Measure the new space — step-by-step
When considering a move to a new home it’s important to consider whether the furniture and appliances you currently have will work effectively in your new home - take them or leave them. Below is a checklist to help you determine what will work best for you.
The quick checklist:
• Do you have a floor plan or room sketches — yes/no
• Do you know door and hallway widths — measured yes/no
• Do you know stair and elevator dimensions — measured yes/no
• Is each large item (furniture and appliance) measured — (W × D × H + diagonal) yes/no
The detailed checklist:
1. Get the basics
• Obtain a floor plan from the seller, landlord, or listing if available.
• If there is no floor plan, you can measure each room yourself.
2. Key measurements to take (record in a simple table or a sketch)
• Room dimensions (L × W × H).
• Doorway widths and heights (including interior doors and main entrance).
• Hallway and corridor widths.
• Stair width, stair clearance, and landing dimensions.
• Elevator interior dimensions (if you’re moving into a building with an elevator).
• Window sizes (for curtains/blinds and also for estimating the fit for furniture near windows).
• Closet interior dimensions.
• Garage or storage unit dimensions.
3. Measure furniture and large items
• For each big piece of furniture you have (sofa, bed frame, dresser, dining table, appliances), record: width, depth, height, and diagonal.
• Note that any removable parts or legs that can be detached can reduce size.
4. Check fit and clearance
• Use the “door-to-room path” method: measure the narrowest opening along the route from current location to final placement (doorways, tight corners, stair turns). Compare it to the largest diagonal of the furniture.
• Allow clearance for maneuvering: add 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) to measured furniture dimensions and door widths as a safety buffer.
• For staircases, measure overhead clearance (headroom) at turns and landings.
5. Visualize with a floor plan
• Draw a simple to-scale sketch or use free online room-planning tools/apps; place scaled cutouts of furniture to test layouts.
• Mark door swings, windows, vents, radiators, and electrical outlets.
6. Accessibility and service considerations
• Note elevator capacity and building move-in rules (weight limits, move-in hours, required insurance/deposit).
• For accessibility: measure for ramps, threshold heights, required turning radius for walkers/wheelchairs (typically 60–72 inches for full turns).
7. Appliances and utilities
• Check clearances for major appliances (fridge door swing, oven clearance, washer/dryer hookups).
• Measure counter depths and cabinet openings for appliances and storage containers.
