Kitchen Design With Templates

You don’t need a degree in interior design to create your next kitchen design. In fact, designing a new kitchen layout can be a fun activity and is DIY-friendly. However, many homeowners struggle with getting started creating their kitchen designs. Often times we can see the vision but have difficulty translating it to paper.

This is where using templates for your kitchen design can help you get the process started. In this quick guide, we are going to walk through the process of creating your own template to use to plan your kitchen remodel. If you are looking for an online program to help you with your kitchen planning, check out our list of the 10 best free kitchen design software list. Once you have your supplies ready, read on to get started.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases made. These are products we highly recommend.

Get Started by Measuring

When it comes to kitchen cabinets and DIY projects, it is a safe bet that measuring will likely be your first step. Creating a template for your kitchen design is no different. In order to draw your template to scale, you will need to know the size of the room you are dealing with. For this, you will need some graph paper, a pencil, a straight edge, a tape measure, and a calculator.

Start by measuring the walls in your kitchen and recording the measurements. Then using the straight edge, carefully draw the shape of your kitchen. Label each wall with its measurements and be sure to include all structural features.

The exact scale of the drawing is not vital, but you should make sure that it can easily be determined when reading the drawing. Once you have your layout, you can add in all your appliances and other features that need to be worked around during the kitchen remodel. You should include measurements for your appliances so that you can more accurately make your plan.

Filling in Your Kitchen Design Template

Now that you have all the fixed elements measured and labeled on your template, you can begin adding your kitchen cabinets. It may be helpful to take a moment to make a few copies of your blank template. This way you have a backup for mistakes, plus you can also create multiple designs.

As you add in your cabinets, be sure to label each with a number or letter and size. This will help you when you get ready to order your new kitchen cabinets because you will already have the quantity and dimensions ready to go. As you fit your cabinets into the design like pieces of a puzzle, be sure to consider the functionality of the kitchen design.

Take a moment to consider how countertop spaces will be used in your kitchen. Are they near outlets with space for small appliances like air fryers and coffee pots? Or, do you have enough countertop space to do meal prep near your food storage? You may not have considered the functional aspect of your design, which can lead to major headaches down the road. To learn more about intentionally functional kitchen designs, check out our guide on the kitchen work triangle.

The work triangle is a kitchen design concept that focuses on reducing the number of steps need to complete each task. It can be helpful to take a moment to think about the ways you already use your kitchen, where there are friction points, and where there are areas for improvement. This is why it can be helpful to make several copies of your empty template so that you can test out as many designs as you can imagine.

Why We Love Kitchen Design Templates

Whether you are doing a cabinet door refacing for a total kitchen remodel, starting out with a solid plan is an absolute must. Using kitchen design templates in the way described above is one of the best ways to get the planning process started.

Help the Planning Process

As you work on filling in your template with scale drawings of the doors, windows, appliances, and cabinets, it is beneficial to also have a checklist. This checklist would be made up of all the items that you would like to include in your design. This way, you won’t get to the final stage of the design only to realize you don’t have the space you thought you did because you forgot a window or column. Plus, creating a checklist of all the kitchen components you want can help you start to visualize your kitchen design.

Variety Breeds Creativity

Anyone who has ever picked up a new skill knows that your first try is never going to be your best. This is because the more practice with a skill, like  cooking at home, the more you learn and develop your skills. The same can be said for drawing kitchen design templates.

This is why we recommend that you make several copies of your empty design template. This will give you opportunities to practice, but also it will give you the chance to explore some creativity.

Plus, being able to experiment with your design in this way may help you to see things you did not see before. This could be especially true if you have been focused on a singular design for your kitchen and haven’t considered all the possibilities. Plus, since all the template copies are ready to be filled in, you can quickly move from one design to the next without having to pause to recreate a template or remeasure a wall.

List for Ordering

If your kitchen design template is accurately labeled with the quantities and measurements, then it can also be a great list for placing your order. When remodeling a whole kitchen, it can be easy to forget a small  drawer front or cabinet door, and so having a full list in front of you makes it a breeze to double-check everything has been ordered.

Finishing Up

The best part about starting to make your kitchen design templates is that it is commitment-free. When I am faced with a large, and possibly expensive, decision, I like to consider the issue from all angles or perspectives. However, when you are rushed it can be difficult to feel fully satisfied with your planning. With your kitchen design templates, you can take your time and make as many designs as it takes for you to find the perfect kitchen plan. Plus, all the drawing and designing can be an enjoyable, creative activity!

If you are ready to start ordering or if you need assistance, please feel free to call us at 1-855-669-5222 or send us an email at info@cabinetnow.com. Our team of cabinet experts is here to help with everything from measuring to ordering.