Kitchen Designing


Kitchen Designing

Design your dream
kitchen — before you
spend a dollar.

Every Apex customer receives a complimentary photorealistic 3D kitchen rendering. Bring your measurements, choose your cabinets and countertops, and see exactly how your finished kitchen will look — before anything is ordered.







3D Layout Preview
Free 3D Kitchen Rendering

Submit your measurements and cabinet + countertop selections. Receive a photorealistic 3D rendering in 3–5 business days — no obligation, no cost.

Photorealistic 3–5 Day Turnaround No Appointment Needed 100% Free
🎨Free 3D Kitchen Design

🪨100+ Countertop Colors

🚪20+ Cabinet Lines

🏛️6 California Showrooms

📅Founded 2005 — 20 Years Experience
Our Design Service

Free 3D kitchen design
included with every visit

We believe you should be able to see your kitchen before you buy it. That's why every quote at any Apex showroom includes a complimentary 3D rendering — photorealistic, detailed, and yours to keep.

1
Bring Your Measurements

Walk in with your kitchen dimensions — or just the rough room size. Our design team can work from general measurements to generate a layout. No architect drawings required. If you're not sure what to measure, see our measuring guide first.

2
Choose Your Style & Materials

Walk the showroom floor and compare cabinet door styles, finishes, and colors in person under real lighting. Then move to the stone slab area and select your countertop material — quartz, granite, quartzite, or natural stone. Our team will guide you through pairings that work.

3
We Build Your 3D Layout

Our design team inputs your selections and measurements into professional 3D kitchen design software. You'll receive a photorealistic rendering showing your chosen cabinets, countertops, and layout — exactly as your kitchen would look once installed.

4
Receive Your Rendering in 3–5 Days

Most designs are completed and sent within 3–5 business days. If you submit measurements online via our contact form, we can begin the rendering before your showroom visit so you arrive with a draft already in hand.

5
Refine, Approve & Order

Review your rendering and request changes — swap a cabinet color, adjust the layout, or try a different countertop. Once you're happy with the design, we'll finalize your order and get materials ready for pickup or delivery. No pressure, no obligation.

100% Complimentary
Free 3D Kitchen
Rendering

Submitted online or requested in-showroom — either way, it costs you nothing and commits you to nothing.

  • 🎨 Photorealistic rendering showing your exact cabinet and countertop selections in your kitchen dimensions
  • 📐 Cabinet layout mapped to your measurements — upper cabinets, base cabinets, island (if applicable)
  • 🪨 Countertop material and color visualized against your cabinet choice
  • 🔄 Unlimited revisions — change cabinets, swap countertop colors, adjust layout until you're happy
  • 💾 Digital file sent to your email — share with your contractor, spouse, or designer
Turnaround Time
3–5 Business Days
📐 Start My Free Design →
Cabinet Styles

Find the style that fits
your kitchen

We carry American-style and Euro frameless cabinet lines in dozens of finishes and colors. Here's a guide to the most popular kitchen design styles — and which cabinet collections match each one.


Transitional Shaker

The most popular kitchen style in California — classic shaker door profiles in white, gray, or cream that work in both modern and traditional homes.

White Shaker Gray Shaker Cream

Modern Minimalist

Flat-panel slab doors with handleless pulls, dark finishes, and high-gloss or matte lacquers. Euro frameless construction maximizes interior storage.

Matte Black Glossy White Charcoal Slab

Coastal & Sage

Soft sage greens, dusty blues, and warm off-whites give kitchens a relaxed California coastal feel. Pairs beautifully with white quartz or natural stone.

Sage Green Dusty Blue Off-White

Natural Oak & Wood

Warm wood grain textures — from light natural oak to rich walnut — bring organic warmth to modern and transitional kitchens. Euro frameless style.

Natural Oak Textured Oak White Oak
Bold & Dramatic

Navy, forest green, or deep graphite base cabinets paired with white or light gray uppers — a confident, high-contrast kitchen design that photographs beautifully.

Navy Blue Forest Green Graphite

Two-Tone Contrast

Light uppers + dark lowers (or vice versa) creates visual depth and breaks up large kitchen layouts. A top design trend for California kitchens.

White + Dark Oak + White Gray + Navy
Design Principles

What makes a great
kitchen layout?

Our design team applies these core principles to every 3D rendering — ensuring your kitchen is not just beautiful, but functional for real daily life.

The Work Triangle

The most functional kitchens position the sink, stove, and refrigerator within a comfortable triangle — minimizing steps between the three primary workstations. We build this into every layout we design.

Upper vs. Base Cabinet Balance

Upper cabinets provide display and dry-goods storage; base cabinets handle heavy items and pull-outs. We balance both so your kitchen has enough storage without feeling visually heavy or closed in.

Counter Space Over Cabinets

Many homeowners over-cabinet and under-counter. Our design team advocates for adequate clear counter space around the sink, cooktop, and prep zone — more useful than additional cabinet doors.

Island Sizing & Clearance

Kitchen islands require at least 42 inches of clearance on all sides for single-cook kitchens, 48 inches for two cooks. We check these dimensions in every layout before generating your rendering.

Lighting Zones

We consider ambient, task, and accent lighting zones in design recommendations — including under-cabinet placement (where LED strips will go) and the positioning of windows relative to work surfaces.

What to bring in

You don't need a professional blueprint. Here's everything our design team needs to get started on your rendering.

