COMMON CLEARANCES
Ever wonder if you have enough space in your dining room to fit the luxurious kitchen table you’ve been dreaming about? Or are you trying to decide if there is enough room at the end of your bed to fit a cute storage bench? Or are you thinking of renovating and moving a doorway, and just aren’t sure if the space is just right?
While you could move everything around to give it a try, there are some industry standard clearances that are followed in residential interior design. So take a look, and grab your tape measurer!
Table and Chairs: In dining rooms, offices, or any place you have a table and a chair that are used together, it is recommended to have a minimum of 4’-0" between the edge of your table and the wall. This allows for enough space for someone to be sitting at the table or desk, and have a small walkway for other people behind them. 4’-0” is the minimum though, it’s much nicer to have 5’-0” or more for a comfortable space, and plenty of room to walk!
Hallway and Walkways: All hallways in commercial spaces are 5’-0”, however residential allows for smaller walkways, a minimum of 3’-0”. You will probably find a 4’-0” walkway more comfortable in your home. Typically, walkways in seating arrangements or other areas are 3’-0”.
Remember that bench we talked about in the intro? That would be best with 3’-0” clear to the wall, but if you plan to use the bench frequently for sitting and have another person in the room often, you might add another foot so everyone can comfortably walk around!
Doorways: Most doors are 3’-0” wide. You may find a closet door or bathroom door that is only 2’-0” wide, but it can feel a little snug! In areas where you can’t have a 3’-0” door, but want a wider opening, consider doing a pair of 2’-0” doors for a 4’-0” wide opening. This is ideal for closets located off of hallways.
ADA Clearances: Many residential homes are not held to the commercial standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but if you are planning to age in place, you might want to consider the turn-radius needed for a wheelchair, height of floor transitions, or different clearances for countertops. This isn’t a necessity for everyone, but if you or a loved one have a wheelchair or you anticipate needing a wheelchair in the future, it’s a great thing to consider! Even when arranging your furniture, you will need enough space to pass between pieces and turn around. Here is the link to the current ADA Guidelines, but if you have specific questions for your home, send us an email, we would love to help!
Interesting, right? Sometimes when a table gets frequently bumped or a couch leg kicked, it might just be because it is creeping into the standard clearances that you have lived in but just weren’t aware of! Hope this helps make your home refresh journey more streamlined and simpler!
