Ordering a large piece of furniture online, like a dining table, cupboard, sideboard or wardrobe, is exciting, but it does come with one practical step: making sure it can safely reach its final spot in your home. A few quick checks before you order can prevent delays, extra charges, or the disappointment of a piece not fitting through a doorway. This guide explains what to measure, what to prepare, and what to expect on delivery day, and how it links to our Returns Policy.
The access checklist: what to measure before you buy
Start with the largest “pinch points” along the route from the delivery vehicle to the room where the item will live. Use a tape measure and note the narrowest points.
Measure these five things:
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Front door width and height (and any porch or internal door immediately after it)
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Hallway width and any tight turns
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Staircase width (if the item is going upstairs), including head height/ceiling clearance
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Landing space and the tightest corner or turning point
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Room entry door width and the space where the item will sit
Don’t forget: skirting boards, radiators, banisters, light fittings and narrow angles can reduce usable space. If your doorway is tight, measuring the door “clear opening” (inside edge to inside edge) is more accurate than measuring the frame.
Your furniture arrives assembled (not flat-packed)
We don’t sell flat-packed furniture. Our pieces arrive fully assembled, which is part of what makes them special (and why access checks matter). Vintage and antique items are dispatched as used pieces, carefully protected in our own packaging. Please make sure your access route suits the item’s full dimensions before ordering.
Compare measurements properly (it’s not just width)
Large furniture rarely moves through a home “front on.” You’ll often angle it to navigate corners and staircases, so compare:
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the item’s overall width/height/depth, and
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the diagonal clearance of tight points (doorways and turns).
If your access looks close, take photos of the route (front door, hall, stairs, landing turn) and contact us before ordering. It’s much easier to confirm fit in advance than reattempt a delivery.
Flats, apartments, and tricky access
For upper floors and apartment buildings, it’s worth checking:
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Lift dimensions (internal width, depth, height, and the door opening)
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Communal hallway width and turning areas
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Any delivery time restrictions or booking requirements with building management
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Parking/loading rules (double yellows, permit bays, service entrances)
What happens on delivery day
Delivery experiences vary depending on the courier and item size, but in general you can expect:
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A delivery window or scheduled date
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The item arriving well protected/packaged
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The team bringing it in via the agreed access route (where service includes room-of-choice delivery)
To make the day smooth, clear the route in advance: move rugs, remove obstacles, and if possible take pictures off walls in narrow hallways or staircases. For very heavy or oversized pieces, it’s helpful to have a second adult present, especially if access is tight.
Unpacking and checking your furniture
Before the team leaves (or as soon as possible if it’s a doorstep delivery), do a quick check:
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Is the packaging intact?
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Any visible dents, chips or damage?
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Are all parts included (if the item is delivered in sections)?
Keep the packaging until you’re sure everything is perfect, as it helps protect the item if a return or exchange is needed.
Final tip: when in doubt, ask first
If your home has narrow doorways, steep stairs, tight corners or limited parking, message us with your measurements and a couple of photos of the access route. We’ll help you work out whether the piece is suitable, and advise on the easiest way to get it safely into your home, so your delivery day feels straightforward and stress-free.
Returns policy: important before you order
Because many of our pieces are one-of-a-kind vintage/antique items or made to order, returns work differently depending on what you buy. Please read our Returns Policy before ordering, and note in particular:
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We do not accept returns on antiques (used items)
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We do not accept returns on bespoke/made-to-order pieces
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For eligible items, returns are subject to our policy terms and condition requirements
If you’re unsure whether an item is returnable, or you want to confirm access before purchasing, get in touch, we’re happy to help you check measurements and make a confident choice.