Sketch the layout.
Place the furniture on a measured room plan. Check its relationship to nearby pieces, door swings, and the room’s access routes. Use your household’s needs to decide comfortable spacing.
THE RURAL ART · BEFORE YOU ORDER
Measure for
Delivery
A thoughtful fit.
From doorway to destination.
Choose with confidence by checking three things before purchasing: the exact furniture size, the space it will occupy, and the complete route into your home. This guide helps you record the details and prepare for its arrival.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCEBefore placing your order
A little planning.
A smooth arrival.
Before placing your order, please check your chosen furniture’s dimensions, the space in your room, and the full delivery route. These details help us plan a smooth arrival together.
Start with your selected size and configuration, then measure the room and the route through entrances, passages, stairs, or elevators. Include relevant packaged or component sizes and your building’s delivery guidelines, so both placement and access are considered.
If a measurement is missing or a doorway looks close, share the product link, your measurements, and a few photos before ordering. We’re happy to clarify product details and help coordinate any access review needed, so you can choose with confidence.
- 01 / THE FURNITURERecord the exact size.
Check the finished piece, its packaging, and the components that will travel.
- 02 / THE ROOMPlan its everyday use.
Check the footprint, height, opening clearances, and space to move around it.
- 03 / THE JOURNEYCheck every passage.
Measure the route, share any close clearances, and prepare your home for arrival.
01 / KNOW THE PIECE
Start with the dimensions
of your exact selection.
Read the specifications for the size, design, and configuration you intend to order. The photographs help you appreciate the design, while the written dimensions help you plan its fit.
Width, depth & height
Width (W) is the full side-to-side span. Depth (D) runs from the foremost point to the rearmost point. Height (H) runs from the floor to the highest point. Include fixed handles, projecting tops, crowns, feet, and other details.
A listing may use “length” instead of “width.” Check which direction each measurement describes, especially on tables, beds, and corner configurations.
The size that travels through your home
Ask for the packaged dimensions and the largest rigid component. Crates, pallets, and protective materials may make a shipment larger than the finished piece.
Check with us about removable parts, suitable carrying positions, and unpacking or assembly arrangements. Many solid wood bodies and other substantial pieces travel as fixed sections; we can clarify the configuration for your chosen design.
| What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Overall furniture size | The finished width, depth, and height determine placement and usable room space. |
| Packaged size | The carton or crate may need to pass through part of the route before unpacking is possible. |
| Largest rigid component | A fixed body, top, headboard, or module may determine whether the full route is usable. |
| Component & shipment weight | Confirm the weight relevant to each lift or carry, including packaging where applicable. It affects handling arrangements and elevator capacity. |
Use one measurement unit throughout. For made-to-order or custom furniture, check the final approved sizes and configuration in your written specifications before production begins.
SOFAS, CHAIRS & SECTIONALS
Measure the frame
and each separate module.
Use the widest arm-to-arm span, the full front-to-back depth, and the highest fixed point. Record projecting feet, arms, and backs. For a sectional, check each delivery module as well as the assembled footprint, chaise direction, and connectors.
Diagonal depth (DD) describes a diagonal through a seating profile used when assessing an angled entry. Request the product’s DD and a diagram showing its measurement points; designs and measurement conventions differ. It is not simply the diagonal calculated from overall height and depth.
If removable legs, cushions, or backs could help with access, ask us to confirm them before using the smaller dimensions in your plan. You may also wish to check seat height and usable seat depth for comfort, alongside the frame measurements needed for delivery.
02 / PLAN ITS PLACE
Make space for the piece.
And the way you live.
Measure the room at the actual placement point, including ceiling height. Add windows, doors, columns, radiators, wall projections, and existing furniture to a simple plan. Mark sockets, switches, and vents so you can leave them easily accessible.
Look beyond the closed furniture footprint. Doors and drawers need to open, chairs need to pull out, and people need clear routes through the room. Check headroom above tall cabinets, headboards, and canopy posts.
Mark the footprint.
Use low-tack painter’s tape suitable for your floor to outline the full width and depth. Represent the height with a tape measure or cardboard reference, then walk through the layout.
