Kitchen and Bathroom Design – 4 Important Reasons to Call an Interior Designer Early

When is the right time to call an interior designer for your kitchen or bathroom design?  (Hint: As soon as possible!)

There are so many benefits to having an interior designer on hand to guide you through each step of the design process, especially when it comes to kitchens and bathroom design or renovation. In this article we explore 4 important reasons to get a designer on the project as early as possible.

I’m sure you’ve heard the stories of friends who did their own kitchen and bathroom renovation from start to finish. Maybe everything turned out great in the end and they saved some money, but they probably didn’t mention the stress, the sleepless nights, the months eating takeaways and heating microwave pies in the lounge while waiting for material and appliances to arrive and the work to be completed…

Just think what it might be like to not have your kitchen or bathroom for a week! How would you eat? Do you have a spare toilet? What about when guests show up? If those sound like problems you’d rather not have to worry about longer than necessary then you need an interior designer from the start!

There is so much more to an interior designer than someone who will help you decide on furniture. We can help you with kitchen and bathroom renovation ideas, create mood boards for inspiration, manage your contractors (so no more problems), source materials, decorate…the list goes on!

I know it might seem like a lot of money to pay someone else when you think that you could do most of the work yourself. But trust me, you will be doing yourself a favour by letting your very own interior designer professionally take care of all the renovation planning for you right from the start. I’ll make sure everything is perfect every step of the way! And if you’ve already started and something isn’t going right – well, it’s not too late to call me!

Here’s a list of work you might need professional help with:

• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Painting/wallpapering
• Flooring (including underlay)

Knowing who to trust with this kind of important work, keeping all these things in mind, and knowing which order to get things done are some of the ways a designer is a great idea, and it’s best if we are involved in the process as soon as possible.

Getting help from the start

It’s not always easy saying goodbye to your old set-up and a designer can keep you focused by reminding you of the plan and guiding you through the steps.

Traditional or contemporary cupboards and counters? Electric or gas oven? Which toilet or shower is worth the price? These questions won’t seem as daunting when you’ve hired a professional. While DIY may still be the right choice for some, even if you think you know what you’re doing it can be a lot easier to have your designer manage a project you’re emotionally invested in.

Without a designer, homeowners and landlords are left to do everything themselves – from planning and budgeting all the way through design decisions and making sure the work gets done right. This is not only stressful but also time consuming, and when it comes to renovations time is money!

Here are 4 important reasons to get a designer for your kitchen or bathroom renovation involved as soon as possible!

1. They help plan your kitchen or bathroom design without breaking the bank

Any householder who has personally renovated their home knows how overwhelming home improvement can be. Each wrong choice can impact the finished design and cost you money. The designer will use their professional experience to bring your ideas together. They will know which appliances are best suited and where they should go, not just in terms of aesthetics but also in regards to functionality and room flow.

Not only that but they will creat your design to be focused on what’s important to you, which really helps when it comes to sticking to the budget without compromising on quality. This means that even though you’re spending more upfront on kitchen products now, you’ll spend less later down the line as those kitchen appliances won’t need to be replaced as quickly. Better yet, if it ever comes time to sell you’ll know you have the best value in your home interior.

2. They know what’s hot and trendy

Take a look around your kitchen right now… How many items do you own that are no longer considered trendy? A good interior designer is up-to-date with what’s hot and trending, from kitchen cabinets to appliances, countertop material to splash back colour options, and even rangehood brands. When it comes to making the best choices for highly effective impact, this includes the kitchen (or bathroom) sink!

When an interior designer enters a home improvement store, they have a very different mindset to regular householders. They immediately start “picture framing” the room, setting up the details with each kitchen appliance and how it should look when put together. Of course their main focus is on function but it’s all about creating something that looks aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

3. They can organise and manage installation and building

Professional interior designers often have experience doing renovations so they know what to expect during the installation process. This means that they are not only organised in terms of kitchen planning and design ideas but they can manage the kitchen renovation, bathroom additions and even full kitchen building too. This ensures all the important details from the brief can be put into practice as planned. They know which tradies are trustworthy and can take care of deviations from the plan before they become problems. Kitchen and bathroom planners have done it before and know what to expect!

Interior designers don’t work in isolation – they often partner up with other companies for kitchen and bathroom installations. This is because it’s more cost-effective than handling everything by themselves and the tradespeople offer their expertise as well, so you get kitchen renovations done quicker at less expense. Plus they already know which companies offer quality kitchen products, which is what you want! The designer can put this same knowledge and wealth of connection to work when it comes to your bathroom renovations.

4. They can support your ideas throughout the process

You’ve already shared your vision with your designer, so when you’re tempted to deviate from the plan because of uncertainty or an emotional change of heart it can be handy to have someone who can help you go through the pros and cons first. Then you won’t make any hasty decisions you might regret, or try to do something out of order or without considering other elements of the project that it might affect.

That’s why it’s so important to shop around for the right designer for you, someone who understands your style and puts aside their personal preferences but gives professional advice and sticks to the plan you’ve made together. Having someone you can trust managing your renovation or remodel is the number one reason you want to work with a designer first, before any work is started. The end result is a brand new kitchen or bathroom you can step into that simply feels RIGHT.

More than “just” interior design

Unless you’re absolutely confident managing a full kitchen or bathroom renovation project yourself, working with someone who has expert knowledge and experience before you begin is always going to be a good call. With Smart Looking Homes you know you’ll be working with someone who can get the job done with both creative flair and professional precision. My services are affordable and I’ll consider any size of project, big or small.

• Let me take on the stress of designing and managing your kitchen and bathroom renovation, remodel, or new build
• Save time (and money!) by having someone with experience manage the whole project from start to finish
• Have a designer by your side who will work with your budget, schedule and style needs in order to create what YOU want!

I will use my professional experience to help you navigate a smooth renovation so you can move that microwave back out of the lounge as soon as possible! Together we’ll create a personalised design plan that suits your tastes and style. We’ll work with your budget in mind by finding the best deals on quality products – a specialty of mine! From there I can expertly manage your project from start to finish – from buying the products to arranging the tradies – all so you can sit back and relax while I make it happen. Then you can just sit back and watch that old kitchen or bathroom transform into one of your dreams!

Whenever you’re ready to take that step, contact Smart Looking Homes to book an obligation-free consultation with me, Andi. You’ll find out why hiring a designer is the best option in no time at all. Renovating a kitchen or bathroom is a big decision that deserves the best!