What to Do Before You Shop: How to Measure Furniture
Get the right size.
Whether you are purchasing new furniture or replacing old furniture in your home, it’s important to understand how to measure furniture as well as the space it is going in. Not only will you get the right size for your room, but this ensures that delivery and installation go smoothly. Read our easy-to-follow tips and must-know measurements below.
How to Measure Furniture
How to Measure for Furniture Delivery
How to Measure Furniture
If you are looking to replace furniture in your home, it's essential to know the measurements of your old furniture so you can be confident your new pieces will fit in the same space. When considering how to measure furniture, it is important to acknowledge the type of furniture you are measuring. Be sure to measure the length, width, and height of all furniture pieces.
1. Measuring a Sofa
Measure the width, height, depth, and diagonal depth of the sofa you are replacing. Use these measurements as a reference for your new furniture so you can be confident it will fit your space. Some sofas and sectionals can be moved in pieces, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s dimensions and instructions in case this is true for you. Review our guides on Sofa Dimensions: How to Choose the Right Size Sofa for Your Home and How to Measure for a Sectional Sofa for more helpful tips on choosing the right size for your space.
For similar pieces like accent chairs, you will also want to measure width, height, depth, and diagonal depth.
For taller pieces of furniture, like a bookcase, you want to measure the width, height, depth and diagonal height (from the bottom left corner to the top right corner). Use these measurements for any piece of tall furniture, like entertainment centers and armoires.
When measuring for a new dining table, chairs, or both, you want to make sure you consider the general size of your dining room and the table-to-chair height ratio. This will ensure that everyone can sit comfortably with enough seat and leg room. Our guides on How to Choose a Dining Table Size and Dining Chair Dimensions: How to Choose the Right Dining Chair Size go over measurement tips to help you select the best options for your space.
4. Measuring for New Furniture
If you are looking to add new furniture to your space instead of replacing an old piece, use a tape measure to measure the room where you will place your new furniture. Measure the dimensions of the room as well as the specific area where you would like to put the furniture. Use painter's tape to map out the dimensions on the floor to see how it will fit in your space. Make sure you have plenty of room to walk around.
Tip!
Get more helpful tips for measuring furniture like an end table or side table in our end table height guide, or ensure you pick the best size coffee table with our step-by-step instructions. Wondering which size TV stand will fit through the door? Check out our TV stand guide.
How to Measure for Furniture Delivery
Once you've measured for new or replacement furniture, it's important to measure entrances and access points to your home and the room where you want to put new furniture. This is crucial to determining if a piece of furniture can fit through doorways, up stairwells, or in elevators upon delivery. Follow the steps below to ensure success.
1. Consider Entry Options
Determine which entrance to your home has the easiest access for delivery. Consider entrances with larger clearances, such as patios, garage doors, and even large windows. If you live in an apartment or condo building, check to see if you have access to a service entrance.
Tip!
Be sure to account for any immovable objects in your path, including fire sprinklers, angled or low ceilings, handrails, and more.
2. Determine How to Measure Your Home
As mentioned above, it's essential to measure key access points to your home to ensure furniture boxes can be delivered in a seamless manner. We suggest you measure doorways/hallways, stairways, and elevators (if applicable) to determine the maximum size furniture can be to fit through them. Below, we've outlined how to measure each of these access points for the best results.
Doorways & Hallways
Measure the height and width of doorways and hallways. Account for handrails, doorknobs, trim, and hinges that can't be removed and include those in your measurements. Also measure the entry clearance of all doors (the space between the door and the nearest wall or immovable object). Interior doors can be removed and reattached if necessary.
Stairways
Begin by measuring the width of the stairway, including handrails in the measurements if you will not be removing them. Measure the width and depth of any landings. If the top or bottom of the stairway leads to a wall instead of an open room, measure the distance from the stairs to the wall. Finally, measure the ceiling height in three locations:
- From the bottom step to the ceiling.
- From landings to the ceiling (if applicable).
- From the top step to the ceiling.
Elevators
If you will be using an elevator to deliver the furniture, be sure to measure it as well. Measure the height and depth of the elevator door as well as the interior height, width, and depth. Also measure diagonally from the bottom center of the door opening to the back ceiling. Account for handrails and lights within the elevator, as they cannot be removed.
Tip!
When deciding on a layout for your new furniture, keep in mind where the outlets, light switches, vents, and thermostats are in the room. Be sure not to cover these features if you will be accessing them frequently.
3. Compare Your Measurements
The width and height of your furniture piece should be less than the widths and heights of the doorways and hallways in your home. Allow at least 4" of space between your furniture and the doorways and hallways. This ensures you have plenty of space to move your furniture safely and comfortably.
Tip!
Take note of the following items in the path of your furniture delivery: light fixtures, railings, wall art, area rugs, and more. Be sure to remove any of these common obstacles before your delivery arrives.
