Virtual kitchen design lets you create the cabinets of your dreams while still wearing your pajamas.
Virtual kitchen design is the perfect marriage of custom building and science fiction. If you’re like most homeowners, you have a jam-packed schedule. Adding anything new to the calendar could make your head spin. You can’t even fathom booking a consultation with a cabinet designer. Well, you no longer need to leave your house to get the kitchen of your dreams. It’s now possible to “meet” with a designer in a virtual setting, and yes, you can even wear your pajamas. Here’s what you need to know:
Virtual Design Is Super Convenient
Traditionally, remodeling your kitchen meant meeting with a designer face-to-face. You would have to block out an entire day to drive to their office, only hoping you’d remember to bring along everything needed. Not only would you set aside your time, but you would also need to fill up the gas tank, find childcare, and put on some presentable clothes.
Virtual design changes everything you know about creating a custom kitchen. Instead of getting lost in rush-hour traffic, the designer will connect with you on an online platform. Many prefer to use the Zoom app, but FaceTime, Skype, and Facebook messenger are also popular options.
Although you won’t physically be in the same room as your designer, they can still interact with you in real-time. During the process, you’ll take the designer on a tour of your existing kitchen, and you’ll even see their smiling face on a video screen. You’ll be able to express your desires and talk about a budget. Best of all, you’ll watch as the designer “builds” a 3D model of your new kitchen right before our eyes.
But how does this process benefit you? Since you won’t need to leave your house, it doesn’t matter if your two-year-old chases the dog across the room. If you can’t find your car keys, you won’t worry about being late for the appointment. And, perhaps best of all, you don’t even need to put on shoes.
Virtual Measurements Are More Accurate
What’s the worst thing that can go wrong when building custom kitchen cabinets? Inaccurate measurements. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the foggiest clue how to measure their kitchen walls, floor, appliances, or ceiling the right way.
Typically, a designer would ask you to fill out a form with different measurements. They need to know everything from the size of your refrigerator to the width of your windows. Why is this a problem? Since the designer didn’t actually watch you take these measurements, there’s no guarantee they’re accurate.
Being off even a few centimeters can leave you with ill-fitting cabinets. After delivery, you may find yourself tearing off the trim or removing the tops to make them fit. However, you won’t have to worry about these errors during a virtual consultation.
Even though the designer won’t physically be in the room, they can still see everything. They’ll guide you through the measurement process, checking and double-checking your readings. That way, you’ll know without a shadow of a doubt that your new cabinets will fit like a glove.
The Homeowner’s Virtual Checklist
Of course, since the virtual process involves inviting the designer “into” your home, there are a few things you’ll want to prepare in advance. Before you connect online, make sure you check off all the items on this list:
- Find a measuring tape: Since the designer wants accurate numbers, you need to acquire a measuring tape that’s long enough to get the job done.
- Grab a step stool or ladder: Unless you’re a pro basketball player, you’ll probably need a boost to measure from the floor up to the ceiling.
- Do the dishes: No, your kitchen doesn’t have to be spotless, but it wouldn’t hurt to clean up the room a bit. Doing so will help you get better measurements and see the bigger picture without a bunch of clutter.
- Find a charger: Virtual meetings tend to run long, and laptop or tablet batteries aren’t always up to the challenge. Make sure you know where you last put your charger, so you don’t disconnect in the middle of your consultation.
- Think about your wish-list: What do you want from your cabinets? Which add-ons would make your life easier? Write down a list of wants and needs to show your designer, but it shouldn’t surprise you if they have some even better ideas up their sleeve.
- Come up with a budget: Only you know your financial situation. Cabinets can range from super cheap to mega expensive. Before your appointment, run some figures in your head and come up with a number that seems the most reasonable.
Trust Your Virtual Cabinets with a Skilled Professional
Designing custom cabinets takes talent, skill, and experience. With over 49 years of industry experience, BarrWood Cabinets knows how to transform your kitchen from drab to fab. And best of all, we can do it virtually! Working with our team means you can still keep your social distance while creating your dream kitchen. Contact us to schedule a FREE virtual kitchen design consultation with our custom cabinet gurus.
You don’t need to leave your home to get the kitchen you’ve always wanted. Click to learn why virtual kitchen design is the way of the future.
