10 Questions to Ask During Your Kitchen Design Appointment

Planning a new kitchen is exciting, but it can be difficult to know what to ask during your design appointment. From choosing the right layout and storage to comparing finishes, worktops and appliances, the right questions can help you make more confident decisions.

Following our guide to preparing for your first showroom visit, we have brought together 10 important questions to ask your STORI retailer during your design appointment.

1. How does this layout work for the way I live?

Tell your designer how you cook, entertain and spend time in the room. Ask how the layout supports those routines, whether the cooking, preparation and cleaning areas flow well, and if doors, drawers and appliances can open without obstructing the space.

2. Which layout would work best in my space?

Ask which layout best suits the size and shape of your room, and whether there is more than one option worth exploring. Your designer can show you how different layouts would affect storage, worktop space and movement through the kitchen.

Explore our guide to kitchen layouts before your appointment to understand your options.

3. How can I maximise storage?

Talk your designer through what you need to store, how often you use it and where you use it. Ask whether pull out larders, corner pull outs, deep drawers, integrated bins or practical under sink storage could help you make better use of the available space.

Keeping everyday items close to where they are used will help your finished kitchen feel more organised and effortless to use.

4. What cabinet finishes are most durable?

Ask how each cabinet finish will perform in everyday life. If you have a busy household, consider durability, resistance to marks and fingerprints, cleaning and maintenance. Your designer can explain the practical differences between painted, timber, matte and gloss finishes.

5. How will these colours and finishes look in my home?

Ask to see physical samples and, where possible, view them at home. Discuss how natural light, flooring and wall colours may affect how the finish appears, particularly at different times of day.

6. What worktop materials would you recommend?

Different worktop materials offer different benefits in terms of appearance, durability, maintenance and price. Ask your designer to compare suitable options, including quartz, granite, laminate and timber, and explain their resistance to heat, stains and scratches, as well as any ongoing care they require.

7. What lighting should I include?

A considered lighting scheme can transform how your kitchen looks and feels. Ask how general, task and feature lighting can work together, including integrated lighting beneath wall cabinets, around cabinetry, above an island or inside glazed cabinets.

It is also important to consider where switches, sockets and controls will be positioned.

8. Which appliances should I choose?

Talk to your designer about how you cook and which appliances matter most to you. Ask which options best suit your lifestyle, available space and budget, and how they can be integrated into the overall design.

9. What is included in the quotation?

Ask whether the quotation includes cabinetry, worktops, handles, appliances, lighting, sinks, taps, delivery and installation.

10. What happens after this appointment?

Before leaving, confirm when you will receive the design and quotation, whether a home survey or another meeting is needed, and when final choices must be made.

Take your time and keep asking questions

Your design appointment is an opportunity to explore your ideas and begin shaping a kitchen around the way you live. Be open about your routines, priorities and budget, and ask for clarification whenever you need it. The more your designer understands about you, the better suited the finished kitchen will be to your home.

Ready to bring your ideas to life?

Create your STORI moodboard to collect the ranges, colours, finishing touches and inspiring spaces you love. You can then share it with your nearest STORI retailer ahead of your appointment, giving your designer a clearer picture of your personal style from the very beginning.

Find your nearest STORI retailer and book a design appointment to start shaping a kitchen made for the way you live.