Measure Everything
Accurate measurements prevent expensive mistakes. You need room dimensions for flooring, doorway measurements for furniture delivery, and window sizes for treatments.
Time Required
30-60 minutes
Cost
$0
Difficulty
Easy
What to Measure
Room dimensions
Length and width of the room, plus ceiling height. For L-shaped rooms, break it into rectangles and measure each. Calculate total square footage for flooring orders.
Doorways and hallways
Measure the width and height of every doorway between the front door and the living room. A sofa that won't fit through the door is a costly mistake.
Windows
Width, height, and distance from ceiling for each window. Note the distance from window edge to wall corner — you need 4-6 inches on each side for curtain rods.
Existing furniture to keep
Measure length, width, and height of any pieces staying. You need these to plan layouts and ensure new pieces are proportional.
Delivery Access Checklist
- Front door: Standard is 36" wide — measure yours to be sure
- Stairways: Width, height, and turning radius at landings
- Hallways: Narrowest point between entrance and living room
- Elevator: If applicable, interior dimensions and door width
- Turns: Note any tight 90° turns that large furniture must navigate
Pro Tips
- •Use a laser measurer: A $30 laser distance tool is faster and more accurate than a tape measure for room dimensions.
- •Sketch a floor plan: A simple hand-drawn plan with measurements saves you from re-measuring later. Include outlet and vent locations.
- •Add 10% to flooring calculations: Always order 10% extra material for waste, cuts, and future repairs.
- •Save measurements digitally: Take photos of your sketch and email it to yourself. You'll reference these numbers many times while shopping.