How to Measure for a Custom Bench, Bedside Table or Shelf
A made-to-measure piece starts with clear measurements. Before choosing a size, think about the space it will occupy, what you want to store and how you will use it every day. A bench must leave a comfortable route through the hallway; a bedside table needs to work with the bed; a shelf needs suitable support as well as the right length.
We make our solid wood furniture in our Yorkshire workshop. Selected designs can be made in custom sizes, subject to construction and delivery limits. A request is an enquiry, rather than a guarantee that a piece can be made. Our wooden crates are a separate, sourced range offered in the sizes shown in their listings.
Start with the space, not just the furniture
Use a tape measure and record everything in centimetres. Measure the available width, depth and height at more than one point, especially in older homes. Skirting boards, uneven walls, door frames, sockets and radiators can reduce the usable space.
Mark the proposed footprint on the floor with masking tape, then open nearby doors and walk past it. Leave room to bend, sit down or pull out the items you plan to store. Check the route into the room too, including doorways, turns and stairs.
Measuring for a hallway bench
Measure the full width available across the top of the proposed bench. Our bench width is measured across the seat top, including its overhang. The usable space between the sides is smaller, so tell us if a particular basket or number of shoes needs to fit inside.
Compare the 22 cm and 30 cm depths against your hallway. A deeper seat gives more storage depth but also projects further into the walkway. Check the depth above the skirting rather than assuming the wall is completely flat.
For height, measure from the floor to the top of the seat and consider who will use it. Shelf layout affects the height available for each pair of shoes. Send the height of boots, baskets or other bulky items if they are part of the plan. We will review which layouts are possible.
Choosing bedside or side-table height
Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress, including a topper if you use one. Use that measurement to compare a proposed bedside-table height with the bed. For a sofa side table, measure the sofa arm and think about how easily you can reach a drink, book or lamp.
Check the width between the bed and wall, and the depth available beside the bed. Allow for curtains, sockets, charging plugs and the space needed to get in and out of bed. A narrow top may fit, but it still needs room for the objects you use.
Tell us whether you need no internal shelf, one shelf or another layout, together with the height of anything you want to store. Available widths, depths, heights and layouts depend on the design; not every requested combination can be made.
Measuring wall shelves and alcoves
For a straightforward wall shelf, record the length, depth and preferred thickness. Tell us whether you want a floating shelf, brackets, a picture ledge or a shelf board, and what it will hold. The shelf, supports, fixings and wall construction all affect what is suitable.
For an alcove, measure its width at the back and the front, and at the top, middle and bottom of the proposed shelf position. Take a photo or sketch showing the measurements. Alcove walls are rarely perfectly square, so we will confirm the agreed dimensions and clearances before making anything.
Our custom shelves are offered in wax finishes. Use the current finish options when choosing, and remember that grain, knots and colour vary between boards. Wall fixings and installation must suit your wall construction.
Calculator, bespoke quote and delivery
Use a standard listing or the relevant calculator when your required size and options are available there. The hallway-bench calculator covers its available options for delivery. If the bench cannot be ordered through it, use the bespoke enquiry form with your dimensions and requirements.
An enquiry lets us check whether the design can be made and confirm the price. Delivery or collection depends on the finished dimensions. Wider or otherwise unsuitable pieces may require collection from our West Yorkshire workshop. Please wait for confirmation before making collection plans.
What to include in your enquiry
Send the product or style you have in mind; overall width, depth and height in centimetres; shelf layout and useful internal clearances; preferred finish; delivery postcode or collection preference; and a photo or sketch of the space. Include anything that might affect fit, such as skirting, sockets or an uneven floor.
If you are matching an existing piece, show the detail that matters. We will review your request and explain what is possible before you order. Do not assume that a submitted size, a photo or a requested change has been accepted until it has been confirmed.
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