Independent Kitchen Designer

[riddles26]

Does anyone have recommendation of an independent kitchen designer? We are based in London but would be happy with someone who works remotely as we are extending so the space doesn't physically exist yet.

We have been to a couple of showrooms to get design ideas etc but the process is extremely time consuming and, understandably, companies do not give copies of designs unless you are placing an order with them. One of the companies won't even give me a basic photo image of the design to allow me to think about it and the logistics and compare to others before committing.

I feel like I would prefer to pay an independent person to work with me to create a design that will work for me so I can have all the plans. I can then take it to my preferred kitchen supplier nearer the time.

There is a Mumsnetter @OnePlanonHouzz who is a designer.

If you go onto Houzz and search OnePlan you will see many photos of her projects to see if you like her work.

Thank you @FrogFairy, I will certainly take a look

Different kitchen suppliers offer different door sizes and components. If a kitchen supplier does a design for you they will include the doors and components that they personally stock. A kitchen made of stock components in a stock colour is vastly cheaper than a bespoke kitchen in a bespoke colour with lots of bespoke door sizes.

If an independent designer does a kitchen for you they can’t possibly know what components will be available as it depends on which kitchen supplier you eventually go with. So you may find that they produce a design which doesn’t match with the components that your chosen kitchen supplier stocks. Worst case scenario the supplier won’t be able to provide the components and sizes the designer has used. Or they may not have those sizes available in stock so will have to produce them bespoke, thus massively increasing the cost.

Thanks @LittleReindeer. From my experience when helping a relative (all be it about 10 years ago), all kitchen companies aside from Ikea manufactured units and door in standard widths but please correct me if I am mistaken.

I am looking at the mid-range market for kitchen, not high end or bespoke as we are undertaking a huge project so finances will only stretch so far. I also am not looking at luxury or bespoke components, but moreso working with the ones commonly available to make best use of my space

I simply don't have the time to go to multiple kitchen companies, sit down with them to discuss plans, spend hours coming up with a design and refining for them to then refuse to even let me take home a basic image so I can try visualise it in my own time and picture how it will practically work. I completely understand them not releasing full plans until a deposit has been paid but when I shopped with a relative, they all used to give an image so she could compare them at home.

I’m not sure why you need to go to multiple kitchen companies? Why wouldn’t you just choose one kitchen company in your price range that you like and want to use, tell them your budget and get them to design something that fits?

In my experience they don’t all offer the same widths. There will be some standard sizes but also some units that are only available in certain sizes. And if I was a kitchen company I wouldn’t install any kitchen that I hadn’t designed because I wouldn’t take liability for someone else’s design mistakes.

If you go somewhere like Howdens or Wickes they generally let you take the design home for free.

Sorry @AvaSnowdrop, I didn't realise you had commented on this thread. All kitchen companies have multiple price ranges so I don't feel its as simple as just choosing one and getting them to design it.

The upmarket kitchen companies have highly experienced designers to create layouts that allow you to use your space better than a designer at Howdens or B&Q would be able to. However, I don't want the upmarket kitchen those companies are selling. I am willing to pay for a design from someone who is experienced so I can maximise the space I have.

I would, of course, work with my chosen kitchen company to adapt the design to work with the products they have to ensure the kitchen does fit and work exactly as intended. I don't plan to simply take a design and use it to place an order without sitting down with the kitchen company too.