Good design isn’t about following rules. It’s about understanding them well enough to use—or ignore—them with confidence. Measurements give a room structure. Instinct gives it character. The best spaces have both.
Rugs (Start Here)
If there’s one place designers consistently go wrong, it’s rug size.
- Best case: all furniture sits fully on the rug. This creates a grounded, finished room and makes everything feel intentional.
- Next best: at least the front legs of all seating are on the rug.
An undersized rug breaks a room instantly. Oversized rugs don’t overwhelm—they calm.
Seating + Tables
- Sofa to coffee table: about 16–18 inches. Close enough to use comfortably, far enough to move easily.
- Chair to side table: within easy reach. If you have to lean or stretch, it’s wrong.
These distances aren’t about math—they’re about comfort.
Dining Rooms
- Clearance around the table: 36–48 inches. This allows chairs to slide out and people to walk behind them without friction.
- Chandelier height: roughly 30–34 inches above the tabletop, unless the scale of the room says otherwise.
Bedrooms
- Clearance around the bed: about 30 inches minimum. More if the room allows.
- Nightstand height: within a few inches of the mattress height. This is one of those details you feel immediately if it’s wrong.
Art (This Is the One People Ask About)
- Art center: roughly 57–60 inches from the floor, measured to the center of the artwork. This is standard eye level and a solid starting point.
Then we adjust. Over furniture, the relationship to what’s below often matters more than the number. With large-scale art, stacked pieces, or gallery walls, we align the center of the overall composition. In rooms with high ceilings, art often comes down lower so it feels connected, not floating.
Lighting
- Table lamps: the bottom of the shade should sit around eye level when seated.
- Pendants over islands: typically 30–36 inches above the counter.
- General rule: if you’re debating between two sizes, the larger one usually wins.
The Real Rule
Measurements are not laws. They’re tools. Some of the most memorable rooms come from breaking them on purpose—overscaled art, generous rugs, furniture that pushes proportion just enough to feel bold.
Measurements create balance.
Artistic choice creates impact.
Good design knows when to use each.