Kitchen and Bathroom Design Challenges
by Joe Cooperjoe.cooper@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
Working in kitchen and bathroom design means getting the education and training you need to overcome the particular challenges facing these tight spaces.
Contests Grow Student Work
Student competitions are a great way to gain recognition and scholarships, kitchen and bathroom design included. In May, three interior design students from Indiana won awards in the 2007 National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Student Design Competition.Designing safe, functional, innovative, and aesthetic kitchen and bathroom spaces was the goal of the contest. The Association strives to support students and young designers through events like this, which drew over 80 contestants from across the country.
Design Challenges
A unique field of design, kitchen and bathroom design represents specific challenges to designers, space being one of the biggest. Designers must design function and style into usually very tight spaces. Designing economically is another challenge, as kitchen and bathroom materials can run very expensive.When working with clients, designers must also satisfy a homeowner's needs, from safety to storage. A floor plan can often be pre-established in a bathroom design job, making element rearrangement a challenge. With a kitchen, function and safety play a huge role in design, making knowledge of construction codes and kitchen technology essential.
Getting to School
Learning how to create economic and efficient interior kitchen and bathroom design is a skill that can be gained at interior design school. Even a certificate program can help students get started in the industry. Entering contests like the 2007 NKBA Student Design Competition is another great way to get started, and even earn money for school.Source
About the Author
Joe Cooper writes fashion and design articles and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor’s degree in American Literature from UCLA.
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