Leave room to use it.
Add room for open drawers, cabinet doors, pulled-out chairs, and assembly. For narrow gaps, share the measurements with us so handling space can be considered too. Leave clear routes through the room and to its exits.
DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Check the details
of your chosen piece.
Beds, headboards & four-posters
Use overall bed dimensions rather than mattress size. Check the largest headboard, rails, posts, storage drawers, and available ceiling height. Confirm which parts arrive separately and how much working space assembly requires.
Wine bars & bar cabinets
Check the cabinet’s complete delivery size and clearance for doors and drawers. Record the wine-fridge opening separately from the overall cabinet size. Verify the appliance’s dimensions, ventilation, connections, and service access against its manufacturer’s instructions.
Kitchen islands & stone tops
Record base and top sizes separately, including overhangs. Ask whether the top travels separately and confirm each substantial component’s weight and access requirements. Allow space for assembly and arrange any plumbing, electrical work, or appliance installation separately.
Bookcases, dressers & tall storage
Check overall width, depth, and height, including the crown, base, and handles. Record the size of the fixed body and any separately supplied upper section. For everyday use, check shelf spacing, internal storage dimensions, and fully extended drawers. Plan any manufacturer-required anchoring and keep its installation requirements in mind.
Dining tables, chairs & benches
Check the tabletop, base, and pedestal separately, including the largest fixed component. Confirm removable parts before relying on them. In the room, test chair pull-out space and the extended table layout. Include chair arms in the widest measurement.
Outdoor furniture & large structures
Include gates, side passages, steps, garden turns, and the final installation area in your route. For gazebos and other substantial designs, request the component sizes, weights, foundation needs, and installation requirements for that exact order.
03 / WALK THE WHOLE ROUTE
From the delivery vehicle
to the final room.
Select the most practical entrance and trace every passage. Measure the approach to an opening, the opening itself, and the space beyond it. A piece needs room to enter, turn, and move away safely.
Bring a tape measure, a phone camera, and the product specifications.Measure the narrowest usable gaps, keep the units consistent, and label photos and sketches with the direction of travel.
ACCESS CHECK / 01
Doorways & entrances
- Record clear width and height inside the frame at the tightest point. Measuring inside the frame gives you the usable space more accurately than the advertised door size or outside trim.
- Include the open door, hinges, handles, stops, thresholds, and any storm or security door.
- Record the opening’s corner-to-corner diagonal if requested for a route review. Keep it separate from width and height.
- Measure the space on both sides, especially a porch, lobby, or hallway immediately beyond the door.
- Repeat at the building entrance, apartment door, and every interior door on the route.
If removing a door or adjusting a fixture may help, let us know before ordering and arrange the appropriate permission and assistance in advance. You can find more about delivery services on Shipping & Delivery.
ACCESS CHECK / 02
Hallways & corners
- Record the narrowest clear corridor width and lowest overhead clearance.
- At a turn, measure both corridor widths, the approach length, and the available distance into the next passage or room.
- Measure from the inside corner to the opposite obstruction to describe the usable turning area. Add a plan sketch showing where each dimension starts and ends.
- Include baseboards, radiators, wall lights, ceiling fixtures, sprinklers, and fixed decorations.
- Photograph tight points looking in both directions, including the surrounding space.
For a long cabinet or headboard, the space beyond the doorway is just as helpful to measure as the opening itself. Including the full turn lets the route be considered alongside the piece’s shape.
ACCESS CHECK / 03
Stairways & landings
- Count individual steps and flights, including outdoor steps and steps after an elevator.
- Measure clear stair width between the nearest walls, rails, posts, or other projections.
- Record headroom above the bottom step, top step, and any lower point along the flight. Measure from the walking surface to the obstruction above.
- For each landing, record usable width, depth, ceiling height, and the space before the next flight or doorway.
- Document sloped ceilings and diagonal restrictions with a sketch and photos. If a tilted carry is proposed, ask the provider which additional measurements it needs.
