How to Make a Template to Put Down a New Kitchen Floor

Remove the quarter-round wood trim at floor level around the perimeter of the room. The linoleum will extend beneath this trim. When the trim is reinstalled, it will cover any uneven parts of the edge of the linoleum. Remove the quarter-round by gently prying it up with a small pry-bar. Carefully pull out the nails. Reserve trim for reinstalling later.

Sweep the bare floor and then vacuum to remove all dirt and debris.

Lay out pieces of kraft paper along the walls of the kitchen, leaving about 1/8-inch clearance between the edge of the template and the edge of the wall. Tape together all pieces of kraft paper to create one large sheet. Although you can use sheets of newspaper, kraft paper is convenient to use for making a template because it comes in long sheets on rolls, like wrapping paper. Kraft paper is unbleached paper made with a high percentage of wood pulp, which makes it strong. The template for your kitchen floor is less likely to rip if made with a strong paper like kraft.

Use smaller pieces of kraft paper, taped together, when going around corners, islands or other immoveable objects in the kitchen, to create the template outlining these irregularly shaped features.

Cover the entire floor, including the center of the room, with pieces of kraft paper taped together.

Remove the template to use as a pattern to cut the new kitchen floor linoleum.