After hours of searching, you finally found the perfect sofa bed shape and color, and are ready to add it to your cart. Then it hits you: will it actually fit through the door?
It's the question we get most at Spaze, and it's the right one to ask. Sofa beds are bulkier than standard sofas, and one missed measurement can turn delivery day into a headache. The good news? It's an easy fix. This guide covers exactly what to measure and which Spaze models work best for tighter spaces, so you know before you buy.
The 5 Measurements That Matter
1. Your Front Door or Building Entrance
Because most apartments and doors have entry doorways between 28" and 32" wide, it's a common issue spot for sofa beds. A 26" minimum clearance is the most common threshold for Spaze sofa beds. Some wood-frame models need 29"–30".
To ensure your new sofa bed will fit, measure the door width (the space from one door frame to the other) without including the door frame itself.
Measure: From the inner frame edge to the other inner frame edge with the door fully open.
2. Hallways and Corridors
A sofa bed that fits through the front door can still get stuck in a narrow hallway. Measure the narrowest point of every hallway it needs to travel and the full length, including any turns.
The critical number here isn't just width; it's also the turning radius. If your hallway makes a 90-degree turn, note the length of both the hallway and the connecting room, since furniture needs diagonal clearance to pivot.
Pro tip: Our delivery team is experienced with tight turns. For models that ship in multiple boxes (like the Ardina, which arrives in 2 boxes, or the Marline sectional in 3), individual pieces navigate corners far more easily than a fully assembled unit.
Measure: width at the narrowest point and the length of any turn corridor.
3. Elevator Dimensions (If Applicable)
If you live in an apartment or condo above the ground floor, the elevator is one of the most difficult constraints you’ll need to contend with. Most residential elevators have interior depths between 48" and 60", so you should measure both the door opening width and the interior depth of the elevator cab.
Note: If your building has no elevator and stairs are the only option, contact us at contact@spaze.com before ordering. Our delivery team can advise on which models work best for stair carries.
Measure: elevator door width AND interior depth (front wall to back wall).
4. The Room Itself
Once the sofa bed is inside, it needs to fit in the room when fully extended into bed mode. Luckily, many of Spaze’s models include a wall-hugger feature that allows them to extend forward while staying flush against the wall. You'll just need clear floor space in front of the sofa equal to the bed depth.
How to calculate this:
- Note the sofa's closed depth (typically 35"–42")
- Add the extended bed depth (typically 75"–80" total from wall to foot of bed)
Combined, that's the minimum floor space needed from the wall behind the sofa to any obstacle in front. Our wall-hugger models are designed specifically for tight rooms, so you don't lose that 6"–8" of clearance traditional pull-out sofas require.
Measure: total room depth, and note any fixed obstacles like TV units or coffee tables
5. Ceiling Height and Stairwell Clearance
Though ceiling height and stairwell width are less common issues, they’re still a consideration for sofa beds being moved into loft spaces, basement suites, or older homes. If your delivery route involves a stairwell or a low-ceiling entryway, measure the diagonal clearance when a box is tilted upright. Our delivery team will assess this on arrival, but knowing in advance helps you plan.
Measure: stairwell width and any ceiling or beam height over the path.
Your Spaze Sofa Bed Fit Guide
Use this reference table alongside your measurements. Min. Door Clearance is the minimum doorway width needed for standard delivery.
