MKM offer a complete bespoke design service for your kitchen and we are available to come and visit you in your home should you require. However, if you’d like to pop into branch to run through your options or visit one of our showrooms it may be useful if you have a few things prepared to help our Kitchen Specialists along with your design process ...

 

Prepare Your Kitchen Measurements Knowing what space you have to work with for your kitchen is an essential part of the design process and can make all the difference when planning out your space.  There are a few key measurements that we’d need to get us started, and jotting these down on a piece of paper as a rough plan would be ideal ...

Walls - Knowing what walls you have in your kitchen and the measurements of these is essential for your kitchen plan. Marking up on your plan which are internal and external walls is also essential.

Windows and Doors - To complement your measurements of the walls, making note of all of the windows and doors in the kitchen is very important, making sure that you include the frames in both of the measurements. When measuring and marking down your doors on your plan also make note of which way the door opens and if this opens in or out of the room.

Height of the Room - Kitchen units can come in different heights and knowing that you have the height to have floor to ceiling cupboards is essential if these are to be included in your plan. These measurements are also essential for planning the height cupboards above worktops etc. It may be worth noting that not all rooms are level, and therefore taking the measurement at different points of the room along each individual wall will give you the clearest picture on the height of your room.

Sockets, Wastepipes and Stop Tap - Unless you are starting from scratch and having your kitchen built up from the ground, it’s more than likely that you’ll be using the electrics and pluming already in existence. It is therefore another essential to make note of where all of the sockets, wastepipes and stop tap are throughout the kitchen as these will need to be taken into consideration for the placement of any new equipment and appliances such as fridge, washing machines and sinks.

Boiler - Just like the sockets and the wastepipes, if you’re not starting from scratch then it’s unlikely that you’ll be looking to move you’re boiler if it is in the kitchen. Again make note on your plan as to where the boiler is situated and it would be useful to note what type of boiler it is. Existing Cupboards and units - You might have existing cupboards or units in your kitchen that you want to keep, such as a pantry or island, so you’ll need to also include these in your plan. Measurements will need to include height, width and depth as standard, but also include distance from walls if they are free standing or distance from the floor or ceiling if attached to an existing wall.

 

Top Tips to Consider - Consider the space needed to open things such as cupboards, oven doors and fridges, in particular if planning a galley kitchen, allowing adequate space for these openings and to gaining suitable access to these items. Consider the space required for people in your kitchen! Make sure you’ve got enough space for at least two people to pass through the space safely between the work surfaces and the appliances. Consider the distance that you need between the worktop and the wall mounted cupboards, you need to have enough space to keep your worktop a functional space allowing for items and appliances you want to have on there, the standard distance to allow for is at least 40cms between the two. Consider how you use a kitchen whilst preparing a meal, working on the triangle rule between key areas such as the oven, sink and fridge.