Are you preparing to make some changes to your home’s culinary headquarters? Whether you plan to do it yourself or get a professional involved, there are a few critical issues to consider before you even think about the design.
First and foremost, you’ll need to take some measurements. These measurements will give you a good idea of what you’re working with. Plus, they can help you determine what is possible and realistic in terms of your remodeling plans.
So whip out that measuring tape, grab a notebook and a pencil, and we’ll show you how to do this right.
Getting Started With Kitchen Measurements
Pro Tip: Measure in inches, and always measure to the nearest eighth of an inch. Measure the walls at more than one height, as the dimensions may vary. Two is good, but three is better.
1. Make a rough drawing. Get started by sketching out your kitchen. You’ll want to try and be as meticulous as possible to avoid errors. Consider using graph paper and a ruler to give yourself and your contractor the best idea of what you’re working with. Leave enough room to pencil in the measurements and any notes about things you or your contractor need to know along the way.
2. Measure from left to right. Start in one corner of the kitchen and go from left to right. Use the letter A to avoid confusion with the measurements. Measure along the length of the wall from the corner until you reach a door or window. Annotate the measurements on your sketch.
3. Measure from the outer edges. Start and finish measuring from the outer edge of the trim on either side. You’ll have to take a few additional measurements for each as well:
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- For windows: Take the distance from the kitchen floor to the bottom of the window sill. Remember, although the sill is part of the trim, it is not the bottom edge of the trim. Rather, it’s the ledge that sits a few inches underneath the glass pane. Then measure from the top of the window to the ceiling or soffit—that is, the boxy structure often used to disguise kitchen mechanicals or just fill the space between the ceiling and the top of your cabinets.
- For doors: Measure the height of the door from base to the top of the trim. Take the distance from the top of the door to the ceiling or soffit. Be sure to make note of which direction the door swings.
4. Measure the rest of the walls. Move in a clockwise direction from wall A, labeling them B, C, D, etc. as you go along until you return to where you started. Be sure to calculate the dimensions of any additional areas or bump-outs, like a kitchen nook, a sunroom, or recessed spots like closets and pantries. Measure the height of the soffit if you have one.
5. Measure the height of the ceiling from the floor. Take this measurement from several different areas to compensate for any variations that might exist.
6. Note where the vents are. You’ll want to make a note on your sketch of the locations of any air vents, electrical outlets, and water and gas lines. These will be very important depending on what kind of renovation you want to do, especially if you’re adding appliances or washing stations.
7. Measure your appliances. Speaking of appliances, don’t forget to include the measurements of your existing pieces. Get the dimensions for width, height, and depth. Think microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, sinks, ranges, cooktops, range hoods, and anything else you have in there. It might also help to mark the center line of each appliance on your sketch.
Next Steps
Now that you have your measurements, think about what you want to see in your new kitchen. What will best serve you and your family? What is your budget? What is your style? Do you have any photos or examples of kitchen designs you love? The better you can illustrate your ideas, the easier it will be for your contractor to understand what you’re going for.
To achieve the perfect kitchen design for your practical, lifestyle, and design preferences, drop by J.T. McDermott and bring your sketch along for our team to look at. We have been building kitchens in the greater St. Louis area since 1993, and quality speaks for itself.
Reach out today to get started.
