So you have moved into a new house, built a new edition, bought a summer home, or just deciding to redesign a space, there is one major thing you need to do. Before you buy any furniture or even before you start making any plans for furnishing and decorating, you need to measure your space! Measure everything once and save the measurements for easy reference when you are shopping later on.
Here are a few tips on how to get the best measurements so that your project is running smoothly.
Measure Entries and Passages
- Go over and measure all the entries, passages, stairways and doorways through which your furniture has to travel to get to its final destination. When measuring doorways measure height (A), width (B), and entry clearance (C).
- Measure width, height and diagonal width. Diagonal width is important for large Casegoods to ensure they will clear your doorways.
- Make note of any corners that need to be turned in a hallway or on a staircase. Make sure to measure diagonally over here too.
- Make note of any light fixtures, railings or any architectural impediments along the way.
**Any furniture you buy should be at least 4 inches less than the passage measurements to move it easily and safely.
Tip!
Diagonal height must be less than entryway dimension A or C
Measure Your Room
- First measure the door that you will be using to bring the furniture into the room. As learned above, measure the height, width and diagonal from top left to bottom right. Make sure to get the measurements for inside the door frames too.
- Measure the length from the entrance of the room to the far wall. You need this measurement to know if you will be able to bring the furniture into the room and be able to maneuver it easily into place. (see pic above for reference).
- Measure the length and width of the room.
- Measure the height of the walls.
- Measure all doorways, windows, radiators, fireplaces, or any other architectural features.
- For windows, it is also important to measure the height from the floor to the bottom and top of window.
How To Measure a Sofa
- Width: Measure the width from arm to arm. Make sure that you are taking the width measurements at the widest point of the sofa.
- Height: Measure from the highest point but do not include the pillows if they are higher than the sofa frame.
- Depth: Measure the depth go the sofa from the outside edge of the seat all the way to the back.
- Diagonal Depth: Measure by first placing a straight edge from the highest point of the back frame (do not include pillows) to the front of the arm. Then, using your measuring tape, measure from the bottom rear corner of the sofa up to the point that bisects the straight edge.
Please note: This is merely a guide on how to measure and does not guarantee your furniture purchase will fit. You should consider the size constraints of the entire path from our delivery truck to the item's final destination.
Standard Furniture Measurements
Did you know that most furniture is manufactured to standard measurements? Knowing those standard measurements before you buy or design a space can cut the task down to size. Here is a quick hit list of some standard sizing to help you get started on your planning.
Images by Universal Furniture
These measurements are meant to be a general guideline only. Before you buy anything always speak to one of the Darby Road Home's consultants to ensure it will fit in your home.
After determining the dimensions of the room, you may also want to consider designing custom furniture pieces specifically scaled to fit your space. Or you may just want a little help designing and decorating your space, so come in for a design consultation today.
Best,
DRH Style Team
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