Your new is just around the corner
Sign up for insight into the latest design trends from our newsletter
You're on the list
By signing up, you agree to receive email marketing.
Design 101
How To Measure a Room for Furniture
November 14, 2024
From buying a new home to redesigning an old space, don't make plans for new furniture and accessories until you’ve measured the room. Properly measuring your space for furniture is essential when outfitting and styling your home. Ensure your microfiber living room set doesn’t overflow into walkways or guarantee your new King-sized bed won’t overwhelm your room. Follow along for easy tips and ensure you get the best measurements for your new furniture.
What You Need To Measure Your Room
First, locate the following tools that will help you measure your room and position your chosen furniture:
•
A tape measure or laser measure
•
A pen and paper (or a digital way to save measurements)
•
A calculator or a spreadsheet
Many furniture retailers offer digital tools and apps to help render your room measurements in 3D. If you need help visualizing how the furniture in the showroom will look in your room, check online or ask in person at the store for help.
Step 1: Clear the Space
Before you bring new furniture into your home, you should measure the path you'll take to get it there. This will ensure the furniture fits in your home — and doesn't get harmed during the journey.
Step 2: Measure the Points of Entry
When ordering new furniture, one of the key steps is ensuring your pieces can make it through the door. Measure the heights and widths of all entryways, stairways, and hallways to ensure your furniture can maneuver through them. Factor in ceiling heights, architectural details of the room, banisters, or low-hanging fixtures that might get in the way.
•
How to measure hallways
It's important to measure the width of a hallway to make sure your piece of furniture can be carried through it. Also, consider any obstacles, such as sharp corners, chandeliers, and wall art, which could be knocked down by accident.
•
How to measure elevators
Measure the length, width, and height of the elevator. If you're transporting something long or angular that you'll lean to one side, like a couch, you might also take a diagonal measurement of the space.
•
How to measure doorways
When it comes to doorways, measure not only the interior length and width of the doorway but also the diagonal height. Take into account any doorknobs, fixtures, or hanging lights. To fit through an entryway, your furniture width must be less than the height of the doorway.
Step 3: How To Measure Your Room’s Dimensions
Follow these steps to measure your room accurately and efficiently:
Length and width: Start from one corner and measure along the wall until you reach the opposite corner. Repeat this process for the other walls.
Height: Measure from the floor to the ceiling at different points of your room. Write down the average height.
Doors and windows: Measure the width and height of each door and window in your room. Also, measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of each window and from the wall to the edge of each door. This prevents furniture from blocking your view.
After measuring your space, take down the dimensions of the furniture you want to buy. Measure the length, width, and height of each piece of furniture you wish to place in your room.
Don't forget to leave the necessary clearance space for each piece of furniture, such as the space for opening drawers or doors.
•
How to measure the area of a room
If you want to know how much surface area you have, calculate the square footage of the room.
To measure the square footage of a room, multiply the length of the room (in feet) by the width of the room (in feet). For example, start at one corner and measure along the wall to the next corner using a tape measure. Do this to measure both the length and the width of the room. If the width is 8 feet and the length is 12 feet, the total area of the room is 96 sq. ft.
length (ft) x width (ft) = area in square feet
length (ft) x width (ft) = area in square feet
•
How to measure window sills
For furniture that sits against a wall, an often-forgotten measurement that keeps your furniture from being flush against the wall is a windowsill. Measure your windowsill width by measuring from the edge of the wall opening to the lower edge of the window frame. Then, measure the length from edge to edge.
•
How to measure the perimeter of a room
The perimeter of a room is a simple measurement. Double the width and length measurements you took and add them together. For example, an 8 x 12 room would be 16 + 24, giving you a perimeter of 40 feet.
•
How to measure awkward angles & shapes
If you are trying to measure the area of a room with a closet or another odd shape, make two measurements. First, find the area of the room without the closet. Then, find the area of the closet. Then, combine both numbers.
The same goes for an odd-shaped room. Break down the room into areas that are easy to calculate. Then, add them together for the final number.
If your room, or a section of the room, resembles a triangle, use the same formula but divide it in half.
length (ft) x width (ft) ÷ 2 = area in square feet of a triangle
The same goes for an odd-shaped room. Break down the room into areas that are easy to calculate. Then, add them together for the final number.
If your room, or a section of the room, resembles a triangle, use the same formula but divide it in half.
length (ft) x width (ft) ÷ 2 = area in square feet of a triangle
Step 4: How To Measure for Furniture Placement
Making sure your new pieces fit seamlessly into the flow of your room is about more than just dimensions. Having a plan for your furniture placement helps build a space that feels balanced. Mark out the dimensions of your new additions with tape to get a feel for how the furniture will sit in the space. Here are a few specific furnishing measurements to keep in mind.
