Plan Your Next Project

A successful kitchen project starts with good planning. Before ordering cabinets or countertops, take time to understand the space, confirm measurements, and think through how the kitchen will be used.

Start With the Space

Measure the room carefully and note:

• Walls, doors, and windows
• Ceiling height
• Plumbing and electrical locations
• Appliance locations
• Soffits, columns, or other obstructions

Always verify final measurements before ordering.

Confirm Appliances Early

Choose your major appliances before finalizing the cabinet layout. Refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave, and hood dimensions can affect cabinet sizes and required clearances.

Use the manufacturer's actual specifications rather than estimated appliance sizes.

Plan for Function

Think about the main kitchen zones:

• Food storage
• Food preparation
• Cooking
• Cleaning

Keep commonly used areas convenient to each other and make sure cabinet doors, drawers, and appliances can open without blocking walkways.

Plan Storage and Counter Space

Use a mix of base cabinets, drawers, wall cabinets, and pantry cabinets based on how the kitchen will be used.

Also protect enough open countertop space for food preparation, small appliances, and everyday use.

Coordinate Cabinets and Countertops

Before ordering countertops, confirm that the cabinet layout is final. Consider sink and cooktop cutouts, seams, overhangs, backsplash, and support requirements.

Review Before Ordering

Before placing the order, double-check:

• Measurements
• Cabinet sizes and quantities
• Appliance specifications
• Cabinet style and color
• Fillers, panels, and trim
• Sink and countertop requirements
• Door and drawer clearances

Measure twice, review twice, order once.

Once the layout is confirmed, you’re ready to select products and build your project estimate with GFD.

Accurate measurements are the foundation of a successful kitchen project. Before selecting cabinets or creating your layout, take a few minutes to document the entire space—not just the walls where cabinets will go.

1. Measure the Room

Measure each wall from corner to corner and record the dimensions. Then measure the ceiling height in several locations, especially in older homes where floors and ceilings may not be perfectly level.

2. Locate Doors and Windows

For every door and window, record:

• Width and height
• Distance from the nearest corner
• Window height from the floor
• Door swing direction

Include trim when it may interfere with cabinets or countertops.

3. Mark Plumbing, Electrical & Gas

Record the location of:

• Water and drain lines
• Electrical outlets and switches
• Gas connections
• Range hood or ventilation
• Other fixed utilities

Measure each location from a fixed wall or corner.

4. Measure Appliances

Record the width, height, and depth of each appliance, including the refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave, and hood.

Whenever possible, use the manufacturer's specifications for appliances that have not yet been installed.

5. Note Anything That Affects the Layout

Mark columns, soffits, beams, vents, unusual wall angles, existing countertops, and anything else that could affect cabinet installation.

Before You Finish

Double-check your measurements and take photos of every wall. A simple sketch with clearly labeled dimensions is usually enough to begin planning your layout.

Tip: Never rely solely on existing plans or previous measurements. Verify the space before placing your final cabinet or countertop order.

Choosing the right cabinets is about more than color and style. Consider your layout, storage needs, cabinet sizes, and finishing pieces before placing your order.

Choose Your Cabinet Style

Start by selecting a door style and finish that works with the overall design of the space. Consider how the cabinet color will coordinate with countertops, flooring, backsplash, and hardware.

Whenever possible, view an actual sample before making your final selection.

Understand Cabinet Types

Most kitchens use a combination of:

• Base Cabinets – Installed on the floor and support the countertop.
• Wall Cabinets – Mounted above the countertop for additional storage.
• Tall & Pantry Cabinets – Provide full-height storage or accommodate certain appliances.
• Specialty Cabinets – Drawer bases, sink bases, corner cabinets, and other cabinets designed for specific uses.

Choose cabinets based on both the available space and how you plan to use the kitchen.

Check Cabinet Sizes

Cabinets are available in different widths, heights, and depths. Your measurements and appliance specifications should be confirmed before determining the final cabinet sizes.

Pay special attention to refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, microwaves, sinks, and other items that need to fit between or inside cabinetry.

Don't Forget Finishing Pieces

A complete cabinet project may require more than the main cabinet boxes. Depending on the design, you may also need:

• Fillers
• Finished panels
• Toe kicks
• Moldings and trim
• Refrigerator panels
• Decorative panels

These pieces help create a finished installation and should be included during the planning stage.

Review Before Ordering

Before placing your cabinet order, confirm the style, color, sizes, quantities, appliance openings, fillers, panels, and accessories.

A final review of the entire layout can help prevent missing pieces and unnecessary delays during installation.

Tip: Plan the complete kitchen first, then build your cabinet order from the finished layout.

Choosing the right countertop starts with understanding how each material looks, performs, and fits your project. Consider durability, maintenance, color, pattern, and everyday use before making your selection.

Choose Your Stone

GFD offers several popular countertop materials:

• Quartz – Engineered for consistent color and pattern with low maintenance. A practical choice for busy kitchens and bathrooms.
• Granite – Natural stone with unique colors and patterns. Each slab has its own variation and character.
• Quartzite – Natural stone known for its distinctive movement and high-end appearance. Ideal when you want the look and character of natural stone.

View the Actual Slab

Photos and samples are helpful for narrowing down your choices, but natural stone can vary significantly from slab to slab.

Whenever possible, view and approve the actual slab before fabrication, especially for materials with strong veining or movement.

Consider Your Kitchen Design

Think about how the countertop will coordinate with your:

• Cabinet color
• Flooring
• Backsplash
• Hardware
• Wall color
• Overall design style

Bring cabinet or flooring samples when selecting stone to see how the materials look together.

Plan the Layout

Countertop dimensions, slab size, and natural patterns can affect the finished installation. Larger projects may require multiple slabs or seams.

Also consider sink and cooktop cutouts, backsplash, edge details, overhangs, and waterfall panels when planning your countertop.

Measure Before Ordering

Final countertop measurements should be taken after cabinets are installed and secured in their final positions. Confirm appliance openings, sink specifications, and other cutouts before fabrication begins.

Review Before Fabrication

Before approving your countertop, confirm the material, color, slab selection, measurements, edge details, cutouts, seams, and other project requirements.

Tip: Select your cabinets and stone together whenever possible. Seeing the materials side by side makes it much easier to create a coordinated kitchen design.