Site index

Rooms#

Living room

• Living room dimensionsCoffee table distance, seating geometry, TV size and height, rug sizes and furniture heights: the measured gui
• Fireplace and media wall dimensionsIRC R1001.10 wants a hearth extension 16 in (406 mm) in front and 8 in (203 mm) each side. Mantel heights, com
• How far the coffee table should be from the sofaLeave 16 to 18 in (41 to 46 cm) between the sofa cushion face and the coffee table. Why 12 in traps your shins
• Living room rug sizes and placementThe rug must reach at least 12 in (30 cm) past each end of the sofa and run past the coffee table. Sizes, room
• Living room seating layout: the geometry of conversationFacing seats belong 4 to 10 ft (1.2 to 3 m) apart. Layout geometry, minimum room sizes for U, L and parallel p
• Sectional vs sofa plus chairsA 100 x 80 in sectional takes 39 sq ft and really seats 4. A sofa and two chairs take 35 sq ft and seat 5. Roo
• Side table, console and occasional table heightsA side table top belongs within 2 in (5 cm) of the sofa arm, typically 24 to 26 in (61 to 66 cm). Full height
• TV size, distance and mounting heightSit at 1.2 to 1.6 times the screen diagonal and centre the screen at 42 in (107 cm). Full size, distance and m

Dining room

• Dining room dimensionsTable size by number of seats, the clearance ring a dining table needs, rug size and chandelier height, with t
• Banquette and booth dimensionsSeat height 17 to 18 in (43 to 46 cm), depth 18 to 20 in (46 to 51 cm), 24 in per person, table 2 to 4 in over
• Chandelier and pendant height over a dining tableHang the bottom of the fixture 30 to 36 in (76 to 91 cm) above the tabletop, and add 3 in per extra foot of ce
• Dining room clearances: how much room around the table36 in (91 cm) from table edge to wall is the minimum, 44 to 48 in (112 to 122 cm) where people walk behind cha
• Dining room rug sizeA dining rug must extend 30 in (76 cm) past every table edge, so rug = table + 60 in in both directions. Sizes
• Dining table size by number of seatsAllow 24 in (61 cm) of table edge per person. Rectangular, round and square table sizes for 4 to 12 seats, wit
• Round vs rectangular dining tableRound wins in square rooms up to 6 seats and caps at 72 in (183 cm) because of reach. Rectangular wins in long

Kitchen

• Kitchen dimensionsIsland aisles, counter and cabinet heights, appliance clearances, layout widths and the work triangle, referen
• Appliance sizes and the space around themFridge 30 to 36 in wide, range 30 in, dishwasher 24 in. Landing areas of 15 in, 12 in and 21 in, plus the door
• Counter height vs bar height vs table heightCounter 36 in takes a 24 to 26 in stool, bar 42 in takes a 30 in stool, table 30 in takes an 18 in chair. The
• Galley, one-wall and L-shape kitchen widthsA galley needs 84 in (213 cm) wall to wall at the absolute minimum and 90 to 96 in (229 to 244 cm) to work. On
• Kitchen counter and cabinet heights36 in (91 cm) is the standard counter height: a 34.5 in base cabinet plus a 1.5 in top. How to set it to your
• Kitchen island clearances42 in (107 cm) is the minimum work aisle for one cook, 48 in (122 cm) for two. Island size, seating overhangs
• The kitchen work triangle and the zone model that replaced itTriangle legs of 4 to 9 ft and a total under 26 ft, versus the five-zone model. Where the triangle still holds
• Upper cabinet and backsplash heights18 in (46 cm) from counter to wall cabinets, bottoms at 54 in (137 cm) AFF. Cabinet heights of 30, 36 and 42 i

