Working with a Kitchen Designer

Finding Kitchen Designers

Many of our cabinet dealers offer in-house design services, and others partner with interior designers. You can visit our dealer locator to find dealers in your area. Depending on a number of factors, including the size of your project and your kitchen design needs, either scenario could work.

If you engage your own interior designer, make sure he or she is involved in the kitchen design process up front and that the dealer you are purchasing from knows that you have forged that relationship to ensure a smooth transition between the design and order process.

Timeline Expectations

Understanding timelines is a two-way street when you work with a kitchen designer. You may have scheduling deadlines of your own, but you’ll also need to consider the schedules of the installers and other contractors. For instance, October is too late to start a special order kitchen remodel that you want in time for Thanksgiving.

After the initial cabinet dealer consultation, design development can typically take two to three weeks before an initial room layout is presented. The products you choose may also impact the total project timeline. Wood floors, for instance, need an acclimation period of several days prior to cabinet installation.

Identify a completion date, then add two weeks as a cushion for unforeseen hiccups that always happen in a project. Your designer can recommend a schedule that is workable for everyone involved.

Create a Visual Record

As you work with your kitchen designer, take photos of the products you've selected throughout the course of your cabinet consultations, from appliances to cabinet hardware to faucets to countertops. These photos will make it easier for you to coordinate the various elements of your kitchen with the new cabinets. Be sure to also take before-and-after photos of the entire kitchen so you can relish the transformation of your new space.