A Professional Designer is a Kitchen Designer also. As for example I have made my studies as a Urban Planner Designer, but nothing stops me from being a interior designer and a specialist in Kitchen Spaces. It's not a waste of time for sure - it may be just a waste of money, because interior designers are usually charge you for every given advice.

In a Professional Kitchen Store you will get for free ergonomic layouts and sketches.

As trained designers we all have a good foundation but, like any profession there will be specialist and people who may excel in a particular area.

So, I support advice above for talking to a professional designer that you "click with" but, one that has done numerous kitchens as well. Your husband is spot on!

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Well, being a cheapskate, I redesigned our kitchen myself. I did many designs on graph paper, read about 100 design books and magazines, and if you look at my idea books you will see about 1000 photos saved.

You need to do your homework, even if you hire a designer in the end. Think, think, think about the layout you want, the style you like best, the colors. Then start. Hopefully, you will love your result as much as I do.

Atlanta is crawling with talent! Call the local office of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). They can refer you to several interior designers (independent practioners....not large firms) that are in your area. Interview several on the phone and if you "click" with one or two that are willing to drive to you then I think you are in good shape. Try this first and if you strike out then I think the next best route is to shop for cabinetry you want.

Once you have the cabinetry you like the manufacture's website can connect you with the cabinet's licensed dealer in your area. The DEALER is very capable of laying out your kitchen and they can connect you with the "design talent" to fill in the blanks that are NOT cabinetry. Every dealer knows designers and I know this because, I worked for a very good kitchen cabinet dealer in Dallas, Texas years ago.

Now I do not think showroom / dealers always do the best job of planning the layout as I would but, that is because, I do more in depth interviewing with my client than they do. But, for sure a credible cabinet dealership / showroom can help you plan your kitchen but, they do it to sell you their cabinets so, that is why I say shop cabinets first so that the dealer you work with knows you are committed to their product and can fully invest their time and energy in assisting you to solve your kitchen planning.

Also, the good thing about working with a showroom is that they usually carry several cabinet lines and they are able to tweek the budget of the cabinetry with you. Also, they INSTALL. This is huge now days. So, all in all you pay more working with a dealership but, for sure you get EXCELLENT value in the long run if you select a "credible, reputable" showroom dealership. Going the dealership route may be a good strategy for you. Designer will assist in getting you to the "ambiance and design" you seek once kitchen layout and appliances are fully qualified.

Casandra, it is cheapskate here! Can you sketch out your current kitchen for us so we can see the layout issues? Or if you don't know how to do that, explain the space wall by wall in detail?

SandyC, not saying at all that anyone else should do what I did. I did take years to think what I wanted. A lot of the reason is there was always something else to spend the family funds on, like vacations, braces for kids, etc. But I knew that someday I would put the money into the kitchen. So the redesign process was a hobby or sorts!

Casandra, sounds like a good contractor could come in and help you visualize, answer questions on the cost of moving doorways or whatever you are thinking.

Can you label sink, oven, frig onto the floor view?

Some interior designers have specialties. It is important to inquire, when hiring a professional, in which areas they have expertise / experience. It is also important to find out what they LIKE to design. You are going to be "living" with this decision for awhile. (Kitchens last longer than some marriages! :-) ) Consider an NKBA professional member, specifically, for kitchen design, or a qualified NCIDQ-certified interior designer who is interested in kitchen design. Have fun!