Here’s our guide to measuring your own rooms. We’ve tried to make this as simple as possible but if you find anything complicated do please let us know and we will happily walk you through it.
Let’s start with a basic layout of the room. The first image below shows an example.
All Set? Let’s Get Started!
Start by drawing the shape of the room. Include any nibs, recesses. Don’t worry about getting it perfectly to scale as we’ll be putting all the measurements on, just roughly to scale would be helpful.
Doorways
It’s useful to note which way they are hinged, if they are single or double doors and if they are internal or external doors.
Windows – [WH] Window Height, [SH] Sill Height
Jot down WH and SH near the window as we’ll be coming back to make a note of the window height and sill height later.
Radiators [R]
Draw as 2 circles and a line and mark with R. Give each radiator a number R1, R2, R3 etc.
Boilers [B]
Draw as a box and mark with B.
Other Features
Draw additional elements as a box and label as appropriate. For example:
Fuseboards [FB]
Gas or electric meters ([EM] / [GM])
Alarm boxes [A]
Stop tap [ST]
You may also have other features in the room such as structural beams or pipe boxings, chimney breasts etc. Please add them accordingly if possible.
Let’s Add Some Dimension Lines
These need to be for each individual measurement but ignore the radiators and meters etc for now.
Mark on any different ceiling heights and sloping ceilings with Velux positions. If your room has two different ceiling heights just draw a line where they change.
We’re Ready To Start Measuring
We work in millimetres (mm) to give us the best degree of accuracy. Choose a corner to start in and work your way around the room clockwise, making a note of each measurement as you go round.
Measuring Ceiling Height [CH]
Even if you have one flat ceiling, it’s good to take a few measurements from around the room in case the floor isn’t level. If you have a sloping ceiling, take 2 measurements – one at the highest and one at the lowest point of the ceiling. If you have any beams, archways or open doorways, measure the height from floor to top of the opening / underneath of the beam or arch.
Measuring Windows
Measure the height of the window itself [WH] and then the height of the window sill from the floor [SH].
Measuring Boilers, Radiators & Meters
Now measure your boiler, radiators and any meters, making a note of their width, height, depth and then the height from either the ceiling or the floor. You’ll also need to note how far into the room they are from one main position. You can mark this with a line and an arrow showing the direction you have measured from. For radiator widths, take into account the pipes and not just the radiator itself.
Overall Dimensions
Now we’ll take some overall dimensions so that we can double check our incremental dimensions are correct. Mark the main wall lengths from corner to corner, with A-A, B-B, C-C etc. and note the overall wall dimensions of the room.
If any of the walls are currently tiled then please make a note of which walls these are. It is also useful to mark on positions of light switches although these can often be easily moved if required.
If you have a current gas supply – mark this on the plan with a *G and note the position of it, in from one corner of the room. Do the same for your existing extractor position if it is vented to outside [*E].
Send Us Your Images
Take photos of anything that you think would be helpful for us to see – pipes around the boiler, ceiling slopes and intrusions, meters and anything that is inside of a cupboard that will need planning around.
Next Steps
That’s it! you’re all measured up. Go to our design questionnaire, stick the kettle on and dream about having a Quooker boiling water tap so you wouldn’t have to wait around 🙂
Now grab your brew and leisurely fill in the questionnaire with all the ideas you have or anything you know you definitely don’t like. Let us know what your dream is for your new kitchen so that we can do our best to make it your reality.
Email everything over to us at hello@danbyinteriors.co.uk and let us take care of the rest.
