How to Read Furniture Dimensions: W, D, H, Seat Height and Arm Height

Furniture dimension labels use a simple system: W is width (left to right), D is depth (front to back), and H is height (floor to tallest point). Seat height and arm height are separate comfort measurements. Sutter & Vale carries the full Fairfield Chair line, and every product page in the sofas collection lists all relevant dimensions.

What Do W, D, and H Actually Mean on a Product Page?

Width, depth, and height each describe a different axis of the piece. Width runs across the front. Depth runs front to back. Height runs from the floor to the top of the back frame or back cushion.

• W (width) shows how much wall run the sofa claims. The Chesterfield 84" Sofa is 84"W. The Chloe 109" Sofa is 109"W. That 25-inch spread matters against a short wall.
• D (depth) shows how far the piece pushes into the room. The Chloe line at 32.25"D reads lean and open. The 90" Sofa at 40"D gives a deeper, more enveloping sit.
• H (height) governs visual weight. A 35"H sofa reads taller and more formal than one at 33"H, and may interrupt a window or piece of art behind it.

What Is Seat Height and Why Does It Matter?

Seat height is the distance from the floor to the top of the seat cushion. It controls how easy the sofa is to sit down on and rise from. Most standard sofas land between 17" and 19". If mobility is a consideration, favor the higher end of that range. If a low, relaxed sit is the goal, look closer to 17". Seat height is not always printed on every tag, so confirm the compressed seat height with your Sutter & Vale contact before ordering.

What Is Arm Height?

Arm height is the distance from the floor to the top of the arm. It shapes comfort and the visual proportion of the piece.

Arm height also determines whether a sofa can tuck under a console used as a sofa table, and how it aligns with neighboring chairs.

How Do I Put These Numbers Together Before I Buy?

Measure your space in three directions: the wall run, the clearance into the room, and the height to any window sill or art rail. Leave at least 36" of clearance for a main traffic path. Then match each room measurement to the corresponding letter on the product page. Width to wall run. Depth to clearance. Height to window or art rail. Once those three numbers fit, seat height and arm height handle the comfort and sightline details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does depth include the legs?

Yes. Furniture dimensions represent the full outer footprint of the piece, legs included. The number on the product page is the outermost measurement from the front of the leg to the back of the frame.

Is seat height measured with or without the cushion?

It is measured with the cushion in place at resting height. Cushion fill affects the result, so a Luxury Plush seat and an Ultra Plush seat on otherwise identical frames may land at slightly different heights.

What if a width is listed with a fraction, like 93.5"?

Use the full number when planning your layout. A half inch is negligible in an open room but can matter in a built-in or between two closely placed pieces of furniture. Tape out the full dimension on your floor before confirming an order.

The Sutter & Vale Team