How to Measure Up for High Gloss Storage Units: A Simple Sizing Guide

To measure up for high gloss storage units, record four things: the width of the wall or recess at floor level and at the height of the unit top, the depth available before the unit narrows a walkway, the height clearance below windows, shelves or sockets, and the clearance needed in front for doors and drawers to open fully. Measure in centimetres, check every measurement twice and compare your figures against the assembled dimensions of the unit, not the box size. Allow a little breathing room on each side, because high gloss reflects everything around it and a unit squeezed tightly into a space looks cramped.

Our range of high gloss sideboards UK includes long, low and compact designs, and the same measuring process applies across our wider collection of modern living room furniture UK sale. This sizing guide walks you through each step.

What You Will Need

A metal tape measure of at least five metres is the most useful tool, as it stays rigid over longer spans. You will also need a notebook or your phone to record figures, a pencil, and ideally a roll of masking tape for marking out the footprint on the floor. A spirit level helps if you want to check whether the floor slopes, which is common in older properties.

Step One: Measure the Wall Width

Measure the full width of the wall or recess where the unit will stand. Take the measurement at floor level and again at the height where the top of the unit will sit. In many homes, especially older ones, walls are not completely straight and alcoves can narrow or widen as they rise.

Use the smallest figure as your working width. Then subtract at least 5 cm on each side for a freestanding unit. This gap stops the high gloss sides from rubbing against walls and gives a cleaner, more deliberate look.

Step Two: Check the Depth

Depth is where most measuring mistakes happen. Measure from the wall to where you want the front of the unit to sit, then check what remains of the walkway in front. Aim to leave at least 75 to 90 cm of clear space for comfortable movement, more in busy routes or where people sit nearby.

Measure the skirting board too. Skirting can push a unit 1 to 2 cm away from the wall, which slightly increases how far it projects into the room. If you have a dado rail or picture rail that sits at the height of a tall unit, measure its depth as well.

Step Three: Measure Height Clearance

For low units, such as sideboards and TV stands, check the height of anything above the space: windowsills, radiators, wall mounted shelves or a wall mounted TV. A sideboard sitting just below a windowsill can look intentional, but one that overlaps it will block light and look awkward.

For tall units, measure from the floor to the ceiling and to any coving. Leave at least 10 cm at the top so the unit can be tilted upright after assembly, and more if you want it to look proportionate. Note the height of light switches and thermostats nearby, so the unit does not cover them.

Step Four: Allow for Doors and Drawers

High gloss storage units often have handleless push to open doors and drawers. These need clear space in front to open fully. Measure the depth of each drawer and the width of each door, then check that nothing in the room will block them, such as a coffee table, a dining chair or a door swinging from the other side.

As a rule, allow at least the depth of the deepest drawer plus about 30 cm so you can stand comfortably while using it. For hinged doors, the door width is the minimum clearance needed in front.

Step Five: Note Sockets, Radiators and Cables

Mark the position of every socket, aerial point and radiator on the wall. A unit that covers a socket can still work if it has an open back or cable cut outs, but check the design first. Radiators need clearance, both for heat to circulate and to protect the finish. High gloss surfaces can be affected by prolonged heat, so keep units a reasonable distance from radiators and avoid placing them directly in front.

If the unit will hold a TV, plan for cable routes and consider the position of the screen. As a general guide, a TV unit should be at least as wide as the screen, with a little extra on each side for balance.

Step Six: Mark Out the Footprint

Once you have a unit in mind, use masking tape to mark its width and depth on the floor. Live with the outline for a day or two. Walk around it, open nearby doors and sit on the sofa to see how it relates to the rest of the room. This simple step catches many problems that measurements alone miss.

For tall units, you can also tape an outline on the wall to check the height. This shows how much of the wall the unit will cover and how it relates to windows, artwork and ceiling height.

Step Seven: Check the Delivery Route

Measure the width and height of every doorway, hallway, staircase and lift the unit will pass through. Note any tight turns, especially on stairs. Flat packed units are easier to manoeuvre, but long panels still need space to turn. Assembled pieces should be compared with the narrowest point on the route, allowing for the packaging.

Matching Sizes Across a Room

If you are buying more than one high gloss piece, plan them together. A TV unit, sideboard and coffee table in the same finish look best when their heights relate. Many people align the tops of a sideboard and TV unit, or keep a coffee table slightly lower than the sofa seat.

Our modern high gloss TV stands UK are designed with this kind of coordination in mind. In bedrooms, the same principle applies to high gloss chest of drawers UK and bedside cabinets, where matching heights create a calm, ordered look.

Why Breathing Room Matters With High Gloss

High gloss surfaces reflect light and everything around them. A unit with a little space on each side looks crisp and intentional. Pushed tightly between walls or other furniture, the reflections can make the space look cluttered. A small gap also makes it easier to clean the sides and avoids scuffs as you move past.

For media furniture, our guide to low TV unit measurements for UK living rooms explains how to size a unit against your screen. For display units, shelf spacing and internal heights matter too, and our article on display cabinet dimensions in UK homes covers internal measurements in more detail.

Measuring Awkward Spaces

Not every wall is a straightforward rectangle. Alcoves beside a chimney breast are often slightly different widths on each side, so measure both separately and record which is which. In older houses, floors can slope, which means a long unit may rock or sit unevenly. Check the floor with a spirit level and look for units with adjustable feet if there is any noticeable slope.

Bay windows, sloping loft ceilings and boxed in pipes all need special attention. For a bay, measure the flat wall sections rather than the overall width. For a sloping ceiling, measure the height at the front and back of where the unit will stand. For boxed in pipes, note their depth and height, as they can stop a unit sitting flush against the wall.

Recording Your Measurements Clearly

A simple sketch of the room, with each measurement written on it, is far easier to use than a list of numbers. Mark the positions of doors, windows, radiators and sockets, and note which way each door swings. Take photographs of the space from a few angles as well. When you compare these with the product dimensions, it becomes much easier to picture how the unit will sit.

Common Measuring Mistakes

The most frequent mistakes are measuring only once, ignoring skirting boards, forgetting door and drawer clearance, and using box dimensions instead of assembled sizes. Another is measuring the wall but not the delivery route, which can leave a unit stuck in the hallway. Taking a little extra time at the start saves frustration later.

We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days. You can browse our full range of high gloss storage at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much space should I leave around a high gloss unit?

Leave at least 5 cm on each side for a freestanding unit. This prevents rubbing, makes cleaning easier and gives a cleaner look.

Should I use the box size or the product size when measuring?

Use the assembled product size for fitting the room and the box size for checking the delivery route through doors and stairs.

How far should a high gloss unit be from a radiator?

Keep a reasonable gap and avoid placing the unit directly in front of a radiator, as prolonged heat can affect the finish and block heat circulation.

How much clearance do drawers need?

Allow the depth of the deepest drawer plus around 30 cm, so you can open it fully and stand comfortably while using it.