Sharing stair measurements and photos before ordering helps the provider consider the piece’s size and weight, the landings, and room for safe handling. Please include these details alongside the step count.
ACCESS CHECK / 04
Elevators & service lifts
- Measure the actual clear width and height of the lift entrance.
- Record usable cabin width, depth, and height after allowing for pads, handrails, panels, and fixtures.
- Provide cabin diagonal measurements if requested. Identify whether each is measured across the floor, up a wall, or through the cabin.
- Confirm the posted load limit with building management. Account for the piece, packaging where applicable, people, and handling equipment sharing the lift.
- Measure the loading-lobby approach and the corridor, turns, and doorway after the destination-floor exit.
Include the lift entrance and turning space alongside the cabin diagonal, so the full movement can be reviewed. Start with your building’s approved service lift, and share any close clearances with us before ordering.
Compare the complete route.
Use the relevant packed size or confirmed rigid-component size at each stage. Include entry, turns, stairs, and final positioning in the comparison. Checking all three furniture dimensions and the surrounding space gives a fuller picture than a single opening measurement.
Allow room for protective materials and safe handling, too. The clearance needed varies with the piece and the route, so close measurements are best reviewed individually. If a special maneuver may be needed, such as tilting the piece or using access above a rail or balcony, let us know before ordering so the provider can assess a suitable approach.
| Route point | Record and check |
|---|---|
| Entrance or gate | Clear width and height, thresholds, hardware, approach, and space beyond. |
| Hallway or corner | Narrowest width, headroom, approach and exit lengths, and turning area. |
| Stairs and landings | Steps and flights, clear width, headroom, landing width and depth, and turns. |
| Elevator | Door opening, usable cabin size, capacity, obstructions, and both lobby approaches. |
| Final room | Last doorway and turn, furniture footprint and height, assembly space, and opening clearances. |
04 / CONFIRM ACCESS & PERMISSIONS
The route begins
before the front door.
Outside your home
- Let us know about narrow roads, steep or gravel driveways, gates, low clearances, and vehicle-size restrictions.
- Confirm where a vehicle may stop and whether a loading area or parking permit is needed.
- Describe long carries, courtyard turns, exterior steps, and uneven or difficult surfaces.
- Arrange advance approval for the delivery truck with management, your HOA, or security. Check entry permits, truck-size limits, loading access, and gate codes.
Apartments & high-rise residences
- Share your unit number and placement floor, plus any steps before or after the elevator.
- Ask management about delivery hours, service-lift rules, reservations, loading docks, and required protection.
- Send Certificate of Insurance (COI) requirements and building forms early.
- Check access from the loading area to the lift and from its destination-floor exit to the room.
- Coordinate elevator and loading reservations with the delivery provider’s confirmed appointment.
For apartment and building deliveries, please arrange any management approvals and elevator reservations, and share your access details with us. Let us know about special requirements or building charges early, so we can help coordinate the delivery arrangements.
Planning White Glove or an upper-floor delivery?
For White Glove coverage, upper-floor quotations, island delivery, appointment changes, and storage terms, visit our Shipping & Delivery page.
05 / CHECK BEFORE ARRIVAL
Your preparation checklist.
Use these simple checks before ordering, then revisit the route as your delivery approaches.
Confirm the fit.
- Check the exact product size and configuration.
- Ask us for any packaged or component measurements needed for your route.
- Measure the room and every access point.
- Confirm removable parts, custom changes, and assembly requirements.
- Share details of stairs, elevators, or access that may need extra planning.
- Review any close clearances with us before placing your order.
Confirm the arrangements.
- Keep your measurement record, route sketch, and photos together.
- Arrange building approvals and required COI documentation.
- Check that elevator, loading-area, gate, and truck-entry approvals match your confirmed appointment.
- Arrange agreed preparatory work or moving assistance.
- Recheck measurements if building works, fixtures, or room plans change.
- Share the route and intended placement with the person welcoming the delivery team.
KEEP YOUR MEASUREMENTS TOGETHER
Your delivery measurement worksheet.
