Measuring Kitchen Space for New Cabinets, Part 1

Within many kitchen remodeling projects, kitchen cabinets are the central piece involved in the remodel. They may not be the only element of the kitchen being changed up, of course, but given their size and the way they tend to define much of the rest of the space, cabinets are often one of the foundational pieces the rest of the remodel is built on.

At Swirl Woodcraft, we’re happy to provide a huge array of kitchen cabinets for all your remodeling needs, from modern kitchen cabinets to traditional and even rustic styles. One area we’ve assisted many clients with: Measuring their kitchen space for new cabinets and other elements of the remodel, which is a vital task to ensure you purchase the proper materials and sizes. This two-part blog series will go over several steps we’ll recommend when it comes to measuring a room for new cabinets.

Gathering Supplies

First and foremost, gather the proper supplies for this project. They include:

• A tape measure that spans your entire kitchen (at least 16 feet and usually up to 25 feet)
• A pad of grid paper
• A pencil or pen, plus another writing utensil in a different color (some use a highlighter)
• A single person recording the measurements (others can help with the logistics, but the same person should take each reading)

Here are the steps we recommend following once you’ve collected your supplies.

Draw Floor Plan

Using your grid paper, sketch out your basic kitchen layout while marking things like doors, windows, outlets, light switches, utility lines and various vents. In many cases, homeowners first take photos of their kitchen to use as a reference for their sketch.

Know that for your first draft sketch, things do not have to be perfectly to scale. However, they should be relatively neat and easy to read, as this will serve as your guide moving forward.

Measure Horizontally

Once you have the basic floor plan in place, it’s time to begin your measurements to define the exact space. Always use total inches for your measurements in any area.

Begin from one adjoining corner of the wall and work clockwise, taking horizontal measurements of each wall at a 36-inch height. Measure from one edge of the wall to the other, skipping windows and other fixtures. Label each wall with its own number.

In addition to measuring the full wall lengths, also go back and record smaller segments, such as those confined by a window or any other fixture. Number these as well so you can refer back to them later.

Measure Vertically

Now it’s time to record vertical measurements, moving from the floor to the windowsill, then from the windowsill to the top of the window, then from the top of the window to the ceiling. From here, measure from floor directly to ceiling in at least three different spots – this is particularly vital for older homes where ceiling heights might vary.

For more on measuring your kitchen for new cabinets, or to learn about any of our kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities or other products, speak to the staff at Swirl Woodcraft today.