Planning

Okay, so you're desperate for a new kitchen, but you don't want to bother that busy designer (that's me), especially if you're not sure if you can afford to proceed. "That's it, it's a costing exercise, I'll take in the measurements and save him some time, he'll be so pleased, great idea".

Well, firstly I don't mind coming to measure, I promise; and I know it's a costing exercise, it always is (unless you've won the lottery). Also unless you know how to measure properly, it's a waste of time, yours and mine. I'll end up on the phone every two minutes asking you to check this or that, (may as well have come out and done it myself). But if you do want to take the measurements yourself, at least let me show you how, hey, you may even end up better at measuring than me, then I'll have to give you a job.

So let's get started.

Sketch the room

The first thing you need to do is sketch the room, and it's not that difficult, let me show you how. First of all start in the corner, it does not matter which one, whichever looks the easiest, then draw each wall, door, window, nib arch and anything else until you get back round to where you started. Don't worry to much about neatness at this stage. see Fig 1 below:-

Fig 1

Add The Dimensions

In the plan shown below I started in the bottom left hand corner and measured to the window 308mm. Now if the window has a reveal, measure to the reveal and then span the reveal (window) in this case 2370mm. If the window has a frame measure to the frame and the span the frame, (frames are part of the opening, unless you want your lovely new kitchen to cut into the frame and spoil everything). Measure the height of the window from the floor (cill height), in this case 970mm off the floor, and the window height 1185mm. I do get some funny looks when I'm doing this, "We don't want a new window" is often heard in the background. But we need to know this to be sure units will pass comfortably under the window, and that shelves linking wall units will pass over the window. Use the same procedure for measuring doors. It is important to measure windows and doors. If I had a pound for everyone who's left this measurement off, then held their arms out saying it's about this wide or, it's just a standard door. There is no such thing, so measure it.

Fig 2

Carry on around the room adding measurements to your sketch until you get back to where you started. As you measure you may find you missed a bit, don't worry just add it now. When you have sketched your room you may have some idea of the general shape you want, if so put it on the sketch (see Fig 3). Don't be to detailed at this stage, but you can list everything you would like if you like, it all helps

Fig 3

Finally tell us where any services are, especially if they are in the kitchen i.e. stop taps, gas meters, fuse boards, boilers, anything you think will be difficult to move. (see Fig 4).

Fig 4

So, now we've got something we can work with. We may still need to ask you some questions, so always include contact details, but if you can do this, we can give you a design.

Next time I'll show you how we do our bit.

Dave