Will Your New Sofa Fit? The Complete Measuring & Doorway Guide

Picture this: your dream sofa arrives, the delivery team carries it to your front door, and then... it won't fit. The average restocking fee in the UK runs between £75 and £150, not to mention the stress and disappointment. But here's the good news – Will your new sofa fit? is a question you can answer confidently before you buy.

This comprehensive sofa measuring guide will walk you through every step of ensuring your gorgeous new centrepiece glides through your door on delivery day. From narrow Victorian hallways to modern flat lifts, we've got you covered. Ready to measure the doorway for sofa success? Let's dive in.

Want to check out our wide range of sofas? Browse through our collection to get your perfect aesthetic match!

1. Know Your Sofa Dimensions

Before you measure the doorway for sofa delivery, you need to understand exactly what you're measuring. Sofa delivery dimensions aren't just about length and width – there are four critical measurements every buyer should know.

• Width is the measurement from armrest to armrest. This is typically your largest dimension and often determines whether your sofa will navigate tight corners.

• Height measures from the floor to the highest point, usually the back cushions. This matters enormously for stairs and low ceilings.

• Depth runs from the front edge to the back of the sofa. Standard depth ranges from 80 to 100 cm, but deeper models can reach 120 cm.

Here's where it gets interesting: diagonal depth sofa measurements. This is the distance from the bottom front corner to the top back corner when the sofa is tilted. It's often the magic number that determines whether your sofa will squeeze through that awkward doorway.

2. Map the Delivery Route

Now for the detective work. Your sofa won't fit through door scenarios usually happen because someone forgot to measure the complete journey from your front door to its final destination.

Start at your front door and work inwards. Measure the width of every doorway, hallway, and internal door your sofa needs to pass through. Don't just measure the door frame – note the actual clear opening with the door fully open.

Measure:

• Front Door & Frame – width, height, and clearance angle.

• Hallways – watch out for narrow points, coat racks, radiators and light fixtures.

• Internal Doors – especially if you’ll be turning into other rooms.

• Tight Corners – Can Your Sofa Rotate or Pivot?

• Ceiling Height – in porches or corridors.

Out of all of the given, hallway clearance is the most crucial. Victorian terraces, we're looking at you. Those narrow corridors might only be 70 cm wide, whilst a standard three-seater sofa can be 180 cm long. 

Plot every tight corner, radiator, and bannister that might get in the way.

For smaller spaces, consider our 2-Seater Sofas collection, whilst larger homes can accommodate our spacious 3-Seater Sofas range.

Internal doors are often forgotten until delivery day. Standard UK internal doors are 76 cm wide, but older properties may have narrower doors, measuring as little as 68 cm. Measure them all.

3. Stairs, Landings & Lifts

Stair width versus sofa delivery dimensions is where many delivery dreams die. You need to measure not just the width of your stairs but also the height clearance above the bannister.

For straight stairs, measure the width between walls or bannisters. For winding stairs, measure at the narrowest point – usually the inner edge where steps are most cramped.

Check:

• Stair Width – measure from wall to bannister. Sofa height must be less than this.

• Ceiling Clearance – When carrying a sofa upstairs, delivery teams need extra height to manoeuvre around corners and landings.

• Landing Size – make sure there's turning space.

• Lift Door Width & Internal Depth – if you're in a flat, will the sofa fit in upright?

Elevator measurements are essential for flat dwellers. Measure the internal dimensions of your lift, including height. Many modern lifts are around 110 cm deep and 140 cm wide, but older ones can be surprisingly cramped.

If you're dealing with challenging stairs or lifts, our Lift & Rise Recliners collection offers stylish solutions that are easier to navigate through tight spaces.

4. Fit-Assessment Formulas

Sometimes you need maths to avoid mayhem. Time for some simple maths that could save you hundreds in return fees. Professional delivery teams use these tried-and-tested formulas to determine if your sofa won't fit through the door before they even attempt delivery.

The Horizontal Test: 

Your sofa width must be at least 2cm smaller than your narrowest doorway or corridor. This gives manoeuvring room.

The Vertical Test: 

Can you stand the sofa on its end? The height when vertical must be less than your ceiling height, typically 240 cm in modern homes.

