf. In this arrangement, the design fee may be included as markup or in additional costs per item.

• Milestone fees: Another option is for the designer to spread out fees over the whole course of the project so that you pay some portion to start, another when the plan is delivered, another once permits are approved, and so on.

Kitchen Design Pro Costs: What Homeowners Pay

Once you've decided to bring in a local kitchen design pro, you have a choice between three broad types of providers, each offering different levels and types of services. Costs vary significantly depending on which type you choose, as outlined below.

In-Store Consultation 

In-store kitchen design consultations are available at home goods retailers, cabinetry sellers, and high-end design firms, with costs ranging from free at large national retailers to $150 to $450 per meeting at high-end storefront design studios. National retail consultations are often free but may be limited in scope and tied to the store's own product offerings, while specialty dealers may instead charge through a cost-plus or markup model. High-end studio fees typically include a home visit for measurements and are usually deducted from your total if you move forward with their plan.

Professional Design Center

Professional design centers typically charge $100 to $750 per hour and give you access to specialists across all aspects of kitchen design, making them the most thorough option available. The plans produced at these firms generally cover everything from materials and fittings to color schemes, which justifies the higher price point for homeowners undertaking a complex or full-scale remodel.

Certified Independent Kitchen Designer

Certified independent kitchen designers accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) typically charge $65 to $250 per hour, or alternatively 10% to 20% of the total redesign cost, with mid-range projects often landing between $1,500 and $3,000. Costs can run lower or higher than a professional design center, and these designers tend to offer more flexibility in their approach. Beyond refining your kitchen layout, they usually coordinate between architects, suppliers, and builders on your behalf, saving you significant time and effort.

Why You Should Hire a Kitchen Design Pro

The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house, so you want to ensure the new design is functional and beautiful. The best way to do this is to make the investment in hiring a local kitchen designer for help. These pros will help you make your dreams a reality, all while guaranteeing the new kitchen will be safe, functional, and durable over the years. While pro kitchen designers can cost up to $5,000, it’s ultimately worth the cost when you consider the years of enjoyment your kitchen will bring.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a kitchen design pro

There are a few key reasons to invest in a pro kitchen designer for this job, such as:

• Quickly creating the finalized design of your new kitchen

• Help with the logistics of bringing your design to life

• Support with complex redesign steps, such as remodeling or rerouting plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems

• Get connected to trusted contractors to perform the work

• Get help problem-solving throughout the process

• Access to better deals on materials

If you want to DIY a kitchen design

While it’s difficult to completely reimagine your kitchen without help, you can save some money by tackling the following steps yourself:

• Come up with cosmetic redesigns (e.g., new cabinetry, paint, or countertop materials) yourself

• Pick out a few key elements (e.g., light fixtures, faucets, appliances) yourself to base the rest of the design around

• Consider doing some of the work yourself, such as painting

Kitchen Design Additional Costs: What to Budget For

Redesigning your kitchen often involves a range of add-on costs beyond the designer's fee, and working with your kitchen designer early helps you budget accurately for the additional expenses you may incur. Common add-on costs vary widely depending on the scope of your project.

• Installing new countertops: $1,900 to $4,400

• Installing new backsplash: $500 to $1,700

• Installing new cabinets: $2,000 to $10,500

• Painting cabinets: $400 to $1,400

• Installing new kitchen sink: $200 to $700

How to Save on Kitchen Design Costs 

Whether you hire a kitchen remodeling pro or DIY your kitchen remodel, the costs can add up quickly. However, there are ways you can save money while still designing the kitchen of your dreams. For instance, you can:

• Collect quotes from a variety of remodeling pros to shop around for the best bargains. 

• Upgrade your existing hardware and decor rather than replacing them. 

• Consider opting for less high-end materials and go for the standard options.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.