Many designers say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It's the place where food is prepared, and it becomes a natural gathering place for anyone who lives there and anyone who visits. It's no surprise that kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular types of home renovation, and that kitchen design is such a hot topic among homeowners. These professional tips will help you ensure that your remodel goes smoothly and that your ultimate vision of a beautiful space is realized.

Tip #1: Select Specific Samples

When you are planning out your space, don't settle for generalized descriptions of the materials you want to use. Professionals always bring them together on a unified design board before proceeding any further with the plans. The mahogany cabinetry you're looking at for the walls may look lovely independently, but end up making the entire area too dark when combined with the slate flooring you've been eyeing. Combining these ahead of time will give you more of an idea what you're working with, saving you time (and potentially money) so you don't discover it too late. In addition, having specifics will give your contractor a much better idea of pricing, as installation may vary depending on what you've chosen.

Tip #2: Get It To The Trade If You Can

Design warehouses and contractor supply companies are known for offering their services only to professionals within the trade. Homeowners themselves don't generally qualify as trade professionals, but your contractor might: consult them and ask whether you can get access to some of the more exclusive showrooms in your area. Even if the kitchen design items featured there are out of your price range, the ideas you get might well end up helping your entire design shift into sharper focus. And if you do choose to buy, you'll probably get the item at a discount relative to what you'd pay for it retail (if it's even available retail, which most things found in to the trade boutiques are not.)

Tip #3: Create A Scale Model Of Your Space

Even if you're not changing the layout of your space at all during your kitchen remodeling, you should still take the time to lay everything out before you proceed. Leave at least four feet for walkways or movement space; anything wider than six feet will lose the narrow definition of a walking space. Make sure that your kitchen design doesn't leave awkward space like a too-wide lane between a center island and the counters on either side. This scale model should be as accurate as possible, as it will also serve as a useful starting point when you talk with your contractor about your kitchen remodeling plans.

Following these tips will help you more effectively communicate with your contractor and overall have a better, smoother kitchen design and remodel experience. You're less likely to run into issues with poor planning, and more likely to end up with a truly beautiful result that you can be proud of.