Guides and Help
A Simple Kitchen Makeover is an easy and straightforward exercise. To help you understand which tasks you can manage yourself and which you might want some help with, we’ve created some simple guides to show exactly what’s involved.
Your Project Plan
Planning Your Project
A good, clear plan will go a long way to making sure that you order everything you need and that you know what tasks you’ll be doing yourself and where you might need some help. The most common mistake people make is forgetting to order all the items they need to complete their Kitchen Makeover.
By making a simple plan, then double-checking that plan, you’ll go a long way to avoiding any mistakes that cost time or money.
Make a Simple Drawing
A simple drawing of your kitchen helps you keep track of everything you need. It's the best way to avoid mistakes when you order.
Make a Simple List
Use our downloadable form to list every item. This makes your online order accurate and complete.
Measuring Accurately
Measuring is the most important part of any kitchen makeover. There’s an old trade saying that’s stood the test of time for good reason: “Measure twice, cut once.”
In simple terms, ‘Double-check everything.’ The process of measuring for your Simple Kitchen Makeover is as it sounds: Simple. And if you take the time to double-check your sizes and item count, you’ll only need to order once, saving you time, effort, and money.
Measuring Doors
Follow the 6 simple rules for measuring your doors to ensure your new ones fit perfectly.
Measuring Drawers
This follows the same rules as doors, with one important detail you need to know for shaker styles.
Measuring Hinge Hole Positions
Get your hinge drilling positions right so your new doors hang perfectly, just like the old ones.
Measuring End Panels
Learn how to measure for the panels that give your kitchen a finished look.
Measuring Filler Panels
How to measure for the small strips used to fill gaps between a cabinet and a wall.
Measuring Appliance Panels
A guide to measuring the panels that fit above or below your built-in oven.
Measuring Plinths
Get the right measurements for your plinths (kicker plates), whether ordering to-size or standard lengths.
Measuring Crown Cornice & Pelmets
Calculate the total length needed for your decorative trims, including extra for cuts.
Creating Your Order
When you’re ready and have your drawing and order form to hand, you can transfer that information to the online ordering section of our website. You’ll have all the information you need to make the process simple and straightforward. You’ll also have a great way of checking that information and double-checking that you have everything you need. Check twice, order once.
Building Your Order Online
A walkthrough of how to transfer your list to our online ordering system smoothly and without errors.
Ordering Handles
Simply count the number of doors and drawers you have and order enough handles. No measuring required.
Installation
Installing your Simple Kitchen Makeover is something that you can probably do yourself. However, if there’s any part of your installation that you don’t feel 100% confident about, get some help from a friend who knows what they’re doing or a professional.
It’s great fun learning and pretty easy when you have the right tools and you know how. In this next section, we're going to show you how it’s done and you can decide if it’s something you’d like to do yourself, or if you need some help.
Helpful Tools for the Job
A list of simple tools that will help make your installation that bit easier.
Installing Doors & Hinges
Learn to swap your old doors for new ones and make small adjustments for a perfect alignment.
Installing Drawer Fronts
Fitting drawer fronts is trickier than doors. This guide shows you how to get them perfectly aligned.
Installing Handles
The best way to ensure all your new handles are level, straight, and in the same place on every door.
Installing End Panels
Learn how to scribe and fit your new end panels for a professional, seamless finish against your walls.
Installing Filler Panels
How to cut and fit filler panels to close any gaps for a truly custom-fitted appearance.
Installing Plinths
This guide shows the straightforward process of fitting your new plinths using your old ones as a template.
Installing Crown Cornice & Pelmet
These are the finishing touches. Learn to cut and fit your trims for a professional result.
Guide Title
Draw a simple plan of your kitchen (like the one below). This will help you to keep track of the number of items you’ll need to order, making sure that you’ll only need to order once. Your drawing doesn’t need to be technical, just clear and simple.
It’s a good idea to number your doors and drawers like the example here. This makes things simple when you check your list when you’re ready to order. Use your simple drawing to note your sizes and items:
- Heights and widths
- Hinge hole positions
- Left or right hanging
- Count your doors
- Count your drawers
- Count your end panels
- Count your hinges
- Count your handles
- Count your plinths
Remember to check twice!
Watch How to Make a Simple Drawing
We’ve created a simple list that makes things easy and straightforward when you’re creating and checking your order online.
With this list by your side, online ordering is simple and easy to check. This is also a great way to keep a hard copy of the items that you’ve ordered.
Watch How to Create a Simple List
6 simple rules:
- Measure your doors, not the cabinet: It seems obvious, but it might surprise you how many people measure their cabinets and not their doors and drawers.
- Measure the back of the door: The back of the door is usually flat, providing a more accurate measurement than the front.
- Measure in millimetres (mm): Precision is key, and millimetres are the standard unit of measurement we use when making your doors.
