Save 10% on all kitchen cabinets (including units, doors and handles). Terms apply
Seen a similar kitchen for cheaper? We’ll match the price.
Service that just gets it right, every time.
We’ve been building kitchens a long time.
Made right here in our Sussex factory.
Browse our how to guides.
Careful measuring now avoids awkward gaps, tight corners and compromises later.
Published
Measuring your kitchen sounds straightforward. Tape out, numbers down, job done. But whether you’re in a neat and shiny new build or a charmingly wonky old terrace, a few careful checks now can save a lot of head scratching later. So, grab a tape measure, a notepad, and a cuppa. This is one of those jobs that’s easier when you slow it down.
Begin by measuring the full length of each wall, skirting board to skirting board, in millimetres. That’s the standard measurement kitchen designers work from. Work your way around the room, noting or even drawing out each wall separately. In older houses, walls rarely run perfectly straight, so measure at floor level and again at worktop height. If the numbers don’t match, write both down.
A simple habit that helps here? Measure twice. It’s boring advice, but it works.
Next up: doors and windows. Note the width, height and how far they sit from the nearest wall.
Check which way doors open and how wide they swing. That swing space matters more than people think, especially in tighter kitchens.
For windows, measure from the floor to the sill and from the sill to the top. This helps plan worktops, taps and splashbacks without awkward surprises.
Ceiling height is just as important as floor space. Measure floor to ceiling in a few places. New builds tend to be consistent. Older homes less so. If you’ve got coving, beams or a sloped ceiling, measure where they start and how far they come into the room. This is what helps tall cupboards sit comfortably rather than feeling squeezed in as an afterthought.
Now for the practical bits. radiators, boilers, pipes, sockets, switches, and extractor points. Measure their size and distance from nearby walls.
If you’re not planning to move services, accuracy here is gold. It helps designs feel clean and intentional, not compromised.
New builds tend to be square, level, and predictable. Lovely. Older homes have character, quirks, and the occasional surprise angle. Embrace it. Careful measuring lets the design work with the house, not against it.
A final tip that always helps: sketch as you go. Boxes, lines, notes. Nothing fancy. It helps designers read the room the way you do.
