How to Measure a Room for Decorating

When decorating a room, it is imperative to know your room measurements. If you guess at your room measurements and make a mistake, you may end up with furniture that is too big or too small. You will end up with window treatments that are the wrong length, and you will end up with a room looks poorly planned. Here are my tips for measuring a room for decorating.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Retractable measuring tape
• Laser measuring tool
• Pencil
• Paper

1. 

   First, you need to measure the length and width of the room. Using a retractable measuring tape, or laser measuring tool, measure the room from end to end in one direction, an d in the other. Draw a rectangle on the paper and record the measurement of each wall on the paper. If your room is rectangle, then you are done. If your room is odd shaped, you will also need to measure odd corners and walls.

2. 

   Next, you need to measure each wall. You will already have the length of each wall from your floor measurement. Now you need to measure the height of the wall from floor to ceiling. Knowing the height of the ceiling in your room will give you the dimensions of each wall.

3. 

   Next, you need to measure the width of the windows, the length of the windows, and how far the top of the windows are from the floor. You will also need to record how far the bottom of the window is from the floor. Do this for each wall.

4. 

   Do not forget to measure your doors. This measurement is not only important for ordering wall treatments, but it is imperative to know if different items will fit into your room. To measure the door, measure the height and width of the inside of the door frame. Also, take note of whether you have clearance outside of the room to maneuver large items through the opening.

Tips & Warnings

• Carry your room measurements with you when you purchase paint, wallpaper, window treatments, and furniture.