Here’s how to create a detailed plan of your room:

  1. Sketch the Space: Grab some graph paper and draw the basic shape of your room.
  2. Measure and Mark:
    • Using a tape measure, record the length and width of each wall in inches. Note these dimensions directly on your drawing.
    • Do the same for doors and windows, including the width of their trim.
  3. Reaching for the Top: Measure the height of the ceiling from the floor and add that measurement to your drawing.
  4. Noting the Nooks and Crannies:
    • Are there any lowered sections of the ceiling (soffits)?
    • Do any walls jut out or recede (jogs)?
    • Are there beams, posts, or other obstacles in the room?
    • Make a note of these on your drawing for future reference.
Tape measure
Mapping Your Room - Template A
Mapping Your Room - Template B

Capture Your Kitchen with Photos!

Once you’ve got the measurements down, don’t forget the power of pictures! The more photos you take of your kitchen, the better. By providing a combination of measurements and photos, you’ll be giving your kitchen designer all the information they need to create the perfect kitchen for you!

Plan Appliances First for Accurate Cabinet Measurements

There are numerous kitchen appliances to choose from. If you plan to upgrade to new ones, we strongly recommend selecting them before purchasing your cabinets. This allows your designer to ensure a perfect fit.   Please provide your designer with the brand, model number, and dimensions of each appliance.

Know Your Kitchen Lingo:

  • Soffit: This isn’t a lowered ceiling, but rather a hidden compartment! It’s the space tucked between the top of your cabinets and the actual ceiling. Usually covered with drywall, soffits are where your kitchen’s plumbing, electrical wires, HVAC ducts, and other mechanical friends live. Removing them can be pricey depending on what’s hiding inside. If you have a soffit in your kitchen, be sure to mark its location and size on your drawing.
  • Wall Jog: Ever bump into a surprise bump-out on your kitchen wall? That’s a jog! It’s a section that juts outward compared to the rest of the wall. These jogs can be used to hide pipes or other mechanical elements. If you have a wall jog, note its length (how far it sticks out) and its depth (how deep it goes in) on your drawing. This information will be crucial for planning your kitchen layout.