How to Measure your Kitchen for Cabinets
Measuring is a critical step in your kitchen cabinet project. Accuracy is important - even small errors can lead to costly mistakes. But don’t worry! Our kitchen design professionals have created this step-by-step guide to help you get your cabinets right.
A
Tape Measure - a good quality, locking tape measure 25-30 feet long is ideal.
B
Pencil & Paper - for sketching and recording measurements. Graph paper can be helpful for drawing to scale.
C
Level - to check for plumb and level surfaces.
D
Smartphone - camera to take photos of the space from different angles and calculator app to help with adding/subtracting measurements.
You need a clear, unobstructed view of all walls, windows, and doors. Remove everything from the space where cabinets will be installed including:
Appliances - if you’re replacing them
3
Sketch a Rough Floorplan
On your paper, draw a rough, bird's-eye view sketch of the room including:
D
Appliances - stove, refrigerator, sink, dishwasher
4
Overall Room Dimensions
Record these measurements on your floorplan sketch:
A
Wall to Wall - length of wall from corner to corner
B
Wall to Wall (Opposite) - the opposite wall should be roughly the same; if there's a significant difference, it indicates an out-of-square room, which you'll need to account for with filler strips.
C
Floor to Ceiling - height from the floor to the ceiling in several spots around the room. Note any variations, as ceilings can sometimes be uneven.
For each door and window opening, measure:
A
Width - from left trim edge to right trim edge.
B
Height - from top trim edge to bottom trim edge.
C
Wall Corner to Trim - from the nearest wall corner to the outside edge of the window or door trim.
D
Top of Window to Ceiling - from the top of the window trim to the ceiling.
E
Bottom of Window to Floor - from the bottom of the window sill to the finished floor.
F
If there are multiple windows or doors on the same wall, measure the distance between their trims.
Identify and measure the location and dimensions of anything that might interfere with cabinet placement:
A
Electrical Outlets and Switches - from the nearest wall corner to the middle of each wall plate. Also note the height from the floor to the center of each wall plate.
B
Plumbing Lines (Sink, Dishwasher) - from the nearest wall corner to the middle of the main water supply and drain lines. Also note the height from the floor to the center of the line openings.
C
Gas Lines - from the nearest wall corner to the middle of the gas line. Also note the height from the floor to the center of the gas line opening.
D
HVAC Vents & Registers - from the nearest wall corner to the edge of the vent. Also note the width and depth of the vent opening.
E
Baseboard Heaters - from the nearest wall corner to the edge of the heater. Also note the width, depth and height of the heater.
F
Pipes & Conduits - from the nearest wall corner to any exposed pipes or electrical conduit that cannot be moved. Also note the distance that they stick out from the wall.
G
Protrusions - width, depth and height of any wall sections that protrude into the room including chimneys, soffits, bulkheads.
If you’re keeping your current appliances, write down their width, height, and depth including any door handles. If you're purchasing new appliances, get their exact specifications from the manufacturers including the recommended opening widths.
This is crucial for a professional-looking installation:
A
Check Walls for Plumb - Place your level against the wall vertically in several locations. Note if the wall bows in or out. This will inform where you might need shims or filler strips.
B
Check Floors for Level - place your level on the floor in various spots. Note any dips or humps. This is especially important for base cabinets, as you'll need to shim to achieve a perfectly level countertop.
C
Check Corners for Square - use the 3-4-5 rule to check if your corners are perfectly 90 degrees by measuring 3 feet along one wall from the corner, 4 feet along the other, then measure the diagonal which should be 5 feet. Most rooms aren’t perfectly square, so note any deviations.
9
Double Check Everything
Verify All Measurements - go over your entire sketch and re-measure each dimension at least once. It's better to catch an error now vs. after you've ordered cabinets.
Take Photos - all walls and potential obstructions. These can be invaluable when planning your layout or if you forget a detail.
Organize Your Measurements - make sure your sketch is clear, legible, and all measurements are properly labeled. Use arrows to indicate what each measurement refers to.
10
Meet with a Kitchen Designer
Enter your info below to schedule your free design consultation with one of our professional cabinet specialists. They'll review your measurements with you and answer any questions you might have.