Kitchens and bathrooms, although completely different spaces, share several similarities. They're both usually very precise spaces where precise things need to happen. Because of that, shopping for these rooms in our home can be a little frustrating if you aren't armed with a few essential measurements before hitting the hardware or decor retailer near you!
f there's one things we've talked about time and time again, it's keeping your measurements on your person when you head out to pick up new items for your home. Your bathrooms and kitchens will both benefit from this practice as they have a few extra interferences that could make or break your purchase. Avoid frustrations or a return trip to the store by adding these 10 measurements to the list you already keep in your glovebox, bag or purse:
• Length & Height of Countertops: It doesn't matter if it's in your bathroom or kitchen, knowing the size or your "work space" is essential. It can also help to document the amount of space on either side of your sink when shopping for accessories or small appliances to determine if they'll fit. It will also let you know if things like rugs or floor coverings are the right size for the space you'll actually be standing in the most.
• Outlets: In both the kitchen and bath, your outlets are a lifeline to appliances and plug in grooming products. Knowing where your outlets sit on your wall or how far above or below your countertop height they sit can be valuable information when purchasing things like shelving, storage, lighting and more for the area. Not only will you know where you sit, you'll know if you need to pick up another extension cord before leaving the store!
• Square Footage: The best bargains always strike when you're the least prepared. When you just happened to pop into your local hardware store for something small, say lightbulbs and your happen to find yourself standing in the tile section because the bright orange sale signs called to you. Knowing what size your floors are can be a great way to act on a whim and pick up inexpensive flooring without having to phone home or overbuy to ensure you have enough product. Every floor looks better when covered in tile bought at half price!
• Open Wall Space: Knowing the size of a wall is different than knowing how much space you actually have to adorn and decorate your area. Measure the space where artwork of any sort might be able to hang. If you don't want it to go below the level of your kitchen chairs, start by measuring there. If you're towel rack will get in the way, measure the space above it. Knowing how much room you actually have to install a piece will allow you to find something large enough to fill the area without being overwhelming.
• Windows, Doors & More: When walking through a showroom or retailer, in the back of your mind you always have the space your shopping for pictured. But do you know how large, or far off the floor your windows sit? What about the size of your door frames or molding heights? Knowing these measurements can mean the difference between a fabulous find fitting right into place, or being too long, short, or feeling overpowering in the space. Sure this picture says it's the right size, but how much space on the wall does your molding take up? Will it still fit? What about a new shower curtain? Will it make it all the way to the floor?
What other odd measurements have you found helpful in the past? Knowing what to write down is usually a thing of experience, because it's not until you're standing in the aisle at the store comparing knobs and pulls before you realize, you have no idea how large your drawer fronts actually are. Share your thoughts below!
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You really think you're going to go buy an entire room's worth of flooring on a whim?
I could buy my kitchen floor on a whim- it's only a 6 x 8 room !
As someone who is about to purchase her first home, this is a good reminder list. My mind feels like it's rolling a mile a minute, and odds are I'm going to forget to measure something (probably not the floors, but possibly something else). This list will be a good reference for my scattered brain.
I don't think I've ever been concerned w/ the height or length of a countertop prior or where electrical outlets are located prior to buying a countertop appliance - so that bit of advice is baffling to me...
...but then again, I've never lived in a place built before the mid-1960's - I guess in a tiny 1920's kitchen, that might be a factor.
However I do know that it's absolutely crucial to know what your width limitations are for doorways, staircases, corridors and sizes of elevators before buying furniture and making certain that the piece you choose will fit somehow - Otherwise you might end up spending a small fortune on restocking fees for returning furniture if the delivery guys can't get it in your home.
bepsf - That's an excellent suggestion! We actually had one home (a rental thank heavens, so it wasn't on our dime) where the refrigerator the landlord had purchased for the unit, didn't fit through the front or back doors and french doors were installed to allow access! Measure twice, buy once!
My father built an elaborate, victorian, and gigantic dollhouse in the basement for my sixth Christmas. Unfortunately, he neglected to measure the basement door before he started building, so when it was finished and he brought a couple of friends over to help him carry it up the stairs, it didn't fit through the door! I learned some new words that day. Ultimately, he cut it at the third floor level, so it came apart into two sections, and pegged it back together. So, yeah, definitely measure that door!
Height of counter for stools. Width, depth, height of cabinets or shelves for organization aids. Amount of item needed to store (size jars, etc. for pantry supplies like beans, pasta, flour, sugar - do you usually buy 2 or 5 lb bags). Height of dishes that will fit in your dishwasher (my MIL bought a new dishwasher, only to find her Butler's Pantry dishes don't fit in!). Number of knobs, drawer pulls for total replacement.