Primary Measurements

• Measure the length of all walls in your kitchen, as well as any doors or openings, with a measuring tape. Write your measurements in inches and fractions rather than in feet and inches. Transfer these measurements to graph paper, using one graph square per 6 inches of linear floor space. This will help reduce confusion when you are installing your kitchen floor.
  
  

Fixture Measurements

• Measure and document the dimensions of cabinets and other stationary fixtures in your kitchen. Mark these items on your graph. Also, measure and mark any heating vents, plumbing and gas lines, and electrical outlets on the floor of your kitchen.
  
  

Center Line

• Calculate half the distance between two opposing walls at one end of your kitchen and mark this distance on the floor. Repeat this process at the other end of the kitchen. Using a chalk line, mark a line between these two points. This will be the center line for your floor tiles. Mark the same line on your graph.
  
  

Calculating Tiles

• Using the grid squares on your graph paper, calculate the number of tiles you will need to complete your kitchen floor. Start near the center of the kitchen, working toward the walls and cabinets. This will help you maximize the number of whole tiles, so you will spend less time cutting tiles around the perimeter of your kitchen space.
  
  

Considerations

• If you are using ceramic tiles, add ¼ inch per tile for grout, since your floor tiles will not be set flush against one another. This will allow you to calculate final dimensions for perimeter tiles. If you are using vinyl tiles, it will not be necessary to add extra space between each tile.
  
  

Tips

• Double check all measurements before you begin laying floor tiles. Avoid cutting perimeter tiles until all of your whole tiles are laid, in case there are any inaccuracies.
  
  Keep in mind that walls may not be perfectly parallel, especially in older homes, so you may need to cut end tiles at angles.