How to measure your space for your new furniture
Buying new furniture is an exciting time. It’s an opportunity to refresh the look your living room, you could choose a bold coloured sofa in fabric or leather, or consider taking the leap to a large corner group. Or maybe you’ve decided to make a statement by buying an iconic Chesterfield style sofa or chair?
This is a very big decision, and one of the most important factors to consider when buying your new furniture is what size you’ll need.
Whilst you’re caught up in the excitement of choosing the right size and style to suit you home, it can become very easy to overlook how it will fit. Rather than facing any disappoint upon delivery day, Cousins have carefully created a helpful guide below to help advise on how you should measure your home for your new furniture.
Your sofa measurements
Before buying your sofa in-store or online with Cousins, take the time to write down the width, height, and depth of your chosen sofa. Measure the widest part of the sofa or chair, height will be measured from the floor to the tallest part (including feet), and depth is taking the largest measurement from the front to the back of the seat.
You’ll need to take separate width measurements if you are looking at a corner sofa.
Some snuggler or swivel chairs may be round, so you may only need the depth and height measurements.
If access is proving to be an issue, some of our sofas can be made with a split frame. This will enable delivery in two halves, which can then be fixed securely together once in situ. This feature can be incorporated into any of our own bespoke sofas, as well as most of our large 4 seater sofas. As can bolt-on arms which give even greater flexibility upon delivery.
Where to put your sofa
Think carefully about where your sofa or chair will be placed. Your furniture should not be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time, as this may result in fabric shading. Protect it by regularly drawing your curtains or blinds.
In addition, it is advised to also keep your upholstery furniture away from direct air conditioning or heat, such as radiators and open fires, as this will help to protect the frame from drying out. Try to allow a gap of at least 20-30cm from such appliances.
Doorways
You will need to measure the front door as well as any interior doorways leading into the room where you would like your furniture to be placed. Most frames should be the same but it is best to measure all of them just in case.
Start by measuring the interior width and height of all doorways, and check how wide you can open your door. You may need to use a small door stop on delivery day to assist in keeping it fully ajar.
Consider any architectural details that may impede access, such as anything hanging on the inside of the doors.
Note: If the width of the door is greater than the height of your sofa we should be able to deliver to you.
Hallways
Measure the width of your hallways, taking into account any twists or turns which may be required to access the room.
Again, you’ll need to consider anything which may impact the ability to travel or turn in the hallway. Things to consider in the hallway might be low-hanging fixtures or console tables, radiators, or shelving. Ensure the route is as clear as possible on delivery day.
Note: You will need the narrowest width of your hallway to be greater than the height of your sofa for it to fit.
Stairways
Perhaps you live in a flat or you are looking for a sofa bed to be delivered, in which case we may need to look at how to measure stairs for a safe delivery.
You’ll need to measure the width of your stairway. Bear in mind any handrails or posts which may reduce the amount of space available and manoeuvrability.
Measure the height from the top and bottom steps to the ceiling as well, as the sofa will most likely go up on at an angle.
Again, consider any fixtures or low hanging lights.
Note: Essentially, if the width of the staircase is larger than the height of the sofa then it should fit.
If there is a bannister, then the distance between the bannister and the ceiling will need to be greater than the depth of the sofa. The landing will then need to be measured in the same way as the hallway (discussed above).
Lifts
If there is a lift to access the property, measure the height and width of the lift doors when open, as well as the depth inside the lift.
Note: If all of these dimensions are larger than your chosen sofa it should fit.
Delivery Day
Upon delivery, our teams will always carefully deliver into the room of your choice. Before doing so they’ll advise you if anything further can be done to improve the access and if any vulnerable items need moving. Your new furniture will be positioned where you want it before the final packaging is removed and any minor final assembly completed.
Once you’re satisfied, we’ll then take away all packaging to be recycled back at our distribution centre.
Modular or split sofas can be delivered in separate parts. We will then carefully secure the furniture together for you before leaving.
Sometimes it may be necessary and easier to deliver the sofa without feet or legs attached. This will help to reduce its overall height if things are tight. Once the sofa is placed in the room of your choice, Cousins will securely attach the feet again.
Sometimes it can be easier for our delivery drivers to go down the side of the house and through the back doors, perhaps through large patio or conservatory doors if you have them. Again, consider ensuring that the route is clear, and the side gate and alley way has been properly measured.
On recliner furniture, Cousins will attach cable ties to secure the mechanisms during transit. These will also be removed by our delivery team before they leave. The backs of recliners are also removable to allow access through even the tightest of spaces.
Windows
Windows can also be removed if this is the only way to access the room due to the large dimensions of the sofa. Cousins will work directly with your window technician to arrange a morning appointment. This is because window technicians often charge by the hour so we want to help keep the cost down for you.
Made-to-Measure
“If you’ve got a seating dilemma, we have the solution”.
Try our Cousins Bespoke service, where you can customise your sofas and chairs to your own made-to-measure sizes to perfectly fit your living space and to your own optimal comfort levels.
This is a personal service where each item is hand made in the West Midlands by a local family business. Each chair, 2 seater, 3 seater, 4 seater, and corner group can be easily customised in any size or style. This also includes being able to construct it to a size or in a modular configuration to allow access though even the most challenging of spaces.
If access is still a big concern, then we can do a trial fit using the showroom model once you’ve placed an order. At this stage it will only be a provisional order subject to size.
For further help or information, or to arrange a trial fit, please use our Contact Us page, call us on 0845 901 4000, or speak to us on Live Chat.
