Measuring for a sectional sofa involves understanding your space, visualizing the sofa's footprint, and ensuring it can actually get into your room.
Here’s a breakdown of how to measure for a sectional sofa effectively:
Step 1: Measure Your Space
As the first step, measure the dimensions of your living room or intended space. Use a tape measure to determine the length, width, and height of the room. This initial measurement gives you an overall understanding of the available area and helps visualize how a large piece like a sectional will fit and impact traffic flow.
- Note the location of windows, doorways, vents, electrical outlets, and any built-in features.
- Consider existing furniture that will remain in the room.
Step 2: Tape the Area
Once you have a grasp of the room dimensions, choose the exact spot where you'd like to place your sectional. Use painter's tape or masking tape to outline the precise footprint the sectional will occupy on the floor. This allows you to visually see how much space the sofa will take up in the room and helps confirm your desired layout.
- Tape out the configuration you are considering (e.g., L-shape, U-shape, with a chaise).
- Walk around the taped area to ensure there is adequate space for movement and other furniture.
Step 3: Measure the Taped Area
With the area taped out, measure the length and width of the outline you've created on the floor. These measurements represent the maximum dimensions your sectional can have to fit comfortably in the chosen spot. Compare these measurements to the dimensions of the specific sectional models you are considering.
Key Measurements from Taped Area:
- Overall Width: The longest dimension from one end of the taped outline to the other.
- Overall Depth: The deepest dimension from the front edge to the back edge of the taped outline.
Additional Critical Measurements
Beyond the floor space, you must also measure potential obstacles the sofa will encounter during delivery and setup.
- Doorways: Measure the width and height of all doorways the sofa will pass through, including the front door of your home and the door to the room.
- Hallways: Measure the width and height of any hallways. Pay attention to tight corners.
- Stairwells: If applicable, measure the width, height clearance, and any turns in stairwells.
- Elevators: If you live in an apartment building, measure the interior dimensions and door opening of the elevator.
It's often helpful to also consider the diagonal depth and leg height of the sofa you are buying, as these can sometimes help navigate tight spaces if cushions are removed or legs are detached.
By taking these detailed measurements, you can confidently select a sectional sofa that not only fits your room's layout but also makes it through your entryways.
| Measurement Type | What to Measure | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Room Dimensions | Length, Width, Height | Overall fit and flow |
| Desired Sofa Area | Length (Width), Depth (from taped outline) | Maximum sofa dimensions for the chosen spot |
| Entry & Passage | Doorway Width/Height, Hallway Width/Height, Stairs | Ensuring delivery and installation is possible |
