How to Measure for a Sectional Sofa: Room, Doorway & Stairway Checklist

A sectional can fit along the living room wall and still get stuck at the turn outside it. Take two sets of measurements before ordering: the finished couch in the room and the package along the route inside.

Mark the couch in the room

Measure the wall length and the depth available for the seating area. Mark the planned shape with paper or tape suitable for your floor, including the chaise end. For our 96-inch L-shaped couch, the outside dimensions are 96 inches wide by a maximum 60.2 inches deep.

Add the furniture you're keeping. Open the cabinet, walk to the window, and sit where the coffee table will be. A chaise can fit neatly into the drawing while blocking the route you use every morning.

Confirm which side the chaise occupies in the selected configuration. When a listing describes left or right, check the viewpoint it uses rather than relying on the label alone.

Follow the package route

Start at the point where the carrier will leave the shipment. Measure the clear opening at each doorway, then follow the path through the hallway, elevator, or stairs.

Record these details where they apply:

- Door openings with the doors held in the position needed for carrying. - Hallway width and the space available at corners. - Elevator entrance, interior dimensions, and the space outside the doors. - Stair width, landings, railings, and overhead clearance.

Compare that route with the current package dimensions and weight for the exact model. At a tight turn, several dimensions matter at once; a single box edge smaller than the doorway doesn't establish that you can maneuver it through.

Sort out the delivery-day details

Check your building's delivery hours and whether you need to reserve an elevator. Arrange carrying help based on the package and route. Clear a place to unpack before the shipment arrives.

Keep your measurements with the product information so you can ask a specific question if something is close. A photo of a narrow landing, with dimensions marked, is more useful than asking whether a couch fits a small apartment.

Once the route works, go back to the floor outline. Leave it down while you use the room for an evening. If you're continually stepping over the chaise boundary, change the placement before ordering.