Bedroom

• Bedroom dimensionsMattress sizes in US, UK and EU systems, the clearance a bed needs on each side, nightstand heights, closet de
• Bed sizes and the room each one needsEvery mattress size in inches and centimetres, plus the honest minimum room for each: a queen needs about 10 x
• Bedroom clearances: the space around the bed30 in (76 cm) beside the bed, 36 in (91 cm) at the foot, 36 to 40 in in front of a drawer. Every bedroom clear
• Bedroom rug size and placementAim for 18 to 24 in (45 to 60 cm) of rug showing beside the bed. An 8 x 10 ft suits a queen, 9 x 12 ft a king.
• Closet and wardrobe dimensions24 in (61 cm) interior depth, rods at 66 to 72 in single or 42 and 84 in double, and 5 x 7 ft as the smallest
• Nightstand dimensions and heightNightstand tops belong within 2 in (5 cm) of the mattress top, which now means 24 to 28 in (61 to 71 cm) tall,
• Queen vs king: the dimensional caseA king is 16 in (41 cm) wider than a queen and exactly the same length. That one fact, plus 8 in off each side

Bathroom

• Bathroom dimensionsToilet, sink and shower clearances where code and best practice differ, vanity heights, shower sizes, mirror h
• Bathroom fixture clearancesBathroom clearances: toilet centreline 15 in (38 cm) minimum by IRC, 18 in recommended by NKBA, 21 in clear in
• Bathroom mirror and lighting heightsMirror height and width over a vanity, sconce positions that cross-light the face, and the lumen and CRI targe
• Shower sizes and clearancesShower sizes: 900 sq in (0.58 m2) and a 30 in circle is the IRC minimum, 36 x 36 in (91 x 91 cm) is the real m
• Small bathroom layouts that workWorked small bathroom plans with real dimensions: 3 x 6 ft shower room, 5 x 7 ft full bath, 6 x 8 ft, plus the
• Vanity heights and sizesBathroom vanity heights: 32 to 34 in (81 to 86 cm) traditional, 36 in (91 cm) comfort height, plus widths, dep

Home office

• Home office dimensionsDesk height by user height, monitor distance and height, chair clearance, room layout and shelf depths and spa
• Bookshelf and shelving dimensionsShelf depth 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm), spacing 12 to 13 in for hardbacks, and the span limits: 30 in for 3/4 i
• Desk height and seated ergonomicsDesks are built at 29 to 30 in (74 to 76 cm) but seated desk height should be about 0.40 x your height. Table
• Home office layout and clearancesHome office layout numbers: 36 to 42 in (91 to 107 cm) behind a desk, 48 in with a walkway, 60 in for two desk
• Monitor distance, height and positionMonitor distance by screen size: 26 to 32 in (66 to 81 cm) for a 27 in screen, 32 to 40 in for a 32 in. Height

Entryway and mudroom

• Entryway and mudroom dimensionsThe entry runs on 36 in (91 cm): landing depth, hallway width and door swing radius. Fix those three, then spe
• Coat closet dimensions: depth, rod height, doorA coat closet needs 24 in (61 cm) of clear depth, because a hanger is 17.5 in (44 cm) wide. Rod and shelf heig
• Doormat and entry runner sizesAn outside mat wants 30 x 48 in (76 x 122 cm) and an inside mat 24 x 36 in (61 x 91 cm). Thicknesses, door cle
• Drop zone and charging station dimensionsA drop zone needs 18 in (46 cm) of front edge per person, a ledge 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) deep at 36 in high
• Entry bench, hook and cubby heightsAn entry bench sits at 17 to 18 in (43 to 46 cm) and adult coat hooks at 60 in (152 cm). Child heights by age,
• Entry console and mirror heightsA hall console belongs at 32 to 34 in (81 to 86 cm), with the mirror above it topping out at 72 in (183 cm) so
• Entry door clearances, landings and the approachThe IRC wants 32 in (81 cm) of clear width and a landing 36 in (91 cm) deep on both sides of an entry door. Wh
• Entry hall and landing sizesThe IRC wants a 36 in (91 cm) deep landing at every exterior door. A usable entry hall starts at 5 x 7 ft (152
• Entry lighting heights and lumen targetsHang an entry pendant with its lowest point at 84 in (213 cm) above the finished floor, and light a 6 x 8 ft h
• Front door sizes and standardsThe standard US front door leaf is 36 x 80 in (914 x 2,032 mm); the UK equivalent is 838 x 1,981 mm. Rough ope
• Mudroom sizes and layouts that actually workA single-wall mudroom needs 60 in (152 cm) of depth and a galley needs 84 in (213 cm) wall to wall. The depth
• Shoe storage dimensions: depth, pitch and capacityShoe shelves want 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm) of depth and a 7.5 in (19 cm) pitch. Outsole lengths by size, boot
• Small entryway layouts: what fits in 3 to 6 ftIn a 48 in (122 cm) entry, a 36 in (91 cm) walkway leaves 12 in (30 cm) for storage. Worked plans for 3, 4, 5

