Building and remodeling professionals make a living out of seeing the possibilities in a space. You’ll pay for their expertise, but if it prevents you from making a costly mistake and gets you the best kitchen, it’s well worth the price. Use the following resources:

Certified Kitchen Designer
A Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) focuses on how your space works. A CKD will examine your lifestyle and come up with a design that suits it. Although not as qualified as an architect to do complex plans, a CKD can perform most similar services at a lower cost. CKDs are certified through the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). To see a list of CKDs in your area, visit the NKBA’s Web site (www.nkba.org) and click on Find a Professional.

Architect
An architect is a good choice if you’re planning an addition or an extensive remodeling. An architect can design the structure of your new kitchen to fit all your needs and oversee the construction.

Design/Build Firm
A design/build firm may be a better choice than an architect if your job is not too extensive. Building designers are more specialized and usually less expensive than architects. They are capable of customizing existing plans.

Interior Designer
An interior designer offers a variety of services, from designing an entire project to decorating and adding the final touches to make that functional kitchen attractive. An interior designer can also act as a liaison between you and your subcontractors.