You only design a kitchen once every 10 or 15 years. So when you do it, you want to get it right. Not just the colour of the doors or the shape of the handles, but the layout, the storage, the feel of the place. And that all starts with the first proper conversation you have with the person designing it.
If your design consultation turns into a sales pitch or a generic slideshow, you’re wasting time. A good consultation is more like a site visit and a sit-down chat rolled into one. You talk about what you like, what you hate, what annoys you every morning, and what you’ve always wanted but never had space for.
Here’s how to make that consultation actually work for you.
Forget Pinterest for a Second
Everyone walks in with a screenshot. A pale blue kitchen with gold taps. A navy island with a wine fridge. Nothing wrong with that. But your kitchen isn’t on Pinterest. It’s in your house. With your family. With your mess.
Before you start dreaming, get practical. What way does the light come into the room? Is there a weird box in the ceiling you forgot about? Where do people always dump their bags? That’s what the consultation is for. Not to copy someone else’s kitchen. To build one that fits your life.
Talk About Your Pain Points
What drives you mad about your current kitchen? Is it the cutlery drawer that jams? The press that smells of damp? The corner cupboard where stuff goes to die?
These things matter. Because they tell the designer what not to repeat. If you hate bending down to get pans, mention it. If your fridge door bangs into the wall, say so. That stuff shapes the layout more than any colour scheme ever will.
Be Honest About How You Use It
Some people cook once a day. Others cook for 15. Some use their kitchen like a hotel lobby. Others barely touch it during the week. If you tell the truth about how you actually live, the designer can build something that suits your rhythm.
Do you eat in the kitchen or the dining room? Do you need space for homework? Do you always charge your phone in the corner by the toaster?
That’s what real kitchen design is built on. Not style boards. Real life.
Bring Measurements, But Don’t Panic If You Don’t
If you’ve got plans or a rough sketch with measurements, great. Bring them. But if not, just make sure someone will be doing a site visit before anything is ordered. A consultation can still be useful without full drawings.
What helps even more is photos. Clear ones. From every angle. Include the floor and ceiling if possible. These help the designer visualise the space better than any brochure ever could.
Ask This Question First
“What would you do if this was your house?”
That one question tells you a lot about the designer. If they talk like a salesperson, move on. If they say something like “I’d knock that wall if I could” or “I’d move the fridge to this corner so it’s not in the way”, you’ve got someone who actually cares.
Get a Feel for Their Process
Not every company does things the same way. Some send drawings in a few days. Others take a week. Some include fitting. Others just hand you the kitchen and disappear.
Ask them how things go once the consultation is done. Do they handle electrics? Do they fit the kitchen themselves? Is everything made locally or ordered in? You want to know who’s doing what, when, and how long it’ll take.
Talk About Budget. Early.
The best consultations don’t dance around price. You don’t need to give a final number. But if you’re thinking ten grand and they’re quoting thirty, you’re both wasting time.
Say what you’re comfortable spending. A good kitchen designer will tell you honestly what’s possible within that. If they promise the world for pennies, walk away.
Don’t Worry About Saying “I Don’t Know”
Some people feel pressure to have every decision made before the consultation. Don’t. It’s fine to say “I don’t know if I want drawers or presses” or “I’m not sure about the colour”.
A good designer will walk you through it, show you real examples, explain what works in what space. That’s part of their job. You’re not expected to be the expert.
Ask About the Materials
MDF or plywood? Matt or gloss? Laminate or quartz? These things matter more than most people realise.
A consultation is the time to ask “What’s that made of?” and “How long will it last?” You don’t need to be technical. You just need to care about what your money is buying. And if they can’t answer, it’s a red flag.
Take Notes After
As soon as you leave or hang up the call, jot down what you remember. What you liked. What felt off. What you want to ask again. The first meeting is always a blur, and your thoughts are clearest straight after.
Even better, send a follow-up email the next day. Clarify anything that wasn’t fully clear. Ask for the next steps. Keep it all written down.
Don’t Let Them Rush You
Some companies will offer discounts if you “sign today” or push you to make decisions on the spot. Don’t bite.
You’re not buying a toaster. This is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in your home. If they can’t give you a couple of days to think, they’re not the right people to work with.
Final Thoughts
Your kitchen consultation is your time. You’re not there to be sold to. You’re there to build something better.
Ask awkward questions. Speak up about what you don’t like. Push for clarity. And most of all, make sure the person across the table actually listens.
The best kitchen designers aren’t flashy. They’re thoughtful. They notice where the bin should go, where the light hits in the morning, and how the drawers need to close without waking the baby.
That’s who you want on your side. And if you’re lucky, your consultation will be the start of something class.