How to Take Measurements for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel Projects

Getting ready for a kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel? One of the most important steps before starting the design process is taking a few basic measurements of your space to ensure a smoother, more efficient project. Don’t worry you won’t be expected to conjure up a full-blown blueprint, but a few basic measurements can go a long way in helping your design team show you what’s possible in your space.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you measure your kitchen or bathroom like a pro (without needing to be one).

Why Measurements Matter

Before the first cabinet is ordered or the old tile comes up, good measurements are key to a smart design plan. They give us a clear understanding of what’s possible—from layout adjustments to custom cabinetry, appliance spacing, and lighting placement. Just as importantly, they help prevent costly surprises down the line. A few simple measurements can mean the difference between your dream design coming to life or having to rework plans because a feature won’t fit—or worse, discovering too late that your new fridge or oven doesn’t have enough clearance. Taking time to gather basic room details ensures we’re all aligned from the very beginning.

Tools You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• A sturdy tape measure (a 25’ metal one works great)
• Pencil and eraser
• Graph paper (or any paper will do)
• A smartphone or camera for taking room photos
• A level, if you want to check your ceiling or countertops
• Optional: laser measurer or home design app like MagicPlan

The goal here isn’t perfection—it’s about capturing the key measurements as accurately as possible. Your design team will handle the detailed measurements later to ensure everything fits precisely, but your initial dimensions help kickstart the process and shape the design in the right direction.

How to Measure Your Space for a Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel

You don’t need to be a pro — but taking clean, intentional measurements will give your Signature designer exactly what they need to create a tailored, efficient design. Whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel or a bathroom remodel, follow these simple steps in order:

Step 1: Capture the Floor Plan (Bird’s Eye View)

This is the most important starting point for your designer.

What to measure:

• Wall-to-wall distances: Use a tape measure to get the length of each wall from corner to corner.
• Door and window locations:
  • Measure each window and door’s width.
  • Note where it sits on the wall — measure the distance from the corner to the edge of the door or window.
  • Indicate which direction the door swings open.
• Plumbing, gas, and HVAC placements:
  • Measure from the nearest wall to the center of plumbing hookups (sinks, toilets, showers, gas lines).
  • Mark any floor vents, wall registers, or radiator pipes.

Tip: Sketch your layout as a top-down view and label each wall (A, B, C…) to match your notes.

Step 2: Add Vertical Measurements

Once you’ve mapped the footprint, you’ll want to measure everything that goes up.

What to include:

• Ceiling height: Measure from finished floor to ceiling in multiple spots if possible (especially in older homes with slight variations).
• Window and door heights: Don’t forget to measure the height of each, in addition to width.
• Window positioning: Measure:
  • From the floor to the bottom of the window
  • From the top of the window to the ceiling

Why this matters: Knowing how high a window sits helps us plan cabinetry, mirrors, backsplashes, or lighting — especially for kitchen sinks or bathroom vanities under a window

Bathroom-Specific Notes

If you’re measuring for a bathroom remodel, still follow the same steps above — with these added considerations:

• Toilets: Measure from the wall to the center of the toilet flange (typically 12″ is standard, but actuals vary).
• Showers or tubs: Capture full dimensions of existing tub or shower enclosure. For conversions, measure the back wall and both side walls.
• Vanities: Measure full width, depth, and height — and note the position of faucets and mirrors.

Step 3: Snap Photos of Each Wall

Once your measurements are done, take one photo per wall (and a couple wide-angle shots if possible). Close-ups of plumbing, tricky corners, or soffits are helpful, too. In kitchens especially, photos of appliances are extremely helpful—they give our designers a better understanding of the space and can help fill in any gaps if measurements are slightly off.

Bring your sketches and photos with you to your free design consultation, or email them if you’re starting with a virtual appointment. Your designer will love you for it.

At Signature, we always verify final measurements before anything goes into production — but bringing us a solid starting point speeds things up and makes our first meeting more productive.

Small Steps, Big Wins

Taking measurements might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of the smartest moves you can make before a kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel. It helps you communicate what you need, avoid delays, and most importantly — design with confidence.

And remember, you’re not doing this alone. Signature Kitchen & Bath has been helping St. Louis families design beautiful, functional spaces for over 40 years. We’re here to make your remodel process easy, enjoyable, and a little exciting, too.

Client-provided measurements are used solely for preliminary pricing and planning. Before any products are ordered, the Signature team — along with all key project partners — will complete an official site measure. Signature will ensure that all final measurements are accurate and take full responsibility for them.

Contact us today or stop by one of our showrooms in West County, St. Peters, or Rock Hill for some inspiration and a chat with a designer. Let’s get started — we can’t wait to see your space.