A great set of kitchen plans is essential to a great kitchen remodel. So just what should your kitchen drawings look like when they are completed? In this article we'll take a look at the elementary things that should be incorporated into the drawings you'll use as the blueprint for your new kitchen.

Floor plans ?

A complex and difficult kitchen remodel should really include two individual kitchen floor plans. One plans shows the kitchen in its present condition and is sometimes called an "as built" plan. The next kitchen floor plan drawing is needed to depict the kitchen in its completed state and is commonly called the "proposed kitchen floor plan".

In addition, the floor plans used for you new kitchen design will show the exact position of each and every new item you have selected. New cabinetry will be shown here along with appliance locations and the assorted door swings related to those appliances .You will also see cabinetry, countertops, flooring and appliance make and model numbers in addition to all global project notes including particular cabinetry names.

Many kitchen designers choose to indicate various cabinet dimensions on their kitchen floor plans. This leads to a labyrinth of extension and dimension lines. With the exception of a couple of depth dimensions this should be averted entirely in favor of showing these cabinet dimensions on elevation drawings. Simply put, the idea behind kitchen floor plan is to show room specific dimensions only. The primary purpose of the kitchen floor plan drawings is to display dimensions including wall length and placement, window location and size and walkway clearance along with elevation markers. You should see the new cabinetry and countertops here but only as they relate to the room lay-out. The only cabinet/appliance dimensions you should see would be those showing cabinet/appliance depth.

Elevation Drawings ?

Most cabinetry dimensions are established on the proper wall elevations indicated on the kitchen floor plans. Appliance dimensions and how they integrate with the surrounding cabinetry will also be clearly visible here too. These elevations will provide precise cabinet locations and sizes along with mounting heights for wall cabinets.

The exact door design and drawer front style should be clearly reflected on the cabinets illustrated here. Any custom elements such as posts or columns, corbels, crown moldings and carvings should also be clearly drawn here as well. Look for any extra alteration remarks needed for cabinetry either from the factory or special requirements from your installer in the elevation area of your kitchen drawings.

Most kitchen dealers today use some form of CAD software package to produce kitchen renderings while a minority still draw by hand. Whichever method is used the best result are shown on larger sheet sizes for your kitchen plans. Too many designers produce plans on 8 ?? x 11? sheets. This means the individual kitchen drawings will have to be scaled down to fit the page size.

The ideal scale for kitchen drawings is 1/2" = 1' - 0". At this scale floor plans and elevations will be large enough to be clearly readable. In most cases sheet sizes larger than 8 1/2" x 11" will be mandatory to show kitchen floor plans, elevations and notes.

For your kitchen remodel to be a complete success you need as much detail as possible on your kitchen plans. General contractors, sub contractors and local inspectors must all have every question answered in black and white prior to construction. There is no such thing as too much planning when it comes to remodeling your kitchen. By knowing just what to look for in carefully planned kitchen drawings you will more easily be able to select the right professional to remodel your kitchen.