Kivos Design Group in Baltimore: Residential Interiors with a Focus on Kitchen and Bath Renovation

Kivos Design Group is a residential interior design firm based in Baltimore that specializes in kitchen and bathroom renovations for homeowners in the region. The practice operates as a full-service design studio, managing conceptual work, material selection, and project oversight from initial consultation through completion. Unlike firms that handle only design consultation, Kivos coordinates directly with contractors and vendors, positioning itself between pure design services and general contracting.

What Kivos Design Group Actually Does

Kivos works primarily on kitchen and bathroom projects in single-family homes and townhouses across Baltimore and surrounding counties. The firm's scope includes space planning, cabinetry selection, countertop and flooring specification, tile design, lighting layout, and finishes coordination. Projects typically range from moderate refreshes (new cabinetry and counters, updated lighting) to complete renovations involving structural changes, plumbing relocation, or electrical upgrades.

The firm does not design commercial spaces, new construction from the ground up, or full-home renovations across multiple rooms simultaneously. It functions as a middleman between homeowner and contractor: the designer manages material selections and problem-solving during construction but does not assume the general contractor role or warranty the actual installation work.

Design Services and Pricing Structure

Kivos charges for design services on a project basis rather than hourly or per-square-foot rates. Initial consultations are typically free or a nominal fee; the firm gathers photos, measurements, and preferences before providing a proposal.

Design fees for kitchen projects generally fall between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on scope and complexity. Bathroom projects range from $1,500 to $3,500. These fees cover schematic drawings, 3D renderings, material specifications, and two rounds of revisions. Additional revisions or design options beyond the agreed scope incur hourly fees, typically $75 to $100 per hour.

The firm does not supply materials or serve as a vendor itself; homeowners purchase cabinetry, tile, countertops, and fixtures from their own sources based on the designer's specifications. This arrangement saves money on markup but requires the homeowner to manage multiple purchases and delivery schedules.

Verify current fees directly; design pricing adjusts periodically based on project demand.

How Kivos Compares to Other Baltimore Interior Design Options

Baltimore's residential interior design market splits into three tiers. High-end boutique firms like Designlively and Kerrie Kelly Design charge $5,000 to $15,000+ for design services and often require exclusive relationships with preferred contractors and suppliers. These firms emphasize branded, curated interiors and serve clients with budgets above $100,000 for renovations.

Mid-market firms, including Kivos, charge $1,500 to $5,000 for design services on kitchens and baths. They offer professional drawings and coordination without the markup on materials, making them suitable for homeowners with renovation budgets of $40,000 to $75,000 who want professional guidance but plan to hire their own contractor.

Budget-conscious homeowners in Baltimore often rely on design consultations through big-box retailers (Home Depot, Lowe's) or work directly with contractors who offer basic design services at no additional charge. These routes save the upfront design fee but offer limited aesthetic direction and no independent advocacy for the homeowner's priorities.

Choose Kivos if you want a professional, neutral designer who understands Baltimore's row house layouts and contractor landscape but does not lock you into expensive vendor relationships. Choose a high-end firm if your renovation budget exceeds $100,000 and you want a fully curated, branded result. Choose a contractor's in-house designer if your budget is under $30,000 and you prioritize speed over aesthetic refinement.

Who Kivos Suits and Who It Does Not

Kivos suits Baltimore homeowners undertaking moderate-to-substantial kitchen or bathroom work who have identified a contractor or are confident they can find one independently. It works well for people who know their style preferences but need help translating them into buildable, code-compliant designs. It is also a good fit for homeowners nervous about design decisions and willing to pay for a professional second opinion.

The firm does not suit clients who want an all-in-one solution (design, materials, and installation from one entity), who are renovating on a tight timeline and need immediate contractor recommendations, or whose projects fall outside kitchens and bathrooms. It also does not serve clients seeking interior styling, furniture arrangement, or full-home aesthetic overhauls.

What the First Visit Involves

An initial consultation typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour. The designer walks through the existing space, takes measurements and photos, discusses functionality goals, asks about aesthetic preferences, and reviews the homeowner's budget and timeline. The homeowner should bring reference images (from Pinterest, Instagram, or magazines), a list of must-haves, and a realistic budget range.

After the meeting, the designer produces a written proposal outlining deliverables, fees, and timeline. If the homeowner accepts, the firm schedules a follow-up to share preliminary sketches or 3D renderings (typically within two to three weeks, depending on the project queue). From there, revisions are scheduled on a mutually agreed cadence, usually every one to two weeks.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Kivos operates by appointment only; there is no walk-in design consultation. The firm is located in Baltimore proper, making site visits to Fells Point, Canton, Federal Hill, and Roland Park neighborhoods feasible same-day. Projects in Towson, Ellicott City, or Columbia require a longer lead time but are not excluded.

Confirm current hours and scheduling availability by phone or email; design firms often adjust availability seasonally based on project volume.

Why Kivos Earns Its Place in Baltimore

Kivos fills a practical gap for Baltimore homeowners: it offers professional design guidance on the kitchen and bathroom projects that drive most renovation budgets, without forcing clients into expensive material partnerships or full-service contracts. The firm understands the constraints of Baltimore's older housing stock—narrow row houses, plumbing and electrical challenges, limited wall space—and designs accordingly.