DH & I are planning on remodeling our very tiny galley kitchen and adjoining family room by expanding out about 8 feet. The problem is, neither one of us has an eye for what goes together. We both know what we like/don't like when we see it, but just aren't creative enough to coordinate things on our own.

So, are we better off getting an interior designer's perspective first, or hiring an architect? Are architects trained in any way to help people decide on things like what countertop color looks best with a particular cabinetry color? On the flip side, would an interior designer be aware of things like plumbing & electrical requirements/codes? This is the home we plan on staying in for at least the next 15 years, until our children finish school, so we'd like to make it very much "ours".

Can anyone help? TIA!

If the extension isn't restricted by other things, position of doors, windows etc, then I would start with a kitchen designer, they will know better what is available in the market. Surfaces, doors, appliances, cupboards drawers etc. position of appliances to best effect. They can design your kitchen on a laptop, and show you a 3D picture, in colour. Also its a free service, and they are good at what they do, remember its all they do. Only when you know what you want, go to an Architect to design the box it fits in.

Either could do the job - if you get the right one!

The architect practice I worked at had a mix of people with different skills, and there were one or two I wouldn't ask to help me pick worktops!

A good interior designer should have a good idea of what's required to bring a vision to fruition

if you're happy to purchase all your products from one source, do as Tooeg suggests and use the design service in store

In your shoes I'd be digging the yellow pages out and asking for a few ballpark figures from the professionals :)

I would start with the architect who will have a better idea of if what you want can be done.

DH & I are planning on remodeling our very tiny galley kitchen and adjoining family room by expanding out about 8 feet. The problem is, neither one of us has an eye for what goes together. We both know what we like/don't like when we see it, but just aren't creative enough to coordinate things on our own.

So, are we better off getting an interior designer's perspective first, or hiring an architect? Are architects trained in any way to help people decide on things like what countertop color looks best with a particular cabinetry color? On the flip side, would an interior designer be aware of things like plumbing & electrical requirements/codes? This is the home we plan on staying in for at least the next 15 years, until our children finish school, so we'd like to make it very much "ours".

Can anyone help? TIA!


I think an Architect is overkill for a small job like this. Best thing to do is get some brochures, visit some showrooms, buy some magazines and cut out your ideas. Showrooms will already have co-ordinated kitchens so they can give you an idea immediately.

Don't know if I read your post correct but are you planning an actual extension or are the changes purely internal within the current building shell?

DH & I are planning on remodeling our very tiny galley kitchen and adjoining family room by expanding out about 8 feet. The problem is, neither one of us has an eye for what goes together. We both know what we like/don't like when we see it, but just aren't creative enough to coordinate things on our own.

So, are we better off getting an interior designer's perspective first, or hiring an architect? Are architects trained in any way to help people decide on things like what countertop color looks best with a particular cabinetry color? On the flip side, would an interior designer be aware of things like plumbing & electrical requirements/codes? This is the home we plan on staying in for at least the next 15 years, until our children finish school, so we'd like to make it very much "ours".

Can anyone help? TIA!


I think an Architect is overkill for a small job like this. Best thing to do is get some brochures, visit some showrooms, buy some magazines and cut out your ideas. Showrooms will already have co-ordinated kitchens so they can give you an idea immediately.

Don't know if I read your post correct but are you planning an actual extension or are the changes purely internal within the current building shell?
If you are planning an extension then you may want someone to draw up your plans to submit for planning and building regs if required. Then you just hire a builder and they should cover all types of work from electrical to joinery etc and off you go

beware, there are lots of people out there who call themselves architectural design consultants and funny things like that, these are unlikely to be real architects who you can find through RIBA. Architects tend to need an A level in art or design to get onto their degrees so they should have good taste. My partner is an architect and he does beautiful stuff, he despairs of me!

Also, if it is a small space an architect will be able to make the most of the space and will know the practicalities behind the design.

if it is a kitchen job then speak to a person that deals with kitchens , but avoid the big diy stores , because they know nothing about kitchen design .

if it is a kitchen job then speak to a person that deals with kitchens , but avoid the big diy stores , because they know nothing about kitchen design .

Very true! they also seem to use tape measures that bare little resemblance to mine:hihi:

An architect can help you only if you change the structure of your house. In many cases removing a wall could weaken the ceiling or puting a strain on other parts of the stucture.

Contact first an architect Remodeling San Diego make sure your plans are safe and then contact an interior designer.

An architect can help you only if you change the structure of your house. In many cases removing a wall could weaken the ceiling or puting a strain on other parts of the stucture.

Contact first an architect Remodeling San Diego make sure your plans are safe and then contact an interior designer.

Brilliant!!!...fancy sending someone out to give me a quote??? :rolleyes:

DH & I are planning on remodeling our very tiny galley kitchen and adjoining family room by expanding out about 8 feet. The problem is, neither one of us has an eye for what goes together. We both know what we like/don't like when we see it, but just aren't creative enough to coordinate things on our own.

So, are we better off getting an interior designer's perspective first, or hiring an architect? Are architects trained in any way to help people decide on things like what countertop color looks best with a particular cabinetry color? On the flip side, would an interior designer be aware of things like plumbing & electrical requirements/codes? This is the home we plan on staying in for at least the next 15 years, until our children finish school, so we'd like to make it very much "ours".

Can anyone help? TIA!

So this is obviously a set up, which one of the people who reply to your topics is the other half of the scheme, do we get prizes for guessing.
You should at least alter the wording a bit, and run a few more replies on the new name, it gives it a bit more authenticity. Forummers are always suspicious of new posters with their own topics