Complete Furniture Measurement Guide: Essential Tips for Perfect Fit
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Why Is It Important To Measure Furniture Before Buying?
- How To Measure Your Space To Ensure Your Furniture Can Get Inside Your Home?
- How Do I Measure If Furniture Will Fit Through Doorways?
- How Do I Measure My Space?
- How Do I Measure The Stairs?
- How Do I Measure The Elevators?
- How Do I Measure The Hallway?
- How To Measure Furniture Dimensions?
- How Do I Measure A Sofa?
- How To Measure A Sectional Sofa?
- How To Measure A Sleeper Sofa Or A Sofa Bed?
- How To Measure Dining Furniture
- How To Measure A Recliner?
- How To Measure Barstool Or Counter Stool Height?
- Some Basic Things To Know Before Measuring The Furniture
- Conclusion
- FAQs
This red sofa was your long-standing dream, and finally, you managed to grab it. The delivery truck pulls up, and you are so excited, and what happened next was a nightmare. You realize the furniture won't go through your doorway.
Nothing’s worse than finding that perfect piece only to learn that it won’t fit through the door or take up way more space than you thought. Ever found yourself in a similar situation?
Nobody wants to experience such furniture failure. Hence, measuring the furniture and the space where you would place it before making a purchase is crucial. While measuring small furniture won't be necessary, at times, we never know.
You can save a ton of hiccups with this. So, to help you out, we have this extensive guide on measuring the furniture and space.
Why Is It Important To Measure Furniture Before Buying?
Measuring furniture along with the place through which it enters your home and the space where it will be set up before you fall for it and invest is significant.
Some crucial perks are:
- You deal with zero surprises and heartbreak of your furniture not fitting through doors, hallways, or tight spaces if you have already measured it and are confident that the furniture would slip in easily.
- If you don't want to feel your furniture dominating the whole space, you should pick the furniture that works with your room layout. So, first measure and decide whether a particular piece of furniture would fit in or overwhelm.
- Your room should have an easy flow. Measuring the furniture helps with the planning. So, you will leave enough room for walking, opening doors, and other daily activities without squeezing through tight spots.
- Measuring the furniture and the space cuts the hassle of returns, exchanges, and extra delivery fees. You literally pick the right furniture in the right size in the first purchase itself.
- Last, this act helps keep your room balanced and stylish by knowing exactly where everything will go.
Trust us, choosing furniture from a crowded market is already a big win. But ensuring that the furniture makes it safely to your home is a double-win.
How To Measure Your Space To Ensure Your Furniture Can Get Inside Your Home?
Before you order that favorite sofa or dining set, it's a good idea to make sure it will actually fit through your door and into your space. Grab a tape measure and walk through some quick and easy steps to measure your space.
How Do I Measure If Furniture Will Fit Through Doorways?
For the most part, if your furniture goes through the doorway, it's considered a win. So, first measure the size of your doorways.
- Measure all interiors and exterior doorways where the furniture will be brought in.
- Open the door as wide as possible and measure the height, width, and diagonal length, including the maximum swing of the door.
- Considering the knob placement is also important.
Here, the door swing refers to how far the door opens and whether it gets in the way of the furniture's path. If the door can’t open fully, it reduces the available width.
You may ask if you should even consider the knob placement too. Knob placement matters because a doorknob sticking out can limit the space, especially at the narrowest points. So, it can make it hard to move larger pieces of furniture through.
How Do I Measure My Space?
Measure your room where you want to place the furniture.
- First, measure the length and width of the room to see how much space is left for moving and placing the furniture. Suppose you invest in large furniture, or, let's say, a tall one like a bookcase or showcase, measuring the height of the walls is also important.
- If you are adding new furniture to a room that already has different furniture pieces, measure the existing furniture to avoid overcrowding the space.
- Plus, it's a must to consider any architectural features, like fireplaces, and check the window height if you place furniture in front of a window.
This way, you can be confident that everything fits without blocking any important features in and around the furniture.
How Do I Measure The Stairs?
If you are taking the furniture through the stairs, you must remember certain things.
If your house is located on the second floor, the stairs first lead to a wall instead of an open room. So here, you must measure the flat areas or the space present at the top or bottom of each stair. Because you must have adequate space to place the furniture while carrying it up, right?
So, here, measure the distance from the stairs to the wall. Next, measure the ceiling height in three different locations, such as
- From the bottom step to the ceiling
- From the landings(flat areas between the stairs) to the ceiling
- From the top step to the ceiling
How Do I Measure The Elevators?
If you prefer stairs to an elevator to deliver the furniture, measure the elevator to ensure if it would fit the space.
- First, measure the height and depth of the elevator door and the interior height, width, and depth.
- Next, diagonally from the bottom center of the door opening to the back ceiling.
