Tim Carter
Washington Post

Q: DEAR TIM: I need some help with kitchen design. I’m pretty sure I know what I want, but kitchen designs are as varied as faces in a crowd. How will I know what is the best? What is the best way to approach a fresh project? — Sheila B.

A: DEAR SHEILA: Kitchen design is important, but it is sometimes confused with kitchen planning. Both are critical, and ignoring either one can lead to a disaster.

Kitchen design speaks to the overall look of the kitchen once it is completed. A designer can use different materials, cabinets, finishes, lighting and so forth to achieve a sleek, modern look or make a kitchen feel as if it were transported from a quaint Irish cottage. The variety of designs is infinite.

Kitchen planning, in contrast, has to do with the functionality of the space. When you plan a kitchen, you have to think about how to lay out the sink, appliances, cabinets and countertops. The best analogy I can think of is this: Kitchen planning is like the structural steel of a skyscraper; kitchen design is the outside appearance of that building.

You could ask 100 top kitchen designers what they would do with your new kitchen, and you would probably end up with 100 different designs. I recommend that you immerse yourself in research. Look at as many designs as you can, and see which few really put your head on a swivel.

Your research will take you across the vast tundra of the Internet, into numerous kitchen cabinet showrooms and possibly to design centers built by large remodeling contractors who specialize in kitchens. You should also look at some of the many excellent kitchen design books and magazines. They have hundreds of gorgeous color photos of kitchens large and small, expensive and affordable. If you really want to be on the cutting edge, look at European kitchens. European designers often produce stunning results in small spaces.

Be sure to look beyond cabinets and countertops. Every surface in the kitchen is a design element. The floor, ceiling and doors, the backsplash space between the countertops and the underside of the wall cabinets, the wall spaces above and around the cabinets — all should contribute to the overall design.

Don’t forget lighting. It’s an important element that is often overlooked.

If you are on a tight budget, take heart: There are less expensive ways to remodel. For example, you may decide to paint your floor and incorporate a design into the paint. Painted floors hold up well when they are coated with high-quality clear urethane.

I urge you to consider interviewing several professional kitchen designers. They may be able to offer great advice about maximizing your design dollars. The fee might be less than you would waste on rookie design mistakes.