For the non-kitchen professional, undertaking a high-profile redesign project can be as overwhelming as it is enjoyable.

Move beyond the aesthetics and there are regulations to consider, rules to adhere to – accuracy and positioning must be scrutinized with the addition of each and every feature. As a result, a trade-off is often perceived between beautiful and practical design, a combination of which can of course be achieved through effective planning and research.  

With the assistance of a 3D planning solution that can be used on a retailer’s website as well as with a professional in-store, it is possible to optimize the customer journey at every stage, from research, design, right through to checkout. Customers can explore their dream designs – and leave the solution to flag any potential conflicts or errors. Capturing the imagination is key, and not only that of the customer. With the HomeByMe 3D planning solution, retailers can utilize 3D planning to easily create any number of beautiful on-trend concepts to help inspire and engage shoppers and sales professionals alike. Picture the scenario: 

Scandinavian sophistication 

Scandinavians are the masters of sophisticated kitchen design, which tends to be white, airy and minimalist. Known for their love of Smörgåsbord – a buffet style platter for sharing and socializing – open plan dining is the way to go. Warm focal lighting and simple wood features complete the look, combining style and comfort. 

Using the HomeByMe solution, retailers can catalog relevant product sets that are ready to transform into 3D renderings and easily provide this kind of realistic style layout to suit a customer’s tastes, as identified from using the online solution. From there, marketing teams can send out targeted communications and promotions to keep customers engaged with their designs and new product lines.  

At home on the rustic range 

Rustic living brings home the feel of log cabins and open fires. The theme, generally, is for simplicity and the old-fashioned feel with wood tones and a wrought iron finish. The furniture is simple and understated, perhaps with an up-cycled finish. 

An online 3D planning solution allows consumers to plan and design a dream kitchen just like this, and step into a realistic world where they can experience their final kitchen at home before buying. The 3D rendering allows them to see the kitchen from any aspect, whether standing in the entrance door, to cooking at the hob, for the realistic experience of the final product.  

Eclectic tastes 

Eclectic kitchens can be fun and whimsical, classic or elegant, serious or refined; it all depends on individual tastes. But combining distinctive styles to make it look seamless is not an easy task.  

So, whatever the design style, it pays to plan. A 3D planning solution is the best way to mix styles, which can be shared with a sales professional to make sure a kitchen concept or vision works before the serious business begins. Changes can be made in an instant and new styles and finishes tried before the customer buys. Once the final decision is made, the 3D design is easily converted to a 2D flat plan for the fitters to work from, confident that the dimensions and spec are totally accurate according to the room dimensions.  

Bohemian living 

Some customers love their art and collect mementoes from around the world. Their home reflects their identity and their kitchen knows no bounds – old art, vintage pieces and exotic patterns all form part of the mix. 

Retailers can embrace this artistic creativity and hook into the ideation factory by encouraging users to share their 3D concept designs on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. The photo-realistic rendering from HomeByMe for kitchen retailers provides the look and feel of the final product, complete with shadows, highlights and panoramic exterior views. It is the ideal way to share the brand – and the power of 3D planning solutions.  

From captured imagination to converted sale 

The overarching benefit for retailers looking to utilize concept kitchens is that the concepts themselves are professional sales ready design ideas. A well thought out and planned concept provides a ready made base design for the customer to either make tweaks to, or simply lift and shift into their own room layout. This means that once a customer has had their imagination peaked and connected with a concept, the conversation turns very quickly to the customizations needed to fit the design to their own personal tastes, and on to room dimensions, which can be achieved easily through the 3D planning solution.  

In a visually led industry such as kitchen retail, where creativityr is the key to any design, concepts will certainly remain a key tactic for attracting and engaging customers. Extending this showroom experience to consumers while in the comfort of their own home will serve as a huge advantage, adding great value for customer and retailer alike in the form of converted sales.  

 To further explore how you can add value to your kitchen retail business by using a 3D planning solution to create inspirational concept kitchens, visit our website built specifically to serve kitchen retailers where you can organize a demonstration of the platform with a member of our team of experts.