The Blackbrook Kitchens guide to measuring for a new kitchen...
When we start a new kitchen project (particularly at the moment), having a good plan of the existing space that will eventually become your brand new kitchen is a must.
This kitchen layout plan doesn’t need to be a work of art, but there are some key things which should definitely be included to aid the design process, and to make sure we make the most of the space available and avoid major amendments to your kitchen design later on. Here’s our guide to measuring your kitchen and completing your layout plan successfully…
#1. Equip yourself with a tape measure, sheet of paper, pen or pencil (and a ruler if you’re a stickler for straight lines!)
#2. Sketch the outline shape of the room/space, aiming to get it vaguely in proportion (but it doesn’t need to be precise).
#3. Mark in the existing doors, windows and any boxed in areas or pillars.
#4. Then it’s time for the tape measure. Start by measuring the individual wall lengths, including distance between windows and doors - and widths of windows and doors. Mark each measurement onto your kitchen plan.
#5. Next measure the floor to ceiling height. If you’re using a stiff metal tape measure you can stand in front of a flat wall with the tape measure held on the floor with your foot. Then feed the tape up the wall until it hits the ceiling, when you can check the height. Do also note down any sloping areas or areas with higher or lower sections of ceiling.
#5. Measure the distance from the floor to window sills, and the heights of the windows and doors.
#6. Mark the position of your boiler if it is to remain there - and add the dimensions : h x w x d
#7. Mark the current position of your sink, hob and oven.
#8. Mark the position of the stop cock (if it’s in the space).
#9. Mark the position of the fuse board if it is to remain there and any power sockets would be handy too.
#10. Note whether your extractor is ducted or re-circulating.
Once you’ve got your basic plan, you can add any relevant comments that could impact a design eg. The ‘morning sunshine floods in here’, or ‘the dog bed must fit in this gap’… they’re not vital but could be helpful - and keeping them on the sheet helps keep them in mind.
You can scan your kitchen plan and email it to us, take a photo and message it over from your phone or go ‘old school’ and pop it in the post. Sending some accompanying photos would be really useful too. Then we’ll have everything we need to have a good chat with you about what you’re after from your brand new kitchen.