KITCHENS can be notoriously tricky to get right. Forget to include a vital element in the design and you could be stuck for eternity with a kitchen that isn’t working for you. Common mistakes include forgetting to factor enough deep cupboard space for large items or incorporating an island that takes up too much circulation space.

The Irish Kitchen and Bathroom Association (IKBA), which represents kitchen and bathroom retailers, manufacturers and suppliers, launched a website this week, ikba.ie. It will have a free email advisory service where you can pose your bathroom or kitchen design query to an expert after you've registered on the website.

They will answer short specific questions such as “Do I tile my floor before installing my new island unit?” or “What colour worktop will work best with my white high-gloss kitchen”.

“Sometimes moving an internal door just a couple of centimetres during the build can influence the possibilites open at the kitchen or bathroom fitting stage,” says a spokesperson for the association. Typical queries will involve “a couple of emails back and forth. We will also accept photographs via email and advise as best we can. The next step up from this would be to attend a free design seminar/workshop hosted by a qualified kitchen designer.”

The seminars – which the organisers say are impartial and and not funded by IKBA members– will have limited places. They’ll take place throughout Ireland and will show people how to go about designing or remodelling their own kitchen. Register at ikba.ie for information. Seminars will last two hours and you can take your plans along, and get an expert opinion for free.

The association will also offer a certificate course in kitchen design. The six-month intensive part-time course starts on October 9th, 2010, at NUI Maynooth and costs €795. It includes a short period of work experience.

If you want to hire a kitchen designer, the association will provide a list of qualified and experienced designers whove been vetted. “Hiring an independent kitchen designer has many advantages for the consumer.

A designer will see options that you hadnt thought of and spend time making sure you get a really original look and a kitchen that really works for you. It can also save you money.”