Buying new furniture is exciting, whether you're replacing your mattress, choosing a new bed, updating your bedroom furniture or giving your living space a completely new look. However, there's one important part of buying furniture that can sometimes be overlooked: getting it safely into your home.
Furniture delivery is very different from receiving an ordinary parcel. Beds, mattresses, wardrobes, sofas and dining furniture can be large, heavy and difficult to manoeuvre, particularly in homes with narrow hallways, staircases or limited access.
If you're shopping for furniture in Liverpool or the surrounding areas, a little preparation can help make delivery day much easier.
Check the Furniture Measurements Before Ordering
Before ordering any large piece of furniture, check its dimensions carefully.
It sounds obvious, but it's surprisingly easy to concentrate on whether a piece of furniture will fit into the room without considering whether it will actually fit through the house.
Check the product's:
- Width
- Height
- Depth
- Overall dimensions when assembled
Then compare these measurements with the space available in your room.
Remember to allow sufficient space around the furniture too. A wardrobe that technically fits into an alcove, for example, may not be particularly useful if there isn't enough room to open its doors.
Measure Your Doorways
One of the most important things you can do before furniture delivery is measure your doors.
Measure both the height and width of the doorway, remembering that the actual usable opening can be smaller than the dimensions of the door frame.
If necessary, check whether the door itself can be opened sufficiently to allow the furniture through.
Don't just measure your front door either. Consider every doorway between the entrance to your property and the room where the furniture will eventually be positioned.
Don't Forget Hallways and Corners
A piece of furniture may fit comfortably through your front door but still encounter problems further inside the house.
Narrow hallways and tight corners can be particularly challenging.
Think about the complete route the delivery team will need to take.
If there's a 90-degree turn immediately after entering the property, for example, there needs to be enough room to manoeuvre the furniture around it.
This can be particularly important with long items such as sofas, bed frames and mattresses.
Check Your Staircase
If your furniture is going upstairs, take a careful look at the staircase.
Measure the width of the stairs and check the available height, particularly where there are low ceilings or landings.
You should also consider:
Bannisters – Could they restrict the available width?
Landings – Is there enough space to turn large furniture?
Ceiling height – Could taller items become difficult to manoeuvre?
Light fittings – Are there pendant lights or other fittings that could get in the way?
These checks are particularly worthwhile when purchasing wardrobes, large bed frames and other bulky bedroom furniture.
Clear the Delivery Route
Preparing your home before your furniture arrives can make a big difference.
Remove anything that could obstruct the route from the entrance to the room where the furniture is going.
This might include rugs, shoes, small tables, ornaments, lamps and other easily movable items.
If possible, make sure there is plenty of space available in the destination room too.
It makes the delivery process easier and helps reduce the risk of accidental damage to your existing furniture or belongings.
Make Sure Someone Is Available
Furniture deliveries usually require someone to be at the property to receive the order.
Make sure the person receiving the delivery knows where the furniture is going and has access to the appropriate rooms.
If somebody else is accepting the delivery on your behalf, explain exactly where you want the furniture placed beforehand.
It's much easier to make these decisions before a large bed or wardrobe arrives at your front door.
Tell the Retailer About Difficult Access
If you know access to your property could be difficult, mention it when arranging your furniture delivery.
For example, you may live in:
- An apartment or flat
- A property with several flights of stairs
- A home with particularly narrow access
- A pedestrianised area
- A property with limited parking nearby
- A building with restricted delivery access
Providing this information beforehand gives the retailer an opportunity to understand the situation before delivery day.
Furniture Delivery to Flats and Apartments in Liverpool
Liverpool has a wide variety of housing, from traditional terraced properties and suburban family homes to modern city-centre apartments.
If you live in a flat or apartment, there may be additional things to consider.
Check whether the building has a lift and, importantly, whether the furniture will fit inside it. If the lift isn't suitable, find out whether the furniture can be taken up the stairs.
Some apartment buildings may also have specific delivery arrangements, loading areas or restrictions on when large deliveries can take place.
Checking with your building manager or concierge beforehand can save considerable inconvenience.
What About Mattresses?
Mattresses can present their own delivery challenges.
Traditional mattresses can be large and relatively difficult to manoeuvre, particularly when delivering a king or super king mattress upstairs.
However, some modern mattresses are supplied rolled and vacuum-packed, making them considerably easier to transport through smaller spaces before being unpacked in the bedroom.
For more information on choosing the right rolled mattress, read our guide:
[The Ultimate Guide to Rolled Up Mattresses]
If access to your bedroom is particularly difficult, it may therefore be worth considering whether a rolled mattress would be suitable for you.
Divan Beds Can Be Practical for Delivery
Divan beds can also be a useful option where access is a concern.
Depending on the size and design, divan bases are commonly supplied in sections rather than as one enormous piece. Once inside the bedroom, the sections can be positioned together.
Divans can also offer useful storage options such as drawers, helping you make better use of your bedroom space.
If you're considering one, read our Divan Bed Buying Guide to learn more about the different options available.
Should You Dispose of Your Old Furniture First?
This depends on what you're replacing and the services available from your retailer.
If you're getting rid of an existing bed, mattress or piece of furniture, don't automatically dispose of it weeks beforehand unless you're happy to manage without it.
Instead, plan when the old item will be removed in relation to the arrival of the new one.
It's also worth asking your furniture retailer what delivery and removal services are available before placing your order.
Why Buying Furniture Locally Can Help
Buying from a local furniture retailer can make the whole process feel more personal.
You have somewhere you can visit, people you can speak to and the opportunity to ask questions about the product and delivery before committing to your purchase.
You can also visit the showroom and see furniture in person rather than relying entirely on photographs and descriptions.
For more information, read our guide Why Buying Furniture from a Local Furniture Store Matters?
This article will help you understand the advantages of combining online research with traditional showroom shopping.
Furniture Delivery Across Liverpool and Merseyside
If you're looking for beds, mattresses or bedroom furniture in Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area, it's worth considering delivery before making your final choice.
Measure your room, check your access and speak to the retailer if there's anything unusual about your property.
A few simple checks beforehand can help avoid problems when your new furniture arrives.
Visit Paul Antony Beds & Bedrooms
At Paul Antony Beds & Bedrooms, you can browse online and visit our Widnes or Huyton showrooms to see products for yourself before making your decision.
Whether you're looking for a new bed, mattress or bedroom furniture, our team can help you explore the available options and answer questions about getting your purchase into your home.
If you're unsure whether a particular product will be suitable for your property, bring your measurements with you when you visit.
Find Your New Furniture Today
From choosing the right furniture to preparing for delivery, taking a little extra time at the beginning can help make buying new furniture a much smoother experience.
Measure. Choose. Prepare. Enjoy your new furniture.