- Calculate the handrails and lights within the elevator as they aren't removable.
How Do I Measure The Hallway?
You often check the doorway, stairs, and elevator but overlook the hallway through which the furniture passes through. But here you must also consider the internal doorway along with the height, width, and depth of the hallways.
Plus, pay attention to the potential obstructions in the hallway, such as existing furniture on the way and the light fixture (low hanging ones). Because they can limit the movement and make it harder to maneuver larger pieces.
With these measurements in hand, you can plan and ensure the path is clear so that the furniture can be moved without any issues.
How To Measure Furniture Dimensions?
So far we have seen how to bring furniture into your house. Now in this section, we will discuss how to measure furniture dimensions to check if it would fit like a glove to your space. It’s crucial to measure the furniture because you don’t want to get upset if the furniture feels too tiny or seems bulky for the space.
How Do I Measure A Sofa?
Let's give you a quick heads up. While measuring sofas and sectionals, the depth is the same as the length. Width is from arm to arm (left to right), whereas the depth is from back to the sofa's length. To measure the sofa, take measurements of the width and diagonal depth.
Here, diagonal depth refers to measuring the sofa at an angle; let's say you are looking at the sofa from the side. So these measurements must be taken from the top of the sofa's arm to the bottom of the opposite side. To put it simply, this is like drawing a line from the top left corner to the sofa's arm to the bottom right corner.
Measuring this diagonal depth is important because, for the most part, you will tilt or angled to fit the sofa through the doorway. For it to fit, the diagonal depth must be smaller than the width of your door.
How To Measure A Sectional Sofa?
Sectional sofas aren't usually single-piece furniture. They come in segments. So, it can be easily maneuvered to your home. Yet, there are some cases where they turn out to be bulky too. So, to measure the sectional sofa, you must
-
Measure the sectional sofa's overall width and length.
- Here, height must be measured from the sectional's base to the top of the back.
- Speaking of the width, the distance from right arm to left arm. Here, you must measure the entire assembled sectional sofa.
- Depth refers to the front-facing edge to the sectional's back side.
How To Measure A Sleeper Sofa Or A Sofa Bed?
A sleeper sofa, also referred to as a sofa bed has two components, such as a sofa and a bed. This means you must measure two things to ensure it fits your space without overwhelming it.
One is what the sofa size is, and the other one is how much it measures when the bed is opened. Measuring the sofa is identical to the steps you take to measure a normal sofa. You can refer to the above explanation.
To measure the sleeper sofa's bed,
- First measure the width of the sofa when it's just a sofa and the extended depth when it's converted into a bed.
- If you plan to push the sleeper sofa against the wall, measure the height also. Look for any obstructions, such as windows, shelves, etc.
With these measurements, you will know if there's enough room for a sleeper sofa when it transforms from sofa to bed. If your space is large enough for the specific sofa you are interested in. You also must plan how to get it into your home, like considering the width of doorways, stairs, and tight spaces.
Dining Furniture
How Do I Measure A Dining Table?
Measuring the dining table is a piece of cake. But what challenges you is considering the space needed with chairs so that each one can move in and out for seating and moving it to sit on it.
Measure The Dining Space:
- First measure the length and the width of the dining room area. With these measurements in hand, now do the math.
- Minus 6 feet from the length and the width to give you a 3" clearance on all sides of your table.
- The measurements that you get now are the dining table recommended size.
Measure The Dining Table:
- To be sure that the dining table fits your space, measure the table's length and make sure it will fit in your dining area. You must have room to walk around too.
- Next, calculate the height of the dining table.
How Do I Measure The Dining Chairs?
Measure the chair seat height. Take measurements from the floor to the top of the seat. If the dining chair seat height is 18 to 20 inches, you need 10 to 12 inches between the seat and the bottom of the table for enough legroom.
Measure the chair width at its widest point, from the arms or the back. Ensure there's enough space between each chair. This way, you are certain that you don't bump your hands with the person sitting next to each other.
How Much Space To Leave Around The Table?
Leave at least 36 inches of space from the table edge to the walls or other furniture for comfortable movement. If people will be walking behind the dining chairs, aim for 48 inches of space.
Note:
If your dining table comes with a leaf extension. So, be sure to measure it both in its compact and extended position if you already have a space crunch.
How To Measure A Recliner?
Measure the recliner's width from the right armrest to the right armrest.
Next, measure the recliner when it's fully reclined, and then measure the length of the recliner from the top of the headrest to the footrest's bottom.
Lastly, measure the area where you have planned to place the recliner and ensure there's at least 5 to 10 inches of space between the wall and the head of the recliner at full extension.
Quick Tips To Ensure The Recliner Gets Inside The Door
Measure the height and width of your doorframe. Compare these numbers to your recliner’s measurements.
