Good design is probably more important in the kitchen than in any other room. These tips for working with a professional can help.

The preliminary space planning and schematic design phase is the most important part of any kitchen remodel. A kitchen can be filled with beautiful materials and finishes, but if the layout and space are bad, it's not a successful design. In the kitchen, more than any other room, good space planning and flow are critical. Anyone who has tried working in a poorly designed kitchen knows this. Bigger is not always better. I can't tell you how many times I've had clients tell me they gave up on remodeling years ago because they couldn't afford the planned design. It took them years to complete the initial design plan and were willing to talk to another designer to research alternatives. Read on to learn some ways to avoid this.

When working on a project that will include moving elements, opening walls, or making additions, I recommend that homeowners work with a kitchen designer or other professional to develop schematics and get an initial estimate of construction costs. This is a great way to keep an eye on your budget when finalizing your design.

Another approach is to design the space down to the last detail, then estimate the materials and structure, or send it out for bidding. The problem with the latter option is that at this point most people are emotionally tied to the original design, and it can be frustrating to have a redesign for budget reasons.

1. Determine your space plan

Most clients start with a wish list and a collection of inspirational images. This is a great help to get started, but before focusing too much on the look of your kitchen, try to focus on the space plan.
Space plans can be sketchy - they're all about optimal layout. You or your designer should try a few different options to determine where the appliance goes. What is the best layout for your space? L-shaped kitchen with island? U-shaped kitchen? Or do you have a kitchen?
Do you have room for a kitchen? Are you moving doors or changing windows? These plans don't have to detail where your pots, pans, and silverware go or the color of your cabinets -- not yet.

2. Obtain a preliminary estimate

Once you have a proposed floor plan (and written scope of work) in hand, most contractors interested in the job will be willing to come over and give you a rough estimate.
The more information you have, the more accurate the ballpark figures will be, so if you can get your designer to do a schematic of the electrical and lighting, that's even better.
All of this is subject to change, but at least you have an idea of the cost before you get too emotional. At this point, you can also estimate the cost of materials such as cabinets, countertops, tiles, and floor area.

3. Develop floor plans, elevations and 3D drawings

Now that you have a floor plan you like, let your designer really detail it. Drawings will help you imagine how the cabinets will look. Pay attention to the placement and drawings of spices, pots and pans, silverware and utensils.
At this stage, it's not just practical and functional. This is where you become more artistic. Cabinet design is a bit like modernist art in that it's all about the rectangles and squares of cabinet doors and the way they relate and intersect.
The proportions of the doors and the proportions of the adjoining three doors, instead of two, make the kitchen look vibrant and interesting.

4. Plan materials and finishes

Now that you're working with a more developed drawing, you can imagine which materials are going where, and the proportions of those materials.
Most likely, there will still be a final design development period and construction documents, by a final stage where the drawings, specifications and scope of work are provided to the contractor for final pricing.