Quick and Easy Guide to Calculating Square Footage

Easily Calculate Square Footage of a Room

Renovating your home? Buying new furniture? Landscaping your patio? Measuring how large (or small!) your room is should be the first step. If you live in the US, it's likely that you'll be using square footage (sq ft) to tackle this task. If you live elsewhere, the metric unit may be used. In this article, we'll give you a step-by-step tutorial to accurately calculate the square footage of any room or property. You’ll have an accurate floor plan in no time with this square footage formula.

Understanding the Concept of Square Footage

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to calculate square footage of a house, it might help to first define what square footage is and exactly why it's important for you to know.

In real estate — most relevant for realtors or real estate agents, homeowners, and tenants, square footage is the most common term used to describe the size of a property or room. The main number you'll hear refers to the total area of space up for discussion.

This is how you can most accurately calculate a room's square footage: first measure the length of the space, then measure the width of the space, and then finally multiply those two numbers together. This will then give you the total square footage of the room — which can then be used to compare pricing or see if the piece of furniture you had in mind will fit your space.

So why exactly is calculating square footage important?

Reasons Why Calculating Square Footage is Important

To give you the picture, determining the square footage of living space might be the first step to determine the overall home’s value or value of a property. Especially when home buying or selling a home, square footage is one of the key factors taken into consideration when determining the asking price. In particular, for Rove Travel, you will want to put square footage in the property listing so that prospective tenants can see how the space you have will accommodate their needs.

Figure out the property or room square footage, and there's no stopping you to effectively plan and execute any renovation or redecoration project. An accurate measurement of the space can help you determine how much paint or flooring you will need — a huge time and money saver in the long run.

Learning the square footage of a bedroom, living room, basement, or den might just be what inspires and assists you to create the absolute best furniture layout for the space. Knowing the exact size of the room can give you an idea of how much furniture comfortably fits in the space without making it feel cramped or cluttered.

Lastly, finding the square footage of a room can help you determine the maximum number of people that can comfortably fit in the area — whether it's for a business meeting, birthday party, or an extra room for a couple. For something more corporate, businesses or event spaces might have guidelines or recommendations for safety reasons and adhere to occupancy limits for these reasons

If you're involved in real estate or home improvement, knowing what the square footage of a home is will put everything you need to know into perspective. With this new knowledge of calculating square feet to determine what you're working with, you'll be able to make more informed decisions when it comes to buying, selling, or renovating a property.

Preparing to Measure Your Room

Before pulling out the measuring tape, there are a few things you can do to make the process as seamless and simple as possible. If you're planning a renovation or redecoration project, don't skimp on these tips. They'll allow you to determine the amount of space you have to work with and helps you decide on the best layout for your furniture and decor.

Gather Necessary Tools and Materials

To measure your room, here are some of the things you'll need: a tape measure, a pen or pencil, and paper or a digital device to record your measurements. Pro tip — make sure your tape measure is at least 25 feet long, as it'll make things easier when you measure the length and width of each wall. Optional, but not necessary, it's also a good idea to have a level to ensure that the measurements you take are straight and accurate.

Whatever you do, don't forget to record your measurements accurately. You can use a notebook, a piece of paper, or even a smartphone app. Whatever your pick, make sure you each measurement includes the wall it corresponds to, as well as which ones have windows or other quirks, like a door. It's easy to forget which number was meant to be for which wall.

Clear the Room for Accurate Measurements

It might sound like a pain initially, but starting with an empty room or removing all the furniture from the room will help you get an accurate measurement of the space that you won't regret. If it isn't an option to remove all the furniture, for whatever reason, it's a good idea to clear as much space as possible so you can at least draw a straight line from wall to wall — even for closets. The goal is to avoid any obstacles that may possibly interfere with your measurements. This way, you won't need to start over — or worse, make a wrong calculation!

Removing wall decor, such as picture frames or mirrors, can also help you get the most accurate read, as these can skew your measurements. Make sure to measure around them and take note of their dimensions if you are unable to remove them for whatever reason.

Check for Obstacles

One thing you'll want to do before getting on your knees is take a look around the room and check for any built-in or structural obstacles that may affect your measurements. This could include things like radiators, shelving, or door frames. — things that are a part of the house that might not initially cross your mind, since they aren't completely movable.

One important and often overlooked measurement: check the ceiling height in your room. If your ceiling is sloped or has any unique features, you'll want to measure the height at different points along the wall to ensure accuracy.

Double Check Your Measurements

Once you've finished measuring your room, double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy. A pair of extra eyes can't hurt if you have someone who can look over your measurements as well to catch any mistakes or oversights.

Take it from the experts, and you're one step closer to measuring your room accurately and efficiently. Remember, the upfront time it takes to measure your room properly will totally be worth it in the long run — not to mention helping you create a space that is both functional and beautiful to impress not only guests, but also yourself!