A two-page printable record for furniture sizes, doorways, stairs, elevator access, and final preparation. Add extra notes or a sketch for unusual routes.
06 / PREPARE YOUR HOME
A clear route.
A prepared room.
A few preparations before the team arrives will help make the route and placement area ready for your new piece.
Open the full route.
Move existing furniture, loose rugs, plants, shoes, and fragile objects out of the passage. Clear the destination area and any agreed assembly space. Check gates and entrances, and keep access free of trip hazards.
Prepare your surfaces.
Arrange suitable protection for floors and vulnerable areas, following any building rules. Keep it secure and clear of walking hazards. If low fixtures or delicate features need attention, arrange suitable assistance beforehand so the route is ready on the day.
Settle pets and children.
Choose a quiet, separate area for pets and help children stay comfortably away from the working route while your furniture is being moved. This gives everyone space and helps the team handle your piece safely.
Show the team the planned route and intended placement before movement begins. If anything has changed, let the team know before they begin so they can review the route with you.
WHEN CLEARANCE IS CLOSE
A little guidance,
before you order.
If a doorway, staircase, or elevator looks close, we’re here to help you work through the details. Share your chosen piece and size, address and placement floor, measurements, and a few route photos. A simple sketch and any building guidelines are helpful, too.
Please check your room and delivery route before ordering, and let us know which product details you would like clarified. We can help explain the specifications and coordinate an access review where needed. For service charges, rescheduling, missed-delivery storage, and holiday holds, visit Shipping & Delivery.
You may also find our ordering and delivery guidance helpful as you plan.
HELPFUL DETAILS
Frequently asked questions.
How can I check the fit before placing my order?
Before ordering, please compare your chosen piece’s dimensions with your room and the full delivery route. Share any close clearances or missing specifications with us, and we’ll be happy to help clarify the details and coordinate an access review where needed. For a custom piece, check the final measurements before approving the design.
Should I use product dimensions or packaged dimensions?
Both are helpful. Use finished dimensions for room planning and packaged dimensions for any part of the route where the piece remains packed. Ask us about the largest rigid component and where unpacking or assembly can take place, so you can plan with the right measurements.
Can you help if a measurement is missing from the product page?
Of course. Send us the product link, chosen size, and the measurement you need before ordering. We can share the relevant details available for that design and help clarify any information needed for your access plan.
What is diagonal depth on a sofa or chair?
It is a diagonal measurement through the seating profile used when reviewing angled entry. Ask for the product-specific value and a diagram of its endpoints. Use it alongside the overall dimensions, doorway sizes, and turning space when reviewing your route.
Is the size printed on my door enough?
Measure the actual usable opening with the door in its intended delivery position. Hinges, handles, stops, trim, and the open door can reduce the clearance. Record approach and exit space as well.
How should I use a diagonal measurement?
A diagonal is a useful supporting measurement. For a complete picture, include the clear opening, the space on both sides, any turns, and the furniture’s full dimensions. Packaging and room for safe handling are part of the review as well.
How much extra clearance should I leave?
The space needed varies with the furniture’s shape, weight, packaging, and route. If the fit looks close, send us the dimensions and photos before ordering so the piece and its handling space can be considered together.
Can my furniture be taken apart to fit?
Depending on the design, some legs, tops, or other components may be removable or supplied separately. Many solid wood bodies travel as fixed sections. Ask us about your chosen piece before ordering, and we’ll help clarify which dimensions to use in your plan.
Should I measure a bed using its mattress size?
Use the complete bed dimensions and the largest delivery components. Mattress size does not include the full frame, headboard, posts, or storage drawers. Check overhead clearance and assembly space too.
What should I send if I need help reviewing the route?
Send the product link and chosen configuration, address and placement floor, measurements for each opening and turn, stair and landing details, elevator dimensions and capacity, and photos. Add building rules, a route sketch, and approved custom specifications where relevant.
How should I record a tight corner or landing?
Record clear passage widths, approach and exit lengths, overhead clearance, and landing width and depth. Add a plan sketch and photos from both directions. Label fixed obstacles and the intended direction of movement.
