Accurate measurements are the foundation of a successful flooring project. Whether you’re installing laminate, LVT, or engineered wood, knowing the exact size of your room ensures you order the right amount of material, avoid delays, and keep your project within budget. This guide walks you through the tools you’ll need, how to measure different room shapes, and how to calculate waste allowance, in all in a clear, beginner-friendly way.
Floor Land customers often tell us that measuring is the part they worry about most. With this guide, you’ll feel confident and prepared before placing your order.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following essentials:
Tape Measure
A standard retractable tape measure is perfect for most rooms.
Pencil
Useful for marking measurements and sketching your room layout.
Graph Paper
Helps you draw a simple floor plan and keep your measurements organised.
Laser Measure (Optional)
Ideal for the most accurate measurements, especially in large rooms or long hallways where a tape measure may be awkward to use.
Step-by-Step Measuring Guide
Different room shapes require slightly different approaches. Below, you’ll find clear instructions for the most common layouts.
Rectangular Rooms
Rectangular rooms are the simplest to measure.
- Measure the length of the room from one wall to the opposite wall.
- Measure the width in the same way.
- Write both measurements down clearly.
- Multiply the length by the width to calculate the total square metres.
For example, a room measuring 4m by 3m equals 12m².
Always measure at the widest points — walls are not always perfectly straight.
L-Shaped Rooms
L-shaped rooms should be divided into two rectangles.
- Sketch the room on graph paper.
- Split the shape into two clear rectangles.
- Measure the length and width of each section separately.
- Calculate the area of each rectangle.
- Add the two totals together to get the full room size.
This method ensures accuracy and prevents under-ordering.
Rooms With Alcoves
Alcoves, bay windows, and recesses can affect your total measurement.
- Measure the main rectangular area of the room.
- Measure each alcove separately by taking its length and width.
- Add the alcove areas to the main room area.
If an alcove is too small to floor separately (for example, behind a radiator), include it in your waste allowance instead.
Hallways
Hallways can be long, narrow, and irregularly shaped.
- Break the hallway into smaller rectangular sections.
- Measure each section individually.
- Add all the areas together for the final total.
If your hallway connects to multiple doorways, measure the widest point to ensure the flooring fits seamlessly.
How to Calculate Waste Allowance
Waste allowance accounts for offcuts, trimming, and pattern matching. Every flooring type requires a slightly different percentage.
Laminate
Laminate flooring usually requires around 10% extra. This covers cuts around door frames, radiators, and corners.
LVT
LVT is more flexible and easier to cut, so 15% extra is typically enough. If you’re installing a herringbone pattern, increase this to 20%.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood boards are thicker and require more precise cuts. Allow 10% extra for plank, 20% for herringbone, Versailles panels and other complex designs, especially for rooms with complex shapes or diagonal installations.
If you’re unsure, it’s always safer to round up. Ordering slightly more than you need ensures consistency in colour and batch tone.
Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid
Even small errors can lead to delays or unexpected costs. Here are the most frequent mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them.
Not Measuring at the Widest Points
Rooms are not always perfectly square. Always measure multiple points along each wall and use the largest measurement.
Forgetting Doorways and Transitions
Door frames, thresholds, and adjoining rooms can affect how much flooring you need. Measure these areas carefully.
Ignoring Alcoves or Recesses
Even small recesses can add up. Include them in your calculations or factor them into your waste allowance.
Not Accounting for Pattern Direction
Herringbone, wide-plank, and diagonal installations require more material. Always increase your waste allowance for patterned layouts.
Mixing Units
Stick to one unit of measurement — ideally metres — to avoid confusion.
Guessing Instead of Measuring
Even if a room looks simple, always measure it properly. Visual estimates are almost always inaccurate.
Authored by Lee McCarthy.
Floor Land
Cockhedge Shopping Centre
Warrington
Cheshire
United Kingdom
WA1 2QQ
