1.

 Keep in mind that we can manufacture just about anything you want in our Mother Hubbard's Cupboards "look". If at any point you are having difficulties with anything, please contact us toll-free at 1-866-520-3333 or email us at info@motherh.com.

2.

 Do a floor plan of your kitchen with all the pertinent measurements (you do not need to be an expert - see below for instructions and tips on how to do this). Be sure to include any windows and doorways. Are you wanting to add space to your existing area? If so, be sure to draw that into this plan. Please be sure to add 1/8 of an inch to all your measurements.

3.

 Are you renovating or building new? If you are building new, simply send us a copy of your floor plan from your builder's drawings and avoid step #1.

4.

 Where are your appliances located now? Would you like to re-locate them?

5.

 Are you going to use existing appliances? If you are replacing those, we will need the new appliance brand names and model numbers.

6.

 Are there features that you desire in your new kitchen, such as an island, an eating bar, hutch or china cabinet?

7.

 Do you envision your kitchen being unfitted - a collection of our kitchen furniture pieces combined with built-in cabinetry or would you prefer all built-in?

8.

 Is there a dining or eating area attached for which you'd like to see a tableset and/or hutch included in this lay-out and estimate?

9.

 You can send the above information to us by fax (1-604-485-2381) or by email at info@motherh.com. Please also send us any digital pictures you may have of your existing kitchen if this is a renovation.

10.

 View our short Kitchen Measuring Guide Video and review our Kitchen Measuring Guide in text format (both are below) to help you with this process.

  • Watch the videos here:
Please Note: these files will play in any common media player, such as QuickTime, Windows Media Player, or Real Player. You shouldn't need to install anything, but if you have trouble, we suggest that you download the latest version of QuickTime. Dial-up users or users with older computers may experience long wait times while the movies are loading. Enjoy!

Below is a step-by-step guide for drawing and measuring your kitchen.

Note: If you are remodeling, do not include current cabinetry or other furniture that will not be kept, such as kitchen tables, in your measurements.

Note: All of your measurements should be in inches. For example, if you measure a wall that is 10 feet, write it as 120" (a quotation mark (") denotes inches).

Sample Drawing

Step 1

  • Draw a rough outline of your kitchen. Use the following symbols in your drawing for doors and windows
How to draw doors and their swing
Note: For doorways with doors, draw the doorway according to which way the door swings.

Step 2

  • Draw in any obstructions such as radiators, pipes, sink plumbing, etc. that you either can not, or do not, want moved.

Step 3
1. Beginning at the top left corner of your drawing measure to the first window, door, or wall. Continue clockwise around the room until each wall, window and door has been measured.
Note: When measuring doors and windows the trim is considered part of the door or window. As shown in the drawing below, measure from the outside of the trim on one side to the outside of the trim on the other side.
How to measure Trim
2. Measure the ceiling height and write it in the center of your drawing. Sometimes, especially with older homes, it is a good idea to take measurements in a few different areas of the kitchen. Ceiling heights, even in the same room, can sometimes vary by as much as a few inches.
3. As shown in the drawing below, measure from the floor to the bottom of each window and also measure the overall window height. If you have printed these instructions, write the measurements in the table provided below.

How to measure the window
 

Distance from Floor to Bottom of Window

Height of Window Including Trim
Window #1:
(inches)
(inches)
Window #2:
(inches)
(inches)
Window #3:
(inches)
(inches)
Window #4:
(inches)
(inches)
Window #5:
(inches)
(inches)
Window #6:
(inches)
(inches)

Step 4
1. Beginning at the top left of your drawing, label the windows "Window #1", "Window #2", etc. in a clockwise order.
2. Again, beginning at the top left of your drawing, label the doors "Door #1", "Door #2", etc. in a clockwise order.
3. Next to each wall, write the name of the adjacent room. If the wall is an "outside wall" write "exterior wall."


Step 5
1. Measure any obstructions such as radiators, pipes, etc. that you either can not, or do not, want moved. If the obstruction is close to a wall, measure out from the wall to the edge of the obstruction.
2. Measure from the second closest wall to the edge of the obstruction.
3. If the obstruction does not span the full height of the room, measure the height of the obstruction.

Final Step:

  • Check your measurements. If your room is rectangular add up the measurements of the parallel walls and make sure they match (or are at least very close). For example, in our sample drawing, you would take the overall measurements of the top wall and add them together. Then do the same with the bottom wall. Once you have added each walls measurements check the totals to see if they match.
Top Wall:
24" + 42" + 24" + 12" + 42" + 12" = 156"
Bottom Wall:
12" + 40" + 104" = 156"
Left Wall:
21" + 42" + 52" = 115"
Right Wall:
18" + 97" = 115"