Life, Styled
You love your home, but there are some areas that are no longer working for you, if they ever did at all. You have made the big decision to renovate your kitchen, to give yourself the space you have always envisioned, but it feels overwhelming. How do you know which layout will work best for you? Which style best represents you, and what wood type will pair perfectly with certain colors? The kitchen can be a more difficult renovation because it involves multiple facets, such as plumbing and electrical. Adding in the appliances, lighting, and cabinets decisions can be enough to make your head spin. Planning is a critical part of a kitchen renovation, making it a key area of focus, which is why an experienced designer can help you accomplish your dreams on time and on budget.
What Does A Kitchen Designer Do?
Don’t let the word design fool you into thinking they just create a design for the contractor to follow. There is much more to their job description than that. They are experienced in layout, cabinet design, hardware selection, materials, colors, and more. Their job is to help guide you through the renovation process, lending you their years of design experience to create a kitchen that is perfect for you. Our designers are experts in layout and cabinet design, with a creative eye and good communication skills, both of which are essential to building a design that will last a lifetime. A good kitchen designer can take a space, mold it to your specific needs, and help you achieve the dream space you have always wanted. Their job is to guide you through the journey, making it enjoyable and with minimal stress for the whole family.
The Benefits Of Hiring A Kitchen Designer
Hiring a kitchen designer is more than just having a person help you with your selections. There are multiple benefits to having a kitchen designer, including:
- Saves money
- Less stress
- Experience
- Achieve goals
A kitchen renovation can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t have the right help because there are numerous details that go into this project, such as appliances, lighting, and even plumbing. Having someone who can help you through the remodel can make a huge difference.
Because you are paying for a design service, you may not agree that you’re saving money, but their experience means you will avoid costly mistakes and other issues that they know to avoid. Their knowledge is invaluable to you as you make your way through the renovation.
Stress is the number one killer of enthusiasm for a project. It’s easy to get discouraged and disgruntled when things don’t go right, but a designer who has completed hundreds of projects will know how to plan your renovation so that everything goes according to schedule, leaving you feeling relaxed and at ease, able to enjoy the journey.
Experience also lends itself to a quicker layout since they know what works and what doesn’t. They know what size hardware works for a particular cabinet and just how much lighting is needed for the kitchen. A designer will be able to easily tell you how your wish list can be transformed into a design and if there are any elements that will not work within the given space. They are also able to tell you which layouts work best, which, again, saves you time.
The ultimate goal is to create a design that functions and reflects your unique style, and a kitchen designer will be able to help you check off the boxes for your new space. Our dedicated team has helped so many clients accomplish their renovation goals as smoothly as possible. That is the ultimate desire for every kitchen designer: to help their clients get the space they need and still enjoy the journey. Read a few more reasons why you should hire a designer in this blog post by This Old House.
Questions To Ask Your Kitchen Designer
Questions are a vital part of a design meeting. We have a list of things that we ask when doing an initial consult meeting, such as:
- How many people will use this space?
- Do you have any pets?
- Are there any specific needs or wishes you have?
- Are the cooks left-handed or right-handed?
- Do you do a lot of baking?
- Will you need an additional prep sink?
- How about a built-in microwave or warming drawer?
- What are your style and color preferences?
- Do you want a dedicated beverage area?
We ask these questions because we want to get to know you so we can best understand how to serve you. We also understand that you may want to ask us questions, but are unsure of what to ask specifically. Here is a list of some questions you will want to ask your kitchen designer:
- Ask what other projects they have done and look at pictures.
- Have they done anything similar to what you want?
- Ask about the approximate timeline.
- Get information regarding payment schedules as well.
It is important to communicate your needs and expectations upfront so that you will know if they can meet your needs. Hiring a designer is an important decision; they are the ones who will provide you with a new kitchen layout that you can enjoy for a lifetime, so you have the right to be choosy. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Our very own hometown talent, nationally recognized photographer Randy McNeilly, has earned multiple prestigious awards for his exceptional artwork—proudly on display in the Greenbrook Design showroom.
Will kitchen islands go out of style? The answer is no. The kitchen island is often the focal point in the kitchen and one of the most sought-after features in a kitchen renovation; in fact, it is one of the most versatile areas in the kitchen. Need a place to do some homework? How about a family dinner or brunch? Looking for a surface where you can spread out when cooking? Some extra storage for large pots and mixers would be nice, too. All of this and more can be accomplished with a kitchen island; some might even call it a mini kitchen within the kitchen. This flexible workstation can be created to reflect any style, accommodate any size, and suit any need. Today, we want to answer some common questions about the kitchen island, explore the benefits, and explain why it will never go out of style.
As the COVID-19 pandemic slowly comes to an end, you may be ready to update your home and make a few changes. Perhaps being stuck inside during lockdowns gave you time to identify areas that needed cleaning, upgrading, or other home improvements. If you want to start rebuilding your house but aren’t sure how to get started, see how these tips can help, brought to you courtesy of Greenbrook Design.
Walker Woodworking When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.
Walker Woodworking What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.
Walker Woodworking