Kids and nursery

• Kids room and nursery dimensionsA child's bedroom needs 70 sq ft (6.5 m2) and a 7 ft (2.13 m) minimum dimension. Size the room for the teenage
• Bunk bed dimensions and the ceiling height they needA bunk needs 33 in (84 cm) of clear ceiling above the top mattress and 33 to 38 in (84 to 97 cm) between bunks
• Changing table height, depth and reachSet the changing surface at 36 to 38 in (91 to 97 cm) for a 5 ft 10 in adult, which is elbow height minus 8 in
• Crib dimensions, mattress sizes and clearancesUS cribs are regulated at 28 x 52 3/8 in (71 x 133 cm) inside, slats at 2 3/8 in (60 mm) maximum. The gap, sla
• Kids bed sizes by age: cot, toddler, single and upA cot mattress is 28 x 52 in (71 x 132 cm), a single 38 x 75 in (97 x 191 cm). The stature each size fails at,
• Kids closet and storage heights by ageA child's hanging rod sits at roughly their own height: 36 in (91 cm) at three, 42 in (107 cm) at five, 48 in
• Kids desk and chair heights by age and heightSet a child's seat at 0.26 x stature and the desk at 0.44 x stature. A 50 in (128 cm) eight year old needs a 1
• Kids room safety clearances: windows, cords and anchoringWindow openings sit above 24 in (61 cm) for fall protection and below 44 in (112 cm) for escape. Cord heights,
• Nursery layout and clearancesA nursery is three clearances: 30 in (76 cm) beside the crib, 36 in (91 cm) at the changing table, and the 7 f
• Nursery lighting levels and blackout dimensionsKeep a night feed under 5 lux (0.5 foot-candles) and the room stays asleep. Dimmer minimums, night light outpu
• Play space dimensions: floor area, mats and zonesChildcare licensing works to 35 sq ft (3.3 m2) of usable play floor per child. Mat modules, play table heights
• Shared kids room layouts and dimensionsTwo single beds with an aisle between need 100 in (2.55 m) of wall at the minimum and 112 in (2.84 m) to be co
• Teen room dimensions: bed, desk and storage in one roomA full bed, a desk and a wardrobe fit a 10 x 10 ft (3.05 x 3.05 m) room, but only if the clearances overlap. W

Laundry and utility

• Laundry room dimensionsA single row of machines needs 80 in (203 cm) wall to wall: 38 in of machine and services plus a 42 in (107 cm
• Dryer venting dimensions and clearancesDryer ducts are 4 in (100 mm) and the IRC caps the developed length at 35 ft (10.7 m), less 5 ft per elbow. Te
• Drying rack, rail and line dimensionsOne wash load needs 15 to 18 m (50 to 60 ft) of line. Rack footprints, ceiling airer headroom, line spacing, a
• Ironing board and laundry storage dimensionsA full-size ironing board is 54 x 18 in (137 x 46 cm) and needs 66 x 54 in of clear floor to open. Board heigh
• Laundry closet dimensions and door clearancesA side-by-side laundry closet needs 60 x 36 in (152 x 91 cm) of clear interior, a stack 32 x 36 in (81 x 91 cm
• Laundry counter and folding surface heightsFold at 38 to 39 in (97 to 99 cm), not the kitchen's 36 in. Why a counter over a US front loader lands at 41 i
• Laundry room sizes and layoutsA single row of machines needs 80 in (203 cm) wall to wall: 38 in of appliance and services plus a 42 in (107
• Laundry shelving and cabinet heightsLeave 16 to 18 in (41 to 46 cm) above the machine top, which puts a laundry wall cabinet bottom at 54 in (137
• Stacked washer and dryer dimensions and clearancesA full-size stacked pair stands 76 to 79 in (193 to 201 cm) tall and needs a closet 32 in wide by 36 in deep (
• Utility sink dimensions and clearancesA laundry basin runs 22 x 22 in (56 x 56 cm) and 12 to 15 in (30 to 38 cm) deep, rim at 36 in (91 cm). Faucet
• Washer and dryer dimensions and the space they needA US washer or dryer is 27 in (69 cm) wide, 31 in (79 cm) deep and 38 in (97 cm) high. European machines are 6

