A lot of people have difficulty visualizing how a piece of furniture will or won't work in their living space. Below, please find a few hints on how to  get a true idea of  what will work in your space.

FORGET ABOUT GRIDS AND SCALE MODELS.  If you can make them work, then you probably don't need the rest of this, but I have found a surprising number of intelligent people who can not work with grids. They try and then they fudge it and then they are crowded or exasperated or embarrassed. This guide is for those people.

1) If the item is a table, start with another table that is close to the same size. Don't have one? What about two tables? What about a card table, ironing board, stack of boxes,  pair of ottomans, etc.?  Get the dimensions and then look around you. If you do not have anything at all, then you must have a lot of room. That must be very nice. If you do not have that much room, then start looking at the other pieces of furniture you may have and see what has a similar footprint. Do not be afraid to push things together or to use soft (upholstered)  furniture to stand in for hard (case) furniture. Or vice versa. Do not be ashamed to drape a piece of fabric over it if it helps you get a better idea of the space that is used up. Be as scrupulous as you can and try to assemble or mock-up something that takes up the exact same space.  Shift it as necessary.

2) If you have no means of building up a "substitute solid" for your proposed piece, start with a piece of paper that is the same size as its footprint. Then, get another piece that is as big as its silhouette. If possible, tape or attach this piece to a wall. If there is no wall, or if you are going to put it in the middle of the room, try a hatrack or plant stand or similar upright. A Nordic Track might work.

3) Have you looked for a cardbard box or series of boxes that is the right size? What if you took a piece of cardboard and put it on top of another table that is the right height, but the wrong dimensions?  You might not be able to eat from it, but you could get a decent idea of the size and shape.   What about a piece of lawn furniture or two, draped with a tasteful tapestry, to simulate your new sofa?

4) If none of these things will work, you might try actually building a model of the piece using butcher paper and bamboo garden stakes, or coat hanger wire, or more cardboard. Where is that roll of duct tape?  The idea is to end up with a sofa-shaped block or a china cabinet-shaped block, or a wardrobe-cum-entertainment center- shaped block- whichever you prefer, so that you will be certain to allocate the proper amount of space -AND THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART: the proper amount of empty space around it. It may take you several minutes to construct a mock china cabinet, and PLEASE don't try to store any mock china or mock figurines in it, but at least you will know that you can or can't hang pictures  next to it, and you  will know that the reserved space will be big enough when and if you order the object in question. You will also know if it is eye level, above eye level, or beneath your notice.  Without a full sized mockup, these thngs are sometimes tricky to decide. Appliance boxes are sometimes easy to get and work with.  If you have just moved, you may find your moving boxes will serve another useful purpose- as  components of your  mega-Lego construction project. Liquor boxes and copier paper boxes are also a handy size.

Good luck with this. Do remember it is better to learn before the thing is ordered whether or not it will get up the stairs, much less through the door. And, once you have finished, you have the perfect playhouse for your child or large pet.

I hope you have found this guide to be helpful and will take a moment and vote on its helpfulness. If you want advice (or just entertainment) on any of a host of other topics, please check out my other guides and several helpful reviews, too.  I am having fun with my new  eBay Blog: ALL OVER THE MAP. I hope you might find a minute to check it out as well.

Again, I wish you good luck,

WT