Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Decorating and Design

Be inspired to design your dream kitchen with decorating ideas from photo galleries, remodeling tips, guides to appliances, countertops, cabinets, and more.

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Invest in Your Kitchen

Before remodeling, consider these planning checklists for the best return on your dollars and your dreams.

» From MyHomeIdeas

Marla Carter

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Discover the look that you love and bring it to life.

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Choosing a Professional

Review portfolios, and ask the professionals to show you remodels similar in scope, style, and cost to your project.
Discuss fees up front. Typically, designers charge a consultation fee, a flat fee, an hourly fee starting from $100, or a combination of pricing methods. Obtain all final quotes for your project in writing, and beware of lowball estimates. If one bid is substantially lower than the others, chances are something wasn’t included.
Check references.
Investigate licensing. Not all states require licenses. Check NASCLA.org for contractors or ASID.org for interior designers.
Trust your instincts. You’ll be working with a designer for three to six months during a major remodel. If you don’t click with a potential designer or contractor, it’s best to find another.