Tom Howley, a bespoke kitchen manufacturer, has announced the launch of a new Remote Design Service, enabling clients to experience the full Tom Howley design process in the comfort of their own homes. The service, launching in April 2026, is a key step in the brand’s broader move towards a hybrid showroom model – combining traditional showrooms with flexible, in-home consultations.

The Remote Design Service will initially operate across the South-West, in and around Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Oxfordshire, targeting areas beyond the immediate reach of Tom Howley’s existing showrooms in Bristol, Winchester, Beaconsfield, Cheltenham, Guildford and Esher. Designers will visit clients with curated collections of materials, samples and design inspiration – allowing the design process to begin in their own space, without requiring a showroom visit.

Kevin Holmes, managing director at Tom Howley, comments: “The traditional showroom will always play an important role, but the future of premium retail is increasingly hybrid. Clients want flexibility in how they begin their design journey, whether that’s visiting a showroom or meeting a designer in their own home. Our Remote Design Service allows us to bring the Tom Howley design experience directly to clients. By visiting them with materials and samples, we can begin the design process in the very space we’re designing for.”

The initiative is in response to shifting client expectations for flexibility, convenience and highly personalised service. While initial consultations have traditionally involved showroom visits, the Remote Design Service allows the early stages of the design journey to take place entirely at home. Clients will still have the option to visit a showroom at any point.

Holmes adds: “At the premium end of the market, clients expect convenience alongside expertise. The Remote Design Service gives them the flexibility to engage with us in a way that suits them, while still delivering the same level of design care and attention. There are parts of the country where we know there is strong demand for our design expertise, but where clients may be further from one of our showrooms. This initiative allows us to bridge those gaps and serve those clients more effectively.”

While Tom Howley designers already conduct initial home visits as part of the design process, particularly during site surveys or early consultations,  the new Remote Design Service expands on this significantly. It will feature:

• In-home consultations with expert Tom Howley designers
• Curated sample packs of materials, finishes and design elements
• A collaborative design process tailored to the client’s space – seeing materials, colours and finishes within the context of the client’s own space often leads to more tailored design outcomes

The pilot launch in the South West will allow Tom Howley to refine the service and expand its hybrid showroom model across the UK, ensuring clients everywhere can benefit from the brand’s renowned design expertise and personal service.

Pictured: The Butler Collection in Lithadora, from £25,000, www.tomhowley.co.uk