How and What to Measure to Ensure Your New Sofa Will Fit in Your Home

Room dimensions:

• Measure the length and width of the room where the sofa will be placed. Use a tape measure and note down the results to the nearest centimetre or inch.

• Take into account any wall protrusions, radiators, window sills, and other fixed elements that may affect the available space.

• Measure the ceiling height, especially if you're planning on a tall sofa or have a low-ceilinged room.

Transport route:

• Measure the width of entrance doors to your flat or house. Remember that the door frame might be narrower than the door itself.

• Check the width of hallways and staircases. Pay attention to any turns and narrow passages.

• Measure ceiling heights along the entire transport route, particularly if you live in an older building where heights may vary.

• If you live in a block of flats, check the lift dimensions - you might need to carry the sofa up the stairs instead.

Sofa dimensions:

• Note down the length, width, and height of your chosen sofa. Check whether these dimensions include the sofa's feet.

• If the sofa is a sofa bed or recliner, check its dimensions both when folded and unfolded.

• Consider extra space needed if the sofa reclines or converts into a bed.

• Check the seat depth - this will affect both comfort and the amount of space needed in front of the sofa.

Living space:

• Leave at least 45-60 cm of space in front of the sofa for comfortable movement. If you have a coffee table, account for space between it and the sofa.

• Ensure you can easily open doors and drawers near the sofa. This applies to both furniture and doors to other rooms.

• If you plan to place the sofa near a window, check that it won't block access to radiators or hinder window opening.

Visualisation:

• Use masking tape to mark out the sofa's footprint on the floor. This will help you better imagine how the furniture will impact the room's space.

• Consider creating a paper or cardboard template of the sofa at a 1:1 scale. You can move this around the room to test different arrangements.

• Utilise interior design apps that allow you to virtually place furniture in a room.

Additional tips:

• Consider the sofa's style - bulky, rounded shapes may visually take up more space than straight, minimalist lines.

• Think about the sofa's colour - light colours can make a space appear larger, while dark ones might make it seem smaller.

Practical considerations:

• Think about how you'll use the sofa. If you like to lie down, ensure it's long enough for you to stretch out comfortably.

• Consider the number of people who will typically sit on the sofa. This might influence whether you choose a two-seater, three-seater, or corner sofa.

• If you have pets or children, factor in extra space for them to play around or rest near the sofa.

Future-proofing:

• Consider whether you might move house in the near future. If so, you might want to choose a sofa that's versatile enough to fit in different spaces.

• Think about how your needs might change over time. For example, if you're planning to start a family, you might want a larger or more durable sofa.