Have you recently purchased a new home and are unsure where to start selecting furniture and what will pair correctly? Or are you looking to update your current home's furniture with new and exciting items? Although you may think a certain shape or size will fit into the space, it is always better to measure twice and invest once to avoid returns and delays on your project. By doing this, you will give yourself the gift of settling comfortably into your home sooner! Here are a few insights that will help you on your way and make the selection process easier and more enjoyable!

Always Measure First!

Measure your space first! This will give you a clear indication of what square footage you are working with, or you can always work off of your existing floor plan too! Furniture that is too bulky or small will close the space off or make the space feel swarming with awkward empty space. It is best to decide and invest in the staple items first - such as a sofa, dining table and bedframe before the coffee table, dining chairs and bedside tables to ensure varying heights will fit within the space correctly.

Living Room Measurements

For the living room (once the sofa is decided upon), it is best to be aware of the height of the sofa or chair arm before purchasing the coffee table and end table. The width of the entire sofa from arm to arm and the height of the sofa, from the floor to the seat cushion, is almost important.

When choosing a coffee table, the coffee table width should be no more than 60% or 3/5 of the measurement between the two arms. When selecting an end table, the height should be 1-2 inches below the sofa or chair arm. The height of the coffee table should be 3 inches lower than the seat cushion to provide comfortable ease while using the living room.

The exception to this rule: If you have existing end tables that are too high for the sofa, moving them 5 inches away from the sofa will create the illusion that they work within the space. It is better to have the coffee table lower and add height with vases and décor, than work with a coffee table that is too high!

Dining Room Measurements

Dining room tables typically come in standard sizes, between 28"-30" high and counter height tables which are between 34"-36" high. It is best to know this... as the slight difference between the height and the chosen chair can be noticeable.

The standard sizes for dining chair seat height ranges between 18"-23". It is best to leave 12 inches between the seat height and the tabletop. If there is an apron wrapping around your table, there should be 7 inches of space between the top of the seat and the bottom of the apron. Standard height tables (28"-30") should be matched with dining chairs that are 18"-23" high and counter height tables matched with seats that are between 24" and 26" high.

Dining chair widths are typically between 16" to 20". Allocate 2 feet of space for each guest while dining and 6" between chairs to allow for elbow room and accessibility.

Seating Guides

Rectangle/Oval Tables that are 72" in size can fit 6 people. 96" tables can fit 8 people and 120" tables can fit 10 people.

Round/Square Tables that are 36"-48" in diameter can fit up to 4 people, 60" diameter tables can fit 6 people and 72" diameter tables can fit 8 people.

Important Tips to Consider: Chair arms should be able to slide under the dining table easily. When an apron is present, it is best to leave with 7 inches of space between the chair and apron. To find out how many chairs are required, measure the table in inches from one leg to another and divide that number by 32".

Bedroom Measurements

Bed Sizes and Room Dimensions

Although "the bigger the better" mentality may come first to mind when choosing a bedframe, it can cause circulation issues. It is important to consider the room size to be able to fit in nightstands and to accommodate while getting in and out of bed. In general, leaving 36 inches around the bed will allow you to use this space with ease.

A 10' x 12' bedroom will best suite a queen bed but can also fit a king size bed, depending on how much room for styling is desired. A king size bed is best suited for a 12' x 12' or larger room will ensure an open, spacious feeling.

The deal with California King beds: They measure 72" by 84", which is 4 inches more narrow than a standard king mattress but are also 4 inches longer. This bedframe is best for a 12' x 14' bedroom size to allow for space to walk around the room.

Nightstands

Nightstands offer functional storage space to rest your cell phone, water glass, beside lamp, alarm clock and add a nice surface area to style with décor. The right shape and size depends on the overall aesthetic you are hoping to achieve. Ideally, it is best to choose one that fits proportionally with your bedframe. Typically, the ideal height for the nightstand is between 24 and 27 inches.

An easy rule of thumb when choosing a nightstand, is to have it match the height of the top of your mattress or 1 to 2 inches shorter. Have a lower bed? The top will typically measure anywhere between 18 to 22 inches above the ground. It is best to pair a low bed with a nightstand that is 16" to 18" in height. Medium height beds range usually from 22.5" to 25.5" from the ground to the top of the mattress. For a perfect fit, choose a nightstand that is 23.5". Tall beds that sit with the top of the mattress 30-33.5" off the ground are best paired with nightstands with a height of 28"-30".

Floating Nightstands: Install the nightstand either 2 to 3 inches above the top of the mattress, or 4 to 5 inches above or below the top of mattress (depending on preference or if it is more narrow in width) to avoid table lamps to go flying when you reach for personal items.

These are just a few measurements to help you get started with the design process! Overall, there are many options and styles to choose from and there is no wrong choices in this process, as long as the furniture looks scaled appropriately to each other!