A useful guide to measuring up for a new kitchen

Whether you’ve just moved house and you’re in the middle of a renovation, or you’ve lived with your tired, old kitchen for years and decided it’s time to upgrade, purchasing a new kitchen can be a very exciting time, but also a very overwhelming one.

So where do you start?

Before you start mulling over the sleek floor to ceiling cupboards of a modern kitchen, or the traditional wooden farmhouse style kitchen, there are some important factors you need to think about…and one of them is the layout.

Which layout is best for your space and needs?

The right kitchen layout is a very personal choice, and it’s important to understand your personal needs to make sure your new kitchen is your dream kitchen.

For example, someone who bakes a lot will need a lot of prep space, whereas someone with a large collection of cookware and dishes may need to focus on clever storage solutions to maximise their space.

Flow is also important…how people will move through the kitchen. Will it be a high traffic area? Think about where there may be bottlenecks to avoid the feeling of overcrowding.

Something else to consider is placement. For example, think about where the dishwasher goes in relation to the sink, and the oven in relation to the worktops.

Classic layouts

Here are some of the most popular layouts to consider and why they may work for you:

• The working triangle – A classic concept which positions the three key areas (fridge, sink, stove) in a triangle to minimise wasted steps.
• Galley: Ideal for small spaces, with cabinets and appliances on parallel walls, maximising counter space.
• L-shaped: Great for open floor plans, offering good counter space and clear zones for prep, cooking, and clean-up.
• U-shaped: Great for larger kitchens, providing ample storage and counter space, but ensure walkways aren’t too narrow.
• G-shaped: Offers a combination of workspace and a breakfast bar or seating area, perfect for open kitchens.
• Peninsula: Creates a divide in open plan kitchens while providing extra counter space or seating.

So, you’ve thought about your personal needs and you’ve decided on a layout. You’ve also gone ahead and you’ve picked your perfect kitchen style …what next?

5 Steps to Measuring a Kitchen

Measuring your kitchen accurately is absolutely crucial for a successful kitchen redesign. Precise measurements guarantee that everything from cabinets and countertops to appliances fit perfectly within your kitchen’s footprint, with no unwanted gaps or frustrating overlaps. Ensuring accurate measurements also allows you to maximise storage potential using every available inch of space efficiently. No more wasted nooks or unusable corners.

To help make this process easier for you, we’ve got a handy guide with all the information you need. But just so there’s no doubt, let break that down in to five key steps:

1.Grab your tools

Firstly, you need to make sure you have all the tools you need – a tape measure, a pencil, and a large piece of paper.

2.Sketch the layout

Before you start taking measurements, use a ruler to sketch the basic shape of your kitchen.

Your drawing doesn’t need to be perfect because you’ll add actual measurements. Pretend that you’re looking at the room from a bird’s-eye view to create a set of rough kitchen plans that will make sense once you add more details like a refrigerator or dishwasher. Here’s a handy example of how your sketch could look.

3.Mark fixed elements

Marking off the kitchen windows, doors, appliances, and electrical outlets is an important step to make sure you take every factor into account.

Another helpful visualisation tool is to measure clockwise and draw a quarter circle line in the direction any door will open to notate where you need to leave room for clearance.

This could impact a kitchen island extension, for example, or interfere with a kitchen cabinet. Corner units can be quite confusing to measure so we’ve broken down the key elements to make sure you do it accurately.

4.Measure the Room

Measuring a kitchen is a job best accomplished with two people—with one holding the base of the tape measure and the other extending it. Measure the width of each wall at the floor, middle, and ceiling. Walls can be uneven, so this triple check ensures accuracy.

Once you’ve got those dimensions, go back and mark out distances between door openings, windows, and cabinets until you have a complete top-down picture of the room.For door and window measurements measure the distance from the corner of the wall to the edge of the door/window trim, the total width and height of the doorway/window (including trim), and the distance from the floor to the bottom of the window trim.

If you’re measuring for countertops, note down where the old sink is and where you plan to put your new sink based on the plumbing. And if measuring for new cabinets, you’ll need even more detail.

In addition to plotting the basic layout for the boxes, you’ll need to figure out the type of door and drawer front you’re going to install and where each hinge, knob, and piece of hardware will fall on the cabinet doors.

5.Check and record

Measure twice – Double and even triple checking your numbers is essential.
Take photos – Snapping a few photos of your kitchen can be helpful for visualising the space later.
Detailed notes – As you measure, note down all the dimensions on your sketch, with labels for easy reference.
Don’t forget details – Measure things like overhangs for radiators or pipes that might affect cabinet placement.
Level matters – Use a spirit level to ensure your measurements are straight and accurate.

You’re one step close to your perfect kitchen

By following these steps and carefully recording your measurements, you’ll have a solid foundation for planning your new dream kitchen!

If you’re still looking for inspiration on which kitchen to choose, have a look at our stunning Nobilia 2024 Collection.

If you have a question or would like more information, get in touch at hello@germankitchenstore.co.uk