When designing a new home, it’s easy to focus on aesthetics, materials, or special features. However, one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of good house design is room proportions—how each space is sized and positioned relative to others.
Poorly proportioned rooms can lead to wasted space, inefficient layouts, and a home that feels awkward or uncomfortable. By getting the proportions right, you can maximize functionality, improve livability, and ensure a natural flow throughout your home.
Here’s how to ensure balanced, well-proportioned spaces in your new home design.
1. Keep Hallways Efficient, Not Oversized
Hallways are essential for circulation, but if they’re too wide or too long, they become wasted space.
✅ How to Get It Right:
✔ Standard hallway width should be between 1.0m and 1.2m—enough for comfortable movement without excessive waste.
✔ Reduce long corridors by connecting spaces more efficiently, such as using open-plan layouts.
✔ If a hallway is necessary, make it multi-functional by adding built-in storage, display shelving, or even a small study nook.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
🚫 Oversized hallways wider than 1.5m with no practical purpose.
🚫 Long, featureless corridors that make the home feel disconnected.
🚫 Awkward L-shaped hallways that add unnecessary walking distance.
2. Make Sure Bedrooms Are Comfortable & Functional
Bedrooms should feel spacious enough for comfort while maintaining efficiency. A too-small bedroom can feel cramped, while an oversized one can reduce available space for other key areas.
✅ How to Get It Right:
✔ Master bedrooms should be at least 3.5m x 3.5m to comfortably fit a bed, side tables, and storage.
✔ Secondary bedrooms should be at least 3m x 3m for practicality.
✔ Built-in storage solutions, like wall-mounted wardrobes and under-bed storage, can maximize smaller rooms.
✔ Windows positioned strategically to bring in natural light make rooms feel more open.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
🚫 Bedrooms smaller than 3m x 3m that struggle to fit a standard bed and storage.
🚫 Odd-shaped rooms with awkward corners that limit furniture placement.
🚫 Oversized master suites that take space away from other functional areas.
3. Ensure Kitchens Are Functional, Not Just Spacious
A large kitchen doesn’t always mean a well-designed kitchen. The key is to optimize workspace and efficiency, not just square footage.
✅ How to Get It Right:
✔ Follow the kitchen work triangle—keep the sink, cooktop, and fridge within easy reach.
✔ Ensure there is plenty of counter space, especially near the cooking and prep areas.
✔ Design aisles between counters to be 1m to 1.2m wide—enough for movement without being too spacious.
✔ Consider an island bench with seating for extra prep space and casual dining.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
🚫 Kitchens with large open areas but minimal counter space for cooking.
🚫 Appliances placed too far apart, making cooking inefficient.
🚫 Narrow kitchen layouts that make movement difficult.
4. Design Living Spaces for Comfort & Functionality
The living room is one of the most used spaces in a home, so it needs to be well-proportioned for seating, circulation, and connection to other areas.
✅ How to Get It Right:
✔ Aim for at least 4m x 4m for a comfortable living room.
✔ Consider an open-plan design that connects the living room to the kitchen and dining areas.
✔ Incorporate large windows or sliding doors to enhance space and natural light.
✔ Plan the layout with furniture placement in mind—leave enough room for movement around seating areas.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
🚫 Living rooms too small to fit a full lounge set comfortably.
🚫 Narrow living areas that feel restrictive and limit furniture placement.
🚫 Disconnection from outdoor spaces, reducing flow and usability.
5. Balance Space Across the Home
A well-designed home balances the proportions of its rooms. No single area should feel oversized at the expense of another.
✅ How to Get It Right:
✔ Ensure bedroom, living, and kitchen spaces are proportionate to each other.
✔ Use consistent ceiling heights—higher ceilings in key areas (living, dining) can make spaces feel larger without adding unnecessary square footage.
✔ If adding a second storey, make sure stairs are placed efficiently to avoid taking too much space from the ground floor.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
🚫 Oversized master bedrooms that make secondary bedrooms too small.
🚫 Huge open-plan spaces that leave other rooms feeling cramped.
🚫 Underutilized areas like large formal dining rooms that rarely get used.
Final Thoughts: Proportion Is Key to a Well-Designed Home
Getting the proportions right in your new home design isn’t just about making rooms big or small—it’s about creating balance, flow, and usability.
By carefully planning room sizes and layouts, you can ensure every space is functional, efficient, and comfortable—without wasted square footage.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Keep hallways efficient—not too wide, not too long.
✅ Make bedrooms spacious enough for comfort and furniture placement.
✅ Prioritize kitchen functionality over sheer size.
✅ Ensure living spaces are well-connected and comfortable.
✅ Balance proportions across the whole home to create a harmonious design.
By following these principles, you’ll create a home that not only looks great but also feels great to live in.