2-Seat Sofa Beds
| Model | Seat Height | Sleep Height | Min. Door Clearance | Comfort (1–5) | Frame |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamton | 17.5" | 17.5" | 25" | 4/5 | Wood |
| Alure | 16.5" | 16.5" | 26" | 4/5 | Wood |
| Oslo | 16.0" | 12.0" | 26" | 3/5 | Metal |
| Jenner | 17.7" | 11.4" | 26" | 3/5 | Metal |
| Napa | 17.3" | 11.4" | 26" | 3/5 | Metal |
| Coda | 16.5" | 12.0" | 26" | 2/5 | Metal |
| Noble | 17.0" | 17.0" | 30" | 4/5 | Wood |
| Blaine | 17.0" | 17.0" | 29" | 4/5 | Wood |
| Ardina | 16.5" | 12.0" | 26" | 3/5 | Metal |
| Aspen✨ NEW | 18.0" | — | 26" | 5/5 (bed), 4/5 (sofa) | Wood |
| Breda✨ NEW | 16.5" | — | 26" | 4.5/5 | Wood |
3-Seat Sofa Beds
| Model | Seat Height | Sleep Height | Min. Door Clearance | Comfort (1–5) | Frame |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duncan | 16.9" | 16.9" | 26" | 4/5 | Wood |
| Berlin | 16.5" | 9.0" | 27" | 4.5/5 | Wood |
| Cenna | 17.3" | 17.3" | 29" | 4.5/5 | Wood |
| Luna | 17.0" | 17.0" | 25" | 4/5 | Wood |
Sectionals & Chair Sleepers
| Model | Seat Height | Sleep Height | Min. Door Clearance | Comfort (1–5) | Frame |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alna (Chair) | 16.0" | 12.0" | 26" | 3/5 | Metal |
| Marline | 16.5" | 16.5" | 24" | 4/5 | Wood |
| Bergen | 16.5" | 16.5" | 30" | 4/5 | Wood |
How to Read the Comfort Rating
At Spaze, we use a comfort score based on firmness to reflect the surface sleep quality. Here is a comprehensive guide for choosing the best sofa bed for your home:
2/5 Firm
Great for occasional guests; not ideal for nightly use. The high-density foam helps prevent you from feeling the frame, offering consistent support.
3/5 Medium Firm
Balanced and supportive. This level offers a comfortably firm feel, not too soft, not too hard. Some of our sofa beds fall into this category due to their durable metal frames and supportive high-density foam designed for both sitting and sleeping.
4/5 Comfortably Firm
A great choice for those who prefer a softer, more comfortable seat than medium-firm while still enjoying balanced support and structure. These models typically feature solid pine wood frames, which offer greater flexibility and a cushioned feel compared to metal frames
4.5/5 Medium Soft
One of the softest seating options in our sofa bed collection, Level 4.5 offers a cozy, relaxed feel while maintaining enough structure for daily use. It bridges the gap between comfortably soft-firm and ultra-soft, making it ideal for main living areas where you want both comfort and support.
5/5 Soft
The Aspen (integrated 3.9" high-density foam) falls here—these sleeper sofas are as close to a real bed as it gets.
What "Unbox First" Actually Means
For models where we note "unbox first," the delivery team removes the product from its carton in your hallway or lobby, then carries the bare unit through the tight opening. This is especially useful when the sofa itself fits through 26"–29" gaps, but the cardboard packaging adds 2"–4" of bulk. If you're ordering a model with this note and have a doorway near the minimum clearance, let our delivery team know in advance. They handle this regularly.
Before You Order: A Quick Checklist
- Measured front door clear opening (not including door frame)
- Noted the narrowest hallway width on the delivery path
- Checked elevator interior depth if applicable
- Measured available floor space with the sofa bed fully open
- Confirmed whether a wall hugger model is needed for your layout
- Matched your door clearance to the model's minimum in the table above
If anything is tight or unclear, email us at contact@spaze.com or call 1-866-520-0755 (Mon–Fri 6am–5pm PST, Sat–Sun 11am–3pm PST).
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my sofa bed doesn't fit through the door on delivery day?
Our delivery team will attempt a standard delivery, if you have room-of-choice delivery, they will deliver as close as possible to your room of choice, and if you have included assembly, they may be able to unbox it to be able to bring it into your room. That said, measuring ahead of time is always the better option.
Can Spaze deliver to apartments above the ground floor?
Yes. We deliver Room-of-choice, which includes two flights of stairs. If you're on an upper floor without elevator access and require further travel, please contact us in advance so we can discuss stair carry options with our delivery partner.
What does "room of choice" delivery include?
Your sofa bed is brought to the room of your choice within your home. Assembly is available as an add-on for an additional $50.
Are there delivery fees?
Standard delivery zones (West & East Coast, most major cities): $99 Room of Choice delivery for orders $999+. Outside standard zones, fees are confirmed upon receiving the quote.
My building has a service entrance with a different door size. Can I use that?
Yes, for tight residential buildings, service entrances are often the smarter choice. Just let the delivery team know ahead of time so they can come to the correct location on the day of delivery.
Still Not Sure? Let's Figure It Out Together
Choosing a sofa bed for a small space is one of the most common situations we help with. Whether you're in a 500 sq ft studio in NYC or a narrow Victorian in San Francisco, we've seen it before.
Looking for more small space guides? Browse the Spaze Blog for delivery tips, room layout ideas, and how-to guides for making the most of compact living.
