How to Measure for a Sofa

Why Measuring Matters

Buying a sofa is one of the biggest purchases you'll make for your home, and getting the size wrong is a costly mistake. Whether you're eyeing a compact 3-seater or a sprawling U-shape sofa, taking accurate measurements before you order will save you time, stress, and the hassle of a return.

This guide walks you through exactly what to measure and how to do it correctly.

Step 1: Measure Your Room

Start with the room itself, not the sofa. You need to know how much floor space you have to work with and how the sofa will sit within it.

• Overall room dimensions - measure the full length and width of the room.
• Available wall space - measure the specific wall or area where the sofa will sit, including any alcoves, radiators, or sockets that might affect placement.
• Clearance space - allow at least 45cm between the sofa and any coffee table, and at least 60-90cm of walkway around the sofa for comfortable movement.
• Door and window clearance - make sure the sofa won't block natural light or prevent doors from opening fully.

Step 2: Measure the Sofa You Want

Every sofa listing on our site includes full dimensions. Here's what each measurement means:

• Width (W) - the total length of the sofa from left to right. For corner sofas and U-shape sofas, this is usually given as two separate measurements for each arm.
• Depth (D) - how far the sofa extends from the back to the front of the seat. A deeper sofa feels more relaxed and loungy; a shallower depth is better for upright seating.
• Height (H) - the total height from the floor to the top of the back cushions. Important if you have low windowsills or want the sofa to sit below a window.
• Seat height - the distance from the floor to the top of the seat cushion. Typically 40-50cm. Lower seat heights feel more casual; higher ones are easier to get in and out of.
• Seat depth - the usable depth of the seat itself, not including the back cushion. Useful for knowing how comfortable the sofa will be to sit on.

Step 3: Check the Delivery Access

This is the step most people forget, and it's the one that causes the most problems on delivery day. Measure every doorway, hallway, and staircase the sofa will need to pass through.

• Front door width - measure the clear opening, not the frame.
• Hallway width and length - a long sofa may need to be angled around corners; check there's enough room to manoeuvre.
• Staircase width and ceiling height - if the sofa is going upstairs, measure both.
• Lift dimensions - if you're in a flat, check the lift's internal dimensions carefully.

As a rule of thumb, the sofa's height or depth (whichever is smaller) needs to fit through your doorway width. If in doubt, contact our team before ordering.

Step 4: Think About the L-Shape or U-Shape Footprint

If you're considering a corner sofa or U-shape sofa, remember that the footprint is not a simple rectangle. You need to account for the full L or U shape on your floor plan.

• Sketch your room to scale on paper and draw the sofa's footprint within it.
• Mark where the chaise or return section will sit and confirm it doesn't block a doorway or fireplace.
• For U-shapes like the Imogen U-Shape Sofa, measure both arms independently and the connecting section across the back.

Step 5: Consider Left-Hand vs Right-Hand Orientation

Most corner and chaise sofas come in left-hand (LHF) or right-hand (RHF) configurations. Standing facing the sofa:

• Left-hand facing (LHF) - the chaise or longer section is on your left.
• Right-hand facing (RHF) - the chaise or longer section is on your right.

Think about which orientation works best with your room layout, particularly in relation to the TV, windows, and main walkways. This is easy to get wrong, so double-check before ordering.

Quick Reference: Typical Sofa Sizes

2-seater sofa: approx. 140-170cm wide

3-seater sofa: approx. 180-230cm wide

Corner sofa: typically 220-280cm on the long side, 140-180cm on the short side

U-shape sofa: typically 280-340cm wide, 180-240cm deep

Browse our full sofa collection to find dimensions for every model.

Flexible Ways to Pay

Once you've found the perfect sofa, we make it easy to pay in a way that suits you:

• Credit and debit cards - Visa, Mastercard, and American Express accepted.
• Buy Now, Pay Later - spread the cost with flexible finance options available at checkout.
• Shop Pay - faster checkout with the option to pay in instalments.
• PayPal - pay securely using your PayPal balance or linked card.

All payments are processed securely. If you have questions about financing a larger order, our team is happy to help.

Ready to Find Your Sofa?

Now that you've got your measurements, browse our full range of sofas, corner sofas, and U-shape sofas to find the perfect fit. And if you're still deciding on the style, our guide to U-Shape vs Corner Sofa is a great place to start.