Should You Hire a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD) in Boulder, Colorado?
Photo created by Midjourney
There’s a lot at stake when you’re designing a kitchen or bath - your time, your money… even your marriage!
In this blog I chat about the risks of “free” design services, and the benefits of professional expertise that go beyond cabinet layout and account for complicated building codes, specialized plumbing, electrical, and ventilation requirements, and effective lighting, storage, and work zone design.
Discover how working with a CKBD residential kitchen and bath designer can help you save time, avoid costly mistakes, communicate effectively with your partner and your contractor, and help you get the detailed plans and specialized expertise you need when remodeling a kitchen or bath or building a custom home…
The Stakes of Kitchen and Bath Design
Kitchen and bathroom renovations are both more costly and more complicated than any other home renovation. These highly technical spaces require detailed plans and specialized expertise involving not just cabinet layouts and appliance specification, but also knowledge of building codes, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, gas lines, lighting, storage, and work zones. And that’s not even considering the aesthetic decisions you have to make for all the fixtures and finishes - phew!
What does “CKBD” stand for?
Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers (CKBD) are a specialized niche within the Interior Design field. Having the CKBD accreditation means your interior designer has undergone rigorous training and certification through the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) to make sure they’ve got the technical and communication skills necessary to deliver top-tier design solutions.
To get the CKBD accreditation your designer must have completed a professional development program, pass a written exam that exhaustively tests their kitchen and bath design competencies, and submit for review multiple design drawings demonstrating proper floor plan solutions, specifications, graphics and presentation, and mechanical and construction plans. They must also maintain their certification by meeting ongoing continuing education requirements.
While lots of interior designers offer residential kitchen and bathroom design, having the CKBD accreditation means they are thinking beyond aesthetics to the critical functionality needed for these hard-working spaces.
Can’t I just use the free design offered by my local cabinet company?
Homeowners have lots of options when designing kitchens and baths. You might consult with contractors, interior designers, architects, retailers, showrooms, or design centers, but you run a few specific risks when you rely on “free” services and don’t work with a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer.
What’s the risk of using the “free” design offered by my local cabinet company?
Everyone loves a deal, but are you really getting a good deal if you use the free design services at a cabinet showroom or big box store? Here are five important questions to explore before you start working with any designer:
01. What does “free” mean?
The first thing to understand is that if you work with a designer who’s employed by a showroom or cabinet retailer, they’re typically limited by the products and vendors their showroom offers, limiting your design options.
The second thing to recognize is that you’re working with someone who is a commission-based salesperson first and a designer second. Their income (and boss’s happiness) relies on selling you as much of their product as possible.
Finally, because they’re paid on commission they are motivated to have you purchase the most expensive product offerings as quickly as possible. That means they may rush you through the process because, until you buy those cabinets, they aren’t making any money off of you.
Even if they don’t rush you, they will not release the designs, layouts, or dimensions to you because they don’t want to make it easy for you to shop the design with other retailers - they don’t get paid for their time until you make a purchase. That means that if you want to get pricing from more than one cabinet supplier, you’ll have to start the process over with another salesperson.
Overall, it’s just important to realize that the price you’ll pay for that “free” service is knowing your best interest may come second to their best interest.
02. What are their design credentials?
Free or not, you want to make sure you’re getting the right kind of professional help for your kitchen or bath remodel.
Architects are great at their job, but that job isn’t kitchen and bath design. Generally, when an architect hands off a kitchen design you get a bare-bones layout that only provides a general idea of what will go where.
Contractors are great at their job, but that job is to build and install your new kitchen or bath. If you rely on their advice, you’re likely to get whatever design solution is easiest for them to build, which is usually the thing they’ve built 100 times before, or the latest trend or fad.
Showroom designers are great at their job, and their job is to sell you as much of that retailer’s product as possible. Many retail designers got hired for their sales skills rather than their design skills. This isn’t to say you might not find a fabulous designer who’s even CKBD certified - just make sure you ask the right questions to make sure you’re getting the help and expertise you need. Get my list of recommended questions to ask your kitchen or bath designer here.
03. Do they offer full-color 3D visualization for your kitchen or bath remodel?
If you’re going to work with your local home improvement store or cabinet dealer, ask to see what kind of drawings they’ll provide to help you visualize the space.
