**Kitchen design & build by Fifi McGee**

When I worked on designs for the property above, it was a thrilling ride.

It was a completely bespoke kitchen so full of potential, with a huge space to fill and amazing natural light flooding in 😍 We made it the absolute dream space for my clients and their family.

But during the planning phase of my projects, many of my clients have questions about who does what – the kitchen designer and me, the interior designer. So there’s no overlap.

If you’re curious about this too, this post might surprise you!

First things first, when you're gearing up for a new kitchen project, it's way more than just a renovation – it's a significant investment into a room that will enhance your entire life. You're not just spending thousands of pounds on supplies and construction; you're crafting the heart of your home.

I don’t think there’s a single person who hasn’t lived with a kitchen that’s stressful to cook in or might have looked good when it was first installed, but dated just a few years after!

So as you’re designing your kitchen, you need it to not only meet your practical needs but also stand the test of time in design. It's about creating a space that's optimised for light, storage, and countless family gatherings.

And let's face it – a kitchen redo isn’t something you’ll be doing often, so getting it right the first time is crucial.

This is where the expertise of a designer comes in, but who exactly do you turn to? An interior designer or a kitchen designer?

Both bring unique skills and perspectives to the table. In this article, I’ll delve into the roles of interior and kitchen designers, helping you understand who you need to ensure your kitchen is not only practical and beautiful but a place you'll continue to adore for the next 10 to 15 years.

So first of all, what does an interior designer do?

Interior designers are skilled professionals trained to create functional and aesthetically pleasing environments for clients. They’re usually trained to degree level, specialising in:

Spatial planning – they heavily consider factors like flow in the kitchen and between rooms, furniture placement, and efficient use of space to improve the client’s experience
Overall aesthetics & cohesion – they skillfully mix colours & materials to create cohesion between spaces
Functionality – whether it's a family home needing durable materials and clever storage solutions, they focus on how the space will be used and ensure it meets the client's lifestyle needs
Budget management – they’re well versed in selecting an array of materials and suppliers to achieve your look within budget. Often trialling products, looks, and suppliers.

And what does a kitchen designer do?

Kitchen designers are different in that they are specialists in planning, design, and execution of kitchen spaces only – usually working on behalf of the kitchen supplier you’re interested in buying with. They receive specialist training focused on kitchen design and technical aspects of kitchen cabinetry & construction. And they’re great for input on:

Ergonomic Design – they’re experts in creating ergonomic spaces that facilitate ease of movement and use applying methods like the 'work triangle' – the relationship between the cooker, sink, and fridge – to ensure efficient meal preparation and cooking flow
Customisation – they excel in customising kitchens to fit the specific needs and preferences of the homeowner leaning on their own products and ranges
Trend-led – they keep up with the latest trends in kitchen design and can guide the homeowner with choices to achieve what they’re looking for

How does a kitchen designer and interior designer differ?

While both interior designers and kitchen designers aim to create beautiful and functional spaces, their areas of focus and expertise can differ and sometimes overlap. Understanding these differences can help you decide who to hire for your project.

Interior Designers: They’re trained to enhance the overall aesthetics and functionality of an entire home or specific rooms, including living rooms, bedrooms, open-plan living spaces, bathrooms and kitchens. Their approach is holistic, considering the house as a whole.
Kitchen Designers: They specialise in kitchens only, focusing on the specific needs and challenges of this area. Their expertise lies in creating a kitchen that is not only visually appealing but also ergonomically sound and practical.

Their responsibilities differ on projects:

Interior Designers: Our work encompasses a broad range of elements including furniture selection, colour schemes for walls and surfaces, lighting, flooring & tile selection and floor planning. We consider how each room flows into the next, ensuring a cohesive design theme throughout the home.
Kitchen Designers: They concentrate on kitchen-specific details like cabinetry, worktops, appliances, and layout. Interior designers concentrate on this too, which is where you may find overlap. However interior designers and kitchen designers often work in harmony, borrowing each other’s specialisms – blending the interior designer’s eye for cohesion and overall aesthetics and the kitchen designer’s cabinetry and technical knowledge.

Their skills differ too:

Interior Designers: They often have a broad knowledge of architecture, design principles, and building regulations. They might also have skills in project & budget management, overseeing renovations, and coordinating with contractors. They also have a breadth of tested suppliers to ensure their design vision is translated accurately.
Kitchen Designers: They usually have in-depth knowledge of kitchen-specific building codes, plumbing requirements, appliance functionality, and cabinetry construction. Their skill set is often more specialised, focusing on the technical aspects of kitchen design. You see how the two roles differ but are super complimentary?

Their overall aims:

Interior Designers: Our primary aim is to create spaces that reflect the homeowner's personality and style while ensuring cohesion throughout the home. We present design solutions that are highly functional and affordable to the client. I mean, we do more but this post is already getting long!
Kitchen Designers: Their main goal is to design a kitchen that is highly functional, efficient, and tailored to the specific cooking and entertaining needs of the homeowners. They’re specialist.

**discussing kitchen layout and flooring**

How do interior designers and kitchen designers work together?

90% of homeowners in our community take on spatial planning, design & colours by themselves with guidance in our design modules. I try to train our students so that they practice the same techniques I apply to clients’ homes feeling confident to make their own choices. They then lean on a kitchen designer from their chosen supplier to design the layout and kitchen specifics. It works and our students are developing stunning kitchens, but there are definitely pros and cons to this route which I’ll explain.