If your recliner is wider than the doorway, it might not fit through unless it can be disassembled. Sometimes, recliners fit through doors if you tilt or rotate them.
So, make sure your door height is taller than the recliner's depth in case you need to turn it on its side.
How To Measure Barstool Or Counter Stool Height?
Well, bringing a bar or counter stool in is no big deal. But measuring this furniture helps you find out if it fits the countertop without any glitch. For example, it shouldn't be too tall or too short. Otherwise, tasting comfort can pose a challenge here.
To measure the bar or counter stools,
- Firstly, take measurements of your bar or countertop's height along with the width, and based on this, calculate how many stools can fit that space.
- You also get an idea of how high your stool should be.
As for the bar stool measurement,
Measure the furniture from the floor to the top of the stool’s seat.
Calculate the legroom. Think about how much space you want between your lap and the countertop. Mostly, around 10 inches promises comfort. So ensure the seat of the stool is 10 inches below the underside of the countertop.
Now to calculate the ideal seat height of your bar stools, subtract the desired legroom, which is around 10 inches, from the height of your countertop.
Delivery Boxes
We almost often forget this part. When your delivery arrives, it probably comes with the delivery box, doesn't it? So, even if you calculate the furniture, you must consider the delivery box size too. Because the box must go through the stairs, doorways, pathways, and finally to its entitled space.
Some Basic Things To Know Before Measuring The Furniture
1. Count In The Diagonal Length Too
Generally, we take the length, width, and height measurements of furniture. Here, you must also measure diagonally.
When you are moving large pieces like a dresser, bookcase, or sofa through doorways, staircases, or a narrow living room, you often have to tilt or angle the furniture.
Plus, in some cases, the height and width of a doorframe might be smaller than the diagonal length of the furniture. This means you won't fit straight through. In these cases, only if you know the diagonal measurement in advance will you know if your furniture can be brought in.
2. Know Where You Will Be Placing The Furniture
Make a few things clear priorly like where you want to place the furniture, such as against a wall or next to another piece of furniture. This helps you measure the area more accurately.
- Check if there is enough room for people to move comfortably around the furniture.
- Check the ceiling height for tall furniture. The hanging lights, beams, or fans might interrupt too. Consider everything.
- If the piece has doors or drawers, ensure you measure how far they extend when opened. Because you don't want any furniture bumping into walls or other furniture placed next to it.
- Lastly, watch out for obstructions, especially if you dwell in a small house or apartment. The windows, vents, and outlets should be considered too. Because your furniture shouldn't be the reason for blocking airflow, light, etc.
Conclusion
With this guide, measuring your furniture or your space doesn't feel heavy. Also, you don't have to play any guessing games. By taking the time to measure your furniture and the space around it, you will avoid the frustration of trying to squeeze any piece that won't fit.
So, with these measurements in hand, you can easily move the furniture in tight doorways or ensure that the furniture fits the place correctly. Grab that tape measure, follow these steps, double-check your number and enjoy a perfectly planned setup.
FAQs
1. What Comes First, Length, Width, Or Height?
When you measure furniture, the golden order is usually length, width, and height.
- The length refers to the longest side of the furniture, i.e., side to side.
- The width or the depth is the distance from the front to the back.
- The height is from the base to the top.
2. Is Width The Same As Depth?
No, in most cases, width and depth are used interchangeably. But by definition, both are different. This measurement is important when considering how much space your furniture will take up in a room.
Width is side to side (left to right) in furniture terminology. Length is how far the furniture stretches across a wall (from one end to the other). Depth is measured from the front of the furniture to the back (how far it sticks out from the wall). Understanding this can stop you from investing in a piece that is too bulky or overwhelming for your space.
3. What Tools Do I Need To Measure Furniture?
Measuring furniture or your space isn't a head-banging task. So, you don't need any fancy tools. A good old tape measure is more sufficient for the job. Make sure you grab a pen and paper to note down the measurements. You can also use painter's tape to mark out the measurements on the floor to visualize the space the furniture will take up.
4. Should I Measure Furniture With Or Without Cushions?
You should always measure the furniture with the cushions on. For example, let's take the sofa. Initially, you must measure the length of your sofa by starting at one end and measuring to the other. Next, to measure the depth of your sofa, begin at the front of the cushions and measure all the way to the back of the backrest.
5. Do I need to leave extra space around furniture?
You should certainly leave extra space; otherwise, the furniture can make you feel cramped together. Also, your space may feel cluttered or hard to move through. Even if you plan to place the furniture against the wall, it's important to leave some space to the sides. This way the arrangement should look more intentional and balanced in the room rather than being pushed into every corner and giving a stuffed-in feeling.
