Measure Before You Order: Doorways, Stairs and Liftsپێش داواکردن بپێوە: دەرگا، پلیکانە و ئاسانسۆرقِس قبل أن تطلب: الأبواب والأدراج والمصاعد

Everything on this page takes ten minutes with a tape measure and a phone to write the numbers on. It is the cheapest insurance in furniture buying.

1. The six measurements

Measure the route, not the room. The narrowest point anywhere along it decides what you can buy.

• Clear door opening. Open the door fully and measure from the door stop on one side to the face of the open door on the other. This is typically 4-6 cm less than the frame width, and it is the number that matters.
• Door height, plus any light fitting, beam or low ceiling on the route.
• Corridor width at its tightest, including radiators, meter boxes and skirting.
• Stair width between the handrail and the wall — not wall to wall.
• Landing depth at each turn, measured from the inside corner.
• Lift door width, internal depth, internal height.

Write all six in your phone and keep them there. You will use them every time you buy furniture from now on.

2. The diagonal trick

Furniture rarely goes through flat. It goes through on its side and at an angle, which is why a piece much wider than a door still gets in.

What actually has to fit is the item's smallest dimension — usually its depth or thickness — against the clear door opening.

• A 160 cm dining table that is 8 cm thick goes through an 80 cm door easily, on its side.
• A 60 cm deep cabinet through a 75 cm door is fine flat, but needs headroom to tilt.
• What genuinely blocks a delivery is depth plus height together in a tight corridor, not width alone.

3. Stairs and turns

Straight stairs are almost never the problem. Turns are.

At each turn, measure from the inside corner of the landing to the opposite wall. That distance, plus the stair width, is roughly the longest rigid item you can swing round the corner.

If a turn is tight, ask before you order whether the piece is delivered flat-packed, whether the legs come off, and whether the tabletop separates from the base. Most tables and many cabinets do.

4. Lifts and balconies

• A lift needs three numbers: door width, internal depth, internal height. Long items often go in diagonally or stood upright — the internal height is what decides it.
• If the lift is too small, the stairs become the route. Measure them before you assume.
• Balcony delivery is a real option in many buildings here. If it might be needed, measure the balcony door and railing gap too, and tell us in advance so the team brings the right equipment.

5. Before you confirm the order

• Give the supplier your floor number and say whether there is a lift.
• Agree in writing whether carrying upstairs and assembly are included.
• Ask for the packed dimensions, not just the assembled ones — the box is always bigger.
• Confirm the lead time and a delivery window.
• On the day, clear the whole route and take off any interior door where the measurement is within 2 cm. Removing a door usually gains 4-5 cm.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if furniture will fit through my door?

Compare the smallest dimension of the furniture — usually its depth or thickness — with the clear door opening, measured with the door open, from the door stop to the edge of the open door. Remember a table can go through on its side.

What is the clear door opening?

The real width with the door open, from the door stop on one side to the face of the open door on the other. It is usually 4-6 cm narrower than the frame, and that difference is what catches people out.

What if the stairwell has a tight turn?

Measure the landing from the inside corner to the opposite wall. The longest item you can turn is roughly that distance plus the stair width. If it is tight, ask whether the piece comes flat-packed or with removable legs.

Does the delivery include carrying it upstairs?

Ask and agree it in writing before you pay, especially above the second floor. Confirm the floor number, whether there is a lift, and whether the team will assemble the piece.

What should I clear before the delivery arrives?

The whole route, not just the room: hallway, stair landings, and anything on the walls along the way. Take off interior doors if a measurement is within 2 cm — it usually gains 4-5 cm.