I think you can equate taking measurements for furniture with taking a reality check. Well, maybe not a complete reality check because there are other factors involved in a furniture purchase, but measuring for furniture should certainly be high on anyone's list.
I know, it is not the most fun part of the process, but it is defiinitely one of the most important.
It is amazing how so many people spend hours selecting a piece of furniture, do all their homework about buying quality furniture, and yet neglect to measure their rooms and the furniture they are going to put into that room.
A lot of furniture that ends up in a store's clearance center is a result of simply negelecting to measure. Surprisingly, much of it is even custom made.
1. How to Measure Your Space for Furniture
Photo (c) Sealy
Where do you start when you need to measure your space for furniture?
Simply measuring the room where your furniture will be arranged is not enough. It is also important to first measure your entry, hallways or any passage that your furniture will pass through on its way to its final destination.
Measuring the room where you will keep your furniture is another important step. When you do that it is not enough to simply measure the size of the room, but also take into account windows, fireplaces and doorways, as those features will influence your furniture placement.
2. Standard Furniture Measurements
Photo (c) Turning House Furniture
It is helpful to know that most furniture is made to standard measurements.
Considering standard measurements can help you get started in furnishing a room. Even when you measure furniture that is very different in style, you may find out that it adheres to the same measurements.
This is helpful because it can provide at least a general idea of what may or may not fit in your space. Of course, this should only be used as a general guideline and a first step. Never base your purchase on general standard measurements alone.
3. How to Measure a Sofa
Photo (c) World Market Center Las Vegas
I cannot stress enough that measuring a sofa is important before you buy it. There are many reasons for it.
You want to make sure that it will be the right scale for the room. Remember that you may get the wrong impression from simply looking at it in a showroom. It can look too big or too small there depending on what surrounds it.
It is also important to measuring a sofa before buying because you want to make sure that it will fit through the doorways, because sometimes they are too small. You may be able to fit it through the main entry, only to find out that it won't go through the door of the room you need to furnish.
4. Standard Dining Table Measurements
Photo (c) Universal Furniture
These standard dining table measurements are helpful in providing a guideline for determining your dining table size requirements.
But remember that this is merely a guideline. Certain sizes are more suitable for seating a certain number of people. Take that into accont when you go shopping for a diining table.
5. How to Use Empty Space in Arranging Furniture
Photo (c) Broyhill
The space that you leave around your furniture is just as important as the furniture in a room.
The empty space around your furniture has many functions besides a purely aesthetic one. A room that is uncrowded seems to breathe better and looks more comfortable.
For one thing, the empty space is for walking around comfortably from one part of the room to another, even if you are in a hurry.
Empty space around your furniture also lets you sit comfortably on your sofa, and allows you to pull out your dining chairs with ease. It allows you to open drawers and doors.
Always take these factors into account before you start furnishing a room.
6. About Scale
Photo (c) Bassett
A quick word about scale, even though it is not strictly about taking measurements.
Scale is a consideration in furnishing a space after you have measured your space for furniture. Your furniture should be the right size for your room to look right. Tiny furniture can easily fit into a large space, but may not necessarily look right. Scale is about establishing a good relationship between the size of your room and the size of your furniture.
