Bedrooms Print

Design Outcome

​​​​​Bedrooms should be designed to comfortably fit two people per bedroom, as well as their fittings and furniture. 

Occupants should also be able to conveniently carry out the following activities:

  • sleeping
  • reading
  • watching television
  • studying or using a computer
  • storing clothes.


Young people in particular need space in a bedroom for private study, play and hobbies.



Better Design Practice

Design the size of rooms to accommodate standard NZ furniture dimensions.

These are as follows (sizes vary slightly due to manufacturing tolerances, levels of padding and support/ frame type):

Two-person bedrooms should allow for at least one queen-size bed with circulation space on both sides of the bed.

For a two-person bedroom a 2.8m minimum dimension gives little plan flexibility and no room for drawers or a desk, as illustrated below:

A 3.2m minimum dimension allows space for secondary furniture, and allows more flexibility of furniture layouts, as illustrated below:

Rules of Thumb

Bedroom layout should provide the following minimums:

  • a bed space 2m long by 1.6m wide, or two bed spaces side-by-side each 2m long by 900mm wide. 
  • an 800mm wide access space free from obstruction at the foot of the bed or beds - a total of 1200mm of side access space. If split around the two sides of one bed, there should be 600mm per side. 
  • a wardrobe 2m long and 0.6m deep, with adequate access space in front (e.g. taking clothes from a wardrobe drawer or chest of drawers requires a space of 710mm to 990mm). 
  • a desk or dressing table space of at least 800mm wide by 500mm deep with a 500mm wide access space in front. 
  • an access space from the entry door to the foot of the bed that is no less than 800mm wide. Note: Access space requirements for different elements in bedroom spaces may overlap.
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