Kitchen design Central Florida homeowners invest in often starts the wrong way: they walk into a cabinet showroom, fall in love with doors and colors, and walk out with a quote that may or may not make sense.
The problem is simple: you’re shopping for cabinets without a clear design.
At KUBO DESIGN.LAB, we flip that order. We design the kitchen first—layout, storage, 2D plan and 3D views—so every quote and decision is based on a plan instead of a guess.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through why “design first” matters, how it saves money and stress, and what it actually looks like for homeowners in Central Florida and South Florida.
Why “Cabinet-First” Kitchen Remodels Go Wrong
You’re comparing apples, oranges and mystery quotes
When you visit multiple cabinet shops without a design:
- Each shop measures a bit differently
- Each person imagines a slightly different layout
- Every quote includes different boxes, trims and extras
You end up with three or four numbers on paper that don’t match in scope, and no one can clearly tell you why.
It becomes almost impossible to answer basic questions like:
- “Is this one cheaper because it’s lower quality?”
- “Or because the layout is smaller?”
- “Or because they removed storage to fit the budget?”
Without a design, you’re comparing vibes and price, not actual solutions.
Layout mistakes are discovered too late
Most layout problems show up after cabinets are ordered:
- Fridge door hits a wall or island
- Dishwasher blocks a drawer when you open it
- Not enough prep space between sink and cooktop
- Trash pull-out is in the wrong spot
- Pantry doors swing into traffic
Changing your mind once cabinets are built or installed is where costs blow up.
A design-first approach lets you catch those issues on screen or on paper, when changes are cheap.
The budget drifts out of control
When you’re choosing cabinets, finishes and extras while the layout is still changing, the budget becomes a moving target.
You might hear:
- “If you want that door style and that color, we’ll need to upgrade this…”
- “This layout needs more filler pieces, so the price is higher…”
- “We moved the tall cabinet—new quote coming.”
Without a fixed plan, it’s very hard to know if you’re over your budget or just drifting up inch by inch.
If you’re trying to get a sense of where you might land before committing, broad cost trends from national remodeling reports can help you understand midrange vs upscale project budgets. For example, you can look at general cost-vs-value style reports from industry publishers such as this type of national remodeling cost report and then use design to decide where to spend or save inside those ranges.
What Happens When You Design the Kitchen First
You start with how the space needs to work
A good kitchen design conversation starts with how you live, not with door styles:
- Do you cook every day or once in a while?
- Do you bake? Need space for big mixers or pans?
- Do you want everything hidden, or do you like open shelves?
- How many people are usually in the kitchen at once?
From there, the layout is built around:
- Clear work zones (prep, cook, clean)
- Storage that matches your real habits
- Walking paths that feel comfortable
- “Hot spots” like coffee stations or bar areas
Many designers reference general kitchen planning standards—for things like aisle widths, clearances and reach ranges—from professional associations such as the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Those guidelines help make sure your kitchen is not only pretty, but also safe and comfortable to move around in.
Once that is set, cabinets become the tool to support the layout, not the main character.
You see 2D and 3D views before buying anything
In a design-led process, you get:
- A 2D plan (top view) with dimensions
- Elevations (wall views) to see cabinet heights and alignment
- 2–3 3D views so you can imagine walking into the kitchen
Even simple 3D views help you answer questions like:
- “Does this island feel too big?”
- “Is that upper cabinet too close to the window?”
- “Do I still like this hood shape when I see it from the side?”
It’s much easier to move a cabinet in software than to move it after it’s installed.
You make smarter decisions about finishes
Once the layout is locked, you can focus on finishes:
- Cabinet color & style
- Counter material & edge type
- Backsplash shape and pattern
- Hardware style (pulls, knobs, handles)
Because you already know how many cabinets you have, where they go, and how tall they are, finish decisions are less emotional and more practical:
- “If we do the more expensive countertop, we can keep the cabinets here and still hit the budget.”
- “If we keep the uppers simpler, we can afford nicer hardware.”
The design becomes a framework that guides budget decisions.
