Interior · 6 min read
Joinery drawings explained: from sketch to factory
A beautiful wardrobe in a render means nothing if the factory cannot make it. Joinery drawings turn your idea into instructions. This guide explains what they include and how to check them.
The drawing set
- Plan: where the unit sits in the room, with overall sizes
- Elevations: every visible face, with shutters, handles and finishes marked
- Sections: cuts through the unit showing shelves, drawers and internal sizes
- Details: enlarged drawings of joints, edges and junctions with walls and ceilings
- Schedule: materials, finishes, hardware and quantities
Dimensions that matter
Give overall sizes and the sizes that affect use: shelf heights, drawer depths, hanging space, worktop heights and clearances for doors and appliances. Measure the site before production; walls are rarely straight, so allow for scribing and fillers.
Materials and hardware
Specify the carcass board, the shutter finish, edge banding and every piece of hardware: hinges, channels, lift-up fittings and handles, with brand or performance level. Hardware drives cost and durability, so it should never be left to chance.
Check before you send
- Do the drawings match the latest site measurements?
- Can every shutter and drawer open fully without hitting something?
- Are electrical points, lights and appliances shown?
- Has the client signed the final drawing?
Rules, fees and practices change. Always check the current official source for your city and project.