  • Overall kitchen length and width (in inches or feet)
  • Ceiling height
  • Window and door locations with widths
  • Sink location (left wall, island, or peninsula?)
  • Cooktop or range location
  • Refrigerator size (standard 36" or counter-depth?)
  • Photos of your current kitchen (helpful, not required)
  • Any inspiration images from Pinterest, Houzz, or magazines

20+
Cabinet Lines
100+
Stone Colors
Free
3D Rendering

📐 Request My Free Rendering
Material Pairing Guide

Countertops that complete the look

The right countertop makes or breaks a kitchen design. Here's a quick guide to our most popular stone selections and which cabinet styles they pair with best.

Engineered Quartz
Quartz
Calacatta White

Best with: White shaker, navy blue, or sage green cabinets. Consistent veining — no surprises between slabs.

Granite
Granite
Steel Grey Granite

Best with: White or light oak cabinets. The drama of natural granite creates bold contrast against neutral cabinetry.

Quartzite
Natural Stone
Super White Quartzite

Best with: Warm wood tones, two-tone kitchens. Looks like marble — performs like granite. A premium designer favorite.

Granite
Granite
Delicatus Gold

Best with: Cream, white, or espresso cabinets. Warm gold veining adds luxury without overwhelming the design.

Before You Visit

How to measure your kitchen

Accurate measurements make for faster, more accurate designs. Here's what our design team needs — and how to get it right before your showroom visit.

📏
Overall Room Dimensions

Measure the length and width of the entire kitchen space, wall to wall. Include ceiling height. Note any soffits or drop ceilings above cabinet lines.

🚪
Windows & Doors

Measure the width of each window and door opening, and note where they fall on each wall (distance from corners). Indicate which way doors swing.

🔌
Appliance Locations

Note where the range, refrigerator, and dishwasher are (or will be). Refrigerators need 36" of clearance; ranges need specific ventilation clearances.

🚿
Plumbing & Utility Locations

Mark where the sink drain and water supply lines exit the wall or floor. This anchors the sink position and affects base cabinet layout around it.

📸
Photos From Every Angle

Take photos of each wall, including the ceiling line, existing cabinets (if any), and any architectural features like columns, beams, or irregular corners.

Pro Tip

Don't stress the details

Our design team works with rough measurements all the time. You don't need a perfectly scaled floor plan — just approximate dimensions from a measuring tape are enough to create a working 3D design that shows how your kitchen will look and function.

  • Measure to the nearest inch — exact precision isn't required for the design phase
  • Sketch a rough bird's-eye view of the room showing walls, windows, and doors
  • Note which wall(s) currently have cabinets vs. open wall space
  • If you're unsure about anything, just bring what you have and ask in the showroom
📏 Full Measuring Guide →
Common Questions

Kitchen design questions answered

Everything homeowners and contractors ask us before starting a kitchen design project at Apex.

Is the 3D kitchen rendering really free?
Yes, completely free and with no obligation to purchase. Every customer who requests a quote receives a complimentary 3D rendering showing their cabinet and countertop selections in their kitchen dimensions. You can request changes until you're satisfied — there's no cost at any stage of the design process.
Do I need an appointment for design help?
No appointment is needed. All of our showrooms are walk-in friendly Monday through Saturday, 9 AM–5 PM. Bring your measurements and our design team will get started with you on the spot. For the 3D rendering, you can also submit measurements online via our Contact page and receive your rendering by email within 3–5 business days.
What if I don't know which cabinet style I want?
That's what the showroom visit is for. Walking through our full cabinet display — touching the door styles, comparing finishes under real lighting, and seeing the hardware options in context — is the best way to discover what you actually like. Our team will ask questions about your home, your existing floors, and your personal taste to help narrow it down quickly.
Can I see countertop slabs before choosing?
Absolutely — and we strongly recommend it. Stone looks completely different on a small sample vs. a full slab. At our showrooms you can view full-size granite, quartz, and quartzite slabs and compare them against cabinet finishes under showroom lighting. For natural stone especially, seeing the full slab is essential since every piece varies.
How long does the full design process take?
Most customers complete their material selections in one or two showroom visits. The 3D rendering is delivered within 3–5 business days. Once you approve the design and place your order, most cabinet products are available for pickup within days to weeks depending on the product line — not months.
Can I bring my contractor or designer?
Absolutely — and many customers do. Contractors often have measurements already taken, which speeds up the process. Designers appreciate seeing the full slab inventory and cabinet lines in person. If you're a licensed contractor or designer, ask about our trade account program for volume pricing.
Do you help with bathroom vanity design too?
Yes. While our 3D design service focuses primarily on kitchen layouts, our team can help you select bathroom vanities, countertop materials, and accessories from our in-stock collection. We carry vanities in 24" to 72" widths with LED mirrors, vessel sinks, and matching faucets — all in stock.
What if my measurements change after the design is done?
No problem. If your measurements change before you order — due to demo, plumbing moves, or layout revisions — just let us know and we'll update the design. Changes made before the order is placed are always free. Just remember that once an order is placed, changes may be subject to the terms in our Terms of Sale.
Ready to Design Your Kitchen?

See your kitchen
before you buy it.

Visit any Apex showroom across California — no appointment needed. Bring your measurements, explore our cabinet and stone selection in person, and walk out with a free 3D rendering in 3–5 days. No pressure. No obligation. Just clarity.

🎨
Free 3D Rendering

Photorealistic kitchen visualization — 3 to 5 business days, completely free.

🏛️
6 Showrooms

Walk-in friendly across California — no appointment, no pressure.

🪨
In-Stock Inventory

Most cabinets and stone available for same-week pickup.

💰
Factory-Direct Pricing

Up to 35% below retail showroom pricing — every day.