Measure Kitchen for Cabinets: Your How-to-Guide
Are you planning a kitchen renovation and seeking to optimize your kitchen layout? Accurate measurements are the cornerstone of a successful kitchen remodel. Yet, taking precise measurements of your kitchen space can be daunting. Don't worry, we are here to help! Our straightforward measuring process ensures correct measurements for your kitchen cabinets. Follow our simple steps to kickstart the design process. Achieve a successful kitchen remodel with confidence.
Table of Content:
Why is it important to measure the Kitchen for Cabinets?
Measuring your kitchen cabinets is an essential initial step in your kitchen makeover. It has a profound impact on your project's budget and outcome. Make sure to provide accurate measurements from the start. Your cabinet shop will base your cost estimate on the information you provide them. Most cabinet experts will measure your space, once you commit to them. Inaccurate measurements can lead to change orders and unexpected costs down the road. Further read: "Kitchen Price Estimate vs. True Costs."
As Industry Experts and cabinetry professionals, we have seen 3 common mistakes in obtaining proper measurements of the current kitchen:
Lack of Expertise: Inexperience can lead to inaccurate measurements. Many DIY'ers may lack the expertise to measure precisely.
Disregarding Obstacles: Omitting elements like windows, beams, radiators, or other obstacles.
Focus on the existing kitchen floor plan: Not providing the entire room and the correct size.
Those Mistakes can result in plans that can't be executed or the need for costly change orders. Furthermore, your current kitchen layout might not be the best option. Don't limit your possibilities by only sharing existing cabinetry locations. To avoid such issues, it's important to provide the complete room to your kitchen designer. We are here to guide you through the critical steps on how to take the important measurements.
Tools Needed to measure your kitchen for new cabinets.
Gathering the tools for measuring your kitchen for new cabinets is a breeze. You'll need a measuring tape to record the footprint of your kitchen. A laser can be helpful if you need to overcome longer distances. Make sure you have a step stool available. It helps to reach high spots. Grid paper or graph paper is handy for drawing layouts, and a simple piece of paper is great for notes. When drawing your footprint, a ruler will help you to record your dimensions. Don't forget a pen to jot down measurements. With these essentials, you're all set to measure your kitchen.
Measuring Kitchen for Cabinets by Yourself - Step-by-Step Guide:
Create a beautiful plan for your kitchen with our step-by-step guide. Taking initial measurements of your kitchen's footprint and wall lengths is the starting point for your complete redesign. Achieve stunning kitchen designs with our support! Follow these steps:
Capture images of your kitchen.
Assemble your measuring tools.
Sketch your floorplans.
Note horizontal measurements.
Document vertical measurements.
Mark obstructions like beams and pipes.
Plot plumbing, gas, exhaust, and electrical locations.
How do I sketch my Floorplan and Wall Elevations?
In just 5 simple steps, you can create a detailed kitchen plan to share with your kitchen supplier and kitchen brands. Continue reading to discover how to craft an accurate floor plan with precise measurements.
Begin by examining your room layout. Sketch it from a bird's-eye perspective for a top-down view. You don't need to scale your sketch.
Identify any windows, doors, pillars, radiators, or similar obstacles. Roughly position them on your floor plan. Don't concern yourself with precise placement; you can add distances and dimensions later.
Give each wall a distinct name or label for easy reference.
Create wall elevations. You can incorporate important notes. Highlight obstacles like beams, plumbing, electrical, gas, and similar elements. Remember, these elements don't need to be scaled. But make sure to depict the locations of windows and doors for a comprehensive and accurate plan.
Start measuring and record them on your plans.
Learn how to measure walls & obstacles properly.
Get ready with your tape measure and scratch paper! Our simple guide will help you master measuring walls and obstacles. Forget about individual cabinet sizes for now, be it base cabinets or wall cabinets. What's crucial is to gather essential room dimensions, electrical, plumbing, and other obstructions. This ensures your measurements align with the needs of your kitchen renovation project. With our guidance, you'll be well-prepared to create a precise plan for your kitchen space.
Horizontal Wall Lengths
Stretch your tape measure from wall edge to wall edge or from corner to corner of the wall. This straightforward method ensures accurate measurements for your kitchen walls. If there are obstacles like cabinets or appliances along the wall, proceed as follows:
Measure from the edge of one obstacle to the edge of the next to account for them in your measurements. You pretty much add up all the dimensions you take. The result will be your wall lengths.
Vertical Wall Lengths
Measuring Vertical Wall Lengths means to determine the ceiling heights. You pretty much need to take floor-to-ceiling measurements. There are many ways to start your height measurement.
The easiest Method is to find a plain wall and measure from floor to ceiling. Hold your measuring tape alongside the wall.
Working with your current cabinet layout and cabinet wall. You will need to measure your cabinet height. Adding up the different cabinet heights. Keep track of actual measurements when choosing this approach.
Toe kick + Tall cabinet + Crown Molding + Remaining distance toward the ceiling
Toe kick + standard base cabinet + countertop clearance + upper cabinets + crown molding + distance to ceiling
Obstacles:
Measuring kitchen obstacles is vital for efficient design. It will prevent clashes and ensure optimal cabinet and appliance placement.
Windows & Doors:
It's essential to account for various obstacles to ensure precise and functional planning. Such include measurements for openings such as windows and doors. Those will determine available wall space. Start with them. Measure the width of each window and door. Further, you will have to measure the distance from the closest wall edge to the window or door edge. Note, that on your footprint.
Permanent Features
Heaters, beams, and pillars impact the kitchen's layout. Make sure to recognize them in your plans. Measure their width and location. Measure the distance from the obstacle edge to the closest wall edge.
Power supply locations:
Ensure you're aware of electrical and plumbing locations. Measure the distance from the floor as well as toward the closest wall. Your wall elevations should show essential utilities like:
electrical outlets,
water lines,
drain lines,
and gas lines.
If you are planning on maintaining your current layout this is crucial in this process. You might have to move existing utility lines if you consider different kitchen setups. But, it's wise to provide the current conditions regardless of your layout plans.
Start designing your kitchen layout!
Once you completed your kitchen foot print you can start with your cabinet placement. Explore different configurations of cabinets. There are different types of cabinets and cabinet measurements available. Check out our post on: "How deep are Kitchen Cabinets" to explore different cabinet types and sizes. No matter if you choose standard or custom cabinets, you can start your plan with standard sizes. For expert support consider hiring a kitchen designer or approaching kitchen brands.
We are here to help! Our expert kitchen designers in NYC offer comprehensive support for your project. Do you need support taking measurements, exploring design concepts, or specifying materials? Explore our Kitchen Design Services: Kitchen Design NYC Services. We're here to make your dream kitchen a reality. Reach out today and let's transform your space into a culinary masterpiece. Your kitchen awaits!
Reach out to get your free consultation today!
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