Media room

• Media room and home theatre dimensionsSit at 1.9 times the screen width: 8 ft 10 in (2.7 m) from a 65 in TV, 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m) from a 120 in scree
• Acoustic treatment placement and panel dimensionsFirst reflection panels 24 x 48 in (61 x 122 cm) and 4 in (100 mm) thick, centred 23 in (58 cm) ahead of the s
• Gaming setup dimensions: desk, monitor and chairA 27 in 1440p screen wants 32 in (81 cm) of eye to panel distance, and a 24 in (61 cm) deep desk cannot physic
• Home theatre room dimensions and proportionsA home theatre wants a height to width to length ratio near 1 : 1.4 : 1.9, which on a 9 ft (2.74 m) ceiling gi
• Media console and equipment rack dimensionsAn AV receiver needs 21 to 23 in (53 to 58 cm) of interior depth once the plugs are in, which is why a 16 in (
• Media room lighting levels, bias light and step lightsHold ambient light at the screen under 1 lux (0.1 fc) while a film runs, set the bias light to 10 per cent of
• Projector throw distance and screen sizeThrow distance is throw ratio times image width, so a 1.5:1 lens on a 120 in screen sits 157 in (399 cm) back,
• Screen size and viewing distance: SMPTE and THXSit at 1.34 times the diagonal for the THX 36 degree angle, 1.63 times it for the SMPTE 30 degrees: 161 in (40
• Speaker placement dimensions for 5.1 and AtmosFront left and right at 30 degrees, side surrounds at 110, and every tweeter on the seated ear line at 40 to 4
• Theatre seating rows, risers and sightlinesHome theatre rows sit 60 to 72 in (152 to 183 cm) back to back, on a riser of 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm) set b
• TV wall mount dimensions, VESA and stud spacingVESA hole patterns run 100 to 800 mm, studs sit at 16 in (406 mm) centres, and between them they decide where

Home gym

• Home gym dimensionsA home gym wants 9 ft (2.74 m) of clear height and about 100 sq ft (9.3 m2) of clear floor. Ceiling heights, m
• Free weight and bench space dimensionsA flat bench pad is 48 x 12 in (122 x 30 cm) but the zone it needs is 84 x 60 in (213 x 152 cm). Dumbbell rack
• Garage gym layout dimensionsA garage gym needs 10 x 12 ft (3.05 x 3.66 m) of clear floor. How the car, the door track and the slab fall de
• Gym flooring thickness, tile sizes and subfloorRubber gym flooring runs 1/4 in (6 mm) for cardio and 3/4 in (19 mm) for weights. Tile and roll sizes, the pla
• Home gym size and ceiling heightA workable home gym starts at 10 x 10 ft (3.0 x 3.0 m) with a 9 ft (2.7 m) ceiling. Floor area by activity, an
• Squat rack and lifting platform dimensionsA power rack is 48 x 48 in (122 x 122 cm) but needs 94 in (2.39 m) of clear wall for the bar. Rack footprints,
• Treadmill and cardio machine clearancesA treadmill needs 78 in (198 cm) of clear run-off behind it, which makes it a 13 ft (3.96 m) machine. Footprin
• Yoga and floor work area dimensionsA mat is 68 x 24 in, but the working area is 8 x 5 ft (2.44 x 1.52 m). Where that comes from, the ceiling an i

