Below is a
step-by-step guide for drawing and measuring your kitchen.
Each step is color coded and matches the corresponding color
in the sample drawing below. To make it easier to draw your
kitchen we have provided a grid
that can be printed and used as grid paper.
NOTE: If you are remodeling, do not
include current cabinetry or other furniture that will not
be kept, such as kitchen tables, in your measurements.
NOTE: All of your measurements should be
in inches. For example, if you measure a wall that is 10
feet, write it as 120" ( a quotation mark (")
denotes inches ).
Sample Drawing

STEP 1
Draw a rough outline of your kitchen. Use the following
symbols in your drawing for doors and windows.

NOTE: For doorways with doors, draw the
doorway according to which way the door swings.
STEP 2
Draw in any obstructions such as radiators,
pipes, sink plumbing, etc. that you either can not, or do
not, want moved.
STEP 3
A) Beginning at the top left corner of your
drawing measure to the first window, door, or wall. Continue
clockwise around the room until each wall, window and door
has been measured.
Note: When measuring doors and windows the
trim is considered part of the door or window. As shown in
the drawing below, measure from the outside of the trim on
one side to the outside of the trim on the other side.

B) Measure the ceiling height and write it
in the center of your drawing. Sometimes, especially with
older homes, it is a good idea to take measurements in a few
different areas of the kitchen. Ceiling heights, even in the
same room, can sometimes vary by as much as a few inches.
C) As shown in the drawing below, measure
from the floor to the bottom of each window and also measure
the overall window height. If you have printed
these instructions, write the measurements in the table
provided below.

| |
Distance
from Floor to Bottom of Window |
Height
of Window Including Trim |
| Window #1: |
(inches) |
(inches) |
| Window #2: |
(inches) |
(inches) |
| Window #3: |
(inches) |
(inches) |
| Window #4: |
(inches) |
(inches) |
| Window #5: |
(inches) |
(inches) |
| Window #6: |
(inches) |
(inches) |
STEP 4
A) Beginning at
the top left of your drawing, label the windows "Window
#1", "Window #2", etc. in a clockwise order.
B) Again,
beginning at the top left of your drawing, label the doors
"Door #1", "Door #2", etc. in a
clockwise order.
C) Next to each
wall, write the name of the adjacent room. If the wall is an
"outside wall" write "exterior wall."
STEP 5
A) Measure any
obstructions such as radiators, pipes, etc. that you either
can not, or do not, want moved. If the obstruction is close
to a wall, measure out from the wall to the edge of the
obstruction.
B) Measure from
the second closest wall to the edge of the obstruction.
C) If the
obstruction does not span the full height of the room,
measure the height of the obstruction.
Final Step:
Check your measurements. If
your room is rectangular add up the measurements of the
parallel walls and make sure they match (or are at least
very close). For example, in our sample drawing, you would
take the overall measurements of the top wall and add them
together. Then do the same with the bottom wall. Once you
have added each walls measurements check the totals to see
if they match.
| Top
Wall: |
24"
+ 42" + 24" + 12" + 42" +
12" = 156" |
| Bottom
Wall: |
12"
+ 40" + 104" = 156" |
| Left
Wall: |
21"
+ 42" + 52" = 115" |
| Right
Wall: |
18"
+ 97" = 115" |