Before the beautiful,
a little planning.

Sketch the shape
of your room.

Draw a bird’s-eye view of the kitchen. It does not need to be to scale. Include every wall, opening, island, and any adjoining space that affects the layout.

• Label each wall A, B, C, and so on, moving clockwise.
• Mark which side leads to each adjoining room.
• Note anything staying in place and anything you hope to change.

Example sketch only. Your room may have a different shape; record your actual dimensions.

Measure each wall
and ceiling height.

Record measurements in inches, including fractions. Measure wall-to-wall from the finished surfaces and note where trim affects your reading.

• Record the overall length of every wall, even where cabinets will not go.
• Measure ceiling height in multiple places and record each result. Note sloped ceilings, soffits, beams, and bulkheads.
• For a wall with openings, record each separate section and the overall length. Compare the section total with the full wall measurement.
• Check longer measurements twice. If something is difficult to reach safely, mark it for our team to verify.

Place the doors
and windows.

Working from the same labeled corner on each wall, record where each opening starts and ends.

• Measure doors and windows to the outside edges of their trim; label these as trim-to-trim dimensions.
• Record the distance from the corner to the near trim edge, the trim-to-trim width, and the remaining wall section.
• Measure from the floor to the window sill and to the top of the trim. Note any sill projection.
• Show which way doors swing and record nearby switches or other obstructions.

Add appliances
and fixtures.

Mark the refrigerator, range or cooktop, ovens, dishwasher, sink, microwave, and any other appliance on your sketch.

• Record current widths, heights, and depths where safely accessible.
• List the manufacturer and model number for each appliance staying or being purchased.
• Bring the manufacturer’s installation specifications for new appliances. Required openings and clearances may differ from the appliance’s outer dimensions.
• Note handles, open doors, ventilation needs, and any planned changes. Do not assume a standard opening.

Locate utilities
and obstacles.

Mark the visible locations of plumbing, outlets, switches, gas connections, and vents. Measure from a labeled corner and from the floor where accessible.

• Note the sink drain and water supply locations without moving connections.
• Show columns, radiators, floor vents, access panels, and other permanent obstructions.
• Record any changes in wall depth or flooring level.
• Label inaccessible or uncertain dimensions clearly so we can verify them together.

A few photographs
go a long way.

Take a wide photo of each wall, then capture the details that a sketch might miss.

• Photograph the room from opposite corners and its connection to adjoining spaces.
• Add close-ups of window trim, soffits, utility locations, and unusual corners.
• Photograph appliance model labels when accessible.
• Keep your sketch, measurements, and inspiration photos together for your consultation.

Ready to talk through the possibilities? Start with a short inquiry. Our team will coordinate how to share your plans and photographs.