How to measure for fitted wardrobes

You'll need

A metal tape measure (a laser measure is even better), a pencil and paper or the notes app, and your phone camera.

1. Measure the width at three heights

Wall to wall at the floor (just above the skirting), at waist height and just below the ceiling. Walls are rarely perfectly straight, so the three numbers usually differ by a few millimetres. Write all three down; we design to the smallest.

2. Measure the height at both ends

Floor to ceiling at the left and right of the wall. Note any coving, a beam, or the bulkhead over the stairs that many UK bedrooms have.

3. Check the depth you've got

Measure from the wall to anything in front: the bed, a door frame, a radiator. Around 600 mm suits hanging clothes; less than that and we'll suggest pull-out rails instead.

4. Note the skirting, sockets and switches

Skirting height and depth, and the centre of every socket and switch on that wall (distance from the corner and from the floor). You don't need to plan around them; we'll do that.

5. Look at the doors and windows nearby

How far the bedroom door opens into the room, and the distance from the corner to any window frame. This tells us whether hinged or sliding doors will work best.

6. Take the photos

Stand back and photograph the wall straight on, then each corner, with the tape measure stretched out in shot.