How To Guide

How To Guide

How to Measure

For Flat Pack Cabinets

A simple guide to help you measure your kitchen, laundry, wardrobe or storage space before ordering flat pack cabinets. 

Accurate measurements are one of the most important parts of any flat pack cabinet project. Measuring the space properly before you order can help avoid delays, extra costs and cabinet fit issues during assembly or installation. 

Pinnacle Flatpacks supplies Tasmanian made flat pack cabinets from an available product range. Customers are responsible for checking site measurements before ordering, so it is worth taking the time to measure carefully. 

Measure First, Order Second

Before choosing cabinets, take the time to measure the full space. 

This applies to kitchens, laundries, wardrobes and general storage areas. A simple sketch with clear measurements can make it much easier to plan your cabinet layout and choose the right products from the Pinnacle Flatpacks range. 

Use millimetres for all measurements. This is the standard format used for cabinetry and helps reduce confusion when checking cabinet sizes. 

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What You Need Before Measuring

You do not need complicated equipment to measure your space, but you do need to be careful and methodical. 

Helpful items include:

Tape measure / Pencil Paper or notebook / Phone or camera / Spirit level if available / Step ladder if required / Appliance manuals or specifications / Existing house plans if available  / Take photos of the room as well. Photos can help when checking power points, plumbing, windows, doors, ceiling bulkheads and appliance locations later. 

Step 1: Sketch the Room

Start with a simple sketch of the room. The sketch does not need to be perfect. It only needs to show the basic room shape, walls, windows, doors, plumbing, power points and any fixed features that may affect your cabinets. 

Mark the following on your sketch:

  • Each wall
  • Windows, Doors and door swings
  • Existing plumbing
  • Power points and light switches
  • Bulkheads and Ceiling height changes
  • Appliance locations
  • Any columns or fixed obstructions

This sketch becomes your working plan when selecting flat pack cabinets. 

Step 2: Measure the Wall Lengths

Measure each wall where cabinets may be installed. For best accuracy, measure the wall in three places. 

Measure each wall at:

  • Floor level
  • Middle height
  • Higher wall height

Older homes are not always square or level. Measuring in three places can help identify whether the wall changes across the space. 

Use the smallest measurement when checking cabinet runs, as this helps allow for walls that are not perfectly straight.

Step 3: Measure the Room Height

Measure from the floor to the ceiling. Do this in several places, especially if you are planning tall cabinets, pantry cabinets, wardrobe cabinets or overhead cabinets.

Check for:

  • Uneven ceilings
  • Bulkheads and Cornices
  • Ceiling beams
  • Air conditioning units and Exhaust fans
  • Light fittings
  • Any feature that reduces available cabinet height

This is especially important for tall cabinets and wardrobe units. 

Step 4: Measure Windows and Doors

Windows and doors can affect cabinet placement, benchtop height, appliance clearance and walkways. Measure to the outside of the architraves, not just the glass or door panel. 

Record:

  • Window width and height
  • Distance from floor to window sill and from wall corner to window
  • Door width, height and swing direction
  • Architrave width
  • Depth of blinds or shutters

Cabinet doors and drawers need room to open properly, so record anything that may block movement. 

Step 5: Record Plumbing and Power Locations

Plumbing and electrical locations can affect where sink cabinets, appliance cabinets and laundry cabinets can be placed.

Mark the position of:

  • Water supply points
  • Waste outlets
  • Power points
  • Cooktop power or gas points
  • Oven and Rangehood power points
  • Dishwasher and Washing machine connections
  • Dryer power points

Do not complete plumbing, gas or electrical work yourself unless you are properly qualified. ALWAYS Use licensed trades where required. 

Step 6: Measure Appliances

If you are keeping existing appliances, measure them before ordering cabinets. If you are buying new appliances, check the manufacturer specifications before placing your cabinet order. 

Measure or confirm:

  • Fridge width, height and depth
  • Oven, Cooktop and Rangehood size
  • Dishwasher, Washing machine and Dryer size
  • Microwave size
  • Clearance requirements
  • Ventilation requirements

Do not rely only on the product name or appliance category. Always check the actual dimensions.

Step 7: Check Corners, Floors and Walls

Cabinets fit best when the room is square, level and straight. Many homes have small variations in walls, floors and corners. 

Check:

  • Whether corners are square
  • Whether the floor is level
  • Whether walls bow in or out
  • Whether existing tiles affect cabinet depth
  • Whether skirting boards need to be removed
  • Whether end panels or filler panels are required

Small issues can usually be managed with good planning, but they need to be known before you order. 

Step 8: Allow for End Panels and Filler Panels

End panels and filler panels help create a clean finish and allow cabinets to work properly against walls, appliances and open ends.

Measure or confirm:

  • Fridges
  • Ovens
  • Dishwashers, Washing machines and Dryers
  • Open cabinet ends
  • Tall cabinets
  • Wardrobe cabinets
  • Wall cabinet runs

Panels are also useful where walls are not perfectly straight or where a cabinet run needs a neat visual finish.

