For all you catalog and internet furniture shoppers, and DIYers!
Here’s a short list of key measurements that make the difference between a room that flows, looks and feels great, to one that is overstuffed and cramped or just off kilter.
- 4-6” – the ideal height above a dresser or table at which to hang art. (Most people and many designers hang too high). Above the sofa, you may need to bump that to 7-8”. High hangers, you know who you are.
- 6” – the size of a dollar bill and the amount of space people often struggle to find (and sometimes bang their heads against the wall over) when planning a kitchen.
- 24” – the MINIMUM space behind a dining chair and the edge of the rug upon which it sits. 30-36” is better.
- 36” – the often used pass-through measurement allowed by the National Kitchen and Bath Association in their planning. I prefer…42” wherever possible in kitchens, and certainly in key traffic flow areas in the rest of the house. 36” is the standard opening for doorways and passages.
- 42” – the ideal spacing between the bed and dresser, the buffet and the edge of a chair and as noted above.
- 8-10’ – the maximum comfortable distance between people in a seating group for comfortable seating.
- 3x – To find your maximum TV viewing distance, multiple your screen size by 3 and that will give you the maximum viewing distance to your screen. (ie…a 50” TV should not have a viewing distance of more than 150”)
- 5x – the number of pieces of chocolate I’d rather eat, instead of the 1 lonely, puny piece I’m supposed to eat.
If design were only about the “pretty” part, I would be a lot less gray. Design isn’t just about “pretty” – it’s about excellent function.
Happy measuring!
Next time: “What Will Furniture Cost?”
About Donna Hoffman, The Interior Design Advocate™
Donna is a former top QVC Show Host and now one of the country’s foremost consumer advocates in interior design in addition to being an award winning designer herself. “I help people avoid wasting big dollars and unnecessary frustration when furnishing and decorating their home by offering clear strategies for finding the right products, professionals, contractors and services.” The results are that people get what they want, spend smart, eliminate the stress and get that beautiful home of their dreams. Known as The Interior Design Advocate™, Donna is here as your advocate, making sure you get wise in design so you can get what you want. For a copy of her free report, “Top 10 Ways Design Consumers Waste Big Money,”go to www.theinteriordesignadvocate.com.