How to Measure Your Home for Furniture

 

Before ordering new furniture, it is important to check both the space where it will be positioned and the route it must travel through your home.

A sofa, dining table or armchair may fit comfortably in the room but still be difficult to deliver through a narrow doorway, hallway or staircase. Taking a few careful measurements before ordering can help avoid delays and ensure your chosen furniture is suitable for your home.

What you will need

You do not need specialist equipment to measure your home. Before starting, gather:

• A reliable tape measure

• A pencil or pen

• Paper or a notes application

• Masking tape or low-tack painter’s tape

• The product dimensions from the relevant product page

If possible, ask someone to help you when measuring larger spaces, staircases or long access routes.

Understand the product dimensions

Furniture dimensions are usually provided as width, depth and height.

Width is the measurement from one side of the product to the other. Depth measures from the front to the back, while height measures from the floor to the highest point.

Check whether the stated dimensions include features such as feet, arms, cushions, handles or an extended recliner mechanism. For dining tables, check both the standard and extended dimensions where applicable.

Some sofas and chairs have removable feet, backs or arms, while modular furniture may be delivered in separate sections. If this information is not shown on the product page, please contact us before ordering.

Measure the intended position

Measure the width and depth of the area where the furniture will be placed.

Check the distance from surrounding walls and other furniture, and make sure doors, drawers and cupboards will still open properly. Consider radiators, fireplaces, windows, electrical sockets and floor vents that should not be obstructed.

Furniture needs some breathing space around it. Leaving clear walking routes will help the room remain comfortable and prevent a large piece from making the space feel overcrowded.

Mark the furniture footprint

Masking tape is a simple and effective way to visualise the size of new furniture.

Use the product’s width and depth measurements to mark its footprint on the floor. This will show how much space it occupies and how it relates to the rest of the room.

For a sofa or chair, also consider the height of the back and arms. You can mark these measurements against a nearby wall using low-tack tape, provided it is safe for the wall finish.

Remember that masking tape only shows the outside measurements. The furniture will have height and visual weight once it is in the room, so consider how it may affect sightlines and natural light.

Allow space around dining furniture

When measuring for a dining table, include space for the chairs and for people to move around them.

A chair requires additional room when pulled away from the table. You should also consider whether people will need to walk behind occupied chairs.

If you are choosing an extending dining table, measure the room using its fully extended dimensions. Check that the enlarged table will not block doors, walkways or access to other furniture.

Remember to include the size of the dining chairs, particularly if they have arms or generously padded seats.

Measure every doorway

Measure the height and width of each doorway along the delivery route, including the entrance to your home and the doorway into the intended room.

Take measurements inside the door frame rather than from the surrounding trim. If a door cannot open completely, measure the usable space at its narrowest point.

Consider whether removing the door from its hinges would provide additional clearance. This should only be done safely and arranged before delivery where necessary.

Also check for door handles, radiators, shelves or other objects that reduce the available width.

Check hallways and tight corners

Measure the width of hallways at their narrowest points.

Where the delivery route turns a corner, check the available space on both sides. Long sofas and dining tables may require additional room to rotate through a turn.

Pay attention to ceiling height, pendant lights and wall-mounted fittings. A product may need to be tilted or stood temporarily upright, so the height of the surrounding space can be just as important as the floor area.

Measure stairs and landings

If the furniture needs to travel upstairs, measure the staircase width at its narrowest point.

Check the height and depth of the stairwell, along with any turns, landings or changes in direction. Include handrails, bannisters, window ledges and low ceilings in your assessment.

Measure the landing at the top and bottom of the staircase. There must be enough room for the furniture to change direction and enter the relevant doorway.

Spiral staircases and staircases with tight turns require particular care. Please contact us before ordering if you are uncertain about access.

Check lifts and communal entrances

For apartments and upper-floor properties, measure the lift entrance and the internal height, width and depth of the lift.

Check the lift’s permitted weight and confirm that it can be reserved for a furniture delivery if required.

Measure all communal doorways, corridors and stairwells between the building entrance and your property. Consider security doors, self-closing doors and restricted parking or loading areas.

If the furniture cannot fit inside the lift, do not assume it can be carried up the stairs without checking the full staircase route.

Consider the outside approach

The delivery team must also be able to reach the entrance to your property safely.

Consider narrow gates, steps, steep paths, low branches, restricted parking and long distances between the delivery vehicle and your door.

Make us aware of unusual or restricted access before delivery. This allows the delivery requirements to be considered in advance.

Check whether the furniture separates

Some furniture can be made easier to deliver by removing feet, cushions, backs or other components. Corner and modular sofas are generally delivered in separate sections.

Dining tables may arrive with their legs or bases detached, although this varies between products and suppliers.

Do not assume that a product can be dismantled unless this has been confirmed. Contact us if you need to understand how a particular item will arrive.

Do not rely on measurements from existing furniture

Your current sofa or table can provide a useful comparison, but it should not be your only reference.

Two sofas with the same seating capacity can have very different external dimensions. Arm width, back shape, seat depth and feet can all affect the overall size.

Always compare the exact measurements of the product you intend to purchase with your room and delivery route.

Take photographs of difficult access points

If you are concerned about a doorway, staircase or corner, take clear photographs and record the relevant measurements.

Photographs can help us understand the shape of the space, but they should always be accompanied by accurate dimensions. Include objects in the image that demonstrate scale and photograph the access point from more than one angle.

What to do if you are unsure

If you are uncertain whether a product will fit, please contact us before placing your order.

Provide the product name, your measurements and photographs of any restricted access points. We will be happy to review the information and discuss the available options.

Although measurements and photographs are helpful, responsibility for confirming suitable access remains with the customer. Taking the time to measure carefully is the best way to prepare for a smooth delivery.

Ready to choose your furniture?

Once you have measured your room and delivery route, explore our furniture collections online or visit our Hull showroom.

Our team can help you compare sizes, configurations and materials, allowing you to choose furniture that suits both your home and the way you live.