If you want to instal new cabinets in your home you will have to measure your home first. Measuring is easy, you will need paper, pencil, and a measuring tape. A second person helps, but it’s possible alone.

1) First, look around the room and think about the overall shape. Draw it in the middle of your paper. Leave a blank space for doorways in the wall. Then draw lines coming off the corners of your shape so it looks like you are looking down into the room. Draw any windows, doors, vents or radiators on those walls. Do not draw appliances or cabinets that will be removed.

Next label all of the horizontal dimensions around the room. Measure from corners to any windows or doors and the distance between windows and doors. Measure the actual size of the window and door openings. Disregard moldings for now. Also measure your ceiling height. You will want to do this in every area you want cabinets because ceiling height can vary even in the same room.

Now measure the heights of doors, windows, and the height from the bottom of the window to the floor. If there is any plumbing or venting that you want to keep, note that as well. Measure the width of the window and door moldings or note if there are multiple moldings. Finally, label any door swings with a curved line.

Your drawing doesn’t have to be to scale or look neat, but you should measure accurately. Your design and cabinets will be based on your measurements, so double check! After you finish measuring take some pictures to send your designer. Try to get pictures of each wall in the room. Great job! You are one step closer to your dream kitchen.