Kitchen Planner Tools: Layouts With Real Clearances

Kitchen planners that respect hinge gaps, aisle widths and tall-unit depths: 3 tools tested plus measurement checklist for galleys.

A pretty 3D with 30-inch aisle means bruised hips. In a 65 sq ft Meknes galley we planned in 3 tools — only Coohom flagged 36-inch aisle violation + tall-unit door clash. Storage ideas in small kitchen storage, route choice in modular vs carpenter kitchen.

Clearances tools must enforce

Aisle: 42-inch galley min, 36-inch absolute with one side 20-inch slim base. Tall-unit + opposite counter: 42-inch or tall door hits cook. Corner: 36-inch+ for carousel, else dead + drawer stack. Sink-stove-fridge triangle under 18 ft total. Counter height 34 inch (32-33 for under 5ft cooks on prep stretch).

Tool test: draw 8x10 galley + 24-inch tall pantry + opposite 24-inch base. Planner 5D allowed 32-inch aisle silently (fail). Coohom warned + suggested slim base (pass). Homestyler warned after render (partial).

3 tools for kitchens (not whole flats)

Coohom free: modular blocks with hinge gaps, 45 kg slide ratings, basket SS304 options. Best for quote-ready kitchen. Export cut list: shutter sizes, counter feet, hardware counts — that list gets comparable quotes.

IKEA Kitchen Planner: free, precise 20/40/60/80 bases, limited colors but real depths. Use for dimension proof even if carpenter builds — print + show. Planner 5D: fast concept for family approval, re-draw final in Coohom for clearances.

Measurement checklist before opening app

Cabinet interiors (not exteriors): width minus 2 inch hinges/sides, depth minus 3 inch pipes/doors, height minus 4 inch trays/lips. Most organizers fail — 20-inch drawer ordered for 18-inch clear. Cardboard mockup 2-min test saves returns.

Weigh: bulk rice 10 kg needs 45 kg slides bottom tall unit, not 15 kg spice pull-out top that sags. Wall shelves 2 screws brick per 10 kg, not plaster. Over-fridge holds trays vertical with divider, not stacked that topples.

Oil and Moroccan cooking inputs

Western blocks assume pasta boxes — add 6-inch narrow pull-out beside stove for oil/smen/salt arm-reach + 12-inch spice steel jars (turmeric stains plastic) + 10 kg bins wheeled bottom tall. Tagine + cooker need 30-inch wide 10-inch high deep drawer + lid holder. Fish board + knife separate magnetic away from veg — hygiene + space.

Tool must allow custom depths: 6-inch pull-out, 30-inch pot drawer, hanging rail. Generic 24-inch drawer-only plans waste daily-cook space.

Export for carpenter quotes

Export: top view with dims + elevation each wall + 3D daylight + night + cut list PDF. Dated + flat number + version (v3 final) on every sheet — v2 built by mistake costs MAD 4k. Print A3 for site, A4 for file. WhatsApp PDF + DWG if shop has AutoCAD.

Sign finish sheet: laminate codes + stone slab photo + hardware models. Verbal similar becomes MAD 2,550 dispute. One signed page saves more than haggling.

Cost logic

Free draws concept; one paid month MAD 250-420 for 4K + cut list beats wrong shutter MAD 1,275. After project cancel, keep PDFs. For bloggers: redraw in own style with cost notes — unique diagram outranks generic screenshots.

Pair lighting plan same file: under-cabinet strips front-third + IP65 over stove (see small kitchen task lighting) — light points marked before civil, not after tiles.

FAQ

Which tool for rental galley refresh? Planner 5D free concept + cardboard templates — no civil, adhesive channel + plug-in strips. Coohom overkill without carpentry.

Why do 3D handles hit? Handle projection 1.5 inch ignored. Add handle zones in tool or 36-inch corner becomes 33 usable — draw handles, not just shutters.

Chimney, light and socket layer in same file

Kitchen fails when plan has cabinets but no services. Meknes galley v2 added: 1400+ m3/hr ducted chimney path (6-inch duct shortest to shaft, not 20-ft flex that kills suction), under-cabinet strips front-third 4000K + IP65 over stove in aluminium channel, 3x twin sockets 48-inch height spaced 3 ft with covers. Semi-open sliding glass blocks oil to sofa only with ducted, not ductless recirculating that clogs in 3 months oily cooking.

Mark strip driver ventilated tall-unit top + chimney socket + tall-unit light door-switch in planner layers before civil. Adding point later cuts tile MAD 260 versus MAD 25 during work. Test triangle 18 ft + aisle 42 inch + light 450 lux counter same file — three passes before export v3 FINAL.