Standard Dimensioning

[res057]

I found this as I was surfing around. Thought it might be of interest to some. Sorry if it's a bit long winded...

Appliances:
Most major electrical appliances made today are slightly less than 30" wide to facilitate moving through interior residential doorways. Some may be wider, but their depth will still allow movement through doors. Apartment style appliances may be slightly less than 24" wide.
The height for fixtures such as door knobs and electrical outlets are to the center of the item.

Bar Depth
18" - 30"

Bar Height:
36" - 42"

Bar Foot Rail
8" high

Bath Tub
Length, 5'0", 2'8" Wide

Bed Sizes


King - 72"w x 84"l
Queen - 60"w x 82"l
Double - 54"w x 82"l
Single - 39"w x 82"l
Day bed - 30"w x 75"l
Crib - 30"w x 53"l

Bookcases
Low, 3 shelves - 42" high
High, 5 shelves, 72" high
Normal widths are 36" - 42"

Cable TV Outlet
18" above floor

Chair Seats
Bar seat/stool, nominal height 26"

Dining/kitchen
Nominal height 18"

Seat width
18"

Seat depth
16"

Coffee Table
Height - 18", low - 12"

Desk Height
28" (see also Typing Desk, keyboard)

Desk Top Sizes
Standard - 60" x 30"
Executive - 72" x 36"

Door Height
6'8" (80")

Door Width
Residential interior, usual, 2'6" (best is 2'8")
Residential exterior, 3'0"
Bathroom - 2'0"
Linen Closet - 1'6"
Powder Room - 2'0"

Door knob
Normal, 32½" high, but can go as high as 42"

Electrical Outlets
Normal outlet height - 18" above floor.
Counter top convenience/appliance outlet - 6" above counter top.
Stove outlet (220 volt) - 18" above floor but may be 24"

End Table
Nominal, 24" high

Handrails
On steps, 32" above tread, on level surfaces, 42" high

Ladder Rung
12" between rungs

Keyboard Height
Typewriter or computer, 26"

Kitchen Cabinets
Over counter type - 60" from floor to bottom surface of cabinets.
Depth - 18", Height - 30" - 42", but may to to ceiling

Kitchen Counter
Height, 36", depth, 24", but may be 30"

Mail slot
30" (as required by Canada Post and US Postal Service)

Pictures
This is an arbitrary height, the best guide is that the centre of the picture/painting should be at average eye level. Use the average height of you and your partner as a guide

Phone, Wall
54" high

Handicap Ramp
Maximum slope, 1" in 12". Minimum width, 32"

Shower Head
Nominal, 72" high

Shower Rod
72" high

Sink, Bathroom
32" high

Sofa
Dimensions vary, but the norms are:
3-seat sofa: 72"w, seat height: 17"
Single seat: 32"w, 36"d, seat height: 17"

Stair/Step
Normal stair riser height is 7½" but may be as high as 8" provided all risers are the same height. See also, Treads

Switch Plate Height
Nominal, 52"

Tables
Dining/Kitchen - height, 28½" - 30". Best is 29". A 5' diameter round table will accommodate five people comfortably. People require 24" each of table length to dine comfortably. A 30" x 30" table will seat four people. A 30"w x 60"l will seat six people and a 36"w x 72"l will seat eight people, 10 people in a crunch

Thermostat
Nominal, 58" above floor

Toe Clearance
Under counter - 4" - 6" in height, 4" in depth

Treads
Nominal depth for stair treads is 10". this should be increased for the handicapped, to a minimum of 11".

Typing Desk
26"h x 18"d

Vacuum Cleaner
Outlets for a built-in vacuum, 18" above floor

Vanity, Bathroom
32" high, 20 - 22" in depth

Work Clearance
The space between a counter top and the bottom of a wall cabinet, minimum, 15", maximum, 20"

[Woussko]

Now try to find a place where all of that good stuff really does apply. When it comes to a dining or kitchen table, you'll soon find that there's hardly such a thing as having enough room. The more the better. Also, keep in mind that people come in different heights and sizes. This should be taken into account. Some huge people can't pass though a 30 inch wide door. Then need special seats to sit on and tall people need and try to buy extended length beds. In some cases people will demand 9 or 10 foot ceilings and all doorways to be higher than the normal 80 inches. Petite ladies and children need things made to fit them.

Just my less than one cent worth...:o

PS Try to look up the mattress sizes for "Extended Twin" (I think it's 6 inches longer) and what's called a "California King". This link will give info on many mattress sizes. Things are pretty wild. Too many sizes...:eek:
http://www.csgnetwork.com/bedsizes.html

What is really crazy are the sizes for wash clothes and towels. It depends on the quality grade. Economy grade runs smaller than the better ones.

[res057]

Oh, I agree whole heartedly. I prefer doors a minimum of 2'8". I just threw this out there as a general reference for when you are mulling over an idea in your head.
There don't seem to be any real world standards, just starting points. I've worked in a lot of houses with 12-14 foot ceilings and 8' doors throughout, when the owner is no more than 5'2". Must be waiting for the livingroom baskestball league to start up.

[res057]

Thanks for the bed size link. It'll come in handy.:)