How to check that furniture will fit before you order it
Fit has two parts that people mix up: does it fit in the room, and can it get into the room. Both need checking before the order is placed, because made-to-order pieces often cannot be returned.
Measure the space, not just the wall
Measure the width, depth and height of the spot, then the clear space around it. Common starting points are about 90 cm (3 ft) for main walkways and about 45 cm (18 in) between a sofa and a coffee table. Treat these as guides, not rules. The room decides.
Measure the way in
- Front door and internal door widths, taken at the narrowest point, handles included.
- Stair width, turns and ceiling height along the route.
- Lift interior size and door width, if there is one.
- Any tight corner the piece has to turn.
Ask the supplier whether the piece can be delivered flat or in parts.
Mark it out
Tape the footprint on the floor and walk around it. Allow for door swings, drawers and anything else that opens.
Confirm with AR
Tape cannot show height or bulk. An AR view at true size lets the client stand back and judge whether the piece feels right beside the window, the radiator and the furniture already there. The model has to be built at real-world scale for this to mean anything. How to prepare a 3D model for AR explains the units check.