How to measure a room for a sofa
The short answerMeasure the wall the sofa will sit against, then the depth of the room in front of it. Leave about 40 to 50 cm of walkway around the sofa and 30 to 45 cm between the sofa and a coffee table. Then measure every door, hallway, stair turn and lift on the way in. A sofa has to fit the journey as well as the room.
Will it get through the door?
Pick what the sofa passes on the way in, from the front door to the room. Measure each one and we check your sofa against it.
How much space you need
Measure the wall the sofa will go against and the depth of the room in front of it. In that depth you need the sofa, 30 to 45 cm of legroom, the coffee table and a 40 to 50 cm walkway.
How to measure your room, step by step
- Draw a simple plan. Sketch the room and measure wall to wall. Mark doors, windows, radiators, sockets and the fireplace.
- Measure the wall. This is the most the sofa can be wide. Leave some space at each end so it doesn't look squeezed.
- Measure the depth in front. Add the sofa depth, a 30 to 45 cm gap, the coffee table and a 40 to 50 cm walkway.
- Tape it out. Mark the sofa's footprint on the floor with masking tape. Live with it for a day. Do doors still open? Can you walk around?
- Measure the route in. Front door, hallway, internal doors, stairs and lift. Write down the narrowest point. Check the way in
Will it fit through the door, stairs or lift?
Most sofas go through a door on their side, so what matters is the sofa's depth or height, whichever is smaller, against the width of the door. Remove the door from its hinges and you gain a few more centimetres. Stairs are harder: measure the width, the ceiling height above the turn, and any handrail that sticks out.
This is where a modular sofa helps. It arrives as separate pieces, so you only need to fit the largest single piece through the door. It is the easiest way to get a large sofa into a flat with a narrow staircase. See our delivery and returns.
Shop Goodman Mini Armless Chair Standard sofa dimensions
Sizes vary a lot between brands, and not every small sofa is small. Use these typical ranges as a starting point, then check the exact dimensions on each SUPERBA product page.
| Type | Typical width | Typical depth |
|---|---|---|
| Small sofas and two-seaters | 140 to 180 cm | 85 to 100 cm |
| Three-seaters | 180 to 230 cm | 85 to 100 cm |
| Large sofas | 230 cm and up | 85 to 100 cm |
| Corner sofas | Measure each side separately | Include the chaise or return |
Deeper seats are more relaxed for lounging but take more room. Read about seat depth and comfort in our sofa comfort guide.
Questions people ask
How much space should I leave around a sofa?
About 40 to 50 cm of walkway around the sofa, and 30 to 45 cm between the sofa and a coffee table.
How do I measure for a new sofa?
Measure the wall space first, then the depth in front, then your access route: doorways, hallways, stair turns and any lift.
Will a large sofa fit through my door?
Often yes, on its side. Compare the smaller of the sofa's depth and height with your narrowest door. A modular sofa arrives in pieces, which makes tight doorways much easier.
What size sofa suits a small living room?
A compact two or two-and-a-half seater, or a small corner, keeps seating generous without taking over the room.
Should a sofa touch the wall?
Not necessarily. A small gap behind it lets the room breathe and stops the back rubbing the paint.
Do product dimensions include the feet and cushions?
Check whether a measurement includes the feet and loose cushions. If the product page doesn't say, ask us before you order.
Now the fun part.
Every SUPERBA product page lists the full dimensions. Take your numbers, find your sofa, and if it isn't right at home, you have 30 days to send it back.