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article covers measuring your kitchen. This is the second
stage of our three stage design process, the first being
to choose which cabinets and finish you like. Once you
measure, you can use our articles or our unique personal
design service to plan the layout. This will then dictate
which cabinets and accessories need to be ordered. We
will walk you through the whole process.
If
you have already planned a kitchen cabinet layout, or
you are simply replacing your existing kitchen cabinet
layout exactly as it is now, or you have had someone
come in to measure already, simply fax or mail what
you have so far and we will complete and refine the
design if necessary and complete your order in quickly
and easily.
Please
keep in mind that if you are altering the structure,
or wall layout of the kitchen, it is important to be
sure you are not compromising the structural integrity
of the space. If you are unsure of which walls are "load
bearing" or you are moving windows, doorways, or
opening archways, or removing walls entirely, it is
a good idea to check with an engineer or architect.
Obviously, we cannot be responsible for any problems
that arise structurally since we are not measuring the
space ourselves. Please remember to keep tension on
your tape measure as they tend to "belly"
or sag over long distances effecting the measurement.
Kitchen cabinet measurements
are done in inches. (A measurement is 50", not
4' 2") This is because in North America, kitchen
cabinets are manufactured in inches, usually in 3"
increments. Of course, Timberlake's®
unique Increased or Reduced Depth options and our variety
of decorative fillers allow for maximum versatility.
1- Begin with a piece
of graph paper or print the grid here. Sketch out the
basic shape of the kitchen. While this does not have
to be to scale, it is helpful to keep to some guidelines
- eg. 1 box is 6" or 12".
2- Measure each outside
wall's total length from one corner to the other. No
space is absolutely square, so take 3 measurements of
each wall; one from the floor, one mid way up, and one
at the ceiling. The smallest measurement is the one
to work with.
3- Sketch in windows,
doors, interior walls, recessed areas, protrusions,
islands, peninsulas, or other features. Artistic talent
doesn't matter here - the accuracy of the measurements
does.
4- Measure the widths
of each feature in inches. For windows and doors, measure
to the outside edges of surrounding trim.
5- Mark the locations
of where the appliances will go, as well as where the
current gas, water, and electric lines are located.
If you are putting in new appliances, try to have the
widths of any new stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators
ready at the time of design. (Aside from Microwaves,
most appliances are fairly standard in widths: 30"
or 36" for stoves, cooktops may be 42' or 48",
24" for dishwashers, 15" or 18" for trash
compactors, and 30" to 36" for refrigerators
- or up to 48" for built-ins). Be sure to include
new services such as a water line for an icemaker, or
under cabinet outlets for water filters, wine keepers,
or garbage disposals.
6- Measure each wall
section from the corner to the feature (doorway, window
etc.), and from feature to feature. For the sink, measure
from the corner to the middle of the sink. Be sure that
all of these sections add up to the total length of
the wall.
7- For height, measure
from floor to ceiling in several places and use the
smaller measurement. For vaulted, or offset ceilings,
record the increased height at the point in the diagram
where the higher ceiling begins. Remember to include
any soffits, measuring both height and depth, as the
cabinets will be mounted below.
8- Using a "$"
symbol or a different color, mark the current location
of any switches or outlets.
At this point, we need
to take what the existing space offers and begin to
think about all of the possibilities. Our next article,
Laying
out Kitchen Cabinets, will go further into all of
the typical design considerations, but as you look at
your measurement diagram, begin to think of how you
use your kitchen, and how the layout of the cabinets
and appliances can make your time in the kitchen more
efficient and pleasurable.
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