Kitchen Measuring Guide

A beautiful kitchen starts with an accurate plan. Whether you are replacing your kitchen or refreshing the doors, this guide will help you record the measurements and details you need before choosing your Abode & Nest products.

Watch our kitchen measuring guide

The dimensions and service positions shown in the video are examples. Always measure your own room. The steps below provide a written guide to follow alongside the video.

1. Get everything ready

You will need a tape measure, paper or graph paper, a pencil and a phone or camera. A spirit level and a second person can help with longer measurements. If you use a laser measure, double-check important dimensions with a tape measure.

Start a separate list for appliances you plan to keep, including their make and model. Note any planned changes to flooring, plastering, tiling or wall positions, as these can affect the finished space.

2. Draw the room and measure every wall

1. Sketch a view of the room from above. Include recesses, alcoves, chimney breasts, columns, boxed-in pipes and any changes in wall direction.
2. Label the walls A, B, C and D, continuing around the room if needed.
3. Measure the full length of each wall from corner to corner. Record separate measurements for each recess or projecting section.
4. Check wall lengths at more than one height, including around base-unit and wall-unit level. Write down any differences; walls are not always straight or square.
5. If possible, compare diagonal measurements and note uneven corners for your fitter to check.

Use the wall surfaces your finished kitchen will sit against. Where work is still planned, keep existing measurements and proposed finished measurements clearly labelled.

3. Position windows and doors accurately

For each window or doorway, record the opening width and its distance from both neighbouring corners, using consistent measurement points. The separate sections should add up to the full wall length.

• Windows: record opening height, floor-to-sill height, sill depth and any projecting handles, trims or blinds. Show which way the window opens.
• Doors: record the opening width and height, frame and architrave projections, and the direction of the door swing.
• Clearance: note anything that could clash with cabinets, handles, drawers, taps or appliances when open.

4. Check heights, floors and ceilings

Measure from the finished floor to the ceiling at several points. Record the lowest height as well as any variation, sloping ceilings, beams or bulkheads. If the final flooring is not installed, note its expected thickness separately.

Mark floor-to-sill heights and the heights of fixed obstructions on a simple front-on sketch of each wall. Tall cabinets, wall cabinets and decorative trims need to suit the actual space available.

5. Mark services and fixed fittings

Show the position of water supplies, waste outlets, gas points, sockets, switches, cooker connections, extractor outlets, vents, radiators and boilers. Measure their positions from a labelled corner and from the finished floor so they can be located accurately on your plan.

Include the size and depth of projecting fittings, and identify access that must be kept clear for valves, controls, servicing and ventilation. Photograph each wall and any concealed services you can safely see. Discuss any proposed service changes with the appropriate qualified tradesperson.

6. Allow for appliances and the complete cabinet run

List every appliance and identify whether it is freestanding or integrated. Check its manufacturer's installation instructions for the required opening, ventilation, connections and door clearances. An appliance's overall size and the space needed to install it may be different.

• Include end panels, filler pieces, corner arrangements and any finishing trims when checking a run of cabinets.
• Check that appliance doors and drawers can open fully beside walls, handles and neighbouring units.
• Allow practical movement space around islands, peninsulas and opposing runs of units.
• Check the exact dimensions of your chosen products in our Cabinet Specifications and individual product listings.

A note on worktops

Record your proposed worktop runs, depth, exposed ends, overhangs and the intended sink and hob positions. Final worktop measurements and cut-outs should be checked against the installed, level cabinets and the appliance instructions before cutting or ordering a made-to-measure top.

Measuring for replacement doors and drawer fronts

Measure the actual existing door or drawer front, recording its width × height in millimetres. Do not use the cabinet's overall width as a substitute for the front's dimensions. Measure each different size and keep a numbered list of quantities, positions and finishes.

Also note the thickness, opening direction and existing hinge positions where relevant. Check the dimensions and compatibility of the replacement fronts before ordering.

Your final measuring checklist

• Every wall, recess and projection is measured and labelled.
• Window and door sizes, positions and opening directions are shown.
• Ceiling heights, sill heights and changes in floor level are recorded.
• Services, ventilation and access requirements are marked.
• Appliance makes, models and installation requirements are listed.
• Panels, fillers, trims and opening clearances have been considered.
• Photographs of every wall are included.
• Measurements have been checked twice, and the final layout and product sizes have been confirmed with your fitter before ordering.

Ready to take the next step?

Keep your sketch, measurement list and photographs together while you choose your kitchen. If you need help checking product dimensions or choosing suitable components, contact Abode & Nest or email contact@abodeandnest.com with your plan and the products you are considering.