Common Standard Building Dimensions in Australia: Why Designing to Standard Sizes Matters
COMMON ROOM SIZES, BRICK SET-OUT DIMENSIONS AND MORE
When designing a home in Australia, working with standard building dimensions ensures efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of construction. From ceiling heights and door widths to brick dimensions, using standard sizes minimizes waste, simplifies material sourcing, and reduces labor costs.
At ENV Design & Drafting, we prioritise designing homes that align with industry standards while maintaining unique architectural character. One of the most critical aspects of this is understanding standard brick dimensions and referencing a brick chart when planning wall layouts. This guide explores key standard building dimensions in Australia.
Common Standard Building Dimensions in Australia
Ceiling Heights
Standard ceiling height: 2.4m (minimum in most residential homes)
Higher ceilings: 2.55m, 2.7m, or 3m for a more spacious feel
Garage ceiling height: Typically 2.4m to 2.7m
Door Sizes
Standard internal door height: 2040mm (2.04m)
Tall internal doors: 2340mm (2.34m) for premium homes
Standard internal door width: 820mm, but 720mm, 770mm, and 870mm are also common
Front entry door width: 820mm to 1200mm for statement entry doors
Window Sizes
Window dimensions vary based on style, but standard heights often include 600mm, 1200mm, and 1800mm. Widths typically range from 600mm to 2100mm.
Kitchen Benchtop Heights
Standard benchtop height: 900mm
Tall benchtop height: 950mm (preferred for taller users)
Garage Dimensions
Single garage: Minimum 3.0m wide × 5.4m deep
Double garage: Minimum 5.4m wide × 5.8m deep
Garage door heights: Standard 2.1m, with 2.4m available for taller vehicles
These dimensions help ensure that homes are functional and conform to construction best practices. However, one of the most critical standard dimensions in Australian house design is brick size, as it directly impacts structural design and material efficiency.
When designing a new house in Australia, it's important to know the typical sizes for rooms, benchtops, and furniture to ensure functionality and flow within the space. Here's a guide to typical room, benchtop, and furniture sizes commonly found in Australian homes:
Common Room Sizes:
Living Room:
Small Living Room: 3m x 3.5m (9-10 sqm)
Average Living Room: 4m x 5m (20 sqm)
Large Living Room: 5m x 6m (30 sqm)
Bedroom Sizes:
Master Bedroom: 4m x 4.5m (16-18 sqm)
Standard Bedroom: 3m x 3.5m (9-10 sqm)
Small Bedroom: 3m x 3m (9 sqm)
Dining Room:
Small Dining Room: 3m x 3.5m (9-10 sqm)
Average Dining Room: 4m x 4m (16 sqm)
Large Dining Room: 4.5m x 5m (22-25 sqm)
Kitchen:
Small Kitchen: 3m x 3m (9 sqm)
Standard Kitchen: 3.5m x 4m (14 sqm)
Large Kitchen: 4m x 5m (20 sqm)
Bathroom:
Small Bathroom: 2.5m x 2.5m (6-7 sqm)
Average Bathroom: 3m x 3m (9 sqm)
Master Ensuite: Vary
Laundry:
Small Laundry: 2m x 2m (4 sqm)
Average Laundry: 2.5m x 3m (7.5 sqm)
Large Laundry: 3m x 3.5m (10.5 sqm)
**SPACE SAVING TIP: Consider a ‘European/Apartment Style’ Laundry, enclosing the laundry equipment in a cupboard or similar and utilising/doubling up the circulation space of another room (ie kitchen, hallway or similar) to minimise overall floor space and the need for a seperate room.
Hallways:
Standard Width: 1m to 1.2m (ideal for easy movement)
Study/Home Office:
Small Study: 2.5m x 3m (7.5 sqm)
Average Study: 3m x 4m (12 sqm)
Benchtop Sizes:
Kitchen Benchtops:
Height: 900mm (standard)
Depth: 600mm (standard for most benchtops)
Length: Benchtops typically range from 2m to 3m in length depending on the kitchen size. Larger kitchens can have lengths up to 4m.
Island Benchtops:
Height: 900mm (standard)
Width: Typically 900mm to 1m (a comfortable working space)
Length: Usually 2m to 3m depending on kitchen layout.
