Record the whole skirting profile

Measure from the finished floor to the highest point of the skirting. Record its greatest projection from the wall face, including decorative moulding or a separate bead at floor level. The widest part may not be at the top.

Take a photograph from the side as well as a wider view of the intended location. Use consistent units and label which measurement is height and which is projection. If the furniture spans a corner or several sections of trim, check each relevant section rather than assuming they match.

Only measure safely accessible areas. Do not pull an unstable cabinet forward or remove an existing restraint to reach the skirting. If the area is obstructed, explain that limitation and arrange for it to be checked safely.

Swipe horizontally to read all columns.

Compare the skirting with the exact product

Overall width, depth and height do not tell you whether a cabinet clears the skirting. Look for the shape of the rear lower edge, the position of the back panel and any legs or plinth. Confirm the details in the instructions or with the manufacturer.

Some bookcases have a factory-made rear cut-out. IKEA's BILLY support guidance describes this feature, but that does not establish that every model or every skirting profile will fit. Check the actual version and dimensions rather than relying on the appearance of a similar product.

If the skirting is taller or projects farther than the available recess, stop treating a flush fit as the assumed outcome. Ask whether a different position, suitable alternative product or manufacturer-supported arrangement is appropriate. Do not cut the furniture, omit its back panel or replace its feet simply to make it fit.

Allow for the space the furniture will really occupy

A unit held forward by skirting occupies more room than its catalogue depth alone suggests. Check the resulting front edge against circulation space, nearby doors and adjacent furniture. Include handles and the space needed to open cabinet doors or drawers.

In an alcove, side-wall skirting can reduce the clear width near the floor. An opening measured above the trim may therefore overstate the space available to a full-width base. Also check for uneven walls and changes in width along the furniture's height.

Keep access to sockets and other fittings in mind when choosing the position. Do not crush plugs or leads behind the unit. A gap created by skirting is not automatically a suitable cable route or a substitute for any clearance required by another appliance.

Plan the assembly space as well as the finished footprint. The instructions may require the furniture to be built in a particular orientation and raised into position. Ask the assembler to confirm that the available room supports that sequence.

Confirm wall restraint before loading the unit

Skirting clearance and anti-tip restraint are connected planning questions. If the unit stands away from the wall, the specified restraint arrangement still needs to work at that position. A visually neat gap is not proof that the furniture is safely secured.

IKEA's BILLY buying guide requires wall attachment and fixings suitable for the wall material. For any product, follow its own current instructions. If the supplied arrangement cannot accommodate the location, ask the manufacturer or a competent installer to establish an appropriate solution before use.

There is no universal spacer thickness, bracket length or screw size for this situation. Do not bend brackets, stack loose packing pieces or use longer screws as an assumed solution. Do not tighten a restraint to drag the top of the unit towards the wall while its base remains obstructed.

Cutting or removing skirting is separate alteration work, not an automatic part of flat-pack assembly. Discuss whether it is necessary, what it affects and any permission required before agreeing to it. Required restraint should not be omitted to preserve the decorative finish.

Prepare a useful assembly brief

Send the model, instruction file, skirting measurements and location photographs. State the floor type, any known wall construction and whether the property has restrictions on drilling or alterations. Say when information is uncertain rather than guessing.

Agree the intended position and clarify whether assembly, required restraint and any separate alteration are included. If the fit or fixing plan remains unresolved, have it assessed before the furniture is loaded or put into normal use.

“Here are the cabinet model, instructions and photographs of the skirting. I have recorded its height and maximum projection. Please check the rear clearance, final position and required wall restraint before assembly.”