The Most Overlooked Measurement Before Ordering New Kitchen Appliances

The first question most people ask is whether the new appliance will fit in the space; this generally involves measuring the gap between the cabinets and then checking the dimensions of the appliance.

While this is a reasonable starting point, it fails to include one important aspect of the process. It still needs to be moved into the kitchen, opened correctly once it's there, and must have sufficient space around it for both installation and regular use; spending just a few minutes using a tape measure can avoid a great deal of trouble later on.

Measuring the Space Is Only the Starting Point

Begin by looking at the place where the appliance will ultimately be placed. Measure its width, height, and depth, and then check all the surrounding objects. A wall, the edge of a cabinet or the countertop may affect whether it actually fits, even if the main measurements seem correct.

Judging depth is especially prone to error because the figure given in the product specifications may not account for all parts that project into the room, such as doors, handles, and the space needed behind the appliance. This is also true of dishwashers: the cabinet opening must be the correct size, but there must also be space for the door to open and for a person to stand there while loading or unloading it.

Don't Forget Door and Drawer Clearance

It is here that careful measurement often fails. An appliance might fit smoothly into its opening, but what then when you open it? Imagine having the door of a refrigerator open by a wall or next to a kitchen island.

Although there may be sufficient space for the refrigerator itself, the door could bump into an object or stop a drawer from opening completely.

The same issue can occur with a dishwasher when its door is in the down position, and a person wants to walk past it. Before you choose a position, examine the direction the door swings and the space needed in front of it; in the case of a dishwasher, consider the situation when the door is open and a person is standing at the sink.

Which is why, when you are selecting a dishwasher for your kitchen, the matter goes beyond simply comparing widths, since the appliance has to be able to function comfortably in the room you currently have.

Measure the Delivery Path, Not Just the Kitchen

There is one more factor which is surprisingly easy to overlook: the path that the appliance takes to get to the kitchen. Begin at the entrance and walk along the whole route. Check the front door, the internal doorways, the hallways, the stairs or the elevator, as well as any corners at which the appliance will have to turn. When there is a very narrow section, take care to measure it.

The extent of this issue is greater with large appliances than most people realize. A refrigerator might fit exactly into its final position yet still have difficulty passing through a narrow doorway. Likewise, a dishwasher can encounter the same problem if the path involves tight bends or limited access. Observe the door frames, the handles, the railings and all the other fixed objects en route. You might also have to move some of the furniture or take down a door if necessary, according to the size of the space.

It seems obvious when you consider it, but the appliance has to get to the kitchen before the precisely measured cabinet dimensions come into play.

Depth Is More Complicated Than It Looks

Depth is worth looking at again since it affects both appearance and movement; an appliance that projects several extra inches into the room can make a narrow kitchen seem considerably more cramped. Do not base your decision solely on the main depth figure; instead, refer to the manufacturer's installation instructions and verify if the measurement takes into account the doors and handles. You must also provide for the space required behind the appliance for connections and for ventilation. It is particularly important in the case of integrated appliances since the appliance has to work with the surrounding cabinetry, not just fit into a blank opening. You should also consider the position directly opposite the appliance; for instance, a refrigerator facing an island must have enough space so its door can open without making the main walkway awkward.

Leave Enough Space for the Appliance to Work

An appliance should have some space around it. Since the specific requirements differ, the manufacturer's installation instructions should be relied upon as the definitive source before you decide on a position. There is also a practical aspect to take into account. Can you stand comfortably in front of the dishwasher when you're putting the dishes in? Does the refrigerator door have to be opened in a way that blocks the main walkway? Is there sufficient space to use the oven so that someone does not have to squeeze past? Cabinet design is important in this case as well; when aiming for a clean and integrated look in the final kitchen, things like built-in or panel-ready dishwashers should be taken into account together with the surrounding cabinetry.A good installation should provide sufficient space so that the appliance can be used, cleaned and serviced without making each of these tasks a tight squeeze.

Check Plumbing and Electrical Locations Before Ordering

It's not just a matter of physical dimensions, since the connections also have to be suitable for the position in which the appliance is intended to be used. Make sure you check where the water supply, the drainage, the electrical outlet and any other connections that the appliance needs are situated. This is particularly important if you are replacing an existing model with a different one.

Two appliances can be of extremely similar dimensions yet require their connections in slightly different positions and the difference between those positions may not appear important until the installer is actually trying to connect everything. When you are comparing built-in and portable dishwashers, the installation requirements may also be different. It is much easier to carry out the installation if you know what the appliance requires before it comes.

Different Appliances Need Different Measurements

There is no single measurement checklist that works perfectly in every case with regard to appliances. When considering a refrigerator, one must give special attention to the door swing, the depth, and the space surrounding the doors. For a dishwasher it is necessary to have an appropriate cabinet opening, sufficient door clearance and access to its plumbing and electrical connections.

With washing machines and dryers, there are their own considerations, such as depth, door clearance, and the need for ventilation. The appliance's size is also a factor; 18-inch dishwashers can be useful in kitchens where every inch is important, but the narrower width still has to fit within the cabinet opening and the surrounding area. Before you buy a new dishwasher, there is another question you should ask: is it really necessary to replace the dishwasher, or might it be a better idea to have it repaired?

Measure the Journey, Not Just the Space

The best course of action is to consider the whole journey rather than look at a single measurement on the cabinet plan.Work out where the appliance will be placed, the way its doors will open, what has to be connected to it and the path it will follow to get there. Then consider how you will actually use it when it has been installed.

That extra bit of planning can prevent a frustrating discovery on delivery day. A good fit is not simply an appliance that fits the opening. It is one that reaches the kitchen, installs properly, and leaves enough room to live with it comfortably.