Designing and fitting a new kitchen is one of the most significant investments a homeowner can make. It is a project that affects how you live every single day, and one that you will want to get right. Yet for many people, the process of working with a kitchen designer can feel unclear or even daunting before they begin.
At Inner Peace Interiors, we have spent over two decades refining how we work with our customers, and we believe the process should feel as enjoyable and reassuring as the finished kitchen itself. Here is exactly what you can expect when you choose to work with us, from the very first conversation right through to the final cup of tea in your brand new space.
It begins with a relaxed showroom meeting
We do not believe in high-pressure sales environments. When you first contact us, we arrange a relaxed meeting at our showroom where we simply sit down together over a cup of tea or coffee and talk through what you are looking for.
This is your chance to tell us about your home, how you use your kitchen, what you love about it currently, what frustrates you and what your ambitions are for the new space. We listen carefully and ask questions, because every customer is different and a truly bespoke kitchen can only be designed by genuinely understanding the person it is being built for.
Following that conversation, we will take you on a tour of the showroom. Every appliance on display is fully working and ready to demonstrate, which means you can see exactly what different options look and feel like before making any decisions. It is also a wonderful opportunity to explore the door styles, finishes and worktop materials we have available and begin to build a picture of your own design.
We visit you at home
Once we have a good understanding of your requirements, we arrange a home visit to measure up and carry out an initial survey. This is much more than a measuring exercise. Seeing the actual room gives us the opportunity to assess everything the project will involve, including any electrical, plumbing, plastering or building work that may be required.
It is also the best possible setting to discuss design ideas. We can talk through layout options in the real space, offer practical advice on what will and will not work, and share ideas based on our decades of hands-on experience. We also bring door and worktop samples with us so you can see how your chosen colours and finishes look in the actual room and lighting conditions of your home.
If building works are required, such as removing a wall or creating an open-plan space, this is when we can begin to discuss the scope of that work and how it will integrate with the kitchen design.
Your design comes to life on screen
With all the measurements and notes transferred into our CAD design system, we begin work on the initial design. This is one of the most exciting stages of the process, because it is when your ideas start to become something you can actually see.
We produce a full photographic render of how your kitchen will look, along with precise technical line drawings. We send through some images ahead of your next showroom visit so you can begin to form an impression, and then we present the full design on a large screen in our dedicated presentation area and walk through every unit, fitting and feature in detail.
This is a collaborative stage. You may want to make changes, explore alternative arrangements or try different door colours and styles. We can do all of that in real time, and we strongly encourage customers to take their time here. The more involved you are in the design, the more personal and successful the finished kitchen will be.
Finalising the details
Once the layout and design are feeling right, we move on to the finer decisions. Worktop materials, sink and tap choices, and appliance selections all come together at this stage. As proud Neff 5 Star Master Partners, we can offer the full Neff range as well as Siemens Studio Line and Bosch, giving you access to some of the very best appliances available.
From there, we produce a fully itemised quotation so you can see precisely what each element of the project costs. We will also make you aware of any current offers or promotions that apply. Importantly, nothing is locked in until you are completely happy, and further changes can still be accommodated at this stage.
A final survey before anything is ordered
Before we place a single order, we return to your home for a final detailed survey. At this visit we run through every unit individually, mark out the positions on the floor and walls, and confirm that everything will fit perfectly. It is also a valuable opportunity for you to visualise exactly where the island will sit, where appliances will be positioned and how the finished room will feel.
Only once everything has been checked and confirmed do we finalise the paperwork, place the orders and schedule the pre-fitting works and installation date.
Installation by a dedicated team
Our installation team are kitchen specialists who have spent decades working exclusively in kitchens. They are considerate, tidy and take enormous pride in their work. Whoever designed your kitchen will personally project manage the installation from start to finish, making site visits throughout and remaining completely contactable at all times.
Your primary point of contact throughout the process will be Andrew, Tracy or Kirsty, whichever of them designed your kitchen. You will never be handed over to a separate project manager you have never met. The same person who listened to your ideas at the beginning will be there to see it through to the end.
The relationship does not end at installation
Once the kitchen is complete, we do not simply disappear. We remain fully invested in your experience and are always available to answer any questions. We also invite all of our customers to our Neff cooking demonstration days, which take place every six months and are run by a home economist who spends the day cooking, feeding guests and sharing professional insight into getting the very best from your appliances.
These events are also a wonderful way to meet other customers and hear about their experiences. Many of our customers have become friends over the years, and several have returned to us for more than one kitchen.
If you are thinking about a new kitchen and would like to find out more, we would love to welcome you for that first cup of tea. Book a design appointment or get in touch and we will take it from there.
FAQs
How many meetings does the design process involve?
The process typically involves an initial showroom meeting, a home visit for measuring and survey, a design presentation meeting, and a final home survey before ordering. We are always happy to meet as many times as needed to get everything right.
Who will I be dealing with throughout the project?
You will work directly with Andrew, Tracy or Kirsty throughout the entire journey. Whoever designs your kitchen personally project manages it from first meeting to final installation and beyond.
Can I make changes after the design has been agreed?
Yes. Changes can be made at any stage up to and including after the quotation has been produced. We want to make sure everything is exactly right before anything is ordered.
Do you bring samples to the home visit?
Yes. We bring door and worktop samples to the home visit so you can see how your chosen finishes look in the actual room and lighting conditions of your home, which can make a significant difference to the final decision.
What happens after the kitchen has been installed?
We remain on hand to answer any questions and invite all customers to our Neff cooking demonstration days every six months, where a home economist demonstrates how to get the most from your new appliances.