Garage and workshop

• Garage and workshop dimensionsA double garage needs about 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m) of clear width to park two cars and open both doors. Bay sizes
• Bike and sports gear storage dimensionsBikes hang on vertical hooks at 16 in (41 cm) centres if you alternate the heights, and need 18 in (46 cm) of
• Car parking space and door swing dimensionsA car door needs 30 in (76 cm) of clear space beside the body. US stalls are 9 x 18 ft (2.74 x 5.49 m), UK bay
• EV charger placement, heights and cable reachDock the connector 42 to 48 in (107 to 122 cm) above the floor, on the wall the charge port faces. A 15 ft (4.
• Garage door sizes, headroom and backroomSingle garage doors are 9 x 7 ft (2.74 x 2.13 m), doubles 16 x 7 ft (4.88 x 2.13 m), and every one of them nee
• Garage shelving and overhead storage dimensionsGarage shelves run 16 to 24 in (41 to 61 cm) deep, and 24 in on both walls takes 4 ft off the parking width. R
• Garage sizes: single, double and tripleA working single garage is 14 x 24 ft (4.3 x 7.3 m) and a working double 24 x 24 ft (7.3 x 7.3 m), because a c
• Workbench height, depth and clearancesA workbench is 34 in (86 cm) for heavy work, 39 in (99 cm) for assembly and 45 in (114 cm) for precision, all
• Workshop tool clearances: saws, benches and infeedRipping a full sheet on a table saw needs 18 ft 6 in (5.6 m) of clear line, and a garage has exactly one. Mitr

Outdoor rooms

• Outdoor room dimensionsA six-seat dining patio needs about 14 x 12 ft (4.3 x 3.7 m) of paving once chair pull and the unusable edge a
• Deck sizes, railing heights and baluster spacingIRC deck guards are 36 in (914 mm) high with gaps that will not pass a 4 in (102 mm) sphere. Deck footprints,
• Outdoor dining table sizes and clearancesOutdoor dining needs 42 to 48 in (107 to 122 cm) of chair pull-back on gravel or grass, not the 36 in (91 cm)
• Outdoor kitchen dimensions and clearancesOutdoor counters run 36 in (91 cm) high and 30 in (76 cm) deep, with a 48 in (122 cm) work aisle. The grill cu
• Outdoor sofa, lounger and cushion dimensionsAn outdoor sofa should finish at 16 to 18 in (41 to 46 cm) once the cushion is sat on. Frame heights, cushion
• Patio sizes and layoutsA six-seat dining patio needs 12 x 9 ft (3.7 x 2.7 m) of clear paving once the chair pull-back is counted. Foo
• Planter and raised bed dimensionsA raised bed worked from both sides should be 48 in (122 cm) wide and 12 in (30 cm) deep. Where the reach, the

Elements#

Furniture dimensions

• Furniture dimensionsSeats sit at 17 to 18 in (43 to 46 cm) and the surface serving them lands 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) higher. St
• Bookcase dimensions: depth, height and shelf spacingBookcases are 11 to 13 in (28 to 33 cm) deep with shelves at a 12 in (30 cm) pitch. The depth to height ratio
• Coffee table dimensions: height, length, depth and shapeA coffee table belongs at 16 to 18 in (41 to 46 cm), level with the compressed cushion, and about two thirds o
• Dining chair dimensions: seat height, width and pull-outDining chairs are built to a 17 to 18 in (43 to 46 cm) seat height, 18 to 20 in wide, and need 30 in (76 cm) b
• Dining table dimensions: length, width, height and overhangDining tables are 30 in (76 cm) high and 36 to 42 in (91 to 107 cm) wide, and it is the leg-to-leg run underne
• Headboard heights and widths by bed sizeStandard headboards stand 48 to 54 in (122 to 137 cm) off the floor, tall ones 58 to 65 in (147 to 165 cm). Ex
• Office chair dimensions and adjustment rangesAn office chair seat adjusts over 16 to 21 in (41 to 53 cm), the base is 26 to 27 in (66 to 69 cm) across, and
• Sectional sofa dimensions and configurationsA standard L-shaped sectional is 102 x 76 in (259 x 193 cm) and 38 to 42 in deep. Module sizes, the corner squ
• Sofa dimensions: length, depth, seat height and armA three-seat sofa is 84 x 38 in (213 x 97 cm) with an 18 in (46 cm) seat. The arm width, seat depth and cushio

