The short version
| Standard size | Made to measure | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Fixed, take it or leave it | Length, depth and layout adjusted to your room |
| Fabric and colour | Whatever is in stock | Your choice from our fabric range |
| Extra cost at Barki | – | None for standard resizing |
| Delivery time at Barki | 2–3 days | 2–3 days |
In short: if a standard size does not quite fit, you do not have to compromise. Send us your room measurements and we will build the sofa to suit.
Made to measure, made to order, custom: what is the difference?
You will see all three phrases used, often for the same thing. Made to order means the sofa is built after you order it, in the fabric and colour you choose, rather than taken from a warehouse. Made to measure or custom size goes a step further: the dimensions themselves are adjusted to fit your room.
At Barki Sofa Hub every sofa is made to order, and every model can also be made to measure. You can order the standard size, or change it. If you are weighing up the options, our guide to made to order vs ready made sofas covers the pros and cons.
What you can change
- Length of each section. Make a corner sofa shorter to fit an alcove, or longer to fill a wall. On a corner or L-shape, each arm can be a different length.
- Seat depth. Deeper seats for lounging, or shallower ones for a smaller room or for people who prefer to sit upright.
- Layout and number of seats. Add or remove seats, change a corner into an L-shape, or choose which side the corner sits on.
- Back cushions. Fixed for a neat, tailored look, or loose for a softer, relaxed one.
- Removable covers. Cushion covers can be made with zips so they come off for cleaning.
- Fabric and colour. Pick from our fabrics and colours, or ask about a shade you have in mind.
Seat height is a common question too. A taller frame makes the whole sofa bigger, which can make it hard to get through doorways and up the stairs, so ask us first and we will check it against your access route.
How to measure for a made to measure sofa
Good measurements are the whole point, so it is worth taking five minutes to get them right.
- The walls the sofa will sit against, from corner to corner, and the position of anything on them: radiators, sockets, windows and doors.
- The space in front of it. Leave at least 75 cm of walkway and about 40 to 45 cm between the seat and a coffee table.
- The route in. Measure the front door, hallway, any tight turn at the bottom of the stairs, and the door into the room. A custom sofa that fits the room but not the hallway is no use to anyone.
Our step-by-step measuring guide walks through it in detail.
How ordering works
- Send us your measurements on WhatsApp, with a photo of the room if you can. A rough sketch with the numbers is perfect.
- We confirm the exact dimensions, fabric and price before anything is made, so everything is agreed in writing.
- Your sofa is made and delivered, usually within 2–3 days of the order being confirmed, with free delivery across mainland UK.
- Pay on delivery. Cash on delivery is available on most orders.
Before you order any made to measure sofa, from us or anyone else, it is worth knowing the cancellation rules. Because the sofa is built to your own specification, the usual 14-day change-of-mind right does not apply once production has started. You can still cancel free of charge before then, and your rights if anything is faulty are exactly the same as with any other purchase. Our returns and cancellations page sets out the details.
Mistakes to avoid
- Measuring the room but not the doorways. The most common problem with any large sofa.
- Forgetting the radiator. A sofa pushed hard against a radiator blocks the heat and can damage the fabric over time.
- Going too deep in a small room. Extra depth is comfortable, but every extra centimetre comes out of your walkway.
- Choosing the wrong corner side. Stand in the doorway and decide whether the short side should be on your left or your right before you order.
Ready to start? Browse all sofas, corner sofas, U-shape sofas or 2+3 seater sets, then send us your measurements and we will do the rest.
Common questions
What is a made to measure sofa?
A made to measure sofa is built to dimensions that suit your room, rather than taken from a warehouse in a fixed size. You choose the model, then adjust things like the length of each section, the seat depth and the layout, along with the fabric and colour.
Does a custom size cost more?
It depends on the seller. At Barki Sofa Hub there is no extra charge for standard resizing, such as making a corner sofa shorter to fit an alcove. Your price is confirmed in writing before your sofa is made.
How long does a made to measure sofa take to arrive?
Many UK retailers quote 4 to 12 weeks. At Barki Sofa Hub most made to measure sofas are made and delivered within 2 to 3 days of the order being confirmed, with free delivery across mainland UK.
Can I return a made to measure sofa?
A sofa made to your own measurements is exempt from the 14-day change-of-mind right, because it cannot be resold. You can still cancel free of charge before production starts, and your legal rights for faulty goods under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 apply in full.
Will a big custom sofa fit through my door?
Corner and U-shape sofas are made in sections so they can be carried in. Measure the narrowest point on the route, often the turn at the bottom of the stairs, and tell us before the sofa is made so we can check it will fit.