Special Report: Customized Kitchen

"Nothing had been done to the kitchen expect when I painted it since 1968," Nanos lamented.

Rather than tackling the job solo, she enlisted the help of a professional designer.

"Were you thinking of a granite or some kind of stone?" Designer Brian Belmont asked.

But it wasn't from a fancy design house; this design plan came with the cabinets.

"You can have something decorative across your backslash," Belmont said.

Belmont is a designer that works with the Home Depot, just one of the many home improvement stores which are now offering this added service for their customers.

"There are so many potentials for mishaps from independent services, that we are a safe place to come," Belmont said.

Here is how their service works: First, someone will come to your house to get exact measurements, then a designer will use those numbers to start laying out a plan.

"When I went to the first appointment Belmont already had a first design and I said ‘gee I think I like that, do you think we could?’ and we came up with a design that worked for both of us," Nanos said.

Using the layout your designer will help you pick the best products to build your new and improved space.

"I tend to look at how someone is living, the color throughout the rest of the house because that always has to play a role," Belmont said.

It’s under $100 to have your kitchen measured and the design service is free as long as you are purchasing your cabinets from the store. It could cost in the thousands to hire a professional designer on your own.

"I really think that it’s a wonderful service especially for people like me who really didn't know where to start," Nanos exclaimed.

A wonderful service for customers and a gratifying experience for the designers.

"In the end when the products are there and everything is spectacular it’s really rewarding," Belmont said.

It’s not just kitchens; many home improvement stores offer a variety of design services with various fees. So be sure to check with your local store before you tackle your next home improvement project.

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