Measuring a Space for Furniture

Guideline for Measuring a Space for Furniture

Measuring your space accurately is essential to ensure your furniture fits perfectly and complements your room. Follow these steps to measure your space effectively:

1. Gather Your Tools

  • Tape measure or laser measure

  • Notepad and pen/pencil

  • Graph paper (optional)

  • Camera (optional)

  • Painter’s tape (optional)

2. Measure the Room

  1. Length and Width:

    • Measure the length of the room from one wall to the opposite wall.

    • Measure the width of the room from one side wall to the other side wall.

    • Note down these measurements.

  2. Height:

    • Measure the height of the room from the floor to the ceiling.

    • Note this measurement, especially if you plan to purchase tall furniture or shelves.

3. Measure Doorways and Entryways

  1. Width and Height:

    • Measure the width and height of each doorway the furniture will pass through.

    • Ensure to measure from the narrowest points (door frames) to avoid surprises during delivery.

  2. Diagonal Clearance:

    • Measure the diagonal distance from the top corner of the doorway to the opposite bottom corner to ensure large pieces can pass through.

4. Measure Windows and Other Architectural Features

  1. Windows:

    • Measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of the window sill.

    • Measure the width of the window.

    • Measure the height from the bottom to the top of the window.

  2. Other Features:

    • Note the location and size of any radiators, vents, built-in cabinets, or other architectural elements.

    • Measure the distance from the floor to these elements and their width and height.

5. Create a Floor Plan

  1. Sketch the Room:

    • Draw a rough sketch of your room on graph paper or use a digital tool.

    • Mark all measurements, including lengths, widths, heights, and the location of doors, windows, and architectural features.

  2. Mark Furniture Placement:

    • Use painter’s tape to outline where you plan to place your furniture. This helps visualize the layout and ensures there is enough space to move around.

6. Measure Existing Furniture (if applicable)

  • Measure the length, width, and height of existing furniture you plan to keep in the room.

  • Ensure new pieces will fit well with the existing ones and won’t overcrowd the space.

7. Consider Movement and Functionality

  • Allow adequate space for walking paths (typically at least 3 feet wide).

  • Consider the space needed to open doors, drawers, and cabinets.

  • Ensure that furniture placement does not block windows, doors, or heating vents.

8. Double-Check Your Measurements

  • Re-measure key areas to ensure accuracy.

  • Verify that all measurements are correct and correspond with your floor plan.

By following these guidelines, you can accurately measure your space and ensure the furniture you choose fits perfectly, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of your room.

Kady Brown