Will it fit through the door?

18 years ago

After taking all the measurements of my room and determining that the sofa I like the best will fit in my living room, I just realized it may not fit through the front door! My door is 36" wide; the sofa is 40" tall and 44" deep. It's the largest opening into the house.

I made a paper template using the measurements from the company's website, thinking I could bring it in at an angle. To my best estimate, it still won't fit - not even close. We really wanted a 40" tall sofa, but of course the depth would then have to be much less than 44" for sure. I know it can be "angled" through, but I wonder if there's a sure way to tell what the limits are.

Anyone out there have any advice on how to tell from the measurements given online if a piece will fit, or experience with moving a large piece through a 36" door?

Featured Answer

dcollie

18 years ago

36" door is a piece of cake with all regular sofas provided you have good egress before and after the door. A basic door with primer as it pertains to furniture deliveries - and very general.

Most furniture is designed to go through 33" - 34" doorways, so a 36" door is a luxury (if you ever want to see delivery guys break out in a big grin, have a double opening front door).

At 32" things get interesting. There are certain larger sofas that won't fit, and some that have to be 'shoved' through if the customer decides thats OK, and might have get abrasion marks on leather pieces, or light soiling on fabric ones. In my delivery trucks we carry a special pad with metal bands to fit around door jambs for exactly this reason.

Anything other 32" requires careful planning beforehand, and many pieces simply won't fit. You're up against the laws of physics. 29" and 30" doorways are virtually useless for sofas, but you can get recliners through them relatively easy by opening them up flat and carrying them through in an extended mode (be very gentle if you do this, as its hard on the mechanisms).

Whats as important as door width is egress on each side of the door. On many doorways, we have to be able to 'hook' the sofa around the door frame. If we can't do that, it may not go in.

An experienced delivery crew is your best bet. They can tell usually very quickly be eyeballing the doorways if a piece will or will not go in, plus they know the tricks in handling larger pieces to get them in the house, whereas a new crew will simply give up and put it back on the truck.

There is a decision-making point on some difficult deliveries that the customer must decide upon whether they want the furniture pushed up against the jambs and walls. If you as the customer say 'yes', then expect some minor blemishes on your furniture or walls. Sometimes thats the only way to get a piece in.

I've often remarked that every architect should have to work on a furniture delivery truck for at least a month before they get certified. We'd see a lot better egress into homes if that happened.

-Duane Collie

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Comments (7)

greenpond
Original Author
18 years ago
Once again, Mr. Collie, your reply has been most helpful - thanks so much! An interesting perspective for architects too! I completely agree. I'm calling the store first thing tomorrow to make sure the delivery team is experienced in such things. It's a straight shot, no tight turns, so maybe it will work. This is a fabric (chenille print) piece, so hopefully abrasion won't be a problem.

I have emailed you off-list, BTW, regarding a visit to your lovely state in a couple of days.

Thanks again!
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greenpond
Original Author
18 years ago
Just thought I'd post a follow-up. I called the store, a very reputable one I might add, and the very nice salesperson discussed it with their delivery men. They confirmed everything Mr. Collie said, that this particular sofa is a very popular model (Bradington Young) and that they fit through 36" doors all the time with no problems. Whew!

Yes, Mr. Collie *is* the Go-To Guy for great advice!
Michelle Alvarez
9 years ago
Thank you!! I was in the same predicament and disheartened the couches wouldnt fit through the door...til I googled my dilemma and this came up. Whooo Hooo I get to purchase my dreamy sofa after all!! :)
jmariesouth
9 years ago
I ordered, without thinking of my doorway, a 42" deep Flexsteel sofa that will soon be coming, doorway is 36" but.. didn't consider my hallway. Door 36"w x 80"t enters hallway that is 42"wide. Hallway makes an immediate turn when coming in doorway. I'm feeling like I may have a problem here. May have to get a local professional moving team here to get it in, hopefully:(
JA T
6 years ago
Jmariesouth, I’m interested if the sofa made the trip through your doorway?
Brian
9 months ago
December 3, 2025. If anyone sees this, and can make a prediction: Thinking that most sofas were roughly the same size as my two older ones; I ordered two new leather sofas. The dimensions....84 inches end-to-end/36 inches high, and 36 inches sideways. (Front to back.) I'll ask to have them delivered with the legs removed. (~ 2 inches.)

The doorframe is 36 inches--(When the door is closed.) Fully open; 34 inches. The door height is 81 inches. When I open the door; it's 85 inches to the opposite wall. There is 7 inches inside to play with on the "tilt the sofa" side of the open door. The open door blocks the other side.

I don't want to remove the door; unless it's absolutely necessary. Off its hinges; the doorframe is 36 inches. The center (hinge) pin is easily removed. (Tap it out.) However; the top and bottom hinge pins are spring loaded. Not so easy.

My bad. A rat got into our apartment; through an open patio door. Bird seed debris blows down from our bird-feeding upstairs neighbors. Seed + rat + open door + trouble. He peed and pooped on our (still good) eleven year old sofas. Had to toss them. My wife was overseas. I (foolishly) went ahead and ordered two new ones; without her knowledge. Also foolishly assumed (w/o measuring) that our old couches were similar in size.

So....What do you think? Will they fit; w/o removing the door? I realize that this is a very old forum; so my question may go unseen. Thank you to anyone who sees it, and can comment.