The Pivot Method (yes, that method)

Used when neither flat nor upright works. You'll angle the sofa diagonally through the door.

• Formula (trust us, it’s easy):

• Diagonal Depth = √(Depth² + Height²)

• Make sure your door width > diagonal depth

To put it simply: take your doorway width and height, square both numbers, add them together, then find the square root. If your sofa's diagonal depth is smaller than this number, it should pivot through.

For example: 76 cm door width + 200 cm door height = 76² + 200² = 5,776 + 40,000 = 45,776. Square root s—timeless leather sofas—timeless and easier to manoeuvre than bulky fabric builds.

5. Delivery-Day Hacks

Even with perfect measurements, these professional tricks can make the difference between success and that dreaded "it won't fit" phone call.

• Remove Sofa Legs or Arms – many models allow disassembly. Saves inches.

• Take Doors Off Hinges – you’d be surprised how much this helps.

• Mark Out the Footprint – use newspaper or masking tape on your floor to visualise.

• Clear the Route – move mats, shoe racks, plant stands—anything that could snag or block.

The newspaper trick: Lay out newspaper or masking tape on your floor in the exact dimensions of your sofa. This gives you a visual guide and helps identify potential placement issues before delivery day.

Clear the entire route the night before. Move plants, shoes, umbrella stands, and anything else that could catch a corner or create an obstacle.

Browse our versatile fabric sofas for beautiful designs that move with ease.

6. Solutions When It Still Won't Fit

Don't panic if your measurements are looking tight. Modern furniture design has evolved specifically to tackle delivery challenges.

• Modular corner sofa designs are brilliant for tricky spaces. The Rome Sofa Collection isn’t modular, but every model has removable backs, making delivery and assembly much easier in tight areas.

• Split sofas are delivered in separate pieces but look like one continuous piece once assembled. Our Lauren Sofa Collection features several split-delivery options.

• Knock-down sofas arrive partially assembled and are completed in your home. This approach is increasingly popular for complex layouts.

• Window hoist delivery sounds extreme, but it is surprisingly common in London and other cities with period properties. Professional teams can hoist sofas through first-floor windows when stairs prove impossible.

• The Florence Sofa Collection and Milan Sofa Collection both feature models specifically designed for challenging delivery situations.

• If space is genuinely tight, consider our Armchairs & Love Chairs as stylish alternatives that offer comfort without the delivery complexity.

7. Quick-Reference Measuring Checklist

• Measure sofa: width, height, depth, diagonal depth

• Measure front door (width, height, clearance)

• Measure internal route: hallways, corners, stairs

• Measure stair width & ceiling height at landings

• Measure lift access (if applicable)

• Check for removable sofa parts

• Lay a floor plan to test positioning

• Have a backup plan: modular or split sofas

Your Sofa Will Fit – We Promise

Armed with these measuring techniques and formulas, you can confidently answer "will your new sofa fit" long before delivery day arrives. No more Ross-from-Friends pivot panic, no more restocking fees, and no more disappointment.

Remember, if you're still feeling uncertain about your measurements, many retailers offer free measuring services or video consultations. A few minutes with a professional can save you hours of stress and potential return costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is diagonal depth, and why does it matter?

Diagonal depth is the measurement from the bottom front corner to the top back corner of your sofa when it's tilted at an angle. It's crucial because when a sofa won't fit through a doorway horizontally or vertically, delivery teams use the "pivot method" – tilting the sofa diagonally to squeeze through tight spaces.

2. My measurements are borderline – should I risk it?

If your measurements are within 1-2cm, don't risk it. Delivery teams need manoeuvring room, and tight fits often result in damage to walls, door frames, or the sofa itself. Consider modular alternatives or sofas with removable components instead.

3. What happens if my sofa doesn't fit on delivery day?

Most retailers charge restocking fees ranging from £75-£150 for failed deliveries due to access issues. The sofa will be returned to the warehouse, and you'll need to choose a different model or arrange alternative delivery methods, such as window hoisting.

4. Are there sofas specifically designed for difficult access?

Yes! Many modern collections feature modular designs, split deliveries, or knock-down construction, which are specifically designed for challenging spaces. These arrive in sections that can navigate narrow doorways and stairs, then assemble into full-sized sofas in your living room.