Room planning guides cover space, layouts and measuring
Room planning comes first because it decides what fits. Start by choosing a kitchen layout for your room. If you want an island, check how much space it needs around it. Then measure your countertops to get the worktop area.
To place the sink, hob and fridge, check the kitchen work triangle. All of them are in our room planning guides.
Kitchen dimensions guides give the standard heights and sizes
Standard sizes tell you what cabinets and appliances are made for. Start with the standard kitchen countertop height: 36 inches (91 cm) in the US and about 900 mm in the UK, and how to check it against your elbow. Then check the standard kitchen cabinet sizes: base, wall and tall cabinets in the US and the UK.
To hang the wall cabinets, see how high upper cabinets should be: 18 inches (46 cm) above the worktop. For seats at an island, check the countertop overhang for seating: 15 inches (38 cm) at counter height.
To size the island itself, see what size a kitchen island should be: about 40½ inches (103 cm) deep with seats.
To pick the stools, see counter height vs bar height: a 22 to 26 inch seat at a counter, 28 to 30 inches at a bar.
To fit the sink, see what size kitchen sink fits your cabinet: about 3 inches (8 cm) narrower than the cabinet under it.
To hang the hood, see how high a range hood should be: 24 to 30 inches (61–76 cm) above the cooktop.
To finish the wall, see the standard backsplash height: about 4 inches (10 cm), or 18 inches (46 cm) up to the wall cabinets.
To light the island, see how high to hang island pendants: 30 to 36 inches (76–91 cm) above the worktop.
Every height, depth and size is in our kitchen dimensions guides.
Style guides turn the photos you save into a clear brief
Once the plan works, choose the finishes. Our guide to making a kitchen mood board turns saved photos into four choices and a one-page brief.
To compare colours, see 12 kitchen cabinet colours tried in the same kitchen. More are in our style inspiration guides.
Free tools do the maths for islands and countertops
The island size calculator shows the biggest island your room can take. The countertop area calculator adds up your worktops in square feet or square metres. Both are free and need no account.
See all our free planning tools.
Quick questions
- Do I need to measure my kitchen before planning?
Yes, at least roughly. A photo shows the style, but only measurements tell you what fits. Measure the walls, doors and windows before you choose cabinets or an island.
- In what order should I plan a kitchen?
Room first, then layout, then the space around an island, then the worktops. Choose colours and materials last, so a nice finish does not hide a plan that does not work.
- Are the calculators free?
Yes. Both calculators are free, work in centimetres or inches and need no account. You can share or print the result.