Visit a Showroom
Some designers have retail showrooms you can visit. Compare the model kitchens and baths on display with what you have in mind. The layout, materials, and quality of craftsmanship give clues as to what that designer would do in your home.

Interview Candidates
Before choosing a designer, interview several and pose lots of questions to each. What are their credentials? How much experience do they have? What kind of projects have they done recently? Find out what services they provide, how they like to work, and how they charge for their services. Ask for references from past clients. Trust your intuition and pay attention to personal chemistry. Your designer should be someone you feel comfortable working with.

Share Your Ideas
An initial consultation with a designer should be a two-way conversation. Come with a head full of ideas and arms full of the pictures you’ve clipped from magazines or found on the Web. Likewise, be prepared to answer the designer’s questions about your lifestyle. Be honest about your budget, the project’s scope, and what you’re expecting.