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Accurate room measurements are the foundation of a successful custom cabinetry project. Because Flatpack Cabinet Co. precision-cuts every cabinet to your exact millimetre specifications, taking the time to map wall lengths, check for level surfaces, and account for essential clearances ensures a seamless, gap-free installation. Use this guide to capture precise dimensions, avoid common room alignment traps, and confidently enter your specifications into our online ordering portal for an instant quote and fast production.
How to Measure Your Space for Flatpack Cabinets
Measuring your space accurately is the most important step in ordering your custom cabinet project. A difference of just a few millimeters can be the distinction between a seamless installation and a cabinet door that won't open against a wall.
At Flatpack Cabinet co. We cut to your order to your specific measurements, so ensuring your measuring is accurate is crucial to the desired outcome of your project.
We have put together a quick guide to help you accurately measure your room.
Follow this guide to capture accurate dimensions before placing your order.
Step 1: Gather Your Measuring Tools
- 5m Steel Tape Measure: Never use flexible fabric tapes or phone camera measurement apps, as they distort dimensions.
- Spirit Level: Essential for identifying unlevel floors and bowed or out-of-plumb walls.
- Pencil & Grid Paper: For sketching an overhead floor plan and wall elevation views.
Step 2: Draw Your Rough Floor Plan & Elevations
Sketch a simple top-down view of your room. Label every wall clearly (e.g., Wall A, Wall B) and draw in structural features like alcoves, doors, windows, and bulkheads. If you are ordering overhead or tall pantry units, sketch a straight-on "elevation" view for each wall as well.
Step 3: Map Your Room Dimensions
Horizontal Wall Checks (The 3-Point Check)
Walls are rarely plumb. To find the true usable width for your cabinet runs, measure total horizontal lengths at three heights:
- Floor level (above skirting boards)
- Benchtop level (approx. 900mm high)
- Overhead cabinet level (approx. 1800mm high)
Portal Rule: Always input your cabinet designs based on the smallest width measurement recorded across these three points to ensure carcases don't bind during installation.
Vertical Ceiling Checks
Measure floor-to-ceiling heights in multiple spots. If your floor slopes, place a spirit level down to find the highest point—this highest floor point will serve as the base benchmark for setting cabinet adjustable legs and plinths.
Step 4: Map Windows, Utilities & Services
Measure from the nearest corner to the outside edge of all architraves, window sills, and door trims.
Next, measure to the center-line of all fixed utility points so you know where cutouts or shallow carcase depths will be required in the portal:
- Water supply lines & waste drain centers
- Electrical outlets, switches, and rangehood ducting
- Gas lines and shut-off valves
Critical Tolerances & Clearances
When entering custom unit dimensions into our online ordering portal, subtract these standard clearance allowances from your total wall length:
|
Feature / Obstruction |
Allowance |
Why It Matters |
|
End Wall Scribes/Fillers |
** Subtract 15–30mm total** |
Custom cut-to-size lets you minimize fillers, but you still need a small scribe panel to scribe against out-of-square walls. |
|
Corner Clearances |
Subtract 50mm void space |
Prevents blind corner doors or drawer handles from colliding with hardware on adjacent cabinet faces. |
|
Appliance Cavities |
Add 10–20mm total gap |
Provides ventilation and installation tolerance around fridges, dishwashers, and wall ovens. |
|
Benchtop Overhang |
Add 20–30mm depth |
Standard benchtops sit proud of the base cabinet carcase to cover door fronts and direct spills away from cabinet faces. |
Ready to Order Your Custom Flatpack?
- Finalise Your Millimeter Grid: Double-check every measurement in millimeters (modular cabinetry strictly uses metric).
- Log In to Our Ordering Portal: Select your cabinet types (base, overhead, pantry, or drawer units).
- Input Custom Heights, Widths & Depths: Enter your exact required dimensions for every individual carcase, end panel, and door front.
- Choose Finishes & Hardware: Select board materials, edge-banding options, and hinge configurations.
- Instant Instant Quote & Production: Review your online cutting list, instantly view your project cost, and submit directly to our precision CNC cutting machinery.
Ready to Begin Your Order?
Enter your measurements directly into our online portal to configure your custom cut-to-size cabinets, view instant pricing, and submit your project to production.
Log In to your online account