How To Measure

How To Measure Kitchen Renovation

Measuring for a kitchen renovation may seem like a daunting task at first, but it doesn’t have to be. With a measuring tape and the assistance of a family member or friend, you can have the first step completed in under 15 minutes. Our experience has taught us that a simple piece of graph paper can be a huge asset in this process.

While measuring the kitchen for your home remodeling project may not be your first step, it is one of the most important. Without a good knowledge of the area you have to work with you cannot create your dream kitchen. Knowing your kitchen dimensions is the foundation of your success.

10 Basic Measurements

There are 10 basic measurements that are needed to begin the design process. It doesn’t matter whether you have a galley kitchen, an L-shaped kitchen or an open kitchen. Once you know where the doors and window are and where the appliances will be, all that’s left is to select the style and color of your kitchen cabinets. And of course pay for them!
First you need to know the width of your kitchen. Start along the longest wall at a height of around 36 inches and measure from the corner of one wall to the corner of next wall. Write that measurement down. Be precise. That’s why most measuring tapes get down to the 16th of an inch. It may not sound like much but just that much could turn your dream kitchen into a kitchen nightmare.
Next, along the same wall you got the completed measurement from, is there a window or a door on that wall? If so, you want to measure from the same starting corner to the edge of the window or door casing.
The third measurement will then be from casing edge to casing edge.
The fourth measurement will be from the far edge of the casing to opposite corner.
Total measurements 2, 3 and 4. They should equal measurement 1. If they do, move on. If not, then you will need to retake all 4 measurements again to ensure their correctness. Measurements 2, 3 and 4 should equal the first measurement you took.
Make sure you know where all your utilities are located. These would include water and drain lines, gas lines and electrical switches and outlets. Note these on your graph paper.
As an added check and balance, measure the same wall again only this time above the window or door. We don’t live in a perfect world. Knowing that your wall is out of line at this point of the process is much easier to overcome than realizing it once the kitchen cabinets have been ordered, delivered and begun to be installed.
The next measurement is to determine how high any windows are from the floor. Measure from the floor to the bottom of the window sill, the bottom edge of the window casing. Now measure from the bottom edge of the window casing to the top of the window casing. Then measure from the top of the window casing to the ceiling. The last measurement will be to verify the above three measurements by measuring from the floor to the ceiling. The three measurements of the window should equal the one measurement of the wall height.
Repeat the above process for all walls where cabinets are to be mounted. Transfer these measurements to the graph paper as well. While your graph paper might not look like they were done by an architect, but as long as the measurements are correct, the end result will be the same.
Finally, measure all appliances as they come in a variety of widths and heights. Note their location on the graph paper. If you have a side by side or French door refrigerator, check the door opening widths. Some models require more room than their width. If you are unsure, google the make and model of the appliance for its space requirements.

It’s That Simple!
Done in 15-20 minutes!!

Armed with a gold mine of information regarding your space. Now select your cabinet style and colors and you are that much closer to the kitchen you’ve been dreaming about.

Professional New Kitchen Design Services

Let one of our professionals provide you kitchen cabinet design services with no obligation to purchase. Our Pro Kitchen experts can guide you through the entire planning process step by step.