Laying It Out - Loomis Cabinet Sales

Laying It Out

Whether you decide to take matters into your own hands or let a professional start your designs, now's the time to lay it out. From work centers to basic cabinetry dimensions, we've compiled enough information to get you going. We've even included graph paper for your sketches. Maybe you just want to measure your walls. Maybe you want to design it all from toe kick to crown moulding. It's up to you. Just know that a Loomis Cabinet Sales is waiting to help you at any step of the way!

The Work Triangle

Each kitchen should have a relationship between the three primary workstations: refrigerator (food storage), sink (clean up), and cooktop (food prep). This relationship is sometimes referred to as the Work Triangle.

Work Centers

When designing a kitchen, the most important aspect to keep in mind is the function of the tasks to be performed within this space.

Size it up

Measuring Your Space

Proper and accurate measuring is a must before planning which cabinets and accessories will be needed and placement of exact appliance locations. Kitchen designers will use ½" scale which means ½" on your ruler represents 12 inches or 1 foot of actual floor space. We have provided grid paper to download for your rough draft. On the grid paper, to make it even easier, we've scaled it so each square of the grid is equal to 3 inches of your actual floor space. Besides the grid paper, you will need a tape measue, a one foot ruler and a pencil to begin your rough draft.

Step 1: Begin at the left of any corner in the room and measure to the right corner, noting the total measurement in inches.

Step 2: Return to the left corner and measure to the outer edge of moulding of a door/window opening.

Step 3: Measure the doors and windows from the outer edge of moulding to outer edge of moulding. Notate which way doors swing open.

Step 4: Continue measuring all doors and windows this same way along the wall to the right corner.

Step 5: Double-check your measurements by adding up all the measurements from Step 2 to Step 4. These should total the overall wall measurement for Step 1. If they do not equal, you must remeasure before proceeding.

Step 6: Return to the left corner and measure to the center of any water lines, water drains, gas lines, electrical outlets or electrical switches. You will need to pull appliances away from the wall if in the way.

Step 7: Note the measurements from the center of each outlet/switch to the floor. Continue measuring all of the items listed on Step 6 until you reach the right corner.

Step 8: Double check that these measurements total the overall measurement in Step 1. Again, if they do not equal, you must remeasure before proceeding.

Step 9: Note the overall height of each door, including moulding.

Step 10: Note the measurement from the bottom of the windowsill to the floor below each window.

Step 11: Note the measurement from the bottom of the windowsill to the top of the moulding of each window.

Step 12: Note the measurement from the top of each window to the ceiling.

Step 13: Measure the overall floor to ceiling height, accounting for soffits and beams.

Step 14: Double check that the measurements in Steps 10 through 12 equal Step 13. If they do not, remeasure.

Step 15: Repeat Steps 1 through 14 for each wall of the room.

Step 16: Measure all existing appliances that will be reused in your new kitchen. If new appliances will be used, it is best to get the manufacturer's specifications prior to designing your new kitchen.

Step 17: As an added measure of caution, it is recommended that you measure the inside width of all entry doors and doorways to check that existing cabinets and appliances can be removed, but especially that all new cabinets, appliances and counter tops can be brought in without onsite modifications.