What Goes into Kitchen Design: The Importance of Hiring a Kitchen Designer in Tacoma, WA
Remodeling your kitchen is an exciting process, and it can be a little overwhelming. Where do you even begin such a big project? If you’re like many other Tacoma homeowners, you’re ready to start picking out tile, cabinets, counters, and paint colors. You’ve been dreaming about this renovation for months, and you can’t wait to get started! But jumping into making decisions without a clear design plan is a recipe for disappointment and frustration.
Design is the foundation of a great kitchen remodel. Thoughtful design leads to fewer surprises, better decisions, a smoother process, and a more satisfactory outcome. Working with a professional designer—especially in a design-build construction company—will ensure that your Tacoma kitchen remodel is exactly what you dreamed of, or even better than you could have imagined.
Why Design Should Come First
Design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a functional, strategic part of the construction process that is tailored to the way you live in your home. Every home remodeling project benefits from a great design, no matter how small the project. And a kitchen renovation isn’t small. It could involve:
Layout changes
Plumbing and electrical modifications
Structural work
HVAC changes (sometimes)
Cabinetry and countertops
Tile and flooring
Appliances
And more
A kitchen remodel involves dozens of decisions, from layouts to finishes to lighting. And they all need to be cohesive and complementary, and aligned with how your specific family uses the space. Without a clear design plan, things can get disorganized fast, and the end result won’t be the perfect kitchen you imagine. Design helps homeowners visualize the outcome and make confident choices—with the assistance and input of a professional. It also helps the construction team know exactly what’s going on and where they’re headed, reducing costly delays or mid-project change orders.
The Value of Working with a Kitchen Designer
Why can’t you, as a homeowner, design your own space? Well, you can do a lot of it. But it will be pretty overwhelming to make all the decisions necessary without any assistance or input. A professional designer will talk extensively with you and translate your ideas into a cohesive, functional plan that is perfect for you. She will ask the right questions about your lifestyle—how you cook and entertain, and how you want to use the space.
There’s another side to design that homeowners don’t always consider. Experienced designers don’t just deal with the aesthetics of a remodel, the parts you can see. They also consider layout, workflow, code requirements, systems, lighting, and more. Having a designer on your construction team is invaluable. Ultimately, they act as your guide and advocate through the process.
Our Design Process: From Concept to Construction
Massey Design + Build is a design-build company. This means that everything needed for your Tacoma home remodel is handled in-house, from design to completion. We believe this is the very best process for remodeling a home because it allows for collaboration, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving within the team. And it guarantees great communication, personalized care, a smoother process, and less stress for you as the homeowner. Satisfaction ratings are high for clients who use design-build firms for their home remodels.
When you sit down with our in-house, professional designer, there are several tools you can expect her to use to help you have the best and most successful experience possible.
Mood Boards
This is where it all begins. As you begin collecting ideas—images, textures, colors, layouts, furniture, finishes–your designer can start to understand your tastes and preferences. Together, you look for patterns and clarify your style and preferences.
Custom 3D rendering of our client’s kitchen design | Luxe White, Oak & Brass
3D Renderings
We give you multiple full-color 3D renderings with different options for layout and design. This lets you visualize the space and imagine more accurately what it will be like to live in. By walking through your finished space virtually, you can make changes with confidence. Your designer will be there to help you with any modifications you want, ensuring that the finished project meets your needs.
Material Selections
Once the layout is decided and the vision is clear, our designer will help our clients make selections, including cabinets, countertops, hardware, fixtures, and more. While many remodelers will give their clients a list and send them out to choose what they want, we believe that you’ll be much more satisfied with the end result (and less stressed during the process!) if you have access to more help. Our designer visits showrooms with you and helps you every step of the way.
Client Collaboration
By working with you through every step of the design process, we make sure the final design is personal and practical—just what you need your home to be. And we believe you’ll agree: the early investment in design pays off during construction and beyond.
How Good Design Reduces Surprises
Spending time on the design process for your Tacoma kitchen remodel is nothing but beneficial for your project.
Design prevents mid-project changes, which can be both stressful and expensive.
It helps you set a more accurate timeline and budget—you’ll know what to expect.
Your contractors and subcontractors will have a clear set of plans to follow, along with accurate scheduling, resulting in fewer errors and delays.
A good design plan ensures that everything—from appliances to storage—has been considered in advance.
Design helps reveal any potential issues that might arise, before construction starts.
Satisfaction Starts with Design
A well-designed kitchen isn’t just beautiful—it works for your life. It supports your family and loved ones in how you use the space, how you want to gather, and what you need. The time spent upfront with a designer when you’re remodeling your Tacoma kitchen is time well spent to ensure that the remodeling project runs smoothly and results in a space you truly love.
If you’re ready to begin a kitchen remodel, prioritizing design as the first step—not an afterthought—will be one of the best decisions you can make. Reach out today to learn more about our design-first process and how we can help bring your vision to life. You’ll be glad you did.