Most sofa returns have nothing to do with comfort or color: the sofa simply does not fit, either in the room or through the front door. Ten minutes with a tape measure prevents that. This guide walks you through the three things to measure: the space where the sofa will stand, the sofa itself and the route it has to travel.
What you need
- A tape measure (a 25 ft / 8 m tape is easiest)
- Painter's tape or sheets of newspaper to mark the shape on the floor
- A notepad, or a photo of the room on which you write the measurements
Step 1: measure the space in the room
- Wall length. Measure the wall where the sofa will stand. Subtract space for side tables, radiators, sockets you need to reach and any door that opens towards the sofa.
- Available depth. Measure from the wall into the room up to where the walkway must start. Keep at least 30 to 36 inches (76–91 cm) free for walking.
- Coffee table distance. Plan 14 to 18 inches (36–46 cm) between the sofa seat and the coffee table, so you can reach it without bumping your knees.
- TV distance. For comfortable viewing, the distance from the seat to the screen is roughly 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen diagonal.
- Windows and heaters. Note the height of windowsills (a high-backed sofa should not block them) and keep upholstery away from radiators.
Then mark the sofa's footprint on the floor with painter's tape. Leave it there for a day or two and walk around it. You will quickly notice whether the size feels right. For a reclining sofa, tape out the fully reclined depth as well: see the reclining sofa guide.
Step 2: read the sofa's measurements
Product pages list several dimensions. These are the ones you need:
- Overall width: from the outside of one arm to the outside of the other.
- Overall depth: from the back to the front of the seat or arm, whichever sticks out most.
- Overall height: from the floor to the highest point of the back.
- Diagonal depth: the key measurement for getting through doors (see below). Not every retailer lists it, but you can measure it on a showroom model or ask.
- Seat depth and seat height: for comfort. Most adults are comfortable with a seat height of 17 to 19 inches (43–48 cm) and a seat depth of 20 to 24 inches (51–61 cm).
- Removable parts: can the legs, arms or back be removed for delivery? That can save several inches.
How to measure diagonal depth
A sofa is usually carried through a doorway on its back or tilted on its side. What matters then is not the overall depth but the diagonal depth. To measure it on a sofa:
- Lay a straight edge (a broom handle works) from the top of the back to the front of the arm, so it rests on both.
- Measure from the bottom rear corner of the sofa (where the back meets the floor) straight to the straight edge, at a right angle to it. That distance is the diagonal depth.
As a rule of thumb, a sofa can be tilted through a doorway that is wider than its diagonal depth, as long as there is enough room on both sides of the door to tilt and turn it.
Step 3: measure the delivery route
Walk the route from the street to the room and measure every narrow point:
- Doorways: width and height of the opening with the door fully open. Measure between the door stops, not the frame, and note whether the door can be taken off its hinges. Interior doors are often 30 to 32 inches (76–81 cm) wide; front doors are usually wider.
- Hallways: width, and the space where you need to turn the sofa into the room. Corners are often the real bottleneck.
- Stairs: width, ceiling height above the stairs, and the height of any landing where the stairs turn. Low ceilings over a staircase stop more sofas than narrow steps.
- Elevators: door width and height, and the inside depth and diagonal of the car.
- Obstacles: railings, light fittings, radiators and banisters along the route.
Compare each measurement with the sofa's width, height, depth and diagonal depth. If one of them is close (within an inch or two), ask the retailer whether the sofa can be delivered in pieces, or choose a modular sofa.
If it still does not fit
- Choose a model with removable arms or legs, or one that ships in sections.
- Consider a modular sofa: each module is much smaller than a complete sofa.
- Check the return policy and return costs before you order. Our article on returning a sofa that does not fit explains what to expect.
Next step: decide between a straight sofa and a corner piece in sectional vs sofa, or see how to choose a sofa for a small space.