When you’re shopping for new furniture, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of choosing pieces that fit your style. But before you make any purchase, there’s one important step you need to take: measuring. Properly measuring furniture for your space ensures that your new additions will not only fit physically but also flow well with your home's layout. Here’s a guide on how to do it right.
1. Measure your room dimensions
Before you even think about furniture, you need to understand the space you have. This includes:
- Room Length and Width: measure the overall dimensions of your room from wall to wall. Don’t forget to account for odd angles or protruding corners.
- Ceiling Height: knowing the ceiling height is crucial, especially if you plan to buy taller furniture like bookshelves or wardrobes.
- Doorways and Hallways: measure the width and height of all doorways, hallways, and stairs the furniture must pass through. This prevents the frustration of buying a couch that fits the living room but can’t make it through the door!
Top Tip: Use a retractable measuring tape for accuracy, and record everything in both inches and centimetres for flexibility when shopping.
2. Create a floor plan
After measuring the room, it’s helpful to sketch a floor plan. A floor plan helps visualise how furniture will fit in the space. Be sure to include:
- Windows, Doors, and Vents: these are areas where furniture shouldn’t block.
- Sockets: if you’re placing something like a TV or desk that requires being plugged in, knowing where the sockets are can help position these pieces.
- Functioning furniture: remember to allow room for reclining sofas and to pull out dining chairs or divan drawers.
Top Tip: Leave at least 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) of walking space between furniture pieces to ensure comfortable movement around the room.
3. Decide on furniture placement
- Now that you have your room dimensions and floor plan, you can start planning where your furniture will go. This is important because different types of furniture require different spacing considerations.
Top Tip: Use painter’s tape or newspaper to outline where your furniture will go on the floor. This gives you a sense of how it will fit before buying.
4. Measure Your Existing Furniture
If you’re replacing or adding to existing furniture, measure the pieces you already have. This gives you a benchmark when shopping for new items. Consider:
- Overall Dimensions: Measure the height, width, and depth.
- Seat Height (for Chairs and Sofas): The height of the seat from the floor can affect comfort and how well it matches with other furniture.
- Clearance Under Furniture: This is important if you plan on storing things under the piece.
5. Check Furniture Dimensions While Shopping
When shopping, pay close attention to product dimensions listed on the website or in-store. Compare these dimensions with the space available in your home.
- For Sofas and Armchairs: Note both the width and depth. Keep in mind that the arms of a couch can add bulk, so ensure you’re accounting for the total width, not just the seating area.
- For Storage Pieces: When considering bookshelves, dressers, or cabinets, be sure to measure both the exterior and interior dimensions if storage space is important to you.
6. Consider Delivery and Assembly
Another key factor in measuring furniture is ensuring that it can be delivered and assembled without hassle. Before finalising your purchase, check:
- Path to the Room: make sure the furniture will fit through doorways, hallways, and staircases. Measure doorways and check clearance around tight corners.
- Assembly Space: some larger items, like beds or entertainment centres, may need to be assembled in the room. Ensure you have the floor space to do this comfortably.
7. Future Changes
Finally, think about any potential future changes to your space. Are you planning to redecorate, add new features, or change the function of the room? It’s a good idea to leave some flexibility in your measurements to accommodate future needs.
By following these steps – measuring your space, creating a floor plan, and considering how the furniture will fit through your doors – you can ensure that your new furniture will not only fit, but also have functionality throughout your home.
