We meet with so many homeowners who have furniture in their homes that just doesn’t fit. That sofa that’s too deep, dining room hutch that’s too high, king bed that’s way too wide. Eek, they’ve bought the wrong size! This isn’t just a problem that strikes for homeowners… we (the “pros”) have fallen victim, as well. A swivel chair purchased from a big box store that looked tiny on the showroom floor, overtook Andrea’s living room. A dresser that was the perfect color and style wouldn’t fit through a bedroom door when delivered to Allison’s house. Why does this happen?! Well, it’s all about the measurements. Before you buy, here are the measurements to keep in mind:

—Depth
—Height (back height AND seat height)
—Width
—Doorway width (a chair or sofa height must be smaller than the doorway; see if legs are removable)

When measuring for rugs, decide if you’d like your rug to float in front of your seating area/bed, or go beneath it. This will determine your optimal size. Make sure you take these measurements and a tape measure with you when shopping. And if you can, before purchasing, tape out the dimensions of your desired product on the floor, to really verify it’s the right size for your space. In addition to footprint, you want to be cognizant of overall height. With low ceilings, aim for furniture with lower backs, generally, and avoid overstuffed items. These tend to dwarf a smaller space.

Good luck and happy shopping! (And if you’d like a second opinion, feel free to give us a call.)

Red Door Design + Staging is an interiors and home staging company based in the Greater Boston area. We have been providing assistance to homeowners, contractors, realtors, developers and business owners for almost two decades. We specialize in modern midcentury and luxury home staging, renovation consultation and interior decorating.