One of the most common mistakes furniture buyers make — and one of the most avoidable — is ordering a piece that doesn't fit. Whether it's a wardrobe that won't clear the ceiling, a sideboard that blocks a doorway, or a dining table that leaves no room to pull out the chairs, getting the measurements wrong is frustrating and costly.
This guide walks you through exactly how to measure for the three most popular furniture purchases: wardrobes, sideboards, and dining tables. Take five minutes before you buy and you'll save yourself a lot of hassle.
General rules before you start
- Use a steel tape measure, not a fabric one — they stretch and give inaccurate readings
- Measure twice, especially for tight spaces
- Note width, depth, and height for every piece — all three matter
- Measure your access route too — doorways, hallways, and stairwells, not just the room
- Allow clearance — a piece that fits to the millimetre will be very difficult to position and may look cramped
How to measure for a wardrobe
Wardrobes are the trickiest piece to get right because they're tall, deep, and often need to fit into a specific alcove or wall run.
Measure the space
- Width: measure the wall space available, including any skirting boards that protrude. If fitting into an alcove, measure at the front, middle, and back — alcoves are rarely perfectly square.
- Height: measure floor to ceiling, then subtract at least 10–15mm for manoeuvring the wardrobe upright. Also check for coving, cornices, or light fittings that reduce usable height.
- Depth: standard wardrobes are 55–60cm deep. Make sure you have enough floor space in front for the doors to open fully — hinged doors need clearance equal to the door width.
Check your access route
A wardrobe is one of the largest pieces you'll move through a home. Measure:
- Front door width and height
- Hallway width (including any radiators or light switches that protrude)
- Stairwell width and any tight turns
- Bedroom door width and height
If access is tight, check whether the wardrobe can be partially disassembled for delivery — contact us and we'll advise on specific pieces.
Wardrobe sizing guide
- Single wardrobe: typically 80–90cm wide
- Double wardrobe: typically 100–120cm wide
- Triple wardrobe: typically 150–180cm wide
Browse our current clearance wardrobes with full dimensions listed on each product page.
How to measure for a sideboard
Sideboards are more forgiving than wardrobes, but there are still a few things to get right.
Measure the wall space
- Width: measure the available wall run. Leave at least 10–15cm either side of the sideboard if possible — a piece that runs exactly wall-to-wall can look cramped and makes it harder to clean behind.
- Height: most sideboards sit between 80–90cm tall. Consider what you'll place on top — if it's going under a window, measure the sill height.
- Depth: standard sideboards are 40–45cm deep. Make sure there's enough floor space in front for doors and drawers to open fully — allow at least 60cm clearance in front.
Consider the room flow
In a dining room, make sure the sideboard doesn't block movement around the dining table. In a living room, check it doesn't obstruct doorways or create a pinch point in the room's natural traffic flow.
Sideboard sizing guide
- Small sideboard: typically 80–100cm wide — suits smaller rooms or as a secondary piece
- Medium sideboard: typically 120–150cm wide — the most versatile size
- Large / extra large sideboard: 160cm+ — makes a real statement in a larger dining room
Browse our current clearance sideboards across all sizes and oak finishes.
How to measure for a dining table
The golden rule for dining tables: you need at least 60cm of space per person along the table length, and at least 90–100cm of clearance around all sides of the table for chairs to pull out and people to move comfortably.
Calculate your room size
Start with your room dimensions and subtract the clearance you need:
- Measure the room length and width
- Subtract 90cm from each side where chairs will be pulled out (so 180cm total from the room width if chairs are on both sides)
- The remaining space is your maximum table size
Example: a 4m x 3.5m dining room. Subtract 180cm from the 3.5m width (chairs on both sides) = 170cm maximum table width. Subtract 180cm from the 4m length = 220cm maximum table length. A 200cm x 90cm table would work comfortably.
How many people do you need to seat?
- 4 people: 120–140cm table
- 6 people: 160–180cm table
- 8 people: 200–220cm table
- Extending tables: a 120cm table that extends to 160cm gives you flexibility for everyday use and entertaining
Round vs rectangular
Round tables work well in smaller rooms as they take up less visual space and allow easier movement around them. Rectangular tables make better use of space in longer, narrower rooms and seat more people efficiently.
Browse our current clearance dining tables with full dimensions on each listing.
A quick checklist before you order
- ☐ Measured the space (width, depth, height)
- ☐ Measured the access route (front door, hallway, stairwell, room door)
- ☐ Allowed clearance for doors, drawers, and movement
- ☐ Checked the product dimensions on the listing
- ☐ Confirmed the piece will fit the room's traffic flow
Still not sure? Get in touch with your room dimensions and we'll help you find the right piece from our current stock.
Ready to browse? See our full clearance range: wardrobes, sideboards, dining tables.
New to clearance furniture? Read: What is ex-display furniture and is it worth buying?
