How to Measure Your Kitchen for New Cabinets

Accurate measurements are the foundation of a practical kitchen plan. A few millimetres may not seem important when you first sketch the room, but walls, appliances, door clearances and services all have to work together when the cabinets are installed.

This guide will help you record the information needed to start planning. Final measurements should still be checked before cabinets, custom panels or benchtops are ordered.

What you will need

• A reliable tape measure or laser measure
• Pencil, eraser and paper
• A spirit level
• A camera or phone for reference photos
• Your appliance specifications, if already selected
• Someone to help with long measurements

Start with a simple overhead sketch of the room. It does not need to be perfectly to scale, but it should clearly show every wall, corner, opening and fixed feature.

1. Measure every wall

Measure each wall from corner to corner and write the dimension beside it on your sketch. Measure at more than one height because older rooms are not always perfectly square.

Record the ceiling height as well. If the ceiling slopes, has a bulkhead or changes height, note the height at each relevant point. Do not assume two walls that look equal are the same length; measure each one separately.

2. Record doors, windows and openings

For every door and window, record:

• the width and height of the opening;
• the distance from the nearest corner;
• the direction in which a door opens;
• the height from the floor to the bottom of a window; and
• any architraves, handles or frames that project into the room.

Door swings and window heights can affect where tall cabinets, wall cabinets, drawers and appliances can be positioned.

3. Mark plumbing, power and ventilation

Add the location of water pipes, waste pipes, power points, switches, gas connections, extractor ducts and other fixed services to your plan.

Measure each service from two fixed points, such as the floor and the nearest corner. Moving services may be possible, but it can change the cost and timing of a renovation. Discuss electrical, plumbing and gas work with appropriately qualified tradespeople.

4. Confirm appliance dimensions

Record the full model details and installation dimensions for the refrigerator, oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher, microwave and any other appliance included in the kitchen.

Check more than the visible width. Appliance specifications may require ventilation gaps, door clearance, benchtop cut-outs or space for connections. Confirm the actual models before the cabinet order is approved.

5. Check corners, walls and floors

Rooms are not always square or level. Use a spirit level and check whether floors rise or fall, walls bow, and corners appear wider or narrower than 90 degrees.

These details can affect fillers, end panels, benchtops and the final alignment of the cabinets. Mark anything unusual on the plan and take a photograph.

6. Think about clearances

A cabinet may fit on paper but still be awkward to use. Check whether:

• drawers can open without hitting handles, walls or appliances;
• corner cabinet doors can open correctly;
• the dishwasher door has enough space;
• appliance doors can open without blocking the main walkway;
• seating has enough room behind it; and
• doors into the room remain clear.

Fillers are often used beside walls or in corners to provide working clearance. End panels may be required where a visible cabinet side needs a finished appearance.

7. Take useful photographs

Photograph every wall from straight on, then take wider views from each corner. Include close-up images of services, unusual angles, windows and anything that may affect installation.

Photos do not replace measurements, but they help a designer or showroom team understand the room and spot questions that may not be obvious from the sketch.

Final measurement checklist

• every wall length;
• ceiling and bulkhead heights;
• doors, windows and opening directions;
• plumbing, electrical, gas and ventilation positions;
• appliance models and installation dimensions;
• floor or wall irregularities;
• visible cabinet ends and likely panel locations; and
• photographs of the complete room.

Measure important dimensions twice. If two connected measurements do not add up to the overall wall length, check them again before relying on the plan.

Move from measurements to a kitchen plan

Once the room information is ready, review the KC&S kitchen planning advice and use the 3D kitchen planner guidance to test layout ideas. You can also learn how to plan and buy your new kitchen or explore the current Premier cabinet range.

If you would like help checking the next step, contact Kitchen Cabinets & Stones with your suburb, measurements, appliance details and room photos.

Prepared by the Kitchen Cabinets & Stones team. Measurements, appliance requirements and site conditions should be verified before products, custom panels or benchtops are ordered.