Other homeowners who may be stuck for time, or creatively blocked lean on an interior designer to develop the vision and finishes for their kitchen, bringing in a kitchen designer to specify the cabinet and appliance arrangement.

I think if we look at what the roles individually bring to projects, it will really help you decide who you need and how much support you require.

Kitchen designers role:

Recommend a suitable kitchen range for your style
Provide detailed cabinet & appliance layouts for the kitchen only (not adjoining spaces)
Show you the various colours and options within the range (it’s your responsibility to choose colours that will complement other materials and adjoining spaces)
They’ll usually include 3D views to visualise the room
They will assist in helping you select worktops, handles, taps and sinks
They have a very strong awareness of the construction methods for their specific stock and can therefore problem solve well
But be aware that they can be on commission or driving ‘upsells’ to increase order values for their company

Cost: Usually free as part of their sales process
Experience: Can vary hugely. You could have a highly experienced kitchen designer that’s been working for the supplier for years or a Saturday employee who is in the middle of training. It tends to be the luck of the draw.

Interior designers role:

Appointed by you & work independently
Help you define your style if you’re confused about what you like
Will look at your property holistically and design the kitchen alongside any adjoining spaces to ensure cohesion
Will recommend kitchen specifics as well as lighting, tiles, extractor/joinery design, flooring & wall colours (the areas not typically chosen by kitchen designers)
Recommend a suitable kitchen supplier & range for your style & budget (they’ve usually tried & tested suppliers on previous clients but they may not have the technical knowledge kitchen designers have)
Recommend a cabinet, appliance & furniture layout for the kitchen & adjoining spaces (3D or technical drawings are charged extra – whereas kitchen designers will provide these free as part of their sales)
Provide styling advice and/or a shopping list to finish the space

Cost: Every designer will charge differently. My fees for online design starts from £950 or an open-plan kitchen diner depending on the number of adjoining spaces, size and scope
Experience: Varies based on the interior designer chosen

Who should you hire? A kitchen designer? An interior designer? or both?

Choosing between an interior designer and a kitchen designer or both, really depends on several key factors. And it’s important to consider these because you don’t want to be unnecessarily paying for services you don’t need.

1. How much time you have

Are you renovating the kitchen only or multiple rooms? If you're planning to redesign your entire home, several rooms, or an open-plan kitchen living space, an interior designer is likely your best bet. They’ll ensure that there’s a harmonious flow and consistent style throughout your home and they’ll remove a lot of the stress from decision making plus they’ll save you heaps of time and money via trade discounts.
Are you confident with design and have time? If you’ve done a few rooms now and you know the look you love, a kitchen designer might be more appropriate. They specialise in maximising the functionality and aesthetic of kitchen spaces and you can lead on the other aesthetic choices to ensure it comes together beautifully.

2. Budget considerations

Do you have the funds for e-design? Interior designers will charge a fee whereas kitchen designers will usually come free with the supplier you have in mind as part of their sales process. It may be more cost-effective to hire an interior designer if you're tackling multiple spaces or open plan spaces, and want access to trade discounts. Especially if you choose an interior designer that can offer online design which can be more affordable (and faster) than traditional design services while making a saving with their trade account.
Are you completely strapped for cash? If every penny of your budget needs to be invested in the kitchen supply and fit then investing in a kitchen designer will yield the best value for your money. Be cautious and smart about what products and ranges they’re offering and shop around so that you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

3. Do you know your design style?

Nope, I have no idea! If you look at kitchens online and love them all, or if you have magpie tendencies and one minute you love minimal, the next minute you love mid-century, then an interior designer can help in defining and translating the right vision throughout your home. The kitchen being so costly and hard to change once it’s in, isn’t one to experiment with when it comes to design styles. Save any experimentation for your downstairs loo! 😅
Yep, I’m totally clear! If this isn’t your first rodeo and you’re clear on the style of kitchen and colours you want for walls and adjoining spaces, then a kitchen designer's focused expertise will be a good fit for you.

4. Do you need help with cohesion?

Yes!: For a unified look across your home, an interior designer can ensure that the design elements in your kitchen complement the rest of your open plan space or adjoining spaces. They can also prevent problems arising, like not being able to fit that dining table you wanted because the kitchen units poke out too much!
No!: If you want your kitchen to have a distinct style separate from the rest of your house or if you’re confident when it comes to developing a sense of flow, tell your kitchen designer your vision and they will recommend their solutions.

Making Your Decision – do you have one or the other, or both?

Your choice should align with your project's scope, budget, style preferences, and overall design goals for your home. But in my honest opinion, if you can afford to have both, have both.

Online design is a small price to pay to get an expensive investment done well, and it will remove so many headaches from your kitchen renovation. Each professional brings unique skills and insights to the table, which will ensure that your project is a success. And believe me, interior designers and kitchen designers work very harmoniously reducing overlap, leaning on each other’s expertise.

My recommendation is to find an interior designer who has designed homes that are at your budget level, and look like your taste. If you’re looking for an interior designer who specialises in timeless kitchens (like my client’s kitchen, the pics I’ve put throughout this post) then take a look at my interior design services here.

I hope this has clarified the difference between Kitchen Designers and Interior Designers to help you make the right call and achieve your dream kitchen!

Thanks for reading,

Fi xoxo

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Interior designer vs Kitchen designer: What's the difference? Which do I need?