Kitchens and bathrooms are key parts of any home, but designing them isn’t as easy as you might think. That’s why the expertise of a kitchen and bathroom designer can offer the best results. A professional experienced in this area will be able to take a brief, introduce fresh ideas and inspiration and suggest ways of enhancing the space and functionality of the room.

In New Zealand, many kitchen and bathroom designers are part of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA), a specialist organisation that provides leadership, direction and education for the kitchen and bathroom industry, including both design and manufacturing professionals.

Choosing to use an NKBA member ensures the professional designer or manufacturer you are engaging is suitably qualified and regularly participates in industry events and on-going education in the field. 

What are the benefits of using a kitchen and bathroom designer?

While an architect can design kitchens and bathrooms, it is not generally their area of expertise. In comparison, a kitchen and bathroom designer focuses only on these two areas of the home.

A professional in this area will be able to help you make the most of the available space with clever designs, whether it’s a small bathroom or an extensive kitchen with multiple zones.

To achieve the best results, consider engaging a kitchen and bathroom designer early in the design process so that the professional can work in conjunction with the architect or builder from the outset. If a kitchen and bathroom designer is engaged later in the process and design changes are required to consented plans or construction work that is already underway to achieve the desired outcome, this can result in costly delays so it’s always preferable to have all design professionals working together from the outset.

What does a kitchen and bathroom designer do?

• Spatial design
• Lighting design
• Cabinetry
• Appliances
• Material sourcing and specification
• Colour schemes
• Kitchen and bathroom renovations and new builds

A kitchen and bathroom designer will generally work in conjunction with the architect or architectural designer, the interior designer, builder and cabinetmaker, and may be engaged from the design phase right through until completion. Some kitchen and bathroom designers will stay on after designs are finalised and consented to manage the installation of the kitchen and any related work.

What products will a kitchen and bathroom designer specify or source?

• Benchtops, sinks and tapware
• Kitchen appliances
• Baths and showers
• Vanities
• Tiles, paints and wallcoverings
• Lighting
• Floor coverings
• Window dressings
• Bathroom fittings
• Artwork
• Cabinetry