Chapter 03Fit
Will it fit?
Measure once, before the delivery truck shows up. Each tool here checks a piece against your rooms, doors and halls and gives you a sheet to keep the measurements on.
Systems: one finished job each
SystemFurniture delivery fit: measure the path before the truckMeasure every door, hall, stair and turn on the way in, check the sofa, mattress or fridge three ways, and give the delivery crew one sheet of numbers.8 steps · 4 parts · 1 page to printOpen the system
SystemHoliday guest prep: beds, seats and the guest roomWho sleeps where, whether each bed fits its room, how many fit at the table, and the guest room in three passes, on one printable guest-week checklist.9 steps · 4 parts · 1 page to printOpen the system
SystemHoliday lights plan: measure, buy, hang and label the setsMeasure the house front from the ground, buy the right sets once, read the tag, hang with clips, then tag each set by run so next year follows the same plan.8 steps · 3 parts · 1 page to printOpen the system
Tools and records
Chapter 03Holiday light length calculatorMeasure the roofline from the ground, add the gable edges and 10%, and get the feet, the sets, the plug points, nets for the bushes and lights for the tree.Open the tool
Chapter 03Bed size and room fit checkCheck all six mattress sizes against your room with walkways around the bed, then test the box spring against the door and hall turn.Open the tool
Chapter 03Sofa through the doorway fit checkCheck a sofa against your narrowest door and a hallway turn: upright, on its back or tilted on its end, with a printable measuring sheet.Open the tool
Chapter 03Table seating plannerCount the seats at your table at 24 in a person, add a folding table to one end, then check the room leaves 36 in to pull chairs out.Open the tool
Guides and know-how
Practical noteGuest room checklist: a spare room ready for holiday guestsA week out, the day before and the last hour: measure the bed space, clear a drawer, write the Wi-Fi card and test the alarm. Printable checklist.Read the guide
Know-howLit length, lead length and sets end to end: reading the boxWhy a 17.5 ft light set only lights 16.25 ft, how to find the lit length when the box hides it, and where to read how many sets connect end to end.Read the guide
Know-howHow to measure a roofline for lights from the groundMark the ground under each gutter corner, tape the eaves, then work out each gable's sloped edges from its width and rise. No ladder needed.Read the guide
Know-howHow to measure a sofa's diagonal depthLay a yardstick from the top of the back to the front of the arm, then tape from the bottom back corner to it. Compare that number with your door.Read the guide
Problem-solving guideSofa won't fit through the door: what to tryMeasure the clear opening, try the sofa upright, on its back and on its end, then take off the legs and the door before you give up.Read the guide
Problem-solving guideWill the air mattress fit? Floor space for a guest bedMeasure the clear floor, not the room. A queen air mattress needs about 84 by 116 in against a wall; a twin needs about 63 by 111 in.Read the guide
Printable sheets
Photos: Josh Lemmon / Unsplash, Alicia Christin Gerald / Unsplash, Costa Live / Unsplash and 4 more, see photo credits