Many people begin their kitchen research without a clear sense of what a design consultation actually involves. The expectation, shaped by years of experience with kitchen showrooms, is often a room full of display kitchens, a salesperson with a clipboard, and a conversation that moves fairly quickly toward pricing and closing.
A design consultation with Higham Furniture is a different experience. This guide explains what to expect, from the first design call through to the point where manufacture begins.
The First Design Call
The process begins with a private 30-minute design call with a senior designer. This is not a sales call. There is no agenda to move you toward a decision. The purpose is to understand your space, your priorities, and whether Higham Furniture is the right fit for your project.
In this call, the designer will ask about the room: its dimensions, its light conditions, what is not working about the current kitchen, and what you are hoping to achieve. They will ask about your style preferences and whether you have images that illustrate a direction. They will give you direct feedback about what is achievable and ask anything that helps them understand the brief more clearly.
At the end of the call, both parties have a clearer sense of whether it makes sense to proceed. If the project is outside the budget range Higham works in, the designer will say so. If there are aspects of the brief that raise questions, they will be raised.
The Measured Survey
If the design call confirms a good fit, the next step is a measured survey of your kitchen space. This involves a Higham designer or surveyor visiting your home to take detailed measurements of the room, document its architectural features, and assess anything that will affect the design: ceiling heights, window positions, existing pipework, structural elements, and the relationship between the kitchen and adjacent spaces.
Home visits are also available for clients who want a designer to see the space before any drawings are produced. For more on how to prepare for this, see our guide to questions to ask before a kitchen home visit.
Design Development
From the survey, the design team produces initial 2D layouts showing the proposed cabinet configuration, appliance positions, and worktop plan. These drawings are discussed with you and developed through a process of review and refinement until the layout is right.
Once the layout is confirmed, 3D visualisations are produced to show how the kitchen will look in the space. These include materials, colours, and hardware so you can assess the design visually before any decisions are finalised.
The design process takes typically two to four weeks from survey to confirmed design, depending on the complexity of the project and how quickly decisions are made. There is no pressure to move faster than is comfortable.
Sign-Off and Manufacture
When the design is confirmed and the order placed, the workshop begins production. The manufacturing lead time is approximately 12 weeks. For a full explanation of what happens during that period and how to plan around it, see our article on how long a bespoke kitchen takes to make and install.
Book Your Design Call
The process starts with a 30-minute conversation. Book your design call here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any cost for a Higham Furniture design consultation?
The initial 30-minute design call is free. The full design process, including measured survey and 3D visualisations, is part of the project cost and is not charged separately as a standalone fee.
How many design meetings are typically involved before an order is placed?
Most projects involve two to three design presentations: an initial layout review, a revised layout with 3D visuals, and a final sign-off meeting. More complex projects may involve additional review stages. The process is led by what the design requires rather than a fixed number of meetings.
Can I change the design after placing an order?
Minor changes can sometimes be accommodated early in the production process. Significant changes after an order is placed may affect cost and lead time and need to be discussed with the design team. The most effective approach is to ensure the design is fully resolved before the order is confirmed.
Do I need to have chosen appliances before the design consultation?
It is helpful to have a sense of which appliances you intend to include, particularly large items like range cookers, American-style fridge freezers, and integrated dishwashers, as their dimensions affect the cabinet design. If you have not confirmed appliance choices, the designer can work with indicative dimensions and refine the design when selections are confirmed.
What happens if Higham’s style is not what I am looking for?
The design call is the right place to find out. Higham Furniture is transparent about the styles it produces and the kind of projects it takes on. If the fit is not right, the designer will say so. There is no obligation beyond the first conversation.
Written by the Higham Furniture design team. Higham Furniture is an award-winning cabinetmaker based in Denmead, Hampshire, with a design studio in Fulham, London. Tim Higham and his team have been designing and building bespoke handmade kitchens for discerning homeowners across London and the South East.