Appliances

• Appliance dimensions and clearancesAppliances are built to a 24 in (610 mm) opening, and the open door in front needs another 21 to 25 in (53 to

Doors and windows

• Door and window dimensionsA 36 in (914 mm) door leaves 34 in (864 mm) of clear width and its swing sterilises 7 sq ft (0.65 m2) of floor

Storage and shelving

• Storage and shelving dimensionsStorage sized from its contents: 24 in (61 cm) of hanging depth, 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) book shelves, and t
• Shelf span, thickness and sagKeep a loaded shelf under a 1/180 deflection limit: 30 in (76 cm) for 3/4 in melamine, 36 in (91 cm) for plywo

Trim and millwork

• Trim and millwork dimensionsTrim proportioned to the room: baseboard at 5.5 to 7 in (14 to 18 cm) for an 8 ft ceiling, chair rail at a thi

Flooring and tile

• Flooring and tile dimensionsFloors are decided by build-up first: a 16 mm (5/8 in) stack, a 10 mm (3/8 in) expansion gap and a 3 mm (1/8 i

Sockets, switches and services

• Socket, switch and services heightsSockets at 450 mm (18 in) and switches at 1,050 mm (41 in) satisfy both Part M and the ADA reach range of 15 t

Principles#

Clearances

• Clearances and circulationThe clearance numbers that govern every room: walkway widths, door swings, hallways, stairs, delivery paths an
• Accessible clearances for homesADA and ICC A117.1 numbers translated for private homes: 32 in doors, 36 in routes, 60 in turning circle, 30 x
• Door sizes, swings and the space they needStandard door sizes 24 to 36 in x 80 in, rough openings, clear width vs nominal, and the 32 in (81 cm) accessi
• Hallway widths that workIRC sets 36 in (91 cm) as the minimum hallway width. 42 to 48 in (107 to 122 cm) is where a corridor starts to
• Imperial and metric: the dimension systems that collide in a house24 in is 609.6 mm, not 600. The near-miss conversions that ruin cabinet runs, appliance gaps, doors and beds,
• Stair dimensions: rise, run, headroom and handrailsIRC 2021 stair rules: 7.75 in (197 mm) max riser, 10 in (254 mm) min tread, 6 ft 8 in headroom, 36 in width, p
• Walkway and circulation widths at homeHow wide a walkway should be in a house: 36 in (91 cm) for primary routes, 30 in (76 cm) secondary, 22 in (56
• Will it fit? Measuring the delivery pathThe four measurements and three formulas that decide whether furniture gets in: clear width, end diagonal, cor

Proportion

• Proportion and scaleWhich proportion rules survive scrutiny, how ceiling height changes every other dimension, furniture scale, ar
• Ceiling height and how it changes everything8, 9 and 10 ft ceilings compared: the width-to-height test, plus baseboard, crown, curtain, art and chandelier
• Furniture scale: choosing sizes that fit the roomTypical furniture footprints, the share of floor area seating should occupy, and how to pick sizes that fit th
• Gallery wall spacing and layoutFrame gaps, group boundaries and layout grids for a gallery wall, with a worked nine-frame example measured to
• How high to hang artThe 57 in gallery centre line, when to break it, and the hook-height arithmetic that stops art ending up two i
• Scale and proportion: the rules that actually holdThe two-thirds rule, 1:1.618 and 1:1.414, the 30/60/84 in height ladder and 60-30-10, with the arithmetic behi

