5 Questions to Ask Your Kitchen Designer

Photo of completed kitchen in Sydney by Apollo Kitchens with maximum guidance and care by the kitchen designer for the overall finish

5 Questions to Ask Your Kitchen Designer

July 1, 2023

The decision to collaborate with a kitchen designer on your renovation is an exciting one – you have an expert in your corner to help guide you through the big decisions, stick within your budget and make sure you end up with your dream kitchen.

While your designer will play the role of expert throughout the renovation process, to get the most out of your project it’s important to educate yourself and to ask a few key questions.

Not only will these questions help you to feel confident about the direction of your renovation, but they will also provide crucial insights and information to your designer in order for them to deliver your vision.

We’ve put together the five most important questions to put to your kitchen designer before getting your renovation underway.

1. Do I actually need a full renovation?

It may seem like a simple question at first glance, but it’s an important one to ask. You have reasons for wanting to renovate – maybe your kitchen is feeling a little dated, or maybe you’ve given up on entertaining because you can’t facilitate it with the space you’ve got.

Depending on your pain points, you might only need some aesthetic updates and can get away with leaving the layout and structure as they are.

Be sure to ask your kitchen designer whether they believe your kitchen could benefit from a new layout and extra storage or if simply replacing benches, cupboards and appliances will achieve the result you want.

2. What is the best layout for me?

What we consider to be a functional kitchen layout has changed considerably over the past decade or so, and will vary depending on how you use the space.

A good kitchen designer will take into account factors like how frequently you cook, the size of your family and how much storage you require when choosing a layout. They should also know whether you like to entertain, whether the kitchen adjoins an outdoor area or a dining room, and how many people you like to have over at a time.

Your kitchen designer will divide your space into three zones for efficacy: prepping, cooking and washing. From here, they’ll be able to tell you which layout will be the most efficient.

This will inform big ticket items, like the size and type of appliances your designer will recommend and where they should be placed; but your layout is also important for elements like gas, electricity and water connections.

Interested in learning more about how your layout influences the way you use your kitchen? We created a free eBook to guide you through the design principles that shape modern kitchens. Download it now.

3. Where should I place the lights?

Once you have a layout locked in, you’ll need to consult your designer on how you illuminate the space.

Lighting plays a vital role in the functionality of your kitchen; from maximising natural light to creating dynamic lighting for cooking and entertaining, lighting design is an important element of any new kitchen.

Ask your kitchen designer to map out the best locations in your kitchen for task lighting, spotlighting and feature lights. They’ll help you to position lights strategically throughout the space and can suggest the styles and colourways that will best suit your kitchen design preferences.

4. Should I be thinking about appliances?

Ask your kitchen designer about appliances as early as possible – ideally before you’ve cemented your layout, as different styles of appliances can impact where they will need to be positioned in your space.

Having an idea of your appliances early is also important to provide measurements for your cabinetry supplier. You will want your joinery to seamlessly house or fit around your appliances, so you’ll need to know how big they are and what allowances you’ll need to leave for things like open doors.

5. What is the best colour scheme?

Colour is an important factor, as it can influence the overall mood of your new kitchen. Speak to your kitchen designer about what colours they believe will work best for you. Their response will be based on factors such as the overall design of your house, how much natural light you get in the space, and the design features or themes you’ve indicated you like.

Colour schemes go beyond just cabinets, too. Your designer will be able to provide you with their expert opinion on which colour appliances, benchtops and even walls will be best suited to your new kitchen.