Start at the wall, not the skirting board
Run the tape along the wall surface where furniture will actually sit. Skirting boards, pipe runs, and pillar mouldings project into a room and can change what you read at floor level. Measure at the height your sofa back or table edge will meet, then note any obstruction separately so you know why two readings differ. A rectangular plan assumes the two opposite walls match; if they do not, record the narrower figure as your working width.
- Place one tape end against the left wall and read the width at floor level.
- Repeat at a second height, such as where the sofa back will sit, and note any difference.
- Record the room depth the same way, checking corners for boxing-in or chimney breasts.
Worked depth example for one seating line
The example below uses a 400 by 300 cm room, a 200 by 90 cm sofa, a 60 cm table depth, a reader-chosen 40 cm gap, and a reader-chosen 80 cm walkway. The occupied depth is the sum of sofa depth, gap, table depth, and walkway. Subtract that total from the room depth to see what remains. These figures are illustrative inputs, not recommended clearances.
With the default sofa along the 400 cm width wall, centring the 200 cm sofa leaves 100 cm on each side. Rotating the sofa onto the 300 cm wall instead leaves 50 cm on each side.
Example: For a 140cm table in a 400x300cm room, with furniture along the 400cm wall and a 200cm sofa, the sofa has 100cm of space each side. The 140cm table has 130cm each side.
| Line item | Value (cm) |
|---|---|
| Room width | 400 |
| Room depth | 300 |
| Sofa width | 200 |
| Sofa depth | 90 |
| Coffee table depth | 60 |
| Coffee table width | 140 |
| Chosen gap | 40 |
| Chosen walkway | 80 |
| Occupied depth total | 270 |
| Spare depth | 30 |
| Sofa centred each side | 100 |
| Space on each side of table | 130 |
Choose an orientation before you order
Placing the sofa along the 400 cm wall uses the long dimension for seating width, leaving the 300 cm depth for the table and the path. Flipping the arrangement puts the 200 cm sofa against the 300 cm wall, which changes both the side space and the depth line. Door swings and radiator positions decide which orientation is workable; a door that sweeps inward can claim floor area your plan assumed was free. Sketch both options on the same grid and compare the totals before you commit.
Do these gap and walkway numbers come from a standard?
No. The 40 cm gap and 80 cm walkway in the example are fictional choices made to show the arithmetic. Your own plan should use measurements that suit your doorway, furniture, and household.
What does the fit result actually confirm?
It confirms only that the rectangular footprint fits the width and depth you entered. It does not judge comfort, headroom, door swing, or overall usability.
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