Will It Fit? How to Measure Your Home for New Furniture (Doors, Hallways, Stairs & Elevators)

Buying a beautiful sofa or bedroom set is exciting—until delivery day reveals a tight turn or a too-narrow doorway. This guide walks you through exactly how to measure your path from curb to room, compare it to furniture dimensions, and avoid surprises. Use it before you order, and our team at Keck Furniture (Watertown, WI) can double-check specifics with you.

Quick Reference: Typical Furniture Dimensions

These are common size ranges (your exact piece may vary). Bring these to your tape-measure walk-through:

• Sofas: length 78–96", depth 35–42", height 30–38"

• Apartment sofas/loveseats: length 56–78", depth 32–38", height 30–36"

• Sectionals (per piece): length 60–100"+, depth 35–42", height 30–38"

• Recliners: width 30–42", depth 35–42", height 40–46" (allow extra for reclining clearance)

• Accent chairs: width 28–36", depth 30–38", height 32–40"

• Dining tables:

  • Rectangular: 60–96"+ L, 36–44" W, 29–31" H

  • Round: 36–72" diameter, 29–31" H

• Bed frames/headboards:

  • Queen headboard width 60–66", height 48–64"

  • King headboard width 76–82", height 48–64"

• Dressers/chests: width 36–72", depth 18–22", height 30–56"

Step 1: Measure Every Access Point (Curb to Room)

Work in order of the delivery path. Write down the narrowest number you find.

A) Exterior & Entry

• Door width & height: Measure the clear opening with the door at 90°. Subtract handles that protrude.

• Door swing & approach: Note whether the door opens inward/outward and if there’s room to pivot a piece through.

B) Hallways & Turns

• Width: Baseboard to baseboard at the tightest spot.

• Ceiling height: Especially where beams or low fixtures exist.

• Turn clearances: Measure the open area at corners. Tight L-turns are the most common pinch points.

C) Stairs

• Stair width: Handrail to opposite wall (or between rails).

• Landing depth & width: Include any turns (U or L landings).

• Ceiling height over stairs: Measure the lowest overhead point.

• Newel posts/railings: Note projections that reduce space.

D) Elevators (for condos/apartments)

• Door opening width & height

• Cab interior depth, width & height

• Diagonal of cab (corner to opposite corner) for long or tall pieces

E) Destination Room

• Doorway into room (same method as entry)

• Ceiling height, fan/light clearance

• Placement needs: recline clearance, walking paths, drawer/door swing

Step 2: Understand Furniture Measurements (and “Diagonal Depth”)

Manufacturers list width (W), depth (D), and height (H). For pieces that must pivot through a doorway, you’ll also compare the diagonal depth.

Diagonal Depth Formula (for sofas/chairs going through a door on their side):

1. Place the piece as if it will go through the doorway on its side.

2. Use the two smaller dimensions for the triangle (usually height and depth when the piece is on its side).

3. Diagonal depth = √(height² + depth²).

4. Your doorway width must be greater than this diagonal depth for a clean fit.

Example: Sofa H = 34", D = 38".
Diagonal depth = √(34² + 38²) ≈ √(1156 + 1444) ≈ √2600 ≈ 51".
A doorway narrower than 51" will not allow this sofa to pass on its side; you’ll need another strategy (legs/feet off, bring in upright and pivot, remove door from hinges, etc.).

Not every piece needs this test—boxes, dressers, and tables often travel upright. Sectionals arrive in multiple pieces, making access easier.

Step 3: Compare Path vs. Piece (and Plan the Pivot)

• Doorway width vs. piece depth/height or diagonal depth

• Hallway width vs. piece width (when carried upright)

• Stair width & landings vs. longest dimension (can it rotate at the landing?)

• Ceiling height at turns vs. piece diagonal height when you tilt it

If any single point along the route is tighter than your required clearance, flag it.

Step 4: Common Tight-Access Solutions

• Remove parts: sofa legs, feet, loose backs/cushions, headboards from rails, table legs/leaves.

• Use sectional flexibility: bring in individual components and connect in-room.

• Door tweaks: remove doors from hinges; remove or rotate door stops if appropriate.

• Protect surfaces: blankets/corner protectors for walls, banisters, and the piece.

• Alternate path: patio doors, garage entry, or larger secondary doors may be easier.

• White-glove delivery: our team can evaluate and advise on the best approach ahead of time.

Clearance Cheat Sheet (Rules of Thumb)

• Door width should exceed the largest “through” dimension of the piece (or its diagonal depth if pivoting).

• Hallways: add at least 1–2" buffer beyond the piece’s width for hands/protective pads.

• Stairs: width should exceed piece depth when carried upright; landings must accommodate a full rotate (landing depth ≥ piece length in many cases).

• Recliners/sofa recliners: allow rear wall clearance 4–14" depending on model; wall-saver mechanisms need less.

• Beds & case goods: check boxed dimensions—flat packs often solve tight turns.

Printable Measuring Checklist

• Tape measure, notepad, and helper

• Exterior door: clear width/height, swing, obstructions

• Pathway: hallway widths, corner turn space, ceiling height

• Stairs: width, landings (depth/width), overhead height

• Elevator: door opening, cab interior, cab diagonal

• Room entry: doorway width/height, swing

• Final placement: wall clearance, walkways, outlets, vents, windows

• Compare path numbers to furniture W × D × H and diagonal depth where needed

• Identify any obstacles and remedies (remove legs/door, alternate entry, split sections)

How Keck Furniture Can Help

Bring your measurements to the showroom (or ask about our in-home consultation). We’ll:

• Verify fit against your chosen pieces (and boxed dimensions where applicable)

• Suggest layout tweaks and recline clearances

• Coordinate free local delivery and careful in-home placement

• Recommend alternatives (e.g., a two-piece sectional vs. an oversized single-piece sofa) if access is tight

A few thoughtful measurements now can save time, stress, and extra trips later.