The ONLY Interior Design firm in Toronto that brings sexy back home!
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How to Measure Your Room
Maybe you've never measured anything before. Perhaps you've measured bits and pieces here and there. Or, you're a total expert but want some pointers.
Below you'll find a thorough guide to will help you get your measurements right the first time.
We will use your hand drawn floor plan, dimensions and photo submissions to know exactly how your space is laid out!
Once we receive all of these, we'll be able to create a digital version of your space which will be used to create your furniture layout and renders.
For Starters...
Why Did We Develop Our Submission Policy
Most clients will try to fit everything on one plan and submit it. The reality is, yes we can probably figure out what you have there, but it's going to take us much longer than expected and in turn it's going to increase your design fees.
But, why?!?
Well, simply because the plan is hard to follow when there is that much information on it... even when it's neat. Also, clients OFTEN miss dimensions because they are not use to reading plans and they aren't seeing a blank space where something's missing.
The reality is clients are not use to reading or work off of floor plans and everyone naturally develops their own way of doing new things, but on our end, this means we have to stop and figure out that person's way of using a plan before we can move forward, every time we get a client submission.
Great! Except that we realized that we were spending WAY TOO MUCH time figuring out what the symbols they used were for, why dimensions didn't add up properly or asking for missed dimensions and so on.
So, we decided that since taking down dimensions is something we do everytime we do a site measure, why not breakdown our system for virtual clients to follow?
This is a very neat example of everything on one plan and it's still hard to get into.
Now image it drawn by hand, no ruler and dimensions scribbled onto it.
DON'T DO IT!!
Seriously, we will not accept it as a submission and direct you back here to follow the steps!
OR, we will time how long it takes us to redo the plans and bill for the time.
Ready For an Example of What we Mean?
Bet you didn't even notice the partial wall at the top right wasn't measured.
The 3 + 1 Floor Plan Method
When we tell other designs we have clients submit 3 floor plans of the same room + a sketch, they gasp! But, when we explain why, they vow to implement the same method.
We find it important to be open and honest, doing a site measure is not always easy. LOTS of spaces can be super complex to do properly... BUT, we developed a straightforward and simple method that breaks it down into easy mouthfuls so you can get the job done right, the first time.
Look at the difference in below floor plans....
WHOA RIGHT?!?
That's exactly why we have clients break down the dimensions they are submitting. It will be easier for you, it will be easier for us and if you double side the paper, it will even be easy on the trees!
The Measuring Process:
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Full Walls – wall to wall / corner to corner dimensions
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Partials – break down everything on each wall
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Elevations – height and placement of features
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Electrical – pot lights, ceiling lights power outlets, vents, etc.
Much easier to read right?
What You Need:
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Pad of blank or graph paper
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Ruler
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Pencil & Eraser
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Fine Tip Marker or Pen
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Measuring Tape 16-60ft – it must reach wall to wall
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3 Copies of your floor plan – to write different dimensions on
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Helping Hand - if possible, to help you measure
Tips Before you Start Measuring:
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Draw a very rough floor plan first.
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Easiest way to get the room outline is to roughly sketch it as you walk around it
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Start at the door, as you walk, sketch the walls beside you
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Go wall to wall until you end up back at that door
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Go back and add things like doors, windows and other features
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Mark bulkheads with a dashed line (see top wall in photo) and floor elevations with a dotted line
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Include floor to ceiling columns and fill them in completely (see top wall in photo)
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For windows, draw a rectangle, half in the lines of the floor plan and half outside (see top wall in photo)
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Get someone to help you, have the more experienced person read and call out the dimensions
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Include the trim in the dimensions of features. (Ie. if a window is 30, and the trim is 3", record the window as 36"
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Notice: that when holding the measuring tape straight, the shortest dimension is the correct one – this is because the shortest point between two walls is a straight and level line.
Let's Go Through The Steps Now:
1.
Label your first drawing – Full Walls.
On this plan, just measure the circumference of the entire room, wall to wall.
This floor plan will have the least amount of dimensions jotted onto it, so utilize the additional emptiness to make note of any out of the ordinary measurements that will be important to the design.
