Quick answer
For a room to work day to day, leave about 450 mm (18 in) for a walkway past furniture, 900 mm (36 in) for a main traffic route, 300 to 450 mm (12 to 18 in) between a sofa and a coffee table, 750 mm (30 in) to pull out a dining chair, and 600 mm (24 in) beside a bed. These are minimums. Add 150 mm (6 in) wherever you have the space.
Why clearance matters more than fit
A piece of furniture can fit a room on paper and still make it unpleasant to use. The floor you do not fill is what makes a room feel comfortable: room to walk, to open a door, to pull out a chair, to stand up from the sofa. Getting these gaps right is the difference between a room that looks full and one that feels cramped.
The clearance cheat sheet
| Situation | Minimum clearance |
|---|---|
| Occasional walkway past furniture | 450 mm (18 in) |
| Main traffic route through a room | 900 mm (36 in) |
| Sofa to coffee table | 300 to 450 mm (12 to 18 in) |
| Space to pull out a dining chair | 750 mm (30 in) from table edge |
| Walking behind a seated diner | 1000 mm (39 in) from table edge |
| Walking space beside a bed | 600 mm (24 in), 750 mm (30 in) comfortable |
| Space to open a wardrobe or cabinet door | Door width plus 100 mm (4 in) |
| Between opposite kitchen counters | 1000 to 1200 mm (39 to 48 in) |
| TV viewing distance | 1.5 to 2.5x the screen diagonal |
Living room
Keep 300 to 450 mm (12 to 18 in) between the sofa and the coffee table, close enough to reach and far enough to pass. Leave a clear route of at least 900 mm (36 in) through the main walking path, and set the TV at 1.5 to 2.5 times its screen diagonal from the seating.
Dining area
Allow 750 mm (30 in) from the table edge to the nearest wall so a chair can slide back and someone can sit. Where people walk behind seated diners, make that 1000 mm (39 in). Remember a table with a leaf needs the extended size planned in, not the resting size.
Bedroom and kitchen
Beside a bed, leave 600 mm (24 in) on any access side, 750 mm (30 in) if you can. Give a wardrobe door its width plus 100 mm (4 in) to open. In the kitchen, keep 1000 to 1200 mm (39 to 48 in) between opposite counters so appliance and cabinet doors clear and two people can pass.
See the gaps before you commit
Upload your floor plan to Layoutr, set the scale, and place furniture at real dimensions. The distance measure tool lets you check every clearance on your own room. Free to use, no account required.
Try Layoutr freeFrequently asked questions
How much space do you need to walk between furniture?
Leave at least 450 mm (18 in) for a walkway one person uses occasionally, and 900 mm (36 in) for a main traffic route people use daily or where two people pass. Below 450 mm (18 in), a gap feels like a squeeze.
How far should a coffee table be from the sofa?
Leave 300 to 450 mm (12 to 18 in) between the sofa edge and the coffee table. That is close enough to reach a cup and far enough to get your legs past and stand up comfortably.
How much room do you need to pull out a dining chair?
Allow 750 mm (30 in) from the table edge to the nearest wall or furniture so a chair can slide back and someone can sit down. For walking behind a seated diner, allow 1000 mm (39 in).
How far should you sit from a TV?
A common guide is 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen's diagonal. For a 55 in (140 cm) TV that is roughly 2.1 to 3.5 m (6 ft 11 in to 11 ft 6 in). Sit closer for a more immersive picture, farther for a lower resolution source.
What is the minimum gap between kitchen counters?
Leave at least 1000 mm (39 in) between opposite counters or a counter and an island, and 1200 mm (48 in) if two people cook at once or an appliance door opens into the gap.