Furniture clearances: how much space to leave
Last updated: 26 October 2026
Proven guide values are: about 90 cm clear in front of wardrobes and furniture, at least 120 cm between two kitchen runs and around a kitchen island, 80 to 100 cm behind dining chairs, and 75 to 120 cm of depth in front of WC, washbasin and shower depending on your needs. The firm figures come mainly from the German standard DIN 18040-2 for barrier-free flats, from kitchen industry recommendations and from bathroom planning guidelines. They are recommendations, not legal requirements.
Where the values come from
There is no law on furniture clearances in ordinary homes. Planners rely on these sources:
- DIN 18040-2 covers barrier-free design of flats in Germany. It sets manoeuvring areas for people with walking aids and for wheelchair users. Its values are generous and a good benchmark if you want to plan ahead.
- DIN 18011 used to cover furniture footprints, clearances and manoeuvring areas in German housing (1967 edition). Its values still appear in many planning handbooks, but planners today usually cite DIN 18040-2 as the current reference.
- The AMK, the association of the German kitchen industry, publishes kitchen planning recommendations. The guidelines of the US National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) include the well-known work triangle.
- For bathrooms, the German guideline VDI 6000 sets minimum distances and manoeuvring areas in front of sanitary fixtures.
All of these values are recommendations. They only become binding if a subsidy or a contract requires them. How much space you really need also depends on who lives in the home.
Clearances at a glance
| Where | Guide value for ordinary homes | barrier-free (DIN 18040-2) | wheelchair-accessible (DIN 18040-2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| in front of wardrobe, chest of drawers, shelving | door leaf width plus standing room, about 90 cm | 90 cm | 150 cm |
| beside the bed | about 60–70 cm (rule of thumb) | 120 cm on one side, 90 cm on the other | 150 cm on one side, 120 cm on the other |
| between two kitchen runs | min. 120 cm (AMK) | 120 cm | 150 cm |
| behind dining chairs | 80–100 cm, more with a walkway | – | – |
| in front of WC, washbasin, shower | VDI 6000, about 80 × 75 cm in front of the WC | 120 × 120 cm | 150 × 150 cm |
| hallway | – | 120 cm wide | 120 cm, at least once 150 × 150 cm |
Bedroom: bed and wardrobe
Beside the bed you need space to get up and make the bed. In ordinary homes many people manage with 60 to 70 cm. DIN 18040-2 requires 120 cm on one long side and 90 cm on the other for barrier-free flats, and 150 and 120 cm for wheelchair-accessible ones.
In front of the wardrobe, the space you need depends on the doors. A hinged door leaf needs as much space to open as it is wide, plus room for you to stand. With 50 cm wide leaves you quickly reach 90 cm, the value DIN 18040-2 gives in front of furniture in barrier-free flats. Sliding doors need less space, but only part of the wardrobe is open at a time. Drawers must also be able to come all the way out.
Kitchen: clearances and work triangle
The AMK recommends at least 120 cm between the runs of a galley kitchen. Around a kitchen island, at least 120 cm should also stay clear to other units, and according to the AMK an island only makes sense from about 15 m² of kitchen area. The main worktop between sink and hob should be at least 90 cm wide.
The work triangle connects hob, sink and fridge. According to the NKBA guidelines, each side should be between 1.2 and 2.7 m long and the three sides together no more than 7.9 m. For aisles with units on both sides, the NKBA gives at least 107 cm for one cook and 122 cm when several people cook at once. In a single-run kitchen all three points lie on one line. Then what matters most is that fridge, sink and hob are in a sensible order with worktop between them.
Dining area
At the table, allow about 60 cm of width per person; 50 cm is tight, 70 cm generous. Between the table edge and the wall, 80 to 100 cm should stay clear so you can push your chair back and stand up. The NKBA gives 81 cm when no one passes behind the seated diners, 91 cm to edge past and 112 cm to walk past comfortably.
Worked example
A table for six, three on each long side: 3 × 60 cm makes 180 cm length, plus 90 cm depth. With 90 cm clearance all round you need a clear area of (180 + 2 × 90) × (90 + 2 × 90) cm, that is 3.60 × 2.70 m or almost 10 m². If a walkway passes on one side, plan 110 cm or more there.
Living room
Between sofa and coffee table many people leave about 40 to 50 cm, so you can reach the table while seated and still get past. Walkways through the living room should not run between sofa and TV. As with all the other values: try it out with your real furniture.
Bathroom
The VDI 6000 guideline sets minimum distances and manoeuvring areas for bathrooms. In front of the WC in a compact flat bathroom that is about 80 × 75 cm. Because a bathroom is usually used by one person at a time, the manoeuvring areas of the individual fixtures may overlap.
For barrier-free design to DIN 18040-2 you need 120 × 120 cm in front of WC, washbasin, shower and bath, and 150 × 150 cm for wheelchair access. A level-access shower may count towards the manoeuvring area. Hinged doors in barrier-free bathrooms must not open inwards, so someone can get in in an emergency.
Passages and doors
Make sure door leaves can open freely and do not hit furniture. The swing arc on the floor plan shows you which area must stay clear (How to read a floor plan). For walkways, the NKBA gives at least 91 cm. Barrier-free hallways are at least 120 cm wide under DIN 18040-2. Fixed dimensions for doors, hallways and stairs are in the guide Minimum dimensions at home.
Checking clearances in RoomPlanning
In RoomPlanning you place furniture from the catalogue in the floor plan and enter its real dimensions (Furnishing). With the measure tool (M key) you check the distances between pieces. In the 3D view and on the eye-level walkthrough you quickly notice whether a passage is too narrow or a wardrobe door hits the bed. Start straight away in the editor or with a furnished template floor plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do I need in front of a wardrobe?
About 90 cm is a good value: as much as a hinged door leaf needs to open, plus room to stand. With sliding doors less is enough; for barrier-free design DIN 18040-2 specifies 90 cm, for wheelchair access 150 cm.
How wide should the aisle between two kitchen runs be?
At least 120 cm, as the AMK recommends. Then you can open drawers and the dishwasher on both sides and still stand. If you often cook in pairs, plan a little more.
How much clearance does a dining table need from the wall?
80 to 100 cm from the table edge to the wall, so you can push your chair back. If a walkway runs there, allow a good 110 cm.
Is there a standard for furniture clearances at home?
There is no binding standard for ordinary homes. DIN 18040-2 gives firm figures for barrier-free flats in Germany, and the kitchen and bathroom industries add their recommendations.
Sources
- DIN 18040-2: areas and space requirements – nullbarriere.de (German)
- AMK kitchen standards (PDF) – Arbeitsgemeinschaft Die Moderne Küche (German)
- Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards (PDF) – NKBA
- Warum 6 m² Bad nicht gleich 6 m² sind: das sagt die VDI 6000 – ingenieur.de (German)
- DIN 18040-2: barrier-free flats – WEKA (German)
- Esstisch: Platz pro Person – Hausjournal (German)
This guide is general information and is not legal or planning advice.