Many homeowners also use a remodel as a chance to upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances. Checking official resources on ENERGY STAR–rated appliances can help you choose models that make sense for your long-term utility costs while still fitting the design.
How a Kitchen Design Package Works at KUBO DESIGN.LAB
At KUBO, we offer two main ways to work together on kitchens:
- A Kitchen Facelift Consultation
- A Full Kitchen Design Package
Here’s how they play together.
Step 1 – Facelift Consultation or Full Design?
If you’re in Central Florida or South Florida and you’re just starting to think about a remodel, we often begin with:
Kitchen Facelift Consultation – $200
- 60–90 minute visit (in-person locally) or video call
- We walk through your existing kitchen
- Talk about what needs to change vs what can stay
- Discuss budget and timing
- You get:
- A mini concept board
- A rough idea of what your budget can do
- A suggestion: facelift vs full redesign
If it’s clear from the start that you want a full change—new layout, new cabinets, maybe opening a wall—we skip straight to:
Full Kitchen Design Package – from $1,200
This is where we do the heavy lifting:
- Full measurement review
- Layout planning
- 2D plans + 3D views
- Finish direction
- Good/Better/Best options
The Facelift Consultation fee can be credited toward the Full Design if we move forward within a set time window.
Step 2 – Measurements, Layout and 3D Views
Once we commit to a Full Kitchen Design:
- We confirm or take detailed measurements.
- We build a layout that fits your space and workflow.
- We generate:
- A clean 2D plan
- Elevations of key walls
- 2–3 simple 3D views
No cabinets have been ordered yet. This is your “sandbox” phase.
Step 3 – Good / Better / Best Options for Your Budget
With the layout approved, we create three levels of finish direction:
- Good – solid, budget-conscious choices
- Better – a balanced upgrade
- Best – the “dream version” (that can often be adjusted down)
Each level can use:
- Different cabinet lines or finishes
- Different countertops and hardware
- Small details like open shelves vs closed uppers
You end up with a design package that you can take to any cabinet shop or contractor to request quotes on the same layout.
Working With Contractors and Cabinet Shops in Central Florida
Design-first doesn’t mean you’re stuck with one vendor—quite the opposite.
Your design package works with multiple shops
Once you have a KUBO design package, you can:
- Visit 1–2 local cabinet shops
- Share the plan and elevations
- Ask them to price that exact layout
This makes quotes more comparable. You’re not paying for different ideas—you’re pricing your design in different lines.
Contractors love clear drawings
If you already have a contractor (or you’re a contractor yourself), a design package:
- Reduces back-and-forth on site
- Helps communicate with electricians, plumbers and installers
- Gives everyone a clear picture of what the client expects
Contractors can focus on:
- Schedule
- Structural details
- Execution
…instead of spending hours trying to be designers on top of everything else.
When to Book a Facelift vs Full Kitchen Design
A Kitchen Facelift Consultation is perfect if:
- You’re not sure if you should replace or repaint cabinets
- Your layout mostly works but looks dated
- You want ballpark budget guidance before committing
- You’re at the “I’m collecting ideas” stage
It gives you a low-risk way to talk through options with a designer and avoid jumping into a remodel blind.
A Full Kitchen Design Package is better if:
- You know the layout needs to change
- You’re planning new cabinets, new counters, possibly new appliances
- You want 2D and 3D visuals before spending real money
- You want a design you can take to multiple shops for quotes
Think of it as the “blueprint for your future kitchen,” not tied to any one vendor.
Ready to Plan Your Kitchen?
If you’re planning a kitchen design Central Florida or South Florida project, start with design—not with guesswork.
At KUBO DESIGN.LAB, we:
- Help you understand what’s realistic for your budget
- Design layouts that fit your space and habits
- Give you visuals and options before you buy cabinets
- Create design packages you can share with contractors and cabinet shops
You can:
- Book a Kitchen Facelift Consultation if you’re early in the process
- Or go straight to a Full Kitchen Design Package if you know you’re ready
