Which Windows Are Large Enough for Furniture? A Size Guide

Window Size Varies Dramatically

A bathroom window might be 24 × 16 inches — barely big enough for your arm. A living room picture window might be 72 × 48 inches — wide enough for a sectional. Knowing which windows in your home are large enough for furniture delivery opens up options that the door route may not provide.

Window Types Ranked by Furniture-Delivery Potential

1. Sliding Glass Doors / Patio Doors (Best)

• Clear opening: 30–48 inches wide × 76–80 inches tall
• Furniture delivery rating: Excellent. Nearly as good as a standard door with more height.
• Notes: The opening is only half the total door width (one panel slides behind the other). Remove the screen first.

2. Large Double-Hung or Picture Windows

• Clear opening (sashes removed): 34–46 inches wide × 50–60 inches tall
• Furniture delivery rating: Good. Wide enough for most couches and mattresses on their side.
• Notes: Sash removal required for maximum opening. See our window extraction guide.

3. Paired Casement Windows

• Clear opening (both sashes removed): 40–52 inches wide × 44–52 inches tall
• Furniture delivery rating: Good width but limited height. Furniture must be tilted or loaded horizontally.
• Notes: The mullion (center post) between paired casements may need to be removed for full clearance — this is a professional job.

4. Standard Double-Hung (Single)

• Clear opening (sash removed): 26–34 inches wide × 50–60 inches tall
• Furniture delivery rating: Moderate. Works for mattresses on edge and narrow furniture. Check mattress fit.
• Notes: Width is the limiting factor. A 30-inch wide window opening won't pass a 34-inch wide couch.

5. Single Casement

• Clear opening: 20–26 inches wide × 44–52 inches tall
• Furniture delivery rating: Poor. Only small items and narrow furniture.

6. Awning / Hopper Windows

• Clear opening: 24–48 inches wide × 12–24 inches tall
• Furniture delivery rating: Very poor. Opening height is too small for almost all furniture.

7. Basement Egress Windows

• Clear opening (code minimum): 20 × 24 inches (5.7 sq ft minimum area)
• Furniture delivery rating: Limited. Some mattresses and small furniture fit through larger egress windows. Often the only option for basement apartments.

Minimum Window Size for Common Items

• Queen mattress on edge: Needs ≈ 12" × 60" opening (width × height) — fits most double-hung windows
• King mattress on edge: Needs ≈ 12" × 76" opening — too tall for most windows. May need folding (foam only) or a door route.
• Couch on its side: Needs ≈ 34" × 34" opening — requires large windows or patio doors
• Dresser: Needs ≈ 20" × 36" opening — fits most double-hung windows
• Desk: Varies widely — disassemble if possible before attempting window delivery

How to Evaluate Your Windows

1. Walk through every room and identify the largest operable window
2. Measure the clear opening (with sash removed or open)
3. Note the floor height (ground floor, 2nd floor, etc.) — this determines delivery method
4. Check exterior access: is there clear ground below the window for a team to work?
5. Enter dimensions into the window fit calculator

FAQ

What's the easiest window type for furniture delivery?

Sliding glass doors / patio doors. They provide the largest opening, are ground-level (no hoisting), and the item slides in horizontally. If your apartment has a patio door and you're struggling with narrow hallways, the patio door may be your answer.

Can furniture fit through a bay window?

Bay windows have angled side panels and a center panel. The center panel (if it's a picture window) can be removed by a professional for a large opening. The angled sides are too small for most furniture. The bay window structure itself is structural — don't remove the frame, only the glass panel.