Most cabinet designers work in software called 20/20 which provides simple black and white drawings, and it usually only shows the cabinetry - no backsplash tile, fixtures, or other personalized details. Few offer full-color 3D renders like I do at Taylored Kitchens and Baths and, even if they do, rarely put the time into making sure all the details, from countertop color and backsplash style to lighting and plumbing fixtures, are accurately represented.
If clearly visualizing your space is important to you, make sure you’ll have access to the tools you’ll need before you invest your time or money into working with that designer.
04. Do they help you specify the fixtures, finishes, and appliances for your kitchen and bath remodel?
If you work with a cabinet showroom designer, they may be able to help you effectively arrange cabinetry but may not be able to assist in other areas, like choosing your backsplash, plumbing fixtures, or lighting fixtures and making sure they coordinate with the adjoining rooms in your home.
05. Will they create a to-scale, comprehensive lighting plan as part of the kitchen and bath cabinet layout?
Most cabinet showroom designers limit their services to creating a cabinet layout, and that’s it. Some will help you choose the counter material or maybe the backsplash tile and cabinet hardware, but rarely will they help with lighting design or electrical plans. Since we know good lighting changes the way your home looks, feels, and functions, if you’re going to work with a cabinet showroom that offers “free” design, give thought to how you’re going to address the other essential parts of the remodeling plan, like lighting and electrical design.
The bottom line
Building a new kitchen or bath is one of the most complicated, costly investments you’ll make in your home. Investing in the right kind of interior design help can make the whole remodel or custom home building process easier, helping you make smart design decisions before you ever lift a hammer to demo the space.
You can get help designing your kitchen and bath from many places, but you’ll get the most personal attention, customized solutions, and comprehensive service from an independent Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD).
How does Taylored Kitchens and Baths compare?
At Taylored Kitchens and Baths I’m a designer first, not a salesperson. I take the time necessary to learn about your family’s unique desires, needs, and lifestyle, and I use an exclusive questionnaire and checklist to make sure I include every necessary feature in your final design.
While I never waste time and can work quickly if needed, I’ll never rush you to finalize a design or try to convince you to order the most expensive cabinetry.
Using professional CAD software I show you 3D pictures of exactly how your space will look and feel when complete, and give you unlimited design changes until you’re 100% satisfied with the design. At the end, you own the final designs so you can take them to any contractor and get multiple bids easily and quickly. Finally, because I am independent from retailers, I’m not limited to any brands or suppliers.
Looking for a CKBD in Boulder, Colorado?
If you’re looking for a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD) in Boulder, Colorado and the Front Range area, I’m proud to say that Taylored Kitchens and Baths is your go-to interior design solution, offering unparalleled expertise in crafting durable, trend-free, and long-lasting kitchen and bath designs.
Whether you work with me or another designer, just make sure you’re getting the design help you expected before you start investing your money or your precious time working with that designer. Work with a CKBD expert who’s trained to design fully functional kitchens and baths and you’re sure to avoid costly mistakes, have a better result, and get to your goals faster and for less money. Get my list of recommended questions to ask your kitchen or bath designer to make sure you get exactly the help you need here.
“We had the pleasure of working with Taylored Kitchen and Baths for our kitchen and primary bathroom remodel, and we couldn't be happier with the results. Lesa's design expertise truly transformed our spaces into stunning showstoppers.
One aspect that stood out was the design questionnaire process Lesa conducted before starting the project. It was incredibly thorough and helped us articulate the functionality and aesthetic we desired. This thoughtful approach ensured that every detail was tailored to our needs and preferences. Just as the company name suggests!
Our new kitchen and primary bathroom are now the highlights of our home. The attention to detail and overall design are impeccable. We highly recommend Taylored Kitchen and Baths to anyone looking to elevate their living spaces. Thank you, Lesa, for your outstanding work!” — Danielle S.
Contact me today!
Ready to transform your kitchen or bath with a durable, long-lasting, and trend-free design? Trust Taylored Kitchens and Baths to bring your vision to life. Let's chat about how I can create the perfect space for you in Boulder, Colorado and beyond.