Furniture Measurement Guide: How to Measure Up for Your New Pieces

Buying new furniture is exciting, but nothing spoils the moment faster than a sofa that won't go through the front door or a dining table that crowds the room; that's why knowing how to measure up for furniture is important.

Before ordering, follow our simple step-by-step guide to measure your room and delivery pathway with confidence.

Quick Summary: How to Measure Up for Furniture

• Map Out Room Space & Clearances: Outlining furniture dimensions using masking tape or cardboard templates helps visualise the layout, ensuring 50–60cm of walkway space around larger pieces and unblocked radiators, sockets, or light switches.
• Verify Access Pathways: Measure the narrowest points of front doors, hallways, staircases (including bannister clearance and vertical ceiling heights), and lift interiors to guarantee items can manoeuvre through smoothly.
• Calculate Sofa & Recliner Dimensions: Beyond standard width, depth, and height, calculate the diagonal depth (from the bottom rear corner to the bisected back-to-arm line) to navigate tight entryways, and allow full clearance for recliners or sofa beds.
• Check Bed Frame & Cabinet Allowances: Bed frames are generally larger than standard mattress dimensions, while tall wardrobes require at least 30cm of overhead ceiling clearance for vertical assembly.
• Utilise Access Assessment Services: Fairway Furniture offers pre-purchase "dry run" assessments, along with specialist delivery routes (such as patio door or window removals) for tight or complex spaces.

Download our furniture measuring guide by clicking here

Step 1: Measure Your Room & Visualise the Layout

The first step in making sure your new furniture fits in your home is to measure the room the furniture will go in and visualise what the layout of your furniture will be.

Floorplan & Visualisation

Before your new furniture arrives, it's a good idea to map out exactly where it will go. Use masking tape to outline the furniture's dimensions on the floor, or cut out newspaper or cardboard templates to match its measurements.

Either way, you'll get a clear picture of how much space it will take up and whether there's enough room to move around it comfortably. It's a simple step that can save you from any nasty surprises on delivery day.

Breathing Room & Circulation

When arranging furniture, aim to leave at least 50 - 60cm of walkway space between larger pieces. This gives you enough room to move around comfortably without feeling cramped. 

Make sure plug sockets, light switches, and radiators are easy to access, as blocking these can be both impractical and frustrating.

It's also worth thinking about TV viewing angles. Position your seating so that everyone in the room has a clear, comfortable view of the screen.

Window & Architectural Heights

To ensure your furniture fits seamlessly into the space, it’s important to measure the floor-to-windowsill height. This helps prevent sideboards, desks, or other pieces from obstructing natural light.

You should also take note of architectural details like skirting boards, dado rails, and ceiling cornices. These features should be accounted for when positioning tall items to ensure they fit flush against the wall and maintain the room's aesthetic and functionality.

Step 2: Measure Delivery Access Points & Pathways

One of the most important measuring factors that often gets overlooked is delivery access points and pathways in your home.

Front Door & Thresholds

To ensure your furniture can be delivered without issue, measure the height and width of your doorway at its narrowest point, and take note of the door swing clearance.

Be sure to factor in any obstacles that may restrict the door's movement, such as walls or fittings.

Hallways & Turning Circles

When measuring your hallways, start with the narrowest point. Look out for anything that could get in the way, such as wall lights, radiators, or coat racks.

Also check that there's enough room to turn furniture around any corners. Taking accurate measurements will help ensure a smooth delivery.

Staircases & Landings

To measure staircase width, start by measuring the distance between the inner wall and the handrail or bannister at its narrowest point. 

For ceiling clearance, use a tape measure to determine the vertical space available from the top and bottom steps to the ceiling above.

Also, measure the depth and width of any landings to ensure there is enough room to pivot tall items or long sofas during delivery.

Lifts & Apartments

When measuring lifts, be sure to check the door frame width and height to ensure items can pass through easily.

You should also measure the interior cabin's depth and width to confirm there is sufficient space for your furniture.

Don't forget to verify the lift's weight allowance to avoid exceeding its safe capacity during delivery.

Step 3: How to Measure Specific Furniture Types

Now that you know the limitations of your property, you need to measure the furniture you're looking to buy.

Note: Most online retailers will have measurements available on product pages to help you make an informed decision

Upholstery (Sofas, Armchairs, & Recliners)

When measuring upholstery, it is important to consider several key dimensions to ensure it will fit comfortably in your space.

• Width (W): Measure the distance from the outer edge of one arm to the outer edge of the other arm. This will give you the overall width of the piece.
• Depth (D) & Height (H): For depth, measure the overall distance from the back of the furniture to the front edge. For height, measure the frame's height from the floor upwards, excluding any loose back cushions.
• Diagonal Depth (DD): This measurement is particularly important for navigating tight doorways. To calculate diagonal depth, use a straight edge to draw an imaginary line from the highest point of the back frame to the front of the arm. Then, measure from the bottom rear corner to the point where this line is bisected. This ensures the item can pivot through narrow entryways.
• Motion Furniture: For items such as recliner chairs, footstools, and sofa beds, remember to account for their full extension. Measure the maximum extended length to confirm your space allows for their complete range of motion.

   

Taking these dimensions into account will help you avoid surprises during delivery and setup.

Dining Room Furniture

For extendable dining tables, ensure you measure both their closed and fully extended dimensions to confirm they fit your space.

Leave at least 60cm of clearance behind dining chairs when they are pulled out, providing enough room for comfortable seating and easy passage.

Beds & Bedroom Furniture

When selecting a bed frame, keep in mind that its overall dimensions are typically larger than the mattress size, as the mattress sits inside the frame.

Always check the complete external measurements of the bed frame to ensure it fits comfortably in your bedroom, leaving enough space for movement and other pieces of furniture.

Remember to allow clearance for opening Ottoman lift-up bases or Divan drawers.

UK Mattress Standard Reference Table:

Storage Cabinets & Wardrobes

When measuring cabinets or wardrobes, it is important to consider a few key factors to ensure they fit properly in your space:

• Diagonal Height: Measure the diagonal height of the cabinet or wardrobe at its widest point to determine if it can be manoeuvred into the desired location.
• Ceiling & Assembly Clearance: For tall bookcases or wardrobes that need to be lifted vertically during assembly, ensure there is at least 30cm of overhead clearance. This extra space is essential to accommodate the assembly process without damaging the furniture or ceiling.
• Safety Tip: Freestanding furniture over 60cm in height should always be secured to wall fixings to prevent tipping hazards, especially in households with children or pets.

Delivery Solutions & Access Support from Fairway Furniture

At Fairway Furniture, we understand the importance of ensuring that your chosen furniture can be delivered and installed seamlessly, even in challenging spaces.

That’s why we offer a range of tailored delivery solutions and access support to meet your needs. Whether you need a "Dry Run" assessment to identify any access issues before purchase, or specialist access routes such as window or patio door removals for complex situations, we're committed to delivering your furniture safely and efficiently.

If you'd like more advice on furniture delivery, visit one of our stores in Plymouth, Tavistock, Newton Abbot, or St Austell.

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