When you begin the process of designing a kitchen there are so many things to be considered. Some things to keep in mind are how many cooks will be using the kitchen. If you have two chefs you may require multiple food prep areas or even two ovens. What is the best material to use for countertops? Do you choose granite, quartz, slate, stainless steel, wood or laminate? Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Even though there are so many decisions to be made to design a kitchen of your dreams. It can be a fun and exciting time for you. The first thing you must decide on are the appliances you will be using in your new kitchen. You wouldn't want to have a space for a 30 inch refrigerator and decide to use a 36 inch side by side because it won't fit. Choosing your appliances first will give the designer something to work with and insure there won't be any undue problems down the road. When you design a kitchen you want it to be functional as well as pleasing to the eye. You have to consider the amount of space you have to work with before trying to fit all the design elements you like into that space. The number one design element to think about is traffic flow. To make sure they use the available space properly, professional designers use the work triangle as a guide.  The work triangle is designed to minimize traffic within the kitchen so the cook isn't interrupted while preparing the meal. It is the space from the refrigerator to the cooking area to the clean-up area. It is the total distance between the refrigerator, the sink, and the stove, and is almost equilateral so there is no possibility that cross traffic will be a problem. The total length of this imaginary triangle should be about 26 feet, with no line being less than 4 feet or more than 9 feet. The work triangle is a very important component of kitchen design. Although the work triangle can be helpful when designing your kitchen, it is merely a suggestion. Don't let it keep you from thinking of creative ways to use your space.  Picking out your new kitchen cabinets can be the most fun and exciting phase of the design a kitchen process. The cabinets you choose are important because they add to the overall aesthetics of your kitchen design and they bring organization and storage capabilities to the room. They are often the most visible feature in your kitchen and will set the tone for the kitchen design theme you're going with. They are the most overpowering feature in the kitchen and therefore you must carefully consider the style and color you use. Kitchen cabinets are great way to improve the appearance and ambiance of any kitchen. They are arguably the most important and expensive purchase you'll make when designing your new kitchen.