5 Questions to Ask About Kitchen Design

Transform your cramped, outdated kitchen into the space of your dreams—like one with an open layout meant for making fantastic meals. To make your dreams into reality, consider hiring a kitchen designer. But before you hire a kitchen designer near you, consider these common kitchen design questions to help you make a plan.

1. What is included in your kitchen design? 

Working with a kitchen designer will run more smoothly if you know what you want to be included in your kitchen design or remodeling project. Some homeowners may only want minor kitchen design changes, while others may want a full makeover that requires much more work. Knowing how your pro can help with your design starts with having a solid kitchen remodel checklist. Consider these common elements of a kitchen design project to help you get started:

• Appliances

• Colors 

• Layout

• Materials

• Textures

2. When do you need this work done?

A kitchen design project takes time. Ask yourself how quickly you want your renovation to take, as a kitchen designer will need to know the scope of your project from the get-go. Extensive kitchen design projects may have a timeline of several months, whereas simple projects may only need a few weeks. 

3. Are you planning to change the existing kitchen floor plan?

Knocking out a few kitchen cabinets, replacing the flooring, and giving the walls a new coat of paint won’t require as in-depth of a kitchen design plan as making changes to the existing floor plan. Ensure your kitchen designer understands your goals during the initial consultation so that you can get that perfect kitchen design plan without any major hiccups.

4. Approximate budget for design services (excluding product costs)

Kitchen design costs between $4,900 and $31,600, or around $17,500 on average, not including materials. Budgeting is an important element of planning your design, as it's easy to get carried away trying to replicate that perfect kitchen you saw in a home magazine. Consider how involved you want your pro to be, the size of your kitchen, and compare estimates from a few kitchen designers to see where you can save money. 

5. What kind of location is this?

The location of your kitchen impacts the design, material, and functionality of the design, so make sure to discuss this with your contractor before you sign on the dotted line. A kitchen in a single-family home, apartment, or condo may have different space limitations, ventilation needs, and design flexibility. The same is true for smaller city kitchens versus rural ones that may allow for large layouts or farmhouse-style designs.

Climate should also be considered. A beach house, for example, may need more waterproof materials and a mountain cabin may need more insulation. The type of property and whether or not it’s a historic home may also play a role in the kitchen design.