KIRSTEN SMITH
THE KITCHEN DESIGNER
Hi, I’m Kirsten - although most people call me Kirstie!
I’m a kitchen designer with a real passion for creating beautiful, individual spaces that not only look amazing, but genuinely work for the people who live in them. I love the creative side of what I do, but I’m equally passionate about the practical side - because, at the end of the day, a kitchen needs to work just as hard as you do.
My journey into kitchen design started after studying Fine Art, where I gained a BA (Hons), followed by a Diploma in Interior & Spatial Design. From there, I fell into the kitchen industry… and 12+ years later, I’ve never looked back!
Before going freelance, I worked for three independent kitchen retailers, which gave me the opportunity to learn from some incredibly experienced people within the industry, while also developing my own style and approach to design. I’ve always loved learning, picking up little nuggets of knowledge along the way and, most importantly, finding new ways to make a kitchen feel completely personal to the person I’m designing it for.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to be recognised for my work, including becoming a finalist for the KBSA Young Designer Award, the BKU Best Kitchen Design Award and the EVAs Creative Industry Award. In 2024, I was incredibly proud to receive the Silver Award for New Business of the Year at the Wirral Life Awards, and having my work featured in KBB magazine was another really special milestone.
But for me, one of the most valuable things I bring to my designs is my own experience of how much life can change.
I’ve designed kitchens as a single, first-time homeowner, and I’m now married with three young children, living in our third home. I’ve experienced different stages of life, different types of homes and, importantly, the reality of trying to make a kitchen work around busy family life! I think that gives me a real understanding of how differently people use their spaces and allows me to put myself in my clients’ shoes.
No two clients are the same, and that’s probably one of my favourite things about what I do. Some people know exactly what they want, while others need a little more guidance. Some are all about the aesthetics, while others are focused on storage, practicality and making every inch work harder. Usually, it’s a combination of all of those things!
I take the time to really get to know my clients - how they live, how they use their kitchen, what drives them mad about their current space, what they love, what they don’t love, and of course, what they want to achieve within their budget.
I’m a big believer that designing a kitchen should feel exciting, not overwhelming. I want my clients to feel listened to, involved and confident throughout the whole process, while also knowing they have someone in their corner who can offer honest advice, creative ideas and practical solutions.
Building genuine relationships with my clients is a huge part of why I love what I do and I really care about creating an experience that feels personal rather than simply designing another kitchen.
I’m incredibly proud of the reputation I’ve built over the years and the relationships I’ve made along the way. Seeing a client’s reaction when their finished kitchen comes together never gets old - and that’s what keeps me loving what I do after more than 13 years.