Lighting

• Lighting dimensions and levelsLumen targets by room, layered lighting plans, recessed light spacing, colour temperature and CRI, and pendant
• Colour temperature and CRI at home2700K is the domestic default, 3000K for kitchens and bathrooms. Specify CRI 90+ with R9 above 50, and match K
• How many lumens a room needsLumens = floor area x foot-candles, then multiply by 1.3 to 2. A 12 x 14 ft living room needs 3,300 to 5,000 i
• How to plan layered lightingAmbient 50 to 60% of lumens, task 25 to 30%, accent 10 to 15%, decorative 5%. Light three height bands, one sw
• Recessed lighting spacing and placementSpacing = height above the work plane x the spacing criterion. On an 8 ft ceiling that is 5 to 6 ft between do
• Sizing and hanging pendants and chandeliersFixture diameter = table width minus 12 in. Hang 30 to 36 in above a table on an 8 ft ceiling, plus 3 in per e

Window treatments

• Window treatment dimensionsWhere to hang a rod, how long panels should be, how much fabric fullness costs, and the mounting depths blinds
• Blind and shade sizing: inside versus outside mountInside mount needs 3 to 3.5 in (8 to 9 cm) of flat depth for a roman, 2 in (5 cm) for a roller. Measuring, ded
• Curtain length and hanging heightHang the rod halfway between the trim and the ceiling, minimum 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) above. Panel lengths, h
• Curtain width, fullness and stack-backUse 2x fullness as standard, 1.5x for sheers, 2.5x for pinch pleat. Rod width, stack-back and how many 50 in p

Small spaces

• Small spaces and storageWorked small-room plans with real furniture sizes, studio zoning, storage dimensions for real objects, and the
• Multi-function furniture: the dimensions that decide if it worksSofa beds project 80 to 90 in (203 to 229 cm), murphy beds 86 to 90 in. The opened footprint, not the closed o
• Small living room layouts with real dimensionsWorked plans for 10x12, 11x13 and 12x14 ft rooms: the sofa sizes that fit, the 30 in (76 cm) route you must pr
• Storage dimensions: what fits whereReal sizes for towels, plates, vacuums, suitcases and bikes, with the shelf depth each needs. Fixed shelves wo
• Visual tactics for small rooms, ranked by whether they workRaising a curtain rod, painting out trim and one large mirror work. Light paint works less than you think. The
• Zoning a studio apartmentSleep, sit, eat and work zones need about 214 sq ft (19.9 m2) between them. The devices that divide a studio,

Ergonomics

• Ergonomics for interiorsEvery interior number traces back to four body dimensions: elbow at 41 to 45 in (104 to 114 cm), knee at 16 to

Accessible design

• Accessible design dimensionsThe figures accessible design turns on: a 60 in (1525 mm) turning circle, 32 in (815 mm) clear at every door,

Measuring and planning

• Measuring and planning a spaceMeasure from one datum, check the diagonals, then tape it out. Most rooms are 1/2 to 1 in (13 to 25 mm) out of

