WHY HIRE A KITCHEN DESIGNER?

1.     Project management takes the stress out of planning a new kitchen

A kitchen designer will project manage every element of the process, so any of the usual site hassles will not be of your concern. This includes preparing for product lead times, potential delivery issues, organising sub contractors and managing any delays or unexpected complications. A designer will schedule the project and arrange all tradesmen for an efficient process – ensuring your new kitchen is ready for you to enjoy as quickly as possible!

Hiring a kitchen designer to manage your project allows you to step back and leave the responsibility to someone else, taking all the stress out of the process. Instead of spending months doing stressful, time-consuming research, planning and organisation, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the excitement of choosing door styles, colours and accessories for your new kitchen. 

2.     Communication will be easy and efficient

To ensure smooth sailing and efficient planning, your designer will be responsible for liaising with builders, plumbers, electricians, architects, installers and any other subcontractors. Throughout the design process, your designer will get to know your style, likes and dislikes, and priorities. This allows them to confidently manage all elements of the project, answering various onsite queries from radiator sizes and pendant light positions to cabinet handings and appliance specifications.

Communication is essential for the project to run smoothly and quickly, so your designer will ensure all parties involved have clear and precise instruction, responding to queries promptly to avoid delays or misunderstandings and guarantee a perfect result, without overwhelming you with all the specifics.

3.     Valuable knowledge & expertise

Kitchen designers have years of experience with design and project management – this knowledge is at your disposal to create the perfect kitchen. A designer will recommend the best products for your budget, understand your brief for the best use of the space, and get to know your style and preferences to add your own personal touch to the design. You will not need to spend hours researching which appliances to go for, or the best place to put your hob. If you plan to sell your house, a designer can help you make the right choices for potential buyers – after all, they know exactly what consumers want.



A designer can help you make tricky decisions, even before you speak to an architect. If your current space is not working for you, a designer can assess your current space and its potential – you may not need to extend, as there are often solutions that you may not have even considered. From the architect stage, a designer can also ensure you are making the most functional and efficient use of space – they may have suggestions for window and door positions, as the external layout will affect the interior design. The options are endless, and without speaking to a kitchen designer, you may not realise the full potential of your space. 

4.     Creative, innovative design & new ideas

You may have had a new kitchen before, maybe you already know exactly what you want. Perhaps you have done plenty of research and don’t think you need a designer. You will be surprised! Kitchen designers are creative problem solvers – your kitchen designer will introduce new ideas and innovative solutions, and there are small details you may not have considered. Kitchen design incorporates both function and aesthetic, and every designer will have different ideas – it is important to think outside the box and keep an open mind!

5.     New perspective 

You will be accustomed to the existing layout of your space, particularly if you have lived in your house for a while before thinking about a new kitchen. The current kitchen is likely to influence the way you see the space, whereas a designer will see your kitchen with a new perspective, as a blank canvas, making it easier to visualise new possibilities and a better use of the space.

We often find that clients who have a strong idea of what they want in the kitchen are pleasantly surprised to find how dramatically the space can be transformed by a completely different layout. Many clients are stunned how much space they actually have when the kitchen has been designed more efficiently, and it is not always best to stick with what you know, as you might not know what you’re missing! 

6.     Stick to your budget

We know how quickly costs can add up, and how easy it is to get carried away with your wishlist! However, a designer can work to your budget and make sure you stick to it, by suggesting only suitable products and not presenting ideas that are out of reach. Without a designer, it can be easy to lose track of how much is being spent and where, but with a fully itemised kitchen design quote, your costs are broken down clearly and you can be confident your new kitchen will stay within your budget, with no additional unexpected costs.

7.     Value for money

Not only will a designer make sure you stick to your budget, they will suggest the best bang for your buck – every client has different priorities, and it is important to allocate the budget accordingly. There are always options to cut costs, but a designer will make sure you reduce the costs without compromising the integrity of the design. For example, some people would prefer quartz worktops and cheaper appliances, while others may opt for high spec ovens and hob, saving money on laminate worktops.

A designer will advise where is best for you to spend your money and make sure you spend it right; the way you use your kitchen will dictate where your budget should be allocated, and a designer will help you make these decisions. 

8.     No upselling

With a kitchen design service, you get what you pay for; a kitchen designer wants to create the perfect space for you, so will get to know you and design your space accordingly. If you are on a tight budget, they will not try to convince you to spend unnecessary money just to meet sales targets, or sell you a £1000 tap if it’s not on your wishlist. Instead, they will listen to your wants and needs and tailor your kitchen design to your personal tastes and functional requirements.

9.     Bespoke design to suit your lifestyle

Kitchen designers often offer options for bespoke or made to measure furniture. This provides the opportunity to make the best of use of awkward spaces, include maximum storage, and create a unique and personal design for your new kitchen. This can include made to measure kitchen cabinets or bespoke furniture built onsite by a carpenter to fit your space perfectly.

With off-the-shelf kitchens, you will be restricted to standard sizes – this can be a challenge to include everything on your wishlist and use all the available space. If you need to stick to standard sizes for your budget, a kitchen designer will find the most efficient way to make it work, and will have a few tricks up their sleeves to work around awkward spaces – and make them attractive features instead of eye sores – such as open shelves and panelling. 

10.     Sustainability

Using a kitchen designer means your new kitchen will be made to last – with high quality installation and a perfectly designed layout tailored to your lifestyle, you won’t be finding a reason to replace it any time soon! Kitchen designers create kitchens to last a lifetime, saving you money in the long term and contributing to a greener lifestyle by not discarding a perfectly good kitchen just because you are bored with the style or find the layout impractical.

Your kitchen designer will guide you on how to design a timeless kitchen that will not go out of fashion – most importantly, you should only choose things you love, not the latest ‘trend’. Keeping the expensive parts (cabinets, doors, worktops) neutral is a good option if you think you might change your mind on the colour scheme; colour can then be added with accessories, soft furnishings and even splashback tiles, as these are relatively easy and inexpensive to replace. 

11.     Avoid costly & time consuming mistakes

If you are still not convinced it’s worth hiring a designer, consider cost – yes, it is often actually cheaper to hire a designer than do it yourself! At Honest by Design, we don’t charge you any extra for project management – if you are ordering your kitchen through us, we include project management as part of our service because we want your new kitchen to look amazing! We use our own installers and only recommend the best subcontractors, as the quality and longevity of your kitchen relies on the quality of the work.

So hiring a designer will not cost you more, and you can be assured that your new kitchen will be perfect. Without a designer, you risk making mistakes that end up costing you more to fix – this could be caused by a delay in the process that has a knock on effect to other stages in the project, a misunderstanding with a subcontractor, or simply an incorrect measurement. This will cost more money and time, so why not hire a designer to take all the responsibility and save you that stress?

~Nikita & Katie, Nov 2023