Hi Kelly,
I loved reading your article; your conversational tone is fun to read and very informative.
We are in process of designing a 540 sq. ft. addition that will be part kitchen and part screened porch.
The working plans for the space are in process…however, my architect is a young fellow who shares that he spends about 3 mins per week in the kitchen and that we wont get much help from him when it comes to kitchen layout.
On my first trip to Lowes, I met a kitchen planner who did some early cabinet layout work and shared that if I had just 4” more on the wall between the kitchen and porch, she could squeeze in a 9” cabinet and make a little more use out of one of the blind corners.
I am a little frantic that this seems to be an odd way to design a cabinet layout…the walls are still flexible but I am unsure if I want to definitely use Lowes and their brand of cabinets. I cant go high end with cabinets, but I do want quality that will last.
We have been in our little split level for 14 years and love the neighborhood. Our goal is to make our main level more inviting and pleasant for entertaining for many years to come.
Any ideas on how to proceed? We are spending a pretty penny on architect fees and it feels wrong to spend more money on design and layout…but I am willing to be convinced if it is the best way to go.
Thank you for any thoughts you might share. Kathy
~*~
Thank you for your kind words, Kathy – we’re always up for sharing and fun, which is good because my virtual coffee’s horrible….
I’m convinced your email is my final sign from the universe for me to blog this because you’re not the first reader to email, and I just had the exact same discussion with a former client.
First of all, I sympathize – it would be nice to have an architect who’s also a kitchen specialist, but since you don’t, here are some thoughts and options.
I remember reading a poll this year on remodeling and it went something like this -- if people had to redo their kitchen all over, a good percentage of them would have spend more money on their cabinets. For some reason (major marketing dollars), appliances are perceived as having more glamour, but it’s the cabinets and counters that are the workhorse of the kitchen. Do you have to spend the ultimate on your cabinets? Of course not – there are many decent solid cabinets out there.
So here’s a big insider tip for you:
There are many, many companies that you could go to that are smaller studios, possibly even designing with the same cabinets, who have very experienced/trained kitchen designers and/or Certified Kitchen Designers who will design your kitchen for either the same price or not much different than what you’ll pay at a big store.
Yup. I know this because a) we did it for years with our family showroom and b) our company is doing it now.
There are only two reasons why a comparable price cabinet should be different:
- the company is using them as a “loss leader” – ie. selling next to cost to bring you into the store (in which case, this is a deal for you – go for it.)
- the designer is actually designing the kitchen for you and some of the choices may be more expensive. Let me explain what that means. We get designs from big stores all the time. The first thing I notice is the 2-step crown molding is always left off the design. The reason? It adds $ 800.00 – $ 1,300.00 to a mid-size kitchen (depending on amount and style.) Kitchen 101 in how to make a kitchen price "cheaper."
Okay, there might be 3 reasons: overhead might be hefty, yet even then, the cost isn’t going to be loaded all on the cabinets you invest in.
I can’t speak for all designers, but the kitchen designers I know design for the client’s lifestyle, not simply the bottom line. The reasons? Of course it’s our livelihood too, but there’s also professional pride at stake; our reputations make or break our career. Basic, cookie-cutter layouts aren’t our thing – we want to find out what your storage requirements are, where we need to position the small appliances, how we can get the kids making their after-school snacks out of the way so you can work in your kitchen.
Can the bottom line and the lifestyle mesh? Absolutely.
Now it’s not fair to lump all kitchen planners working in a box store – as with everything, it depends; they may be beginning designers, or experienced designer working because the hours fit in better, I don’t know. But I do know the focus of the store is more on getting the price out quickly than getting deep into design.
Also? There are two things that make my ears perk up: Blind corners, while a cheaper alternative than a double corner unit and sometimes necessary for layouts, should be avoided in favor of something easier to reach, especially with the “many years to come” statement.
So here are some options:
- See if you can’t arrange some interviews with smaller companies with the same cabinet lines or similar. If you can find family businesses, even better, but I’m prejudiced – a consumer never has to give you grief for something you did wrong, because your family will dish it out even worse. For years. (I’ve heard.) There is either no cost or minimal cost to have the designer work with you if you’re buying the cabinets from them.
- If you really like Lowe’s, hire an independent kitchen designer. Pay them for their expertise. Get them to work with your architect for the best fit. A good designer will charge anywhere from $ 75.00 – $ 200.00 depending on experience. The more experience, the less hours it takes. (At least it did for me and my clients.) Get the design hammered out and THEN take it to Lowe’s.
You never want look back and say, “If only…” and while it may feel wrong now to spend all this money on the architect and have to spend more for a kitchen design, you won’t feel that way at all if it doesn’t turn out the how you want. You’re not doing a home for a 2-year turnaround, or something that you won’t be living in as often because it’s a second home. This is it: figuring out your layout is crucial. Make sure the designer you choose is something you can mind-meld with – we only have one life – go for excited mode instead of dubious. Repeat after me: this should be fun!
But then, I’m prejudiced – I’m sure you’ve figured that out by now. Good luck, and keep us in the loop, please? I’m sure all the other readers’ are like me, “I wonder what she’s going to do?” *grin*
And if any of you have a story to share, let’s hear it!