Measuring the Length and Width of the Room

Before decorating your room, do not proceed until you measure the length and width of each wall. This crucial step will help you determine the amount of paint, wallpaper, or flooring will cover the room entirely — and not left with excess scraps or, even worse, not enough. Here's a step-by-step guide (in order) on how to measure the length and width of the room:

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

Don't measure just yet! Make sure you have the right tools. You will need:

— A tape measure

— A pencil

— A piece of paper or a device to record your measurements

—(opt.) A level

Step 2: Clear the Room

Remove any furniture, objects, built-ins, or decor that may obstruct your path while measuring the walls. The clear and unobstructed view of the walls will give you the most accurate measurement for your project planning.

Step 3: How to Measure the Length

Start by placing your tape measure at the baseboard at one end of the wall. Then, extend the tape measure until you reach the opposite end of the wall, making sure to keep it level and straight all the way. Don’t round up or down, and try to get it in square inches if needed. If it's twisted or slanted, the reading will not be accurate! Write down the measurement on your paper or device. Repeat this process for each wall in the room.

Step 4: How to Measure the Width

Place your tape measure at the baseboard of one wall and extend it all the way to the opposite wall, again making sure to keep it level and straight. Write down the measurement on your paper or device. Repeat this process for each wall in the room.

Step 5: Tips for Accurate Measurements

Always measure from the baseboard of the wall to the opposite end of the wall. Avoid measuring from the trim or moldings, as these can add inches to your measurement and result in an inaccurate calculation. If your room has irregular shapes or angles, break it down into smaller sections and measure each section separately.

By following these steps, you'll have foolproof, accurate measurements of your room's length and width. This will without a doubt help you make informed decisions when it comes to decorating your space.

Calculating the Square Footage

Getting an accurate floor plan to buy or sell a piece of property is crucial. When it comes to any home renovation or remodeling project, knowing how to calculate the square footage of a room is an essential skill. One of the most important parts of creating a budget means determining the amount of materials needed, such as flooring, paint, or wallpaper, as well as to estimate the cost of labor — which will depend on this number. Several of our Rove Travel homeowners will outfit their homes in preparation for guest stays, in which case knowing the square footage is crucial to do a professional job before putting your home on the market.

Now that you have your wall width and length measurements, it's time to calculate the square footage of your room. But before we jump into the calculations, let's take a moment to understand what square footage means.

Square footage is the measurement of the area of a two-dimensional space, expressed in square feet. This means that if a room is 8 feet wide and 10 feet long, and the room is a rectangular shape, the square footage would be 80 square feet.

Using the Length and Width to Calculate Square Footage

To calculate the square footage of a rectangular room, simply multiply the length and width measurements together. For example, if your room is 8 feet by 10 feet, the square footage would be 80 square feet (8 x 10 = 80).

It's important to note that when measuring the length and width of a room, accounting for any irregularities along the way, you should measure the longest points of each wall. This will ensure that you have accurate measurements and that you don't underestimate the amount of materials needed.

Accounting for Irregularly Shaped Rooms

If your room is irregularly shaped, calculating the square footage can be a bit more challenging — but not impossible. In this case, you'll need to break it down into smaller rectangles and calculate the square footage of each section individually. Once you have all the measurements, add them together to get the total square footage of the room.

For example, if you have an L-shaped room, you can break it down into two rectangles and calculate the square footage of each section. Then, simply add the two measurements of separate areas together to get the overall square footage of the room.

Calculating Square Footage for Multiple Rooms

If you're renovating or remodeling multiple rooms, calculating the square footage for each room is the first step you'll need to complete. To calculate the square footage of multiple rooms, simply repeat the same process for each individual room and then add the total square footage of each room together.

By calculating the square footage accurately, you'll be able to estimate the cost of materials and the cost of labor, which will help you stay within your budget and ensure a successful renovation or remodeling project.

Applying Square Footage in Real-Life Situations

Now that you’re your own square footage calculator, here are some real-life situations that you might come across on your renovation, buying, or selling journey.

Estimating Flooring and Paint Requirements

If it's in the cards of your dream home renovation to instal new flooring or paint the walls, knowing the square footage of your room will give you a good idea of how much product you'll need to purchase to complete the project. Most flooring and paint products can be ordered based on square footage, so having an accurate measurement can be the most cost effective and prevent you from buying too much or too little.

Determining Room Capacity and Furniture Layout

Here's a simple equation that you can use to determine how many people can comfortably fit in the space. A room with a square footage of 200 can comfortably fit four people with this rule of thumb: 50 square feet per person. Once you know the size of the room, you can also determine the best furniture layout for the space by rearranging chairs, sofas, and other big objects that start to make the space take shape.

Comparing Room Sizes for Real Estate Purposes

Say you're looking to buy or sell a home. By knowing the square footage of each room, you can compare different properties and determine the property’s value based on the current market and getting recommendations from industry experts. Larger rooms have a higher market value, generally speaking, so having an accurate measurement can actually make all the difference when it comes down to negotiating a price.

Conclusion

There you have it — finding the square footage of a room with these easy steps is not only the most straightforward process, but also one that can save you time and money in the long run. You'll be able to accurately measure any room in your home in no time, and better yet, apply your newfound knowledge to a range of real-life situations.