How on earth do you go about measuring for a kitchen?

[KitchenDenne]

On the teeniest of budgets.

So doing 90% of everything ourselves.

Ordering online but I just don't even know where to start at all. I want a different set up to what I already have too so can't just measure that

get paper and measure all your walls first to get the size of your kitchen, then draw that onto the paper with markings for windows doors etc, then plan where everything is going to go then add indiviual items to the plan ie floor cupboards, wall cupboards, cooker whether fitted or free standing, fridge freezer, washing machine, dryer dishwasher etc if you are having the last two, measure all of these as you add them to the plan that will give you a good idea of what works and what needs changing

If you choose the kitchen you like the look of most stores have free design services.
If you would rather try and plan it out so you can have an idea before going then measure the size of your room and draw a box on paper, look at the units & doors online and see the sizes that would fit the configuration you are thinking of.
eg b&q carcasses you would work out sizes that would fit by the width of unit, for example a corner unit, a double and a single on one wall with a double the other side of the corner unit and whatever wall units you need.
www.diy.com/search?term=kitchen+units
then pick the doors to fit on the units
www.diy.com/search?term=kitchen+doors
how many legs you would need & style of legs
www.diy.com/search?term=kitchen+unit+legs
plinths (if needed)
hinges
handles are all extra.
It is very time consuming so I’d recommend the free service for your first time but go saying ‘I have X budget’ or it will be designed with all the whistles and bells and be £££

We've just done this. We went with DIY kitchens and they are good at getting you to show them your workings out and they will check them for you.

It does come down to mms though so measure everything again and again.

I just drew it all out on paper. Be aware that cookers may need space at either side. And look out for things like windowsills or anything else in the way to open doors or drawers. We made a mistake there and have to cut our windowsill a little so the cupboard door for the bins can open. That's probably the kind of thing they would know.

I'm going to be harsh now, but if you are going to fit it all yourself, you will need more than measuring skills so should you really be ripping out a kitchen and replacing it if you aren't even sure how to measure one up?

Measure the height, width and depth of the kitchen, measure the distance from the corners of any fixed objects like radiators, pipes, doors and windows, measure the height width and depth of these objects.

Draw them out to scale to give you an idea of the layout, or find a design app that allows you to plot them.

Then redo all of the measurements, and redo them again.

Plan in the layout of your kitchen, research the sizes of the appliances and cupboards, think about where you want these to go and if that's possible, so don't plan your sink away from the plumbing, or your cooker away from your fuel source (if you are having these changed, check it's possible before you plan).

FYI, prebuilt cupboards are a bit more expensive than flat pack but do make it much easier and give a better finish.

It takes a lot of skill and expertise that's why you're finding it hard. Kitchen design and planning is worth paying for, you can still fit it yourself.

I agree. If measuring this bit is daunting, you don't have the skills to fit a kitchen. When you fit it, even 0.5cm measured wrong will show and look dreadful.

I'm not even going to attempt it. I'm picking out the units I want and then letting the builder take over. I know I'm going to end up with a cupboard that's 1cm too wide if I try it!

The IKEA app is very good, you can get a complete shopping list at the end.

Like others say you need to measure your space before you start - if your house is older you really need to check the walls are straight and the floors are level as all the units etc expect straight lines.

You will need some basic tools and some screws etc and a space to work in that's not your kitchen!

Measure the room dimensions as exact as possible, including where the water comes in, waste goes out, windows, doors, pipes, boiler, currently electrics/gas supplies etc and plug it all into an app.

Units and appliances tend to come in standard sizes - 600mm, 500mm, 400mm etc so you can use what you currently have as a rough starting point even if you do shuffle about a bit and play about with what looks best in the app.

Be aware of limitations such as not having oven right next to fridge or door/wall or in front of window, extractor fan will need outside vent, waste pipes can be difficult to move etc.

Then take to a couple of places for a quote and ask for their advice etc.

Once you learn more about it you will be able to judge if you think you can do it yourself. Remember things like walls that are not perfectly plum, straight, flat (most walls!) can make fitting much harder and usually need experience to get a good finish.

Remember to leave space somewhere for a bin!

Alot of kitchen fitters use the old kitchen units as benches for the new ones.

Yes to basic tools and some screws! Also the specialised fittings that kitchen fitters use.