Fit · Proportion · Access
Measure the room.
Then measure
the way in.
The right sofa needs to work where you sit and on the journey to get there. Keep these measurements separate.
Arms add to the footprint. Seating width is not the outside width of the sofa.
Two widths.
Different jobs.
Overall width helps you plan your room. Seating width describes the space between the arms. Ask for the actual overall width, depth and height of a showroom piece before deciding it fits.
For a corner or chaise, record both sides and label the drawing from the same viewpoint. A simple sketch is clearer than an unlabelled “left” or “right”.
Archer’s standard seating labels
A guide to
space between arms.
| Seating label | Between the arms |
|---|---|
| Chair | 21 in |
| Love seat | 31 in |
| 2-seater | 41 in |
| 2.5-seater | 51 in |
| 3-seater | 61 in |
| 4-seater | 76 in |
Centimetres are converted at 2.54 cm per inch and rounded to one decimal for this guide. Confirm the actual dimensions and configuration of your chosen piece.
Walk the whole route.
Mark the footprint.
Measure the space, allow room to move around it, and consider doors, radiators and nearby furniture.
Check the narrow points.
Record usable doorway widths, hallways, stairs, ceilings and turns. Measure clear openings, rather than door-frame labels.
Confirm what separates.
Ask whether the chosen sofa has removable feet or separate sections and get the relevant delivery dimensions. Do not assume it will split.