In this plan, you can see based on the legend that there is a sunken area in the living room. So, we made the decision to record those measurements on this plan.
2.
Label your second drawing – Partials.
This will more than likely be the busiest floor plan you submit, but that's okay!
This plan will show the details of the space that we need to plan around, like windows, doors and columns.
When measuring windows and doorways, include the trim in the dimension of the object - in other words, what we really need to know is the remaining wall space because technically a door, window or the trim around them is not usable space - consider hanging artwork - it cannot be hung on trim.
Take measurements of all architectural features and the wall space on either side of them. Windows, doors, bulkheads, columns, radiators, pillars, mantel, bay windows etc. – basically, anything that needs to be worked around needs to be noted.
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Ie. Corner to doorway, width of doorway (including trim), doorway to window, width of window (including trim), window to wall
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ie. If the whole wall is 120”, the window is 48” (including the trim) and has 36” on each side of it. Add these to your drawing like below:
3.
Label your third drawing – Elevations.
This is where your inner artist can shine, or not ha! But seriously it's time to put pencil to paper and draw each wall. Each one does not need to an entire 8 1/2 x 11 paper. If you can fit all 4 walls neatly on one piece while all the dimensions are still easy to read, go for it!
Don't forget to let us know how far bulkheads come off the wall!
Take measurements from the floor to the bottom of the feature, then from the bottom to the top of the feature and write both down
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Ie. Floor to ceiling is 120”, floor to the bottom (outside) window trim is 36”, bottom of the window trim to the top of the window trim is 48” and there is 36” above the window to the ceiling, you would only write 36 and 48
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For complicated features like built-in’s, see section: Additional or Complex Dimensions
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Don’t forget to measure the ceiling height and record it on your plan somewhere
4.
Label your fourth drawing – Electrical.
You do not have to measure where every single light and switch is. But, we do need to have a general idea. Photos help a lot with this but things like vents that cannot be covered with other items need to be properly measured.
Draw the electrical features of a room down in generally the right area on your floor plan - if we need to get more specific about it, we'll ask!
When measuring lights, make sure that you give us a dimension off two walls so we can place it and measure to the center of the fixture.
All we need for this is symbols on the drawing roughly in the same spot they are in real life.
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What we need: power outlets, pot lights, ceiling lights/chandeliers, vents, telecom outlets, cable outlets
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We have included a symbol legend in the document below
Before Submitting your Floor Plans:
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Walk around and look over your drawings to ensure everything has been included
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Make sure your dimensions are legible and easy to read
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Did you note which way doors swing open?
Additional or Complex Dimensions:
Some rooms have very complex areas or features like built-ins or mantels, that just need their own piece of paper.
Draw a very basic sketch of the item and add your dimesnions to that - see below.
We will provide you with an excel sheet titled ‘Additional Dimensions’ where you will record the dimensions of furniture and décor you plan to keep.
Have a Tight Doorway, Elevator or Staircase?
Just because a piece is going to fit in the room, doesn't mean you can always get it into the room.
Most vendors will charge a restocking fee if the reason for return is because the item does not fit + they will not refund the delivery costs.
You are going to need to make sure that you measure the path that piece is going to take into the room.
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When measuring doorways, be sure to measure the A width & B height inside your door frame. If your door does not open wide enough, you may want to have it removed from its hinges prior to delivery.
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in stairwells, be sure to take C handrails or posts into consideration.
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For hallways, check for D low-hanging light fixtures or architectural details that can impede your delivery.
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If an elevator is required to reach your apartment or condominium, you will need to measure the elevator doorway & interior.
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Before Submitting your Floor Plans:
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Walk around and look over your drawings to ensure everything has been included
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Make sure your dimensions are legible and easy to read
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Did you note which way doors swing open?
Once we get your drawings, dimensions and photos, we'll be able to create a digital version for you!
Feeling a Little Overwhelmed?!
If you are located in the GTA, we offer the option to come in and do the measurements and photographs for you. This service is charged at $125/hour.
Alternatively, you can always hire a local trades person to come and take the measurements.
Please note that we are not responsible for any issues caused by incorrect dimensions that are submitted.