- Measure the height first, then the width: This will make things easy when you create your list and online order. Our online system asks for the height first, then the width when you order each item.
- Measure each door individually: Doors that look the same size can have slight variations. It’s always best to measure each door individually to avoid costly mistakes and changes at installation.
- Double-check your measurements: There’s an old trade saying; “measure twice, cut once” – Meaning, take care to get things right and you won’t have to waste time, materials or money later. We want you to check twice and order once.
Watch How to Measure Doors
We measure drawer fronts with the same 6 rules as we use for door fronts:
- Measure the drawer front, not the cabinet.
- Measure the back of the drawer front.
- Measure in millimetres (mm).
- Measure the height first, then the width.
- Measure each drawer individually.
- Double-check your measurements.
Watch How to Measure Drawers
If you’d like to have your doors pre-drilled for hinges (most people do), we need to know where those hinge holes need to be.
Measure from the top and bottom to the centre of the hinge hole.
You’ll be asked for your top and bottom hinge hole positions at the point of ordering. If you get these measurements right, the process of swapping your old doors for new will be simple and straightforward.
Chances are, all your hinge holes will be the same measurement on each door. BUT, take the time to measure them all individually. The person that fitted your original kitchen might have had a reason to position one or two of your hinges differently. Check twice!
Left or right hanging doors?
When you’re standing in front of the cabinet and the hinges for the door that you’re measuring are on the left, this means it’s a left-hanging door. Alternatively, if they’re on the right-hand side of the door, the door is right-hanging. The simple way to check is if your handle is on the right-hand side of your door, your hinge holes will be drilled on the left - Left Hanging.
Watch How to Measure for Hinge Drilling
To replace your end panel with a new one, simply measure the height and width of your existing end panel and add 40mm to the width. The reason for this addition is to allow for a perfect fit when scribing.
Watch How to Measure End Panels
Filler panels are small strips that fit between units and a wall to fill a gap. Like end panels, filler panels will probably not be square and will require some shaping to fit exactly.
Measure the height and width of your existing filler panel and add 40mm to both the height and the width. You will need to cut and shape your new panel to fit perfectly. You can also use your existing filler panel as a template to cut your new one.
Watch How to Measure Filler Panels
Appliance (Oven) panels are used to fill the spaces between appliances in a standard cabinet. You will typically see an appliance panel above or below an oven appliance. To measure for an appliance panel, simply measure the height and width of your existing panel. These panels are usually square to the appliance, so there is no need for shaping or scribing. These panels are made to measure and will fit perfectly.
*Measure the height and width of the oven/appliance panel and order each panel as a filler panel.
Watch How to Measure Oven Panels
We supply plinths in two ways:
- Made to measure - (so you don't have to cut)
- Supplied in lengths of 3050mm - (standard lengths)
You’ll need to check your plinth height too. Different manufacturers use different heights as standard. Our plinths are supplied as 150mm or 200mm high, but you can have any height you need. Just let us know.
Watch How to Measure Plinths
Our crown cornice and pelmet are supplied in lengths of 3050mm. Remember to measure in millimetres and measure twice.
You’ll need to total up your required length, then add an allowance of 20% extra for cuts and waste at installation. Cornice is usually mitred at the corners, and pelmet is sometimes mitred too. Make sure that you order enough lengths to accommodate your needs.
Watch How to Measure Cornice & Pelmet
When you’re ready and have your drawing and order form to hand, you can transfer that information to the online ordering section of our website. You’ll have all the information you need to make the process simple and straightforward.
- Select your style
- Select your colour
- Input your sizes (Same sizes and hinge hanging can be added as multiples)
- Add hinges (if required)
- Add hinge positions
- Add more items to build your order
- Check your order against your list and drawing
- Double-check
- Select your payment method
- Send your order
Watch How to Build Your Order Online
For ordering, there is no requirement to measure for handles. Simply count the number of doors and drawers you have and order enough handles.
You might want to order a bigger/wider handle in the same style for an appliance door, such as an integrated dishwasher.
Example:
- 2 x doors -> 2 x 160mm handles
- 1 x appliance door -> 1 x 230mm handle
- 4 x drawers -> 4 x 160mm handles
Total: 6 x 160mm handles + 1 x 230mm handle = 7 handles total.
- Tape measure
- Sharp pencil
- Masking tape
- Double-sided tape
- 2 quick clamps
- Fine-toothed saw
- Belt sander
- Mitre box
- Screwdriver
- Battery driver
- Battery drill
- 5mm drill bits
- Bradawl
Tools for the job:
- Screwdriver
- Bradawl
Step 1
Simply remove the door from the cabinet frame by pressing the lever at the back of the hinge. It should pop right off (make sure that you’re supporting the door before you pop the hinges off).
Step 2
Once you have the door off, place it on a protected surface and remove the two screws holding the top and bottom hinges to their hinge cups.
