Independent Kitchen Designer - is there such a thing??

[JessieEssex]

Hi, we are thinking about getting our new kitchen built by a local joiner who comes very well recommended. However, if we do this, who comes up with the scheme of the kitchen, I.e. what goes where, clever ideas for use of space etc? I appreciate that going down the route involves more work on our part, but is there such a thing as a kitchen designer who just draws up ideas without a product to sell?

DH thinks we can just do it ourselves but I don't want to end up with a kitchen that doesn't 'work'...

What about going to one of the bigger suppliers and get a 3d design made up for you - take that design to the joiner and get him to make the cabinets to that lay out supplied ( think it's a free service).

have a look here:-

www.magnet.co.uk/book-an-appointment

www.handmadekitchens-direct.co.uk/html/design2.html

This man is very good.

Sorry should have explained, basically he doesn't work for hmk, you pay him direct and he does a bespoke design for you to use with whatever joiner you use.

A few years ago for me, but I went around all the main shops (MFI, Magnet etc) and discussed, and was very surprised (and a bit disappointed) that they didn't really come up with much in the way of funky features and design :-( It seemed very much 'what would you like madam'.

Same story for the two independents I got quotes from.

I downloaded the Ikea free software, but it was really slow so I got a squared paper book from WHSmith and spent many happy hours with little cut outs of various cupboard sizes sliding them around my plan until I came up with the final result. You would be amazed at the selection of cupboard shapes and sizes when you get into it!

In other words, did it myself. Decided on key features I really wanted - e.g. 1000mmm drawer unit, at least one stack of smaller drawers for tea towels and junk; wrong way round wall cupboard (as in 1000mm long 'landscape' on top of each other not traditional 600mm upright jobbies).

Try Karen at OnePlan, she is fab and its what they do.

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hi ! thanks for the shout Virgil ! i'm Karen ! you can see what I do on my Houzz pro page ... will paste a link
www.houzz.com/pro/oneplan/oneplan
Houzz is a great site for getting inspiration for home design ! millions of photographs !!!
happy to chat with you about your project !!
[email protected]
kind regards
karen at OnePlan