How Much Does Kitchen Design Cost? [2026 Data]

The kitchen design cost ranges between $4,889 and $31,612 or $17,510 on average.

Whether you’re visiting your most stylish friend or rewatching your favorite Nancy Meyers rom-com, it’s not unusual to see a beautiful kitchen and think, why can’t that be mine? With a good sense of your budget and some help from an interior designer who specializes in kitchens, it can be. This guide will tell you how much you can expect to pay to work with a pro who will help you plan the kitchen remodel of your dreams.

What Does a Kitchen Designer Do?

A kitchen designer is a type of interior designer who specializes in kitchen remodeling. They're the experts you want to talk to if you don't know where to start on your kitchen design but have an idea of what you'd like to change in your space. A kitchen designer can work with you on your kitchen layout, as well as themes, colors, countertops, and backsplash materials.

Kitchen designers often work with their clients to develop blueprints for the new kitchen, which will be passed on to the kitchen remodeler when it’s time to move to the next phase of the project.

However, kitchen designers aren't experts in more technical aspects such as structural design, electrical work, plumbing, and gas lines. You'll want to bring in a contractor specializing in those areas when it's time to start building.

Cost Factors of Kitchen Design Costs

The wide range of potential costs for a kitchen remodel design reflects the varied options available from different designers and the different projects you can do. These include:

Level of Involvement

A kitchen design can cover everything from the overall plan to the last detail of every fitting—most designers will be flexible with different budgets, proposing options that involve more or fewer hours of work. If you hire a kitchen designer for each step of the design process, from choosing countertop materials to overseeing the appliance installations, you can expect to pay significantly more than only hiring a designer for select steps.

Scope of the Remodel

A kitchen design that only replaces appliances, countertops, and cabinetry will cost less than one that requires more extensive structural intervention, such as removing a wall or rerouting pipes. As with many other home projects, more square footage will also translate into a bigger price tag.

In-House vs. Collaborative

If your plan requires your designer to contract with architects, builders, or engineers, the cost will likely be higher than it would be from a design center that could handle these tasks in-house. Plus, you’ll have to cover the costs of each contractor in addition to kitchen designer labor fees.

Deliverables

Part of your design fee will cover the physical plans presented by the designer, from sketches to blueprints to 3D renderings. The more elaborate or specialized the plan, the more it will add to your costs. Be sure to review the kitchen designer’s deliverables and the cost of each service before hiring them.

Fee Structure

When you’re considering different kitchen designers in your area, you’ll need to consider their fee structure in addition to their aesthetic and their price. There are differences not only between what designers charge but how they charge.

No matter which model the designer chooses, you should also figure out when they expect to be paid. When starting a project, it’s common to request a deposit or retainer—typically between 25% and 65% of the total cost (50% is most common). Often an additional portion of the total sum (usually 30% to 50%) must be paid when cabinets are delivered to your home.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from each type of fee structure:

• Hourly rate: The most common approach, especially among independent kitchen designers, is to establish an hourly rate that will apply to everything from design time to site visits, meetings, and phone calls. 

• Flat fee: Other designers or firms will establish a set charge from the beginning, whether for the whole job or for an initial proposal. This fee will likely be deducted from the final cost if you opt to work with the designer who made it. 

• Cost plus or markup: Many designers work for companies that sell the fixtures you’ll be including your redesign, and others will directly source materials on your behalf. In this arrangement, the design fee may be included as markup or in additional costs per item. 

• Milestone fees: Another option is for the designer to spread out fees over the whole course of the project so that you pay some portion to start, another when the plan is delivered, another once permits are approved, and so on. 

Kitchen Design Costs by Different Types of Pro

Once you’ve decided to bring in a local kitchen design pro, you have a choice between three broad types of providers. All of these pros offer different levels and types of services:

In-Store Consultation 

Some stores, including home goods retailers, high-end design firms, or those who sell cabinetry and countertops, will offer in-store kitchen design consultation services.

• At larger national retail outlets, consultations are often provided for free, though the scope of the plans may be more limited and catered to the products carried by the store. 

• If it’s a specialty dealer that sells all or many of the pieces included in the design, the fee might be rendered as cost-plus or markup.  

• At a high-end storefront design studio, you will likely pay between $150 and $450 per meeting, which typically includes a home visit for measurements. In most cases, this expense is deducted from the final total if you proceed with their plan.

Professional Design Center

Professional design centers employ many different designers with whom you can work. It’s often the most expensive option but also the most thorough, providing you access to specialists in all aspects of the design.

At one of these companies, you can expect to pay between $100 and $750 per hour. In most cases, this will be the most expensive option, but the plans you end up with are typically very thorough, covering everything from materials to fittings to color schemes.

Certified Independent Kitchen Designer

Instead of opting for a larger firm, you could also hire an individual designer accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Costs can be lower or higher than a design center, and there’s often more room for flexibility in the designer’s approach.

There are many great independent kitchen designers out there—many of them formally certified by the NKBA—giving you confidence that the person you’re hiring is an expert in their field.

In addition to making sure your kitchen layout meets your needs, these contractors will usually coordinate between architects, suppliers, and builders, saving you a lot of time and energy.

Certified designers usually charge $65 to $250 per hour, or alternately, 10% to 20% of the total redesign cost. For a mid-range project, expect a final charge between $1,500 and $3,000.

Why You Should Hire a Kitchen Design Pro

The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house, so you want to ensure the new design is functional and beautiful. The best way to do this is to make the investment in hiring a local kitchen designer for help. These pros will help you make your dreams a reality, all while guaranteeing the new kitchen will be safe, functional, and durable over the years. While pro kitchen designers can cost up to $5,000, it’s ultimately worth the cost when you consider the years of enjoyment your kitchen will bring.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a kitchen design pro

There are a few key reasons to invest in a pro kitchen designer for this job, such as:

• Quickly creating the finalized design of your new kitchen

• Help with the logistics of bringing your design to life

• Support with complex redesign steps, such as remodeling or rerouting plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems

• Get connected to trusted contractors to perform the work

• Get help problem-solving throughout the process

• Access to better deals on materials

If you want to DIY a kitchen design

While it’s difficult to completely reimagine your kitchen without help, you can save some money by tackling the following steps yourself:

• Come up with cosmetic redesigns (e.g., new cabinetry, paint, or countertop materials) yourself

• Pick out a few key elements (e.g., light fixtures, faucets, appliances) yourself to base the rest of the design around

• Consider doing some of the work yourself, such as painting

Cost of Common Kitchen Design Add-Ons

When it comes to redesigning your kitchen, there are seemingly endless add-ons features to consider. Work with your professional kitchen designer to budget for the additional expenses you may incur.

• Installing new countertops: $1,900–$4,400

• Installing new backsplash: $500–$1,700

• Installing new cabinets: $2,000–$10,500

• Painting cabinets: $400–$1,400

• Installing new kitchen sink: $200–$700 

How to Save on Kitchen Design Costs 

Whether you hire a kitchen remodeling pro or DIY your kitchen remodel, the costs can add up quickly. However, there are ways you can save money while still designing the kitchen of your dreams. For instance, you can:

• Collect quotes from a variety of remodeling pros to shop around for the best bargains. 

• Upgrade your existing hardware and decor rather than replacing them. 

• Consider opting for less high-end materials and go for the standard options.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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