Draw the service map before drawing the shelves
Photograph the whole utility area with appliance doors open. Mark water valves, waste connections, sockets, filters, vents, meters and access panels. Add the manufacturer clearance around each machine and the path needed to pull it forward for service. A shelf that fits above a washing machine can prevent the lid, filter or stacked appliance from being handled safely. Do not conceal a stopcock behind permanent storage or route hoses through sharp cabinet holes. List the household supplies and their weight when full. The service map establishes no-storage zones first, leaving the remaining volume for products that can be supported and cleaned around. It also shows when a proposed cabinet belongs after plumbing or electrical work, not before.

