How to Measure Your Room for a New Wardrobe

Nothing derails the excitement of a new wardrobe quite like discovering it doesn't fit your space. Whether the wardrobe is too large to enter through your doorway, too tall for your ceiling, or leaves awkward gaps against the wall, incorrect measurements lead to costly returns, delays, and frustration. Taking accurate measurements before you shop eliminates these problems entirely.

Tools You'll Need

Before you begin measuring, gather the following items:

• A retractable metal tape measure (at least 5 metres long)
• A notepad and pen, or your phone's notes app
• A spirit level (optional but helpful)
• A step ladder for ceiling measurements
• A camera or phone to photograph the space

Avoid using fabric tape measures or phone measuring apps for this task—they're insufficiently accurate for furniture fitting. A quality metal tape measure provides the precision you need.

Measuring the Available Width

Start by measuring the wall where your wardrobe will stand. Measure at three points: near the floor, at roughly waist height, and near the ceiling. Walls in older Australian homes are frequently not perfectly straight, and you need to know the narrowest point.

Record the smallest of these three measurements as your maximum available width. This ensures your wardrobe will fit even where the wall is at its closest.

If the wardrobe will sit between two walls in an alcove, measure at multiple depths—walls can angle inward or outward over their length. Again, record the narrowest measurement.

Measuring Height Correctly

Ceiling height measurement seems straightforward, but several factors complicate it. Use your step ladder to measure from floor to ceiling at multiple points along the wardrobe's intended location. Ceilings can slope or dip, particularly in older homes.

Critical considerations for height include:

• Cornices and coving: Measure to where the wall meets the ceiling, not to the bottom of decorative cornices that protrude into the room.
• Ceiling fans: If a ceiling fan is directly above, measure to the lowest point of its blades plus clearance.
• Bulkheads: Dropped sections of ceiling for plumbing or ducting must be measured separately.
• Light fittings: Note any light fixtures that might require clearance.

Record the lowest ceiling height measurement. Your wardrobe must fit comfortably beneath this point with room for installation—typically requiring 20-30mm clearance for freestanding units being tilted into position.

Measuring Depth

Wardrobe depth—how far it projects into the room—is crucial for both usability and room flow. Standard wardrobe depths range from 50cm to 65cm, with most clothes requiring at least 55cm for hangers to hang freely without crushing against doors or back panels.

Before settling on a depth, consider:

• Door clearance: Will the room's entry door still open fully? Measure from the wall to the door's arc.
• Furniture spacing: Maintain at least 70cm between the wardrobe and your bed or other furniture for comfortable movement.
• Hinged door swing: If choosing hinged wardrobe doors, add the door's width to the depth when calculating required clearance.

Accounting for Skirting Boards

Skirting boards—those decorative strips running along the base of your walls—affect how flush your wardrobe sits against the wall. Measure how far your skirting board protrudes from the wall surface, typically 15-25mm.

Many freestanding wardrobes have a recessed plinth at the base specifically designed to accommodate skirting boards. Check the specifications to ensure this recess is deep enough for your skirting. Built-in wardrobes can be scribed to fit precisely around skirtings, or the skirting can be removed from that section of wall.

If your wardrobe lacks adequate skirting accommodation, it will sit away from the wall, creating a visible gap and potentially reducing stability.

Checking for Obstructions

Before finalising measurements, identify any elements that might obstruct your wardrobe:

• Power points and light switches: Note their exact positions. You may need to leave these accessible or have an electrician relocate them.
• Radiators or heating panels: Wardrobes should not block heat sources.
• Windows: Ensure the wardrobe won't block natural light or prevent windows from opening.
• Architraves: Door and window frames protrude from walls and need clearance.

Take photographs of the space from multiple angles, capturing all these elements. These photos prove invaluable when shopping and can be shared with salespeople or installers.

Creating a Simple Floor Plan

Sketch a basic floor plan of your room, noting all measurements and marking the positions of doors, windows, power points, and existing furniture. This doesn't need to be architecturally precise—a rough drawing with accurate measurements suffices.

Include the direction doors swing, which way windows open, and where your bed and other furniture sit. This contextual information helps you visualise how different wardrobe options will work in your space.

Measuring for Delivery Access

The most perfectly fitting wardrobe is useless if it can't enter your home. Measure doorways, hallways, staircases, and any tight corners along the delivery route. Consider:

• Front door width and height
• Hallway width at its narrowest point
• Staircase width and ceiling height at landings
• Bedroom door dimensions
• Any 90-degree turns in corridors

Large freestanding wardrobes often arrive fully assembled or in sections too large to navigate tight spaces. Flat-pack options bypass this issue entirely, as components can be carried through individually and assembled in the room.

Double-Check Everything

The carpenter's adage "measure twice, cut once" applies perfectly here. After completing all measurements, repeat the process a second time on a different day. Fatigue and haste lead to errors, and verifying your figures costs nothing compared to rectifying a purchasing mistake.

Keep your measurements and floor plan sketch safely stored. You'll reference them repeatedly while shopping, and they'll prove essential if ordering built-in wardrobes or consulting with retailers about the best options for your space.