Will It Fit? Cult Sofa Fitting Guide

How to take apart a sofa to fit through a door

First things first, ask yourself three simple questions that could save a lot of time and effort:

• Is the sofa modular or a sectional sofa?
• Can the feet be unscrewed for easier entry?
• Can the cushions be easily removed as well?
  

How to get a sofa through the front door

For the foolproof way to measure doorways and entrances, just follow this simple rule: If the door width is greater than the sofa height, that sofa will fit through.

• Open your door as wide as possible.
• Measure the width and height of the doorframe from the inside edges.
• Compare measurements with your dream sofa.
• If the width of the doorframe is greater than the height of the sofa, you’re good to go.
• Don’t panic if you have a small front door. Consider other entrances, such as patio doors.

That is how to get a sofa through your front door. Don’t forget; a sofa can be turned vertically to fit through front doors, narrow doorways, and small doors as well. Whether it’s an oversized couch or a snuggler chair, this applies to any doorway or entrance beyond the front door.

Top Tip: Always allow some wiggle room by adding a few cms onto the sofa dimensions.

Will my sofa fit through my hallway + corners?

For tight spots, here is how to navigate hallways and narrow spaces:

• Always measure the narrowest widths along hallways and corners. 
• Consider obstructions such as skirting boards, light fixtures, and radiators. 
• If the width dimension of the hallway/corridor/walkway is greater than the height of the sofa, you’re good to go.

Top Tip: Check for obstacles such as bannisters, light fixtures, skirting boards, and radiators.

Will my sofa fit up the stairs?

Getting that couch up the stairs will require some heavy lifting. This is unavoidable. However, don’t make your life more difficult. Follow these steps:

• Measure the width of the staircase at the narrowest point. 
• If this distance is wider than the height of the sofa, it should fit.
• For corner stairs, this is from the widths where the two corners meet.
• Consider obstructions such as bannisters, light fixtures, skirting boards, and handrails.
• If your sofa’s height is below the measurements of these narrowest widths, you’re good to go.

If you have a bannister that will be too narrow for the sofa, you will need to lift it over. In this case, measure the height of the ceiling to the top of the bannister. The ceiling needs to be greater than the depth of the sofa.

Top Tip: Can you remove the cushions to make the sofa lighter?

How to get a sofa into a lift

Living in a block of flats or 30th-floor offices? Don’t worry, we’re here to help:

• For lifts, you will need to measure the width and depth. 
• Measure the narrowest points when the doors of the lift are open. The frame of a lift might be bigger than the doors, skewing your measurements. 
• Are there handrails and obstructions to consider?
• If the lift’s dimensions are greater than the height, width, and depth of the sofa, you’re good to go.

How are sofa dimensions measured?

• Measure the width, depth, and height from the widest, deepest, and highest points.
• At Cult, the sofa measurements can be found within the Dimensions Overview section and the last image of the product page.
• For the height of a sofa, this should include the cushions that may extend past the frame of the sofa. 

Top Tip: Dimensions can be the odd cm off. Make sure you consider the surrounding space.

How do you measure a corner sofa?

• Measure the width, depth, and height from the widest, deepest, and highest points. 
• Corner sofas have TWO widths to consider. Both width measurements should be equal - or very close - but play it safe by measuring both.
• Start from the corner where the two sections meet and measure each section outwards. These two measurements will be the two widths of your corner sofa. 
• For the depth, measure from the back of the sofa to the front edge of the seat.
• Measure both ends of the corner sofa. Like the width, in theory, these should be the same measurement - or very close - but play it safe. 
• For the height of a sofa, this should include the cushions that may extend past the sofa frame.

Top Tip: List measurements separately to avoid confusing each section.

How do you measure a L-shaped sofa?

• This process is the same as corner sofas BUT measurements can vary significantly, particularly the widths. 
• Measure the width, depth, and height from the widest, deepest, and highest points. 
• Start from the corner where the two sections meet and measure each section outwards. These two measurements will be the two widths of your L-shaped sofa. 
• For the depth, measure from the back of the sofa to the front edge of the seat.
• Measure both ends of the L-shaped sofa. In theory, these should be the same measurement - or very close - but play it safe. 
• For the height of a sofa, this should include the cushions that may extend past the sofa frame.

Top Tip: Take into consideration whether you need a lefthand L-shape sofa or righthand L-shape sofa in your space.

How do you measure a sectional sofa or modular sofa?

• Measure the width, depth, and height from the widest, deepest, and highest points. 
• For the width, measure from the back of the sofa to the furthest point. 
• For the depth, measure from the back of the sofa to the front edge of the seat at the furthest point.
• For the height of a sofa, this should include the cushions that may extend past the sofa frame

Top Tip: Pay close attention to the furthest points of modular section as factors such as cushions can protrude from the main frame, making the dimensions larger overall.

How do you measure a recliner?

• Recliners will require two measurements; both upright and reclined.
• These should be at the widest, deepest, and highest points for both. 
• For the height of a sofa, this should include the cushions that may extend past the sofa frame.

Top Tip: Consider the knobs and buttons. The reclining function may stick out further from the chair/sofa.

Measure your existing sofa

Have you been dreaming of a larger model? Have you found the depth of your current model to be overbearing? Use your experience to upgrade your comfort.

Measure your space

Use masking tape to place markers on the floor and take measurements numerous times to ensure they are correct. 

Including the surrounding space

What furniture will your sofa accompany? You don’t HAVE to fill the space if you don’t want or need a large sofa. Sometimes less is more.

Accessibility

Consider the free movement around your new sofa, as well as measuring to ensure it can reach its desired location.

Add a little extra

Always add a couple of cms onto your measurements to account for any discrepancies.

It’s easy to get tempted by that oversized 4-seater corner sofa, imagining ultimate relaxation – but hold up! Take a moment to think through the measurements before you hit ‘Place Order.’ Your space will thank you.

Top Tip: ALWAYS take multiple measurements from the smallest/narrowest points.