Furniture Delivery, Room of Choice and Access Tips
How to plan for a smooth furniture delivery: measuring doors and stairs, choosing room of choice, and whether to build in place before it arrives.
Most flat-pack furniture is delivered to your front door, in boxes that are heavier and larger than they look. If you plan around delivery and access, building day goes far more smoothly. This guide covers measuring, choosing where boxes are left and how it ties in with an assembler's visit.
Understand the delivery options
Kerbside or doorstep
The simplest service leaves boxes at the entrance of your home. You are responsible for getting them inside, which may need two people for heavy packs such as wardrobes.
Room of choice
Some retailers offer delivery to a room you pick. This saves lifting but needs a clear route. Confirm in advance whether staircases are included, whether the delivery team will bring items to an upper floor, and whether they will take away packaging.
Delivery to a building with a lift or shared hallway
In flats, check lift dimensions and whether you need to book it. Shared hallways may need to be kept clear, and some buildings restrict delivery hours.
Measure before you order
Measure the widest and tallest boxes, then compare against your access points.
- Front door width and any threshold step.
- Hallway width, including radiators and bannisters.
- Stairs: width, headroom and any turns or landings.
- Doorways to the final room, including door-frame width when the door is open.
- The ceiling height in the final position, since a tall wardrobe assembled upright may not tilt into place.
Write the numbers down and compare with the box dimensions on the product listing. Box sizes are usually shown by retailers or on the label.
Build in place when you can
Large pieces such as wardrobes, bunk beds and large bookcases are often easier to build in the room where they will stand. Bring the flat boxes upstairs and construct them there, rather than building downstairs and trying to carry the finished item. A built wardrobe is far heavier and more fragile than its parts.
Coordinate with your assembler
When you book help, mention the delivery date and where the boxes will be. If you have chosen room of choice, tell the assembler the boxes will already be upstairs. If you will carry them yourself, ask whether the assembler can help, and whether that affects the price. See what to prepare before an assembler arrives for the rest of the checklist.
Protect floors and walls
- Lay cardboard or old sheets on wooden flooring along the route.
- Use corner protectors or blankets on tight turns.
- Remove pictures and mirrors from walls along the route.
- Open doors fully and secure them so they do not swing.
Inspect on arrival
Check each box for visible damage before the delivery team leaves. If a box is crushed or torn, note it on the delivery paperwork or take photos. Hidden damage is easier to claim if you spotted a problem early. Counting the number of packs against the order, particularly for multi-box wardrobes, also stops issues later.
When access is difficult
For very tight stairs or narrow flats, flat-pack is often an advantage as it comes in manageable panels. If an item will not fit even in pieces, you may need to consider a different model or ask a provider about options. Many people use the services page to find help with moving heavy items as well as building them.
A quick access audit
Walk the route from the van to the final room and note every pinch point. Measure the narrowest door width, the stair width and any turn at a landing, then check the box dimensions (the longest side is the one that matters). Look for tight bends, handrails, low ceilings, radiators in hallways and sharp corners in flats.
| Pinch point | What to measure |
|---|---|
| Front door | Clear opening width, not the frame |
| Hallway | Width and any turns |
| Stairs | Width, headroom, turn position |
| Lift | Internal depth and door width |
| Bedroom door | Clear opening with the door open |
Tight access: practical choices
- Ask whether the item can be delivered flat-packed or in sections.
- Remove the door from its hinges for extra width, which often gains a couple of centimetres.
- Wardrobes and sofas that are built in a single piece may need a different supplier or delivery option.
- In a block of flats, ask the building manager about lift booking and delivery hours.
Common mistakes
- Measuring only the front door and ignoring the stairs.
- Forgetting the width of packaging as well as the product.
- Assuming room of choice includes unpacking or building.
- Not clearing the route and leaving the delivery team to shuffle ornaments.
After the delivery
Check boxes for damage on arrival and note any problems on the delivery paperwork before signing. If you have an assembler booked, tell them what has arrived and the room it is in. See what to prepare before an assembler arrives for a short preparation list.
Frequently asked questions
Does room of choice include assembly?
Typically no. It usually means boxes are carried to a room you pick, not built. Assembly is a separate service, either from the retailer or an independent provider.
What if a box will not go through the door?
Check the instructions: some packs can be split, or items can be built in place from smaller boxes. Otherwise contact the retailer promptly about alternatives such as a different size or model.
Should I build before or after the delivery team leaves?
After you have checked the boxes. Do not open or build until you have counted packs and checked for damage, as opened boxes can complicate returns.