How to Measure Your Kitchen for a Remodel in Palm Beach County
What You'll Need
Sketch Your Kitchen First
Before you pick up the tape measure, draw a rough bird's-eye view of your kitchen on paper. It doesn't need to look perfect — just a simple outline showing the walls, where the doors and windows are, and where the main appliances sit.
Label each wall with a letter: Wall A, Wall B, Wall C, Wall D — starting from the wall with your sink and going clockwise. This keeps everything organized when you start writing numbers down.
Take a few photos of each wall as you go. Photos give our team context that measurements alone can't capture — lighting, existing finishes, outlet locations.
Example kitchen measurement sketch — this is the level of detail that helps us give you an accurate estimate.
Measure Each Wall
Measure each wall from corner to corner. Take measurements at counter height — about 36 inches from the floor — rather than at floor level. Floors can be uneven, and this height is most relevant for cabinet planning.
Write each total wall length on your sketch. Then go back and break each wall into segments: from a corner to the edge of a window, across the window opening, then from the window to the next corner. Both the total and segment measurements are useful.
Windows, Doors & Ceiling Height
For each window and door in your kitchen, record:
| What to Measure | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Window width (trim to trim) | Affects upper cabinet placement on that wall |
| Window height (trim to trim) | Determines how tall upper cabinets can be |
| Floor to bottom of window | Important for countertop and backsplash planning |
| Door width (trim to trim) | Affects traffic flow and nearby cabinet placement |
| Which way the door swings | A door swinging in can block a cabinet from opening |
Ceiling height: Measure in at least three spots — center of the room and two corners. South Florida homes, especially in older communities like Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Lake Worth, can have ceilings that vary by an inch or more. Always use the smallest measurement.
Appliances & Fixtures
You don't need exact appliance dimensions — just record the space each one sits in and its location on your sketch:
| Appliance | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Width of the opening it sits in |
| Stove / Range | Width, and which wall it's on |
| Dishwasher | Width of the opening (usually 24") |
| Sink | Width and distance from the nearest corner |
| Hood / Range vent | Location and which wall |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Measuring in feet instead of inches. Always record in inches. "8 feet 6 inches" should be written as "102 inches" — cabinet sizes are specified in inches and fractions.
- ✕Skipping the ceiling measurement. The most commonly forgotten measurement — and one of the most important for determining upper cabinet height.
- ✕Forgetting which way doors swing. A door that opens into the kitchen can prevent a nearby cabinet from opening fully.
- ✕Only measuring once. Tape measures slip. Measure each wall twice and use the smaller number if there's a discrepancy.
- ✕Not taking photos. Photos show us things measurements can't — existing backsplash, outlet placement, natural light, and overall flow.
Download the Free Kitchen Worksheet
3-page printable form — kitchen measurements, bathroom measurements, and a full-page dot-grid sketch area. Fill it out and email it back for your free estimate.
PDF · 3 pages · Print-friendly · Free
Email your completed form to southflkitchenandbath@gmail.com — we respond within 2 hours.
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We offer free in-home consultations across all of Palm Beach County — Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and everywhere in between. No obligation.
Also available
Planning a bathroom remodel too?
See our bathroom measuring guide with fixture-specific measurements.
Your Local Team
Kitchen Remodeling Across Palm Beach County
South Florida Kitchen & Bath Design specializes in kitchen remodeling, custom cabinetry, and countertop installation across every city in Palm Beach County — including Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Lake Worth, Greenacres, Royal Palm Beach, and Lantana. Free in-home consultations, no travel fees.