Ranking updated
How to plan a room before buying furniture
The sofa looked small in the showroom. In the living room it blocks the door. Planning the room on your phone first, with real measurements and furniture placed at real size, lets you make that mistake for free.
A planning routine, then interior design apps. AR placement and phone measurements are close estimates; check key dimensions with a tape measure before ordering.
Measure the room first
Record wall lengths, windows, radiators, sockets and door swings. A phone can help; see how to measure a room with your phone and measure apps.
Sketch the layout
Enter the measurements into a floor plan app and try a few layouts. Leave room to walk around the bed, pull out chairs and open wardrobe doors.
See it at real size
Many furniture shops and design apps place 3D models in your room through the camera. Walk around them and look from the doorway. Try wall and fabric colours in the same light you live with.
Check the way in
Measure doorways, stair turns and the lift before you order large pieces. Moving soon? See how to plan a house move; compare apps in interior design apps.
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Measure everything | walls, windows, doors, sockets | a true starting point |
| 2. Draw the plan | floor plan in an app | see the whole room |
| 3. Leave walkways | space to pass and open doors | room still works |
| 4. Place in AR | real-size models in the room | judge scale |
| 5. Check delivery | stairs, lift, door widths | it gets inside |
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if furniture will fit my room?
Measure the room and doorways, draw a floor plan and place the piece at real size in an AR app, then confirm with a tape measure.
Are AR furniture apps accurate?
They are close estimates. Check key dimensions with a tape measure before you buy.
How much space should I leave to walk?
Enough to pass comfortably and open doors and drawers fully; test it with the plan before buying.