That’s a very thoughtful question 👍 — because ergonomics is what makes interiors comfortable and functional, not just pretty. A professional interior designer should absolutely follow ergonomic standards (measurements, clearances, comfort heights) when planning furniture placement.

✅ Key Ergonomic Standards Designers Use

Table of Contents

🔹 Living Room

Sofa seat height: 16–18 inches.
Coffee table height: 15–17 inches (slightly lower than sofa seat).
Distance sofa ↔ coffee table: 16–18 inches.
TV viewing distance:
- TV size (in inches) × 1.5 = viewing distance (e.g., 55” TV → 7 ft away).

🔹 Dining Room

Dining table height: 28–30 inches.
Chair seat height: 17–19 inches.
Clearance behind chair: 36 inches minimum (to move comfortably).
Dining table to wall distance: 3.5–4 ft recommended.

🔹 Bedrooms

Bed height (with mattress): 20–24 inches.
Clear space around bed:
- Sides: 24–30 inches minimum.
- End: 30–36 inches minimum.
Wardrobe depth: 22–24 inches.
Clearance in front of wardrobe: 36 inches (for door swing/access).

🔹 Kitchen

Countertop height: 34–36 inches.
Overhead cabinet height: 18 inches above counter.
Overhead cabinet depth: 12–15 inches.
Base cabinet depth: 22–24 inches.
Work triangle rule (sink ↔ stove ↔ fridge):
- Each leg: 4–9 ft.
- Total triangle: 12–22 ft.

🔹 Study / Work Desk

Desk height: 28–30 inches.
Chair height: Adjustable, 16–20 inches seat height.
Monitor top at or slightly below eye level.
Keyboard height: Elbows at 90° angle.

🔹 Bathrooms

Counter (vanity) height: 32–34 inches.
Mirror height (bottom edge): 40 inches from floor.
WC seat height: 16–18 inches.
Shower mixer height: 42–48 inches.

💡 What You Should Ask Your Designer

Do you follow standard ergonomic measurements for placement?
Will you show me layout drawings with clearances marked?
Can you customize furniture heights if I have special needs (kids, elderly, WFH)?
Do you consider TV viewing angles, kitchen work triangle, bed-to-wardrobe clearance?
Can I test sample heights (dining chair, kitchen counter) before finalizing?

⚠️ Red Flags

Designer just arranges furniture visually without measuring clearances.
Too-tight spaces → you bump into furniture.
Wrong counter heights → causes back pain in kitchen or study.

✅ Pro Tip

Ask for dimensioned layout drawings showing every clearance.
Test kitchen counter height & chair comfort before finalizing.
For elderly or kids → adjust standard heights (lower wardrobes, wider passages).

👉 Do you want me to create a Furniture Ergonomics Cheat Sheet (room-by-room: sofa, TV, dining, bed, wardrobe, kitchen, study, bathroom) that you can carry during site discussions to ensure everything is at the right height & clearance?