Bathroom Benchtops:
Height: 850mm to 900mm (standard)
Depth: 400mm to 600mm (standard depth)
Length: 1.2m to 2m depending on the size of the bathroom.
Furniture Sizes:
Living Room Furniture:
Sofa: 2-seater: 1.8m to 2m, 3-seater: 2.2m to 2.5m, Larger sectional sofas: 3m to 4m in length.
Coffee Table: 1.2m x 0.6m (for average spaces)
TV Stand: 1.2m to 1.8m depending on TV size.
Bookshelf/Storage Unit: 1.2m to 2m wide, 30-40cm deep.
Bedroom Furniture:
Queen Bed: 2m x 1.5m (standard size)
King Bed: 2m x 1.8m
Bedside Table: 500mm x 400mm (for small), up to 600mm x 500mm (for larger)
Wardrobe: Typically 2m to 2.5m wide, depth around 600mm to 700mm.
Dining Room Furniture:
Dining Table (for 4 people): 1.2m to 1.4m (length)
Dining Table (for 6-8 people): 1.8m to 2.4m (length)
Dining Chair: Typically 450mm to 500mm in width, 800mm to 1m in height.
Home Office/Study Furniture:
Desk: 1.2m to 1.8m long, 600mm to 800mm deep.
Office Chair: 450mm to 600mm wide, adjustable height.
Bookshelf/Storage: 1.5m to 2m high, 60-80cm depth.
Outdoor Furniture:
Outdoor Dining Table (for 6 people): 1.6m to 2m long.
Lounge/Outdoor Sofa: 1.8m to 2.5m in length for larger outdoor spaces.
Sun Lounges/Deck Chairs: 1.5m to 1.8m long.
Additional Considerations:
Ceiling Height: Typically 2.4m to 2.7m in most Australian homes, though higher ceilings (up to 3m or more) are increasingly common in modern homes.
Door Width: Standard door widths are usually 820mm or 900mm for internal doors and 1m for external doors.
These sizes offer a basic design guideline to help with spatial planning. Depending on the style of the home, preferences, and specific needs (e.g., accessibility, family size), adjustments may be made.
Understanding Brick Dimensions in Australian House Design
Standard Brick Sizes in Australia
Bricks come in several standard dimensions, with the most common being:
Brick TypeLength (mm)Width (mm)Height (mm)Standard Brick23011076Modular Brick2909090Slimline Brick2909050Double Height Brick230110162Blockwork (Concrete Masonry Block)390190190
Why Brick Dimensions Matter in Design
Wall Length and Window Placement
Designing wall lengths in multiples of brick dimensions plus mortar (typically 10mm thick) ensures clean and cost-effective construction.
Poorly planned layouts lead to excessive cutting, increasing material waste and labor costs.
Door and Window Openings
Standard bricks should align with window and door widths to avoid awkward cuts.
Many window and door suppliers offer products sized to fit modular brick layouts.
Vertical Course Planning
A standard brick plus mortar (76mm + 10mm = 86mm per course) means standard wall heights should be designed in increments of 86mm.
Common wall heights:
2.4m wall = 28 courses of bricks
2.7m wall = 31 courses of bricks
3.0m wall = 35 courses of bricks
Structural Integrity & Aesthetics
Designing with full bricks maintains structural strength.
Uneven or mismatched cuts can affect the visual symmetry of a building, particularly in exposed brickwork.
Using a Brick Chart for Efficient Design
A brick chart provides a guide for planning wall dimensions, window placements, and course heights based on standard brick sizes. These charts help:
Align walls, doorways, and openings to full or half-brick increments.
Prevent unnecessary cutting or wastage of bricks.
Ensure aesthetic consistency in external and internal brickwork.
Example: Designing a Standard 2.4m High Wall
Using standard 86mm (brick + mortar) per course:
2.4m height ÷ 86mm per course = 28 brick courses
If designing a window at 900mm sill height, it should align with 10 courses (10 × 86mm = 860mm).
Other Considerations for Designing with Standard Dimensions
Material Efficiency and Cost Savings
Sticking to standard dimensions reduces material waste and speeds up construction.
At ENV Design & Drafting, we integrate smart, efficient design principles into every home we create. Whether you’re planning a new home or renovation, we ensure that your design maximizes material efficiency while delivering a stylish and practical result.