DESIGN OF A BEDROOM | PLANNING

Once you have met with your Architect, and given your requirements, he will design according
to your Site size, budget and site conditions. The main things to look out for in the design
solution are whether:
The minimum, basic room sizes which are considered comfortable for use and for good
furniture arrangement have been maintained. It is always important to have a comfortable
sized Bedroom as the size cannot be changed later (unless you are prepared for large
scale renovation). Even if you have a small site, it is not advisable to have a tiny
Bedroom, because you will be forced to adjust to small, cramped living spaces for the
rest of your life,
All the planning considerations such as, furniture, clearances, space allowances, doors,
windows etc for the Bedroom have been taken into account.
The Bedroom location and orientation is according to the cardinal directions, so that it
gets the right amount of Sunlight and air.
Here, I have explained the design considerations, furniture and the minimum basic sizes for a
Bedroom for your reference.

BEDROOM FUNCTIONS:
Primary Activities: Sleeping, Dressing/Undressing, Storing Clothes, Personal Care.
Secondary Activities: Reading, Writing, Studying, Working, Watching TV, Listening to
music, Caring for Infants, Sewing, Telephoning, Drawing/Painting, Doing Exercise,
Resting and Convalescing, Hobbies, Storing bulk/seasonal items.
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR A BEDROOM:
The number of occupants of the bedroom - whether Single Occupancy or Double
Occupancy.
The age of the occupants - whether a Master Bedroom, Children's Bedroom or a Guest
Bedroom.
Size and type of Furniture.
Space allowance for Furniture.
Clearance and space around the Furniture for movement.
Storage space for clothes, dressing etc

FURNITURE OF A BEDROOM: The Typical pieces of furniture in a Bedroom and their sizes
are listed below. The sizes may vary a little from yours but it does not affect the overall size of
the Bedroom.
Beds: There are several types of beds depending on the number of people sharing them:
Single Bed - 3'0" x 6'10" (Cramped for an adult but suitable for a child)
Twin Bed - 3'3" x 6'10" or 3'4" x 7'0" ( Okay for an adult)
Double Bed - 4'6" x 6'10" or 4'6" x 7'0" (Cramped for 2 adults, but okay for 2 children)
Queen Size- 5'0" x 6'10" or 5' x 7'0" (Cramped for 2 adults but okay for an adult and a
child)
King Size Bed - 6'6" x 6'10" or 6'6" x 7'0" (Comfortable for 2 adults)
Crib - 2'0" x 4'6" or 2'8" x 5'0"
Bunk Bed - 2'8" x 6'3" (Suitable for 2 children)
Dressing Table - 1'3" x 3'0", 1'6" x 3'6", 2'0" x 4'0" etc.
Dresser or Chest of Drawers - 1'6" x 3'0", 1'10" x 4'0"
Bedside Table - 1'2" x 1'2", 1'6" x 1'6", 2'0" x 2'0"
Desk - 1'6" x 3'4", 1'8" x 3'6"
Chair - 1'6" x 1'6"
Boudoir Chair - 2'6" x 3'
Chaise Lounge - 2' x 4', 2'4" x 5' etc.
Closet or Wardrobe - Each shutter size is about 1'6" x 7'0". A 2 shutter Wardrobe is the
minimum in a single occupancy bedroom and a 4 shutter or 6 shutter closet is necessary
in a double occupancy Bedroom.
CLEARANCES: To ensure adequate space for movement and the convenient use of furniture in
the Bedroom, the following minimum clearances must be observed:
At least 2" clearance should be allowed between the wall and the furniture.
A minimum of 3" should be kept between furniture units.
A minimum of 3'6" space between the foot of the bed and the dressing table/ dresser for
dressing.
At least 3' in front of Closet, Dresser/Chest of Drawers to open and use them.
A minimum of 2' on one side of bed to allow for movement and making bed.
At least 1' on the least used side of the bed for making the bed. However, in case of single
beds, they can be placed against the wall on the least used side.
A minimum of 2'6" for movement from the door through the room
A 5' turning diameter for a wheelchair
BEDROOM LOCATION:
The bedroom is a private space used for rest, relaxation, reading, writing, working, listening to
music, convalescing, sleeping, phoning etc. Hence there is a need for privacy, quiet and peace. It
should also be well lit and airy and preferably be near some green garden etc as the oxygen
released by plants is rejuvenating. It should be away from the noisy parts of the house and the
rooms where guests are entertained.




DESIGNING A BEDROOM | PLANNING

A Bedroom is primarily used for Sleeping,
Resting, Convalescing, Dressing/Undressing,
Storing Clothes, Personal Care etc which
means it has to be a very private space away
from the rooms meant for entertaining guests.
A Bedroom is also used for other activities like
Reading, Writing, Studying, Working, Watching
TV, Listening to music, Caring for Infants,
Sewing, Telephoning, Drawing/Painting, Doing
Exercise, Hobbies, Storing bulk/seasonal items
and should have calm and peace. Therefore in designing a Bedroom, one has to have the following
considerations:
WHAT ARE THE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR A BEDROOM?
1. The number of occupants of the bedroom whether Single Occupancy or Double Occupancy.
2. The age of the occupants whether a Master Bedroom, Childrens Bedroom or a Guest
Bedroom.
3. Size and type of Furniture.
4. Space allowance for Furniture.
5. Clearance and space around the Furniture for movement.
6. Storage space for clothes, dressing etc
WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL PIECES OF FURNITURE IN A BEDROOM?The Typical
pieces of furniture in a Bedroom and their sizes are listed below. The sizes of furniture may vary
a little but does not affect the overall size of the Bedroom. There are several types of beds
depending on the number of people sharing them:
1. Single Bed 30 x 610 (Cramped for an adult but suitable for a child)
2. Twin Bed 33 x 610 or 34 x 70 ( Okay for an adult)
3. Double Bed 46 x 610 or 46 x 70 (Cramped for 2 adults, but okay for 2 children)
4. Queen Size- 50 x 610 or 50 x 70 (Cramped for 2 adults but okay for an adult and a
child)
5. King Size Bed - 66 x 610 or 66 x 70 (Comfortable for 2 adults)
6. Crib 20 x 46 or 28 x 50
7. Bunk Bed 28 x 63 (Suitable for 2 children)
8. Dressing Table 13 x 30, 16 x 36, 20 x 40 etc.
9. Dresser or Chest of Drawers - 16 x 30, 110 x 40
10. Bedside Table - 12 x 12, 16 x 16, 20 x 20
11. Desk 16 x 34, 18 x 36
12. Chair 16 x 16
13. Boudoir Chair 26 x 30
14. Chaise Lounge - 20 x 40, 24 x 50 etc.
15. Closet or Wardrobe Each shutter size is about 16 x 2 depth x 70 height. A 2
shutter Wardrobe is the minimum in a single occupancy bedroom and a 4 shutter or 6
shutter closet is necessary in a double occupancy Bedroom.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM CLEARANCES IN A BEDROOM?
To ensure adequate space for movement and the convenient use of furniture in the Bedroom, the
following minimum clearances must be observed:
1. Between the wall and the furniture 2.
2. Between furniture units 3.
3. Between the foot of the bed and the dressing table/ dresser for dressing 36.
4. In front of Closet, Dresser/Chest of Drawers to open and use them 30.
5. On one side of bed to allow for movement and making bed 20.
6. On the least used side of the bed for making the bed 10. However, in case of single
beds, they can be placed against the wall on the least used side.
7. For movement from the door through the room 26.
8. Turning diameter for a wheelchair 50.