How to Measure a Corner Sofa for the Perfect Fit

Picking out a new corner sofa for your living room can be exciting and stressful in equal measure. Planning out how a new piece of furniture can help bring the most out of your space and decor is always enjoyable, but there’s plenty of logistical legwork that needs to be put in before you get there.

The most important step in the process is undoubtedly measuring your space to determine the size of the sofa you need and how it will impact the layout and overall space of your room.

At Furniture Instore, we know all too well how easily this can go astray. To help fend off the worry of ordering a sofa that’s too big or too small, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to measure your space for a corner sofa. We’ll provide you with the exact measurements you need, practical tips on creating an efficient floor plan, and more.

Table of contents

• The essential measurements you need for a corner sofa

• How to measure for access

• Creating a floor plan: Our top tips

• Browse our corner sofas collection at Furniture Instore

The essential measurements you need for a corner sofa

You've got the dream corner sofa picked out. Now, let's make sure it’s a perfect fit for your living room. A corner sofa is a substantial investment, and its size will significantly impact the flow and usability of your room. Taking these essential measurements will save you from stress and potential return hassles down the line.

1. Overall Width (The Long Sides)

This is the most critical measurement. Corner sofas are essentially two sofa sections joined at the corner, and they rarely have equal-length sides. You need the maximum length of both sides that will sit against your walls.

• How to measure: Run your tape measure along the wall where the back of the sofa will sit. Measure from the corner outwards to where you want the sofa to end on the left, and then repeat this for the right side.

• Why it matters: You need to ensure that the sofa’s published dimensions (L1 and L2) are less than the available wall space. Remember to leave about 10–15cm of clearance on each side to avoid scraping the walls and allow room for curtains, skirting boards, or radiator heat.

2. Overall Depth

The depth refers to how far the sofa extends into the room. This measurement is crucial for maintaining usable floor space and walkways.

• How to measure: Measure from the wall outwards to where you want the front of the sofa to end.

• Why it matters: If the sofa is too deep, it can make a narrow room feel cramped and obstruct traffic flow. Ensure there is enough space to comfortably walk past the front of the sofa.

3. Chaise Length (if applicable)

If your sofa includes a chaise end—the extra-long section designed for stretching out—you need to measure the length of that section from the back of the sofa to its front edge.

• How to measure: Measure from the wall outward to the end of the chaise.

• Why it matters: The chaise dictates where a person will walk around the sofa. This measurement ensures the end of the chaise doesn't block a doorway or make the space feel unbalanced.

4. Arm Height and Overall Height

These are important for how the sofa looks in the room and how it fits under windowsills or shelving.

• How to measure: Measure from the floor to the top of the sofa’s back cushions and, separately, to the top of the armrests.

• Why it matters: A sofa that is taller than the windowsill will block natural light and look imposing. The arm height is useful for planning side tables.

How to measure for access

A large corner sofa might fit beautifully in your living room, but if it can't get through the front door, you've hit a major snag! Measuring for access is just as important as measuring for the final placement.

Even if you’ve ordered a modular sofa that arrives in smaller pieces, you still need to ensure the largest piece can navigate the route.

Your access measurement checklist

Work backwards from the room where the sofa will live to your front door. You should measure the width and height of every potential bottleneck.

The Delivery Rule of Thumb: The diagonal measurement of the piece of furniture (from corner to corner) is often the tightest squeeze. You need to ensure the width of your doorway is greater than the depth of the sofa if it's being carried on its side, or greater than the height if it's being carried standing upright.

Creating a floor plan: Our top tips

You know the numbers, now it’s time to visualise the space. Creating a simple floor plan is the best way to ensure that your new corner sofa not only fits but also creates a functional and stylish living area.

Forget complicated software; a few simple steps can give you an accurate idea of your finished room:

• Map it out on Paper: Sketch a basic overhead view of your room to scale. Include all fixed features, such as doors, windows, fireplaces, and electrical sockets. Use a scale where 10cm on your tape measure equals 1cm on your paper.

• Use Blue Tape: The most effective method is using low-tack painter's tape or masking tape to mark the exact footprint of the new sofa on your floor. This allows you to walk around it and see how much space is left.

• Check for Flow: Ensure you have clear, comfortable walkways that are at least 60cm wide. Test opening and closing doors and drawers with the sofa’s tape footprint in place.

• Placement of Other Furniture: Use this floor plan to determine the best placement for coffee tables, side tables, and lamps. A coffee table should be about 30−45cm from the sofa edge for easy reach.

Browse our corner sofas collection at Furniture Instore

Measuring your space accurately is the essential first step toward finding your dream sofa. By taking the time to confirm the width, depth, height, and access route, you'll ensure a smooth delivery process and that your new corner sofa slides perfectly into place.

Ready to put your newly acquired measuring expertise to good use?

At Furniture Instore, we offer an extensive selection of corner sofas designed for comfort, quality, and style, all available in a range of sizes to suit every home. From compact corners perfect for cosier spaces to expansive modular sets ideal for family rooms, your perfect fit is waiting.

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