How to Measure Your Room Before Buying Furniture (SG delivery tips)

Before ordering furniture in Singapore, always check the item's dimensions against your lift doors, corridor turns, front door width, and internal bedroom doors. Standard HDB lifts open to around 80cm-90cm wide with about 120cm of depth, so measuring properly is what stands between your new sofa or wardrobe and actually getting through your front door.

There's nothing more heartbreaking than waiting weeks for a stunning new sofa or wardrobe, only to find on delivery day that it won't fit into your HDB lift, or worse, gets stuck at your own front door. With Singapore's mix of narrow corridors, tight BTO stairwells, and compact lift lobbies, measuring your space properly is the most important step in the whole furniture buying process. Grab a tape measure, we're going through exactly how to measure for a stress-free delivery.

Table of Contents

• Why Measuring in Centimeters (cm) Matters
• How to Measure Your Room's Floor Plan
• The Delivery Path: Lifts, Doors, and Corridors
• Singapore-Specific Tips (HDB vs Condo Delivery)
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Quick Checklist: The Final Measurement Run
• FAQs
• Related Reads
• Next Steps & Recommendations

Why Measuring in Centimeters (cm) Matters

Precision matters here. Pinterest boards might use inches, but locally, furniture dimensions, floor plans, and contractor drawings are all done in centimeters (cm) and millimeters (mm). Stick to cm throughout so you don't end up with a mixed-unit mess.

[Image: diagram showing how to measure sofa clearance for doorways and HDB lifts]

How to Measure Your Room's Floor Plan

1. Length & Width: Measure baseboard to baseboard.
2. Clearance Spaces: Allow 80cm to 100cm for main walkways, and at least 60cm of pull-out space between dining chairs and the nearest wall.
3. Vertical Space: Note where your window sills sit. You don't want a new TV console or headboard blocking an HDB window!

The Delivery Path: Lifts, Doors, and Corridors

• Front Door: Standard single HDB doors open to about 80cm wide. Measure the inside clearance, not the frame.
• Corridor Bottlenecks: Got neighbours with a massive shoe rack outside their door? Measure the narrowest point along your corridor.
• Lift Dimensions: Measure the lift door's height and width, plus the interior diagonal (corner to corner). For long items like mattresses or 4-seater sofas, the diagonal is what saves you.

Singapore-Specific Tips (HDB vs Condo Delivery)

• Staircase Access: If an item can't fit the lift, note that many delivery services charge extra per flight of stairs, and BTO stairwells can have tight switchbacks.
• Lift Access Timing: For condos, you'll usually need to book the service lift and put down a deposit with management ahead of time.
• Skirting Boards: Don't forget HDB skirting boards typically eat up 1-2cm of wall depth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring ceiling fixtures: You measured the wall height, but forgot where the ceiling fan or pendant light hangs.
• Overlooking internal doors: A sofa can clear the main entrance and still get wedged trying to enter the study or bedroom.

FAQs

1. What happens if furniture doesn't fit my lift?

It has to go up the stairs (which can mean staircase fees) or, if it can't turn the stairwell corners either, it may need to be returned.

2. What is a standard HDB door width?

Usually around 80cm-85cm of clearance.

3. How much space should be between a TV and sofa?

A safe rule in compact homes is 200cm to 250cm, depending on your TV size.

4. Should I measure with existing furniture in the way?

Better to measure the empty space, or use masking tape to mark out the new footprint on the floor.

5. Will delivery teams remove my corridor's window grilles?

No, delivery teams can't make structural changes to get your furniture in.

Related Reads

• How to Choose the Perfect Sectional Sofa for Your Singapore Home
• Living Room Transformation: Before & After
• How to Design a Productive Home Office in Singapore

Next Steps

• Grab a metal measuring tape (not a tailor's tape).
• Note down your lift & door dimensions.
• Browse our online collections and check the specs in cm!

Ready to order with peace of mind? WhatsApp us for advice or Shop the collection today!