How to Get a Sofa Through the Door

Delivery day should be the easy part. With ten minutes of preparation it usually is. This checklist covers the things that go wrong most often.

Before it arrives

Re-measure the route. Front door, hallway, stairs, turns and the room door. See how to measure for a sofa.
Clear the path. Move rugs, shoes, plants and small furniture.
Protect paintwork. Open doors fully and consider padding corners.
Pick the spot. Know where the sofa goes so it is only carried once.
Arrange help. A second person makes everything easier.
Check the delivery information you were given at checkout.

When it arrives

Check the box. Look for damage before you sign. If a carton is badly damaged, note it.
Open it in the room, not the hall. Use scissors, cutting away from the upholstery.
Do not drag it. Lift to protect floors and legs.

If it will not fit

Tilt it. Turn the sofa on its end or side; many go through a doorway tilted.
Take off legs or arms where the design allows.
Remove the door from its hinges for the extra centimetres.
Use a different route, such as a patio door or a window, if safe.
Contact us. Email us before returning anything so we can help.

Compressed and modular sofas

Modular cloud sofas arrive in boxes that are far easier to move. Unpack in the room and give the foam time to expand: a day or two, and up to 72 hours for the deepest sections. Pat the cushions to help.

First checks

Are all parts, legs and fixings present?
Are there any marks, tears or damage?
Does it match the photos, the colour and the specification?
Is the fire safety label attached? Leave it on.
Take photos of anything wrong straight away.

Keep the packaging

Keep the box and wrapping for a few days in case anything needs to go back. After that, recycle.

Then enjoy it

Once the sofa is in place, read the care guide on its product page and our guide to cleaning a sofa. Browse sofas.