•
How to measure for a rug
Mapping out where your rug lives with painter’s tape helps you visualize your future space. Clear out any existing furniture and use the tape to outline the dimensions of the rug. Consider the extra inches you want around the borders to keep foot traffic in line.
•
How to measure for a bed
When deciding on the size of your bed, consider the available dimensions of the room. A King-sized bed bed may not be the best choice for an extra small room. Factor in additional space you need for accompanying furniture, like nightstands, lamps, or bedroom storage. Then, tape out the dimensions of the bed on the floor and give an extra inch or two of space for bedframes or headboards.
•
How to measure for a sectional or sofa
Sofas or sectionals can overwhelm a room if you haven’t measured. First, take note of not only the length of a couch but also the depth. Tape out the sectional or sofa’s exact shape and dimension in your room to see if it will extend past walls or walkways. Also, consider the traffic patterns of the room and any other large furnishings the room may have. You need to have enough room to move around the space.
•
How to measure for a dining table
Measure the length and width of the dining area as you would any other room. Before choosing the largest table possible, remember that people need room to pull out chairs and sit comfortably. With this in mind, measure up to two feet of space beyond each side of the dining table for a comfortable fit.
•
How to measure for living room tables
Measuring for living room tables typically involves measuring an area around your couch, loveseat, or chairs. If you're placing a coffee table in front of a sofa, leave about twelve inches of room between the table and each piece of furniture to allow for comfortable walking space.
Side tables may be as large or small as you like. The trick is to make sure they are about the same size or smaller as the arm of the sofa or chair you're pairing them with. Use these measurements to make sure your new table stays centered on a rug as well.
Side tables may be as large or small as you like. The trick is to make sure they are about the same size or smaller as the arm of the sofa or chair you're pairing them with. Use these measurements to make sure your new table stays centered on a rug as well.
•
How to measure for a bed frame
Measure the length and width of your mattress and add a few inches to each side for the bed frame. Also, measure the height of your room to make sure the headboard fits comfortably. When choosing the location for your bed frame, consider the placement of windows and doors.
•
How to measure for dressers and nightstands
For a dresser, measure the height, width, and depth of the wall space where you want to place the dresser, taking into account any windows that may be obstructed. Consider the clearance space needed for opening drawers.
If you want to include a nightstand or two, measure the height of your bed and the space next to it. The height of the nightstand should be level with the top of your mattress or slightly lower. Also, measure the width and depth of the space so the nightstand fits comfortably.
If you want to include a nightstand or two, measure the height of your bed and the space next to it. The height of the nightstand should be level with the top of your mattress or slightly lower. Also, measure the width and depth of the space so the nightstand fits comfortably.
Step 5: How To Measure Wall Space for Decor
Whether you want to add a splash of color or ensure that your art fits on your wall, finding the total square footage of your wall is essential.
Measure the wall height and length and multiply the numbers to find the square footage. If you need to measure multiple walls, find the square footage for each wall and add the numbers together.
If your wall includes a window or doorway, multiply the length by the height of the wall to find the total area. If you are looking for the square footage of a wall for paint or wallpaper and do not need to include doorway or window measurements, subtract the square footage of the windows and doors from the total square footage of the walls.
Additional Considerations
In addition to determining the dimensions of your furniture's intended home, you must also decide how to transport the pieces and move them into your home.
•
Measure your vehicle
If you plan on moving your furniture to your home by yourself, write down the height, length, and width of your vehicle's trunk or truck bed. Now, compare it to the furniture's dimensions. Will it fit into this space with at least a couple of inches to spare on each side? If not, consider renting a larger truck or asking a friend for help.
•
Figure out the estimated weight of the furniture
Before your furniture comes home, determine whether you can move it by yourself. Sometimes, it's not the weight of the furniture but its size that makes it impossible for one person to move alone. It's important, for example, to have assistance in carrying larger pieces up staircases and around sharp corners.
•
How to protect your walls and floors on moving day
Dings and scratches can happen to even the sturdiest walls when moving large pieces of furniture with sharp corners. To protect your walls and floors, wrap your furniture — or at least the corners — in towels or blankets. Resist sliding your furniture across hardwood floors without protection, as this can damage the wood.
•
How to measure for a dining table
If you live alone or know it's impossible to move and position your furniture without extra help, consider hiring movers. Professional movers have expertise in relocating large, heavy, or awkward pieces without injuring themselves or putting unnecessary strain on their bodies.
Find the Perfect Measurements
Ensure you get the right-sized furniture for your home’s space and needs. Knowing the exact measurements of your room helps narrow your furniture search and limits the need for returns. Once you calculate your measurements, it’s time to find your perfect furniture and decor on furniture.com. Browse our selection of curated pieces to fit any size, shape, and budget.
Explore More