How to Measure a Corner Sofa for the Perfect Fit
The complete measuring checklist for UK shoppers buying a corner sofa — room dimensions, access route, and floor planning, with the exact numbers you need before you order from Sofa Direct.
What's in this guide
Picking out a new corner sofa is exciting, but the most important step is also the dullest one — measuring. Get the numbers wrong and your dream sofa either doesn't fit through the door, blocks a walkway, or makes a small living room feel cramped.
This guide gives you the exact UK-specific measurements you need before ordering from Sofa Direct, plus practical tips for visualising the layout in your room.
The four essential measurements
1. Overall width (the two long sides)
A corner sofa is two sofa sections joined at a 90° angle. The two arms rarely have equal length, so you need to measure both walls where each arm will sit.
- How to measure: Run your tape measure along the wall where the back of the sofa will sit. Note the maximum length on the left arm; repeat for the right arm.
- Why it matters: Compare the sofa's published L1 and L2 dimensions on the product page. Leave 10–15 cm of clearance on each side for skirting boards, radiators, or curtains.
2. Overall depth
How far the sofa extends out into the room from the back wall.
- How to measure: From the back wall to where you want the front edge of the sofa to land.
- Why it matters: If the depth is too much, the room feels cramped and walkways are blocked. Aim for at least 60 cm of clear floor space in front of the sofa for foot traffic.
3. Chaise length (if applicable)
If the sofa has a chaise — the extended armless section — measure from the back of the sofa to the end of the chaise.
- How to measure: From the back wall outward to the open end of the chaise.
- Why it matters: The chaise dictates where people walk around the sofa. Don't let it block a doorway.
4. Arm height and overall height
How tall the sofa stands — both at the top of the backrest and at the top of the armrests.
- How to measure: Floor to top of back cushions, then floor to top of armrests separately.
- Why it matters: A backrest taller than your windowsill will block natural light. Arm height also affects how side tables and lamps fit alongside the sofa.
Measuring for delivery access
A perfect-fit sofa is useless if it can't get through the front door. Before you order, measure every potential bottleneck between the kerb and the living room.
Sofa Direct's larger corner sofas ship in multiple bolt-together sections specifically to deal with UK doorways and stairs — but even modular pieces have a largest section that must clear every pinch point.
The access checklist
| Obstacle | Measure | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|
| Front door | Width of the gap with the door fully open (not the door itself) | Don't forget the door handle — subtract a few cm |
| Hallway | Narrowest point | Radiators, picture ledges, and bannisters all eat width |
| Interior doors | Frame width AND height (separately) | If the sofa needs tilting on its side, the door width must exceed the sofa height |
| Stairs and turns | Stair width, landing height, landing width | Tight corners are usually the trickiest part — check sofa diagonal |
| Tight angles | Diagonal of the sofa section | If feet detach, that gains a few cm of clearance |
The delivery rule of thumb: the diagonal of the sofa (corner to corner) is usually the tightest squeeze. If the sofa's being carried on its side, the doorway width must exceed the sofa's depth.
Creating a floor plan
The numbers are only half the picture. To see how the sofa will actually feel in the room, you need to visualise it in place.
- Sketch on paper. Draw an overhead view of the room to scale. Include doors, windows, fireplace, sockets, radiators. Use 10 cm = 1 cm as your scale.
- Tape it out. The single most effective method — mark the sofa's exact footprint on the floor with low-tack masking tape. Walk around it. Sit where the sofa would be. Feel the space.
- Check flow. Walkways should be at least 60 cm wide. Test opening doors and drawers with the taped footprint in place.
- Position other furniture. Coffee tables should sit 30–45 cm from the sofa front for easy reach. Side tables work best at armrest height.
Common measuring mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Forgetting clearance for radiators. Most sofas need 10 cm gap to avoid heat damage.
- Measuring the door, not the doorway. Open the door fully. The actual usable gap is smaller than the door's width.
- Ignoring the diagonal. A long sofa section may not corner around a stairwell even if it fits through each individual doorway.
- Skipping the height check. A high-back sofa under a low windowsill blocks light and looks awkward.
- Not accounting for recline extension. Recliner corner sofas need extra clear floor space behind for the backrest to tilt — check the product page for the reclined depth.
Every product page lists L1, L2, depth, height, and reclined dimensions so you can match measurements before ordering. Direct UK prices, 7-day delivery, 0% finance.
Shop Corner SofasFAQs
How much clearance should I leave around a corner sofa?
10–15 cm on each side that touches a wall (for skirting boards and radiators), and at least 60 cm clear floor space in front of the seats for foot traffic.
What if my doorway is narrower than the sofa?
Most Sofa Direct larger corners arrive in 2–3 bolt-together sections specifically for this. Check the "Delivery" tab on the product page. Detachable feet can also gain you 4–5 cm of clearance.
Do I need to account for recliner extension?
Yes — on electric or manual recliner corners, the back tilts and the footrest extends. Each Sofa Direct recliner product page lists the reclined depth so you can plan the clear space.
How wide should a walkway be in a UK living room?
60 cm minimum for a single person to pass. 90 cm if it's a main route through the room. Test with masking tape before ordering.
What's the diagonal measurement and why does it matter?
The diagonal is the longest internal measurement of a sofa section — corner to corner of the box. For stair turns and tight angles, the diagonal often becomes the limiting factor, not the width or height alone.
Shop Sofa Direct corner sofas
Sofa Direct lists every corner sofa with full dimensions on the product page: total width, both arm lengths, depth, height, arm height, chaise length, and reclined depth where applicable. Match the numbers to your room measurements and you'll get the right fit first time.
Browse all corner sofas at Sofa Direct →