How Do You Measure Cabinet Size?
Accurately measuring cabinet size involves determining its height, width, and depth. This is crucial for cabinet installation, replacement, refacing, or adding organizers. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
To measure a cabinet effectively, follow these steps:
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Width: Measure the cabinet's front from side to side. Start at one end and measure to the other end of the cabinet face. This is the overall width. Cabinet Coatings emphasizes this measurement for determining the horizontal space cabinets occupy.
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Depth: Measure from the back corner to the front corner of the cabinet. This gives you the overall depth. Note that some cabinets might have irregular sizes, as mentioned by Quality Bath.
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Height: Measure from the top of the cabinet to the bottom. This provides the overall height. Consider the countertop height if measuring base cabinets. Cabinetmaker's Choice notes that base cabinets with counters are typically 36 inches.
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Internal Dimensions (Optional): For custom inserts or organizers, measure the inside dimensions of the cabinet. Woodworker Express highlights that internal measurements differ from the cabinet's overall dimensions.
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Multiple Cabinets: When measuring a series of cabinets, measure each individually and note down the total horizontal space they occupy, taking into account any gaps between cabinets. WikiHow recommends measuring the wall width to determine available horizontal space.
Important Considerations:
- Accuracy: Use a reliable tape measure and take multiple measurements to ensure accuracy.
- Wall Measurements: When planning a kitchen remodel, measure the wall space to determine how much space is available for cabinets. Lowe's suggests measuring walls, doors, and windows for accurate cabinet placement.
- Cabinet Style: Different cabinet types (base, wall, corner) have unique measurements.
Example:
Let’s say you’re measuring a base cabinet. You might record the measurements as follows:
- Width: 36 inches
- Depth: 24 inches
- Height: 34.5 inches (without countertop)
