Key Measurements for Designing the Perfect Room

Posted on: September 28th, 2018

When you set out on a new room design project, you likely have many things in mind such as the colors, style, accessories and furniture you would like to see come together in your space. But have you considered the measurements that make great design?

Measurement harmony maximizes space, increases comfort and is aesthetically pleasing. Next time you face a design project, bring your tape measure along and make sure you have the ideal dimensions for every aspect of your room. Use the following as a guide for interior design measurements:

Furniture

• Walking space. It is important for there to be room to maneuver around furniture. Main walking paths should be 30 to 36 in wide. Pieces should be at least 24 in apart in the rest of the room.
• Seating areas. Furniture should be arranged so that conversation can happen easily. If pieces are more than 8 feet apart, you need to divide the room into groups of seating areas.
• Coffee tables. To be close enough to be accessible and far enough away to allow someone to sit down, coffee tables should be between 12 in and 20 in away from the sofa or chair it is associated with.

Televisions

• Visual lines. The TV should be mounted on a wall that will not be regularly walked in front of as guests move about the room.
• Mounting height. The height for a television is subject to preference, but it is generally no lower than 15 in. The height will depend on the console or TV stand you have, or if you mount above a mantle.
• Distance from seating. Ten feet is a general rule for TVs, but it depends on the size of the television and how high it is mounted. The higher it is mounted, the further you want seating, so you don’t strain your neck looking up to see the screen.

Curtains

• Curtain height. Hang curtains as high as possible to make rooms look taller. Take the length of curtain into account when choosing where to start the hang from. Using a curtain rod that is 20 in wider than the window also makes windows look larger than they really are.
• Curtain length. Curtains should be hung to touch the floor or overhang by 1 to 3 in. The latter is a more relaxed look. When hung above the floor, curtains look like they don’t entirely fit the room.
• Curtain width. Curtains should be 2 to 3 times the width of the window they cover, unless you don’t plan on closing them.

Lights

• Overhead fixtures. One mathematical trick is to add the width and length of a room in feet. That total is the rough diameter of an overhead fixture, in inches. For example, a 12-foot by 12-foot room could have a light fixture with a 24-inch diameter.
• Chandeliers: Chandeliers hung over a dining room table should hang 36 in above the table.

While often overlooked, the interior design measurements in a space play an important role in comfort and flow. Whether you are using modern décor or rustic chic, using the above measurements will help you to design the perfect room.