When you spot the perfect piece, it’s often the aesthetic appeal that grabs your attention first. You fall in love with the ultra-soft chenille of a cloudlike sofa, and aren’t likely thinking of how it will fit into your living space. You’re drawn in by the modern sophistication of a dining table’s strikingly marbled surface, and aren’t really thinking of your dining room’s capacity. You find a wardrobe that you think will look just perfect upstairs, and aren’t (in that moment) too concerned with your ceiling height. Measuring your space before a store visit - and especially before placing an order - can help you avoid a great deal of disappointment, and we’ve put a guide together to put your mind at ease.
1. Doors, hallways and lifts
First of all, a piece of furniture might fit perfectly once inside your room of choice; it’s getting it there that’s the tricky part. A static 3-seater sofa, for example, may fit impeccably once in its chosen spot in your living room, but a too-narrow doorframe can cause quite the conundrum. To avoid this issue, measure doorframe heights and widths along with hallways, accounting for any twists and turns present in the layout. It’s advisable to err on the side of caution, allowing for a few centimetres of additional space or for box packaging where applicable so that delivery isn’t too tight of a squeeze. If you live in a multistorey building where your home is accessible by lift, it’s imperative that you account for these measurements too. If unsure about a specific product and how it’s delivered, our helpful in-store team will be happy to walk you through each product and its delivery method.
2. Accessibility
Along with doors, hallways and lifts, general access for our delivery teams is integral. Vehicles should have enough access to guarantee a smooth, safe delivery, and as such it’s wise to let our teams know in advance of any accessibility issues that may arise. Furniture is often delivered in large vehicles including vans and lorries, so being aware of access points prior to delivery along with parking will ensure that everything goes smoothly when it’s time for your goods to come home.
3. Width, depth and height
When measuring, every measurement is important. If your products are too deep or wide, or in particular circumstances, too tall, this can prove problematic; simply put, they won’t fit! Knowing the measurement of the sofa and your home’s accessibility prior to ordering can take all the stress away. In the case of wardrobes, it’s a good idea to consider that you’ll need to add a few centimetres to your finished wardrobe’s height. This will allow for movement when fitting to avoid any potential complications. Plan the journey from outside of the building to the space your piece will sit, so you can anticipate every nook and narrow turn.
4. Consider obstructions and the optimal layout
Once you’ve planned the journey from outside the property to your room of choice, there’s a few final factors to consider. Radiators, layouts, existing furniture and plug sockets can play a part in the optimal place to put a piece of furniture. It’s all well and good that you can physically fit it into your home, but having it fit in is a different story. With extending dining tables for example, it’s worth thinking about how you’ll be able to move around the table when you’ve extended it for hosting, or where you’ll plug in your recliner sofa to enjoy its features to the fullest. If necessary, try drawing a floorplan of your home, stencilling out areas to determine the best spots ahead of time.
5. Measure for comfort
The most fun part of all is measuring for your comfort. Whether it’s ensuring there’s ample room beneath the dining table for your occupied chairs, or that a sofa has sufficient depth for your idea of comfortable lounging, it never hurts to know just what you’re looking for. Maybe you’d like to factor in plug sockets so that you can use a device without leaving a comfortable position, or the height of the back of a sofa so you know it will match your comfort requirements.
All of our products have their dimensions written nice and clearly on every individual product page. If you still feel the need to get a feel of a product’s size in person, visit us in-store where our teams are on hand to help. With 24 stores nationwide and pieces ready for your home within 7-10 days, it's never been a better time to shop with us.
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