How to Measure a Corner Bookcase

Corner bookcases provide storage for more than just books.

Corner bookcases fill up this otherwise ignored space in your home. They allow you to store books, knickknacks, baskets and other functional or decorative items. Making use of this unused vertical space is a wise way to add storage and style to the room, but it's vital to measure the correct size of a corner bookcase by taking into consideration the other features in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Look around the corner where you want to add the bookcase. Ask yourself if there are any features that may obstruct the piece. This may be obvious -- such as a fireplace or niche -- or a feature such as a heating vent or light switch you don't want to block.

2. Measure the distance with your tape measure from the corner of the wall to the obstruction, if one exists. If there is no obstruction, simply measure out from one corner the distance of the area you want the bookcase to extend. Mark the location with a small dot. Repeat the process for the other side of the corner. Measure the distance between the two dots to arrive at the maximum distance across the outer edge of the shelves. Write down all the dimensions as you take them.

3. Hold the end of the tape measure in the corner and pull it out as far as you want the bookcase to extend. This is the maximum depth of the bookcase from the back of the bookcase to the front edge of the shelves. The depth is important because you don't want the bookcase to block traffic flow through the room or to appear out of proportion with your other furnishings.

4. Stretch the tape measure from the floor toward the ceiling where you want the top of the bookcase to end. You may enjoy having a floor-to-ceiling bookcase, or you may want to use the top of the bookcase to display potted plants or other decor. Write down the maximum height on your paper, and take the dimensions with you to shop for corner bookcases.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure across the diagonal of the available space if you have concerns the bookcase may require tilting to get inside your doorway. Do this by measuring the available space from the top of one corner to the bottom of the other. Many of these furnishings are quite large. It would be disappointing to find out it doesn't fit through the opening or annoying to have remove door frames to fit the bookcase inside.

References

• Collectic Home: Measure Your Space
• Pottery Barn: How to: Measure for Furniture