Reference#

Calculators

• Interior dimension calculatorsTen free calculators for rug size, TV distance, dining tables, lumens, curtains, art height, island clearance,
• Art hanging height calculatorGives the nail or hook height, not just the centre line, allowing for the wire drop and for the furniture the
• Bar stool height calculatorSeat height is the counter less 11 in: a 25 in (64 cm) stool under a 36 in (91 cm) counter. Plus knee room, ov
• Bathroom layout checkerCheck a bathroom against the IRC and the NKBA guidelines: 15 in (38 cm) to the toilet centre line is the minim
• Bedroom layout checkerPut a bed, its frame and nightstands into your actual room dimensions and see every clearance that passes, squ
• Curtain and rod size calculatorWork out rod width and mounting height, finished panel length for the hem you want, and how much fabric width
• Desk and chair height calculatorSet desk, seat, monitor and footrest heights from your own stature. A 5 ft 9 in adult gets an 18.5 in (47 cm)
• Dining table size calculatorSize a dining table from the number of people, then check whether your room can hold it with chairs pulled out
• Gallery wall layout calculatorSix 16 x 20 in frames at a 3 in gap make a 54 x 43 in (137 x 109 cm) block. Get the centre line, the first fra
• Interior unit converterConvert the numbers that come up while planning a room: 36 in is 91.4 cm and 914 mm, plus square feet, lumens
• Kitchen island fit checkerCheck an island against NKBA aisle widths, see every clearance that fails, and get the largest island your kit
• Paint quantity calculatorWork out gallons or litres for walls and ceiling, allowing for doors, windows, coats and primer, at realistic
• Pendant and chandelier size calculatorSize a fixture to a table, an island or a room, set its hanging height, and space multiple pendants so they re
• Projector throw and screen size calculatorTurn a throw ratio and a lens to screen distance into a screen size. At 156 in (3.96 m) a 1.2 to 1.6 lens give
• Room lighting lumen calculatorTurn room size, use, ceiling height and surface tone into a lumen target, split across ambient, task and accen
• Rug size calculatorEnter your room and the layout you want. Get the standard rug size that fits, the floor border it leaves, and
• Shelf span and sag calculatorEnter the span, board and load and get the sag in both units. A 36 in (91 cm) chipboard shelf of hardbacks dro
• Sofa and seating fit checkerCheck a sofa against your room before you buy. The depth budget, 30 in (76 cm) side walkways, the rug size it
• Stair rise and run calculatorDivide a floor to floor height into legal risers. A 108 in (2.74 m) height gives 15 risers at 7.2 in (183 mm)
• Tile and flooring quantity calculatorWork out tiles, planks, packs and waste from your room size. A 10 x 12 ft room (3.0 x 3.7 m) takes 60 tiles of
• TV size and viewing distance calculatorWork out the right screen size for your seating distance, or the right seating distance for a screen you own,
• Wallpaper quantity calculatorWork out rolls from drops, not area. An 8 ft (2.4 m) wall with a 21 in (53 cm) repeat yields three drops per r
• Wardrobe and closet plannerSplit a run into long hang, double hang, shelves and drawers. A 96 in (244 cm) run yields 163 in (414 cm) of r

Standard room sizes

• Standard and minimum room sizesLegal minimum, workable minimum and typical size for every room in a house, in feet and metres, with the arith

Conversion tables

• Interior dimension conversion tablesOne inch is exactly 25.4 mm, so a 24 in cabinet is 609.6 mm and never 600 mm. The conversions interiors actual

Sizes by country

• Interior sizes by countryUS, UK, European and Australian sizes compared. A UK king is 150 x 200 cm (59 x 79 in) and a US queen 152 x 20

Reference and about#

• About Refined SpaceWho publishes Refined Space, what it covers, how it is produced and funded, and what it deliberately does not
• The one-page dimension cheat sheetEvery dimension this site uses most, on one printable page: clearances, furniture heights, kitchen, bathroom,
• ContactHow to reach the Refined Space editorial desk with a correction, a question about a dimension, or a suggestion
• CorrectionsHow Refined Space handles errors, what gets logged publicly, and the running record of substantive corrections
• Editorial standardsHow Refined Space sources, verifies, labels and updates dimensional claims, and the rules we apply to every pa
• Glossary of interior dimensionsEvery term used on this site, defined with the dimension attached: clearances, ergonomics, cabinetry, lighting
• How we measure and check figuresThe verification process behind every dimension on this site, how conversions are handled, and how to take the
• PrivacyRefined Space itself collects nothing and sets no cookies of its own. Display advertising is served by third p
• Search Refined SpaceSearch every dimension, clearance, calculator and reference table on Refined Space, from one box. The index ru
• Site indexEvery guide, section hub, calculator and reference page on Refined Space, grouped by subject, on one page.
• Standards, codes and sourcesThe codes, planning guidelines and reference works that interior dimensions come from, what each one governs,