How to Measure for a Corner Sofa: The Complete Guide

May 23 2025, by Mahabir Panesar, 7 min reading time

How to Measure for a Corner Sofa: The Complete Guide

By Kayleigh Stafford, Sofa Specialist at SnappySofas

Corner sofas are a fantastic way to maximise seating in your living space while creating a cozy, cohesive look. However, ensuring your new corner sofa fits perfectly requires careful measurement. As someone who has guided thousands of customers through furniture purchases, I've seen firsthand how proper measuring can make or break your corner sofa experience.

Why Accurate Measurements Matter

Before we dive into the measuring process, let's understand why this step is so critical:

Prevent delivery issues: Many corner sofas won't fit through standard doorways or narrow hallways in one piece
Ensure proper fit: A sofa that's too large will overwhelm your space, while one that's too small won't provide adequate seating
Create balanced room flow: Corner sofas define traffic patterns in your room and influence the entire layout
Avoid costly returns: Most retailers charge restocking fees for returns due to measurement errors

What You'll Need

Measuring tape (metal is more accurate than cloth)
Notepad and pencil
Floor plan or graph paper (optional but helpful)
Masking tape or painter's tape
A friend to help (measuring is easier with two people)

Step 1: Measure Your Room Dimensions

Before focusing on the corner sofa itself, measure your entire room:

Measure the length and width of your room from wall to wall
Note any architectural features that could impact sofa placement (windows, radiators, plug sockets, doorways)
Mark the floor area where you plan to position your corner sofa using painter's tape
Consider traffic flow by allowing at least 60cm (24 inches) for walkways around your sofa

Pro tip: Take photos of your room from different angles to reference when shopping online or in-store.

Step 2: Measuring for the Corner Sofa

Understanding Corner Sofa Terminology

Corner sofas come in different configurations, typically described as "left-hand" or "right-hand" facing. This refers to the position of the longer section when you're standing facing the sofa:

Left-hand corner sofa: The longer section extends to your left
Right-hand corner sofa: The longer section extends to your right

Alternative Options to Consider: If you're still deciding between sofa types, you might also want to explore our 2-seater sofas for smaller spaces or 3-seater sofas for traditional seating arrangements.

Essential Measurements to Take

Maximum width available for each section of the sofa (both the longer and shorter sides)
Maximum depth from the wall to where the front of the sofa will sit
Corner space dimensions where the two sections will meet
Height considerations for low windows or shelving

Draw out your corner sofa placement with exact measurements, including:

Length of the longer section (A)
Length of the shorter section (B)
Depth of the sofa (C)
Height of the sofa back (D)

Step 3: Access Measurements

This critical step is often overlooked until delivery day—with potentially disastrous results!

Measure every access point your new corner sofa will need to pass through:

Front door width and height
Hallway width at its narrowest point
Staircase width if the sofa needs to go upstairs (measure at the narrowest point)
Staircase height clearance for any turns or landings
Interior doorway dimensions for the room where the sofa will be placed
Elevator dimensions if applicable (including door opening width and interior cabin size)

Important: Remember to account for door frames, handles, and any fixed obstacles that might further restrict these measurements.

Step 4: Consider Modular Options

If your access measurements are tight, consider these alternatives:

Modular corner sofas that come in separate sections
Corner sofas with removable arms designed for difficult access
Corner sofa beds which often have specialised mechanisms for easier assembly
Self-assembly options that arrive flat-packed

Step 5: Create a Paper Template (Optional but Recommended)

For visual confirmation of fit:

Using large sheets of paper (old wrapping paper works well), cut out the exact footprint of your potential corner sofa
Place the template in your room where the sofa will go
Walk around it to ensure traffic flow works and the size feels right

Common Corner Sofa Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to measure doorway height as well as width
Not accounting for skirting boards when measuring wall spaces
Measuring only one access route instead of the entire journey from delivery vehicle to final position
Assuming all corner sofas have the same dimensions (they vary significantly by design)
Not considering the sofa's height in relation to windows or other features

Standard Corner Sofa Dimensions

While sizes vary, these typical dimensions can help with preliminary planning:

Small corner sofas: 200-230cm on longest side, 150-170cm on shorter side
Medium corner sofas: 230-260cm on longest side, 170-200cm on shorter side
Large corner sofas: 260cm+ on longest side, 200cm+ on shorter side
Standard depth: 90-100cm
Standard height: 80-90cm

For reference, our popular Verona Corner Sofa range offers multiple size configurations to suit different room layouts. If you're looking for maximum seating capacity, consider our U-shape sofas which provide even more generous proportions.

Final Tips from a Sofa Specialist

Always round down when measuring doorways and access points, and round up when measuring the sofa itself to allow for error
Consider removable legs which can provide extra clearance for tight spaces
Double-check all measurements before ordering
Review the retailer's delivery policy regarding access issues
Ask about the corner configuration - some models like our Vegas Corner Sofa range can be configured as either left or right-hand facing

By following these comprehensive measuring guidelines, you'll avoid the most common pitfalls and ensure your new corner sofa is a perfect fit for both your space and lifestyle. Whether you choose a traditional corner sofa, a recliner corner sofa, or a space-saving corner sofa bed, proper measurement is the key to a successful purchase.

Remember: measure twice, order once!

Kayleigh Stafford is a sofa specialist at SnappySofas with over a decade of experience in the furniture industry. She has helped thousands of customers find their perfect seating solutions and is passionate about ensuring every sofa fits perfectly in its new home.