Sofas and Sectionals Measuring Guide
Before you buy any new furniture, it’s crucial to ensure it fits both your lifestyle and your living space. While comfort and style matter, proper fit is even more critical. Use this simple measuring guide—plus visual‑aid suggestions—to plan effortlessly.
How to Measure for a Sofa
A perfectly sized sofa complements your room’s scale and traffic flow. Follow these steps to make sure it fits like a dream:
Examine the Room
- Measure the room’s length and width with a tape measure.
- Aim for the sofa to occupy about ⅔ of the room’s width.
Large rooms can handle deep‑seating or oversized sofas; smaller rooms may suit loveseats or low‑profile options.
Visual Aid Tip: Sketch your layout or use a floor‑planning app (e.g., RoomSketcher) to visualize dimensions.
Decide on Placement
- Keep the sofa at least 30 inches from pathways for easy movement.
- Avoid blocking doors, windows, or walkways.
If you’ll add a coffee table, leave about 18 inches between the sofa and table.
Visual Aid Tip: Use masking tape on the floor or a planning app to outline your sofa’s placement.
Create an Outline
- Use the sofa’s dimensions to tape a rectangle on the floor.
- If shopping online, use average dimensions that suit your room.
Visual Aid Tip: Photograph the outline next to online product images to compare scale.
How to Measure for Sectional Sofas
Sectionals need a bit more precision, but the process is similar:
Overall Width: Measure from one outer corner of the back to the other, including all sections.
Overall Length: Measure from the back to the tip of the furthest‑extending piece (like a chaise).
Visual Aid Tip: Sketch the sectional configuration within your room layout to check fit.
Secondary Measurements:
Overall Height: Floor to top of the back—important if you’re placing it under windows or against walls.
Overall Depth: Front to back—decides how far it projects into the room.
Seat Depth & Height: Affects sitting comfort and varies by user height.
Visual Aid Tip: Create color‑coded diagrams of each sectional component to map layouts.
Prepare for Delivery
- A smooth delivery hinges on measuring the path into your home:
- Measure door frames, hallways, staircases, and elevators.
- In buildings, note both elevator door and interior dimensions.
- Clear hallways, remove obstacles, and secure pets.
- Have delivery personnel inspect the sofa before they leave.
Visual Aid Tip: Make a checklist with annotated diagrams of each measurement point.
With your room measurements and visual outlines ready, you’re set to find the perfect sofa or sectional. Keep your personal comfort preferences—seat depth, back height, etc.—in mind as you browse. Start shopping for your perfect piece today!