Step 3
If you’re keeping your old hinges - Place your new door on the protected surface and press your old hinges into the pre-drilled hole. Use your bradawl to make a small indentation as a pilot hole for your screws. Be careful not to overtighten these screws.
Step 4
When you have both hinges on your new door, offer the door up to the existing hinge mounting plate that’s attached to your cabinet and clip it back in place. Your new door is fitted.
Watch How to Install a Door
Adjusting Hinges
Most hinges have three adjustment screws: one for side-to-side, one for up-and-down, and one for in-and-out. Loosen the screws, make the necessary adjustments, and then tighten them again.
Watch How to Adjust Hinges
Tools for the job:
- Quick clamps
- Double-sided tape
- Tape measure
- Sharp pencil
- Drill and drill bits
Step 1
Use a couple of strips of double-sided tape on the back of your bottom drawer front to help hold the front in place while you get the position right.
Step 2
Use your quick clamps to hold the bottom door in position. Line the bottom of the door up with the bottom of the cabinet to the left or right.
Step 3
Use the existing holes in the drawer box to screw and secure your door front to the drawer box from the inside of the drawer.
Step 4
Position the next drawer front above the bottom drawer front using two £1 coins as spacers. Clamp the drawer front in place, then screw it on.
Step 5
Repeat the process for the next drawers.
Watch How to Install Drawer Fronts
Tools for the job:
- Handle jig
- Masking tape
- Tape measure
- Sharp pencil
- Battery drill
- 5mm drill bit
We would always advise using a door handle jig for the installation of door handles. This inexpensive tool will make light work of positioning and drilling for your new handles.
Step 1
Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the exact locations for the handle screws on the door. Use a strip of masking tape to help you mark your positions – this will also help prevent any blowout when drilling.
Step 2
Set up and position your handle jig. Use the jig holes to drill your handle screw holes. Carefully drill holes at the marked locations.
Step 3
Align the handles with the drilled pilot holes. Insert the screws through the back of the door and into the handle. Tighten the screws, but not overly tight.
Watch How to Install Handles
Tools for the job:
- Quick clamps
- Tape measure
- Sharp pencil
- Straight edge
- Fine-toothed saw
- Battery driver
Your new end panel will be supplied 40mm taller and 40mm wider to allow for accurate trimming. Your existing end panel makes a great template.
Cutting your end panel
Step 1
Remove your existing end panel and place it on top of your new end panel. Make sure two of your old panel edges line up and are flush with the new panel. Use a sharp pencil to trace around your old panel.
Step 2
You now have an accurate line to follow when cutting your panel. Use a fine-toothed saw or jigsaw to make the cut.
Fitting your end panel
Step 1
Clamp your end panel to your existing cabinet, being sure that all edges are flush to the door, floor, worktop, and wall before fixing in place.
Step 2
When you have all edges flush and secured in position, fix your end panel in place by screwing from inside the cabinet.
Watch How to Install End Panels
Tools for the job:
- Quick clamps
- Tape measure
- Sharp pencil
- Battery driver
Cutting your filler panel
Step 1
Remove your existing filler panel and place it on top of your new filler panel. Make sure two of your old filler panel edges line up and are flush with the new panel. Use a sharp pencil to trace around your old panel.
Step 2
You now have an accurate line to follow when cutting your panel. Use whatever you feel most comfortable with to make that cut.
Step 3
You might find that you need the help of a file or sander to make the fit perfect. It sometimes helps to angle the wall edge to create a better fit.
Watch How to Install Filler Panels
Tools for the job:
- Tape measure
- Sharp pencil
- Screwdriver
- Fine-toothed saw
Installing plinths is very straightforward. The easiest way is to use your existing plinths as a template.
Step 1
Remove your existing plinth and lay it alongside your new plinth length. Mark and cut your plinth to length. If your floor is uneven, use the old plinth as a template to trace the curve onto the new one.
Step 2
Use a pencil to mark where the existing leg clips are positioned, then transfer the clips to your new plinth in the same positions.
Step 3
These clips attach to the leg of your units. Simply press your new plinth onto the legs and the clips will hold it in position.
Watch How to Install Plinths
Tools for the job:
- Tape measure
- Electric chop saw
- Sharp pencil
- Mitre bond glue
- Fixing screws
- Battery driver
How to cut a 45° mitre on a crown cornice
Step 1
Remove your old cornice and use it as a guide to cut your new lengths.
Step 2
Set up your chop saw for cutting crown cornice angles. Our crown cornice has a spring angle of 38°. Set your Base angle to 31.6° and your Blade angle to 33.9°.
Step 3
Before fixing, offer up the lengths to check your fit. When you are happy, pre-drill your cornice and fix it to the cabinet from above.
Watch How to Cut a Crown Cornice Mitre
