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Purchasing new furniture is exciting, but nothing can ruin that excitement faster than realizing your new sofa or sectional will not fit through the doorway. This frustrating situation is called a No-Fit Delivery, and it can lead to unexpected costs, wasted time, and disappointment.
At La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston, our delivery team has seen these scenarios before. Even with their expertise, some homes have challenging layouts that can make delivery difficult.
That is why preparation is key. According to Mary Lee Smyth, an interior designer at La-Z-Boy Kingston, a few extra steps before purchasing can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and stress-free delivery.
In this article, we’ll walk you through six essential tips to help you avoid a no-fit delivery and enjoy your new furniture without worry.
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The first step in avoiding a no-fit delivery is simple: measure your room before you begin shopping. A quick sketch of your living space with wall lengths and the intended placement of furniture will help guide your decision.
Mary Lee explains that creating this type of sketch does not take long. “A simple sketch of your room’s measurements is not difficult and will take about 20 to 30 minutes,” she says. This small amount of preparation can save hours of frustration later on.
To learn more about How to Measure Your Room, take a look at this article.
Once the walls are measured, you also need to pay attention to details in your room that could interfere with delivery or placement. Elements such as radiators, fireplaces, ceiling fans, and handrails are more than just aesthetic features. They can easily block or narrow the path your delivery team needs to take.
More often than not, no-fit deliveries happen because of something small, like a railing or fixture that seemed unimportant at the time of measurement. By including these details in your sketch, you ensure that your new furniture does not become stuck on its way into your home.
Now it is time to measure the path your furniture will take to reach its final spot. Every doorway, hallway, staircase, or elevator that the delivery team uses should be measured.
When recording doorway measurements, include both the width and height with and without trim. Trims and frames often reduce clearance. Do not forget the diagonal depth of the doorway either, as this helps determine if a piece can be angled through. Pay attention to obstacles like hinges, doorknobs, and door swings, as these can take away a few extra inches that make the difference.
For staircases, measure the entry at the bottom, the width of the steps, and the overall diagonal clearance of the stairwell. Because most furniture is moved diagonally up or down stairs, these diagonal measurements are vital to success.
If you live in an apartment or condo, the elevator must also be measured. Record the height, width, and depth of the elevator interior as well as the size of the door opening. Many buildings also require you to book a service elevator, so confirm this well before delivery day.
Even if a sofa fits through your doorway, it might not fit around a corner. Hallways and stairwells with tight turns are common obstacles. To prepare for this, measure the distance from the edge of a corner to the parallel wall. Your furniture’s width and depth must be smaller than that measurement to allow it to pivot around the corner.
It is equally important to think about the pathway from the truck to your home. Check if the delivery truck will have space to park, and consider seasonal conditions like snow or ice that could block access.
Also, make sure the route inside is free of clutter such as boxes, toys, or tools. A clear path reduces risk and helps the delivery go smoothly.
After measuring your home, compare those dimensions with the product information listed online or in-store. At La-Z-Boy, tags and product descriptions provide width, depth, and height. However, diagonal depth is not always listed and is an essential number to calculate yourself.
To measure diagonal depth, place a straight edge from the highest back point to the front arm of the furniture. Then measure from the bottom rear corner to the middle of that straight edge. If the diagonal depth of your sofa or chair is less than the height of your doorway, it can likely pass through when angled.
Some furniture designs also include helpful features that make delivery easier. Many sectionals arrive in modular pieces, and some recliners have removable backs. These options can be very useful if your home has narrow doorways or hallways.
Even with careful preparation, challenges can happen. At La-Z-Boy, our team is highly skilled at navigating tricky entries, but if something truly does not fit, each case is handled individually.
Mary Lee explains, “We don’t want to leave a customer with furniture that is not suitable, so we have to look at each no-fit on a case-by-case basis.”
To avoid setbacks, confirm your measurements before finalizing your order and talk to your design consultant about modular or customizable options. It is also wise to review the return or re-selection policy so you know what to expect if a no-fit occurs.
By planning, you can reduce stress and ensure a smoother experience on delivery day. To learn more about What to Expect from the Delivery Services at La-Z-Boy, take a look at this article.
How do I know if my sofa will fit through the door?
Measure your doorway’s width, height, and diagonal depth. Compare these numbers with the width and diagonal depth of the sofa. If the sofa’s diagonal depth is smaller than your doorway’s height, it should fit when angled.
What if my couch doesn’t fit when delivered?
Most furniture retailers, including La-Z-Boy, allow re-selection or return if your furniture does not fit. This usually involves a restocking fee and additional delivery charges.
Do furniture delivery companies take doors off?
Yes, many delivery teams will remove doors from hinges to gain extra space, but this solution is not always enough. Measuring carefully in advance is still the best way to avoid issues.
La-Z-Boy provides a white-glove delivery service designed to make the process as easy as possible. Our in-house team unpacks, inspects, assembles, and places your furniture in the room of your choice, then removes all packaging materials. Additional services are also available, including moving old furniture or arranging disposal.
This premium service ensures that your new furniture arrives safely and is set up properly without you lifting a finger. To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s delivery, take a look at our Delivery Page.
After reading this article and recording careful measurements of your own, you have all the information necessary to avoid a no-fit furniture delivery. You can await your delivery with confidence that your new furniture will fit your space perfectly with little to no adjustments needed!
If you are interested in purchasing new furniture from La-Z-Boy, we have an abundance of selection. More specifically, we offer quality, stylish, and versatile furniture for multiple rooms in the home, including the living room, bedroom, and dining room.
Our design consultants would be happy to help you find furniture that is the perfect fit for your space! By taking advantage of our complimentary design services, our talented team of interior designers will ensure that the style of your new furniture complements your home design.
Visit us at a local Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston location to find what you are looking for today. If you prefer to plan, schedule an appointment online. To learn more about Living Room Furniture at La-Z-Boy, take a look at our comprehensive Living Room Buyer’s Guide.
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