Floor plans –

If you are planning an extensive remodel you'll actually need two sets of floor plans one showing existing conditions and a second showing the proposed changes to the room. The “proposed plan” will show changes to the room shape and size along with any new mechanical service locations.

In addition the floor plans used for your new kitchen design should show all of the new elements needed for your kitchen and their precise location. New cabinetry will be shown here along with appliance locations and the various door swings of those appliances .You should also see cabinetry, countertops, flooring and appliance make and model numbers as well as all global project notes including specific cabinetry names.

Only room specific dimensions should be given on your kitchen floor plan drawings. Specifically wall lengths, window locations and walkway clearances should be noted. You should never see cabinet dimensions and appliance dimensions. We'll save those for the elevation drawings. Cabinet elevation markers and a drawing title block should also be neatly formatted.

Elevation Drawings –

The elevations drawings referenced on the floor plans will show all of the dimensions associated with the cabinetry and appliances on a particular wall of the new kitchen drawings. Individual cabinet sizes will be illustrated here along with all cabinetry specific dimensions. Mounting locations and heights (wall cabinets) will be indicated.

The cabinetry drawn here should illustrate the specific door style and drawer front design you have chosen. Any custom elements such as posts or columns, corbels, crown moldings and carvings should also be clearly drawn here as well. You should also see any special modification notes needed for cabinetry whether from the factory or special requirements from your installer in the elevation area of your kitchen drawings.

Most kitchen professionals today use some form of CAD software to produce kitchen drawings while a minority still draw by hand. Whichever method is used you should look for larger sheet sizes for your kitchen plans. Too many designers offer plans on 8 ½” x 11” sheets. This means the individual kitchen drawings will have to be scaled down to fit the page size.

Depending on the size of the project floor plans and/or elevations become too small to clearly show all the necessary detail. Look for your kitchen drawings to be formatted at minimum ½” scale. Anything smaller can be too confining to clearly show all the details.

Kitchen drawings need to be extremely detailed. Every sub contractors should have all the information needed for easy reference in and know exactly what is and is not included in the project. Remember, a great kitchen starts with great kitchen plans. By insisting on the information offered in this article you will be well on your way to building your dream kitchen.