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What Measurements and Space Do I Need to Check Before Delivery?

A practical guide to measuring doors, stairs, and spaces before delivery day

Last updated: January 2026

Before delivery day, taking a few simple measurements can help avoid delays and ensure your new bed or mattress can be delivered smoothly into your home.

This guide explains what to measure, how to measure accurately, and what to consider when it comes to doors, stairs, tight spaces, and turning areas.

Quick checklist: what to measure before delivery

  • Doorway widths (including frames and handles)
  • Stair width and ceiling height
  • Tight corners or turns
  • Space to turn items on landings
  • Access route from front door to delivery room

(Full guidance below explains how to measure accurately.)


What Do I Need to Measure Before Delivery?

It’s important to check the full access route from your front door to the room where your bed or mattress will be delivered.

This includes measuring:

  • Door widths
  • Stair widths
  • Tight corners or turns
  • Ceiling height
  • Turning and manoeuvring space

Measuring in advance helps you understand whether access is likely to be suitable and allows time to ask for advice if you’re unsure.

Will the Bed Fit Through My Door?

To check whether your bed or mattress will fit through your door, measure:

  • The width and height of your door frames
  • Any internal doors along the route

Remember to measure the narrowest point, including door frames, handles, or trims that may reduce the available space.

If you’re ordering a bed frame or divan base, it’s also worth checking whether components are delivered in sections.

What About Stair Widths and Height?

If your delivery involves stairs, measure:

  • The width of the staircase
  • The height clearance, especially where ceilings slope
  • Any tight turns or landings

Stairs with sharp turns, low ceilings, or narrow widths can make delivery more challenging, particularly for larger items.

Tight Corners, Turns, and Landing Space

Tight corners and limited turning space are common access challenges.

When measuring, check:

  • Corners at the bottom and top of stairs
  • Hallways where items need to turn
  • Space on landings for manoeuvring

Even if doorways and stairs are wide enough, limited turning space can affect delivery.

Ceiling Height and Sloped Ceilings

Low ceilings or sloped ceilings, especially in loft or attic rooms, can restrict access.

Measure:

  • Ceiling height along staircases
  • Ceiling height at turns or landings
  • Any areas where the ceiling slopes

This helps identify whether there’s enough clearance to move items safely.

How to Measure a Mattress Correctly

If you’re measuring an existing mattress to compare sizes, it’s important to measure accurately.

To measure a mattress correctly:

  1. Place a tape measure across the full surface of the mattress.
  2. Hold something straight against the side of the mattress and take the measurement from where they meet.
  3. Make sure the end of the tape measure meets the true edge of the mattress, as shown in the image.

The border or side of the mattress (sometimes called the tape edging) is not the depth.
The depth is measured from the middle of the mattress down to the bottom border.

Avoid putting any force on the mattress when measuring. This includes pushing down on the surface or pulling it tightly against a wall, as this can affect accuracy.

Still need help?