How to Properly Measure your Kitchen

What things do you need to measure your kitchen?  Some things are obvious like a measuring tape, paper and a pencil. You also need to know what space you are working with. A planning grid is the perfect thing to use when measuring (Click here for a free measuring tool), this will help you and your designer figure out what you need to design and create your perfect kitchen. By following the simple steps I have outlined below you will be on your way to creating the perfect kitchen and knowing how to record for necessary measurements.

What to measure first: First things first, you need to start with a floor plan. Using the grid I provided, mark each wall with a line. Then go through and mark any obstructions that might interfere with the placement of your cabinets. This would include the windows, sink, doors, gas lines, outlets etc. I have included a diagram below to show you how to label each of these objects.

This first step should be a rough draft it should resemble the example I have placed below. Although the lines won't be exactly to scale, it should be neat and organized. 

Once you have a rough draft of your layout, it's time to begin measuring your space. My tip to you would be to measure your space in inches, example 2 feet 6 inches equals 30 inches. You would use 30 inches when labeling.

You are going to start at the adjoining corner (where your cabinets meet) and work your way clockwise. Measure one edge of the wall to the other skipping over windows, doors and appliances. Once you have these measurements label each of the walls with a number for easy reference.

Once you have done the full wall measurements you will then need to measure the wall in smaller segments. From the corner of the wall to the outer edge of the window. Measuring all the openings like windows, doors from the outside edge to the other outside edge. Keep in mind that any of the molding around the windows and doors needs to be included in the measurement.

Next it is important to measure the height from the ceiling to the floor measuring in at least 4 different places (note in older homes the heights can be different in some places). Simply take the lowest measurement and mark that as your ceiling height. Double checking all the measurements will help ensure accuracy and eliminate mistakes when creating your space.

Now that we have a layout with the measurements in the right place, we can now label all the obstructions that need to be worked into the layout of the kitchen. It's important to make note of your outlets, vents and light switches once these are marked on your grid, you have now completed your kitchen measurements. (congratulations)

Now that you know how much space you have, you can start really planning your kitchen. What cabinets work best for your space? Want to find out? Check out our cabinet size reference guide, the cabinets you choose will depend on the storage space you will need. (note: account for the size of the appliances you want)

Laying out your kitchen plan can be easy. If you follow all of these steps  you are sure to find the most practical and functional cabinets for your space, including length, width and depth. Check out our wonderful variety of cabinets at stunning prices. (Click here to Shop our Collection) 

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