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, 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.
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:
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 CarolinaUniversity. 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: ASID, IDS, NKBA, and NCIDQ. The important thing is to make sure they have
some type of education in design before you hire your designer.
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.
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.
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.
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 you mind 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 an attractive,
affordable space that meets your lifestyle needs.
Our Client had been dreaming of remodeling her kitchen for a
while, so when that became a reality, she had very specific wants. One of those was the custom Chappell Green
cabinet color she requested; most people would be afraid of that bold tone, but
she embraced it. Being a true chef, she
knew she needed large work areas of open counter-tops, streamlined storage, and
work zones based on the way she prepared her meals and entertained guests. Using stained cabinets to accent certain
areas really adds character to this custom kitchen. The paneled appliances were a must and they
give this kitchen a streamlined integrated look. 