Step 9: Check Walkways and Door Clearances

A cabinet layout needs to be practical once the room is in use. Before ordering, think about how people will move through the space and how the cabinet doors and drawers will open. 

Check clearance for:

  • Drawer opening
  • Cabinet door swings
  • Fridge doors
  • Oven doors
  • Dishwasher doors
  • Laundry appliance doors
  • Wardrobe doors
  • Main walkways
  • Room entry doors

A layout may fit on paper but still feel difficult to use if door and drawer clearances are not considered

Kitchen Measuring Checklist

Use this checklist before ordering flat pack kitchen cabinets. 

Check:

  • Full wall lengths
  • Floor to ceiling height
  • Window and door positions
  • Sink position
  • Dishwasher position
  • Oven and cooktop position
  • Rangehood position
  • Fridge space
  • Power and plumbing locations
  • End panels required
  • Filler panels required
  • Benchtop overhangs
  • Walkway clearances
  • Appliance specifications

Laundry Measuring Checklist

Use this checklist before ordering flat pack laundry cabinets.

Check:

  • Washing machine size
  • Dryer size
  • Laundry trough position
  • Waste outlet
  • Power points
  • Overhead cabinet height
  • Base cabinet depth
  • Door clearances
  • Broom storage needs
  • Open bench space
  • End panels and filler panels

Wardrobe Measuring Checklist

Use this checklist before ordering flat pack wardrobe cabinets. 

Check:

  • Floor to ceiling height
  • Wall width
  • Wall depth
  • Skirting boards
  • Power points
  • Window positions
  • Hanging space needed
  • Shelving space needed
  • Drawer clearance
  • Floor level
  • Access into the room

Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

Careful measuring can prevent common cabinet project issues

Avoid:

Measuring only once / Using centimetres instead of millimetres / Forgetting architraves around windows and doors / Ignoring bulkheads / Forgetting appliance clearances / Forgetting end panels / Forgetting filler panels / Placing fridges too close to cooking appliances / Positioning cabinet doors where they cannot open fully / Ordering before checking appliance specifications / Starting plumbing, gas or electrical work without qualified trades

If you are unsure, stop and check before placing your order. 

Made to Order From Your Selected Cabinet Range

Pinnacle Flatpacks manufactures cabinets after your order is confirmed. 

Made to order does not mean custom made. It means the cabinet products you select are manufactured from the available Pinnacle Flatpacks range, using the listed sizes, finishes and options for each product. 

Because products are made after ordering, measurements need to be checked before the order is confirmed.

Need Help Before Ordering?

If you are unsure about measuring your room or choosing the right cabinet products, contact the Pinnacle Flatpacks team before placing your order. 

You can also book a design appointment if you need extra guidance before selecting your flat pack cabinets. 

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Measure Twice, Cut Once

There’s an age-old saying in the world of DIY and construction: “Measure twice, cut once.” This golden rule is especially true when planning your new flat pack kitchen. 

1. Measure the Room’s Height

Measure the room’s height from the floor to the ceiling. Do this across each of your walls, especially for older houses that may not be perfectly square. If you have any bulkheads that could obstruct the top cabinets, make sure you measure and make a note of these.

2. Measure the Horizontal Wall Length

Measuring widths of walls for a kitchen at the top, mid, and bottom positions is most accurate. It’s crucial to take accurate measurements of the horizontal length where your flat pack kitchen will be installed.

You’ll want to measure at three different points – the top, middle, and bottom of the wall. It might be surprising, but these measurements can occasionally vary, influencing the width requirements for your bottom cabinets in comparison to your overhead ones. If your kitchen design will span multiple walls, don’t forget to measure these lengths as well.

3. Measure Windows and Doors

Record the outside dimensions of windows and doors in the space, including both the horizontal and vertical measurements. If you have window fittings like plantation shutters or venetian blinds, measure their depth so that your cabinets will open freely around these features.

4. Record the Position of Utilities

Take measurements for the location of all your power points and water supplies.

5. Consider Other Features

If your kitchen area has any columns or other distinct features, ensure to measure these and mark their location.

6. Measure Existing Appliances

Take the measurements (height, width, and depth) of any existing appliances that you plan to reuse, such as the refrigerator, oven, and cooktop.

7. Checking for Square Corners and Level Walls and Floors

A crucial but often overlooked aspect of measuring your kitchen involves checking if your corners are square and if your walls are level. This may seem like a minor detail, but it can make a substantial difference in how well your flat pack kitchen fits together.

Remember, the more accurately you measure, the smoother your kitchen project will progress. Take your time and be thorough – your future self will thank you!

Are you considering a Kaboodle kitchen? Maybe its an Ikea kitchen. Here at Flat packs Tasmania we look at some of the disadvantages to using inferior products in your cabinetry.

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