Measure first. Order once.
The number that matters depends on your space. Here are the dimensions to check before you buy\u2014broken down by segment, with Singapore-specific details.
Residential
2.6 m ceiling height
HDB and condo ceilings
Most HDB flats have a finished ceiling height of 2.6 m. Newer condominiums reach 2.7–2.8 m. Landed homes vary. When a product lists its height, add 50–100 mm for clearance between the top and the ceiling. A 2.0 m wardrobe looks very different in a 2.6 m room versus a 3.0 m room—measure the room first.
Door frames and lift dimensions
The narrowest point is almost always the lift door. Typical HDB lift doors are 800 mm wide and 2.1 m tall. Condo lifts are wider at 900–1100 mm. Your furniture must fit through both the lift and your apartment door. Measure the narrower of the two.
Corridor turns
If your front door opens onto a corridor that turns within 1.5 m, measure the diagonal of the turn. A 1.8 m bookshelf that clears the door might not clear a right-angle turn in a 1.2 m hallway. The longest rigid piece you can rotate around a corner is roughly 1.4× the corridor width.
Commercial
800 mm walkway clearance
Desk spacing
Allow a minimum 800 mm walkway between desks for comfortable movement. BCA guidelines require 1.0 m for accessible routes. If you’re fitting out an open-plan office, start with 1.0 m and compress only when floor plate demands it.
Panel sizes and workstation clusters
A standard 1200×600 mm desk per person is the baseline. Four-person clusters (two desks back-to-back with shared panels) need a footprint of roughly 2400×1200 mm plus circulation. Measure your floor plate and divide by these numbers to estimate capacity before ordering.
Meeting room furniture
A 6-person meeting table needs a room of at least 3.0×2.4 m. An 8-person table needs 3.6×2.4 m. Add 600 mm clearance on each side for chairs and movement. The table is the easy part—the room dimensions are what constrain you.
Industrial
≥200 kg per shelf level
Shelving load ratings
Industrial shelving should be rated for at least 200 kg per level when storing tools, parts, or stock. Check the spec sheet before buying—many consumer-grade units top out at 60–80 kg per level, which won’t survive a warehouse. The rating should be per level, not per unit.
Floor load capacity
Older industrial buildings in Singapore typically allow 5–10 kN/m². Newer light-industrial spaces (B1 zoning) may be rated for 2.5 kN/m². If you’re stacking heavy shelving rows, calculate total load per square metre before committing to a layout.
Workbench dimensions
A standard assembly workbench is 1800×750 mm with a 750–850 mm working height. Allow 1.0 m clearance on all sides for movement and material staging. If space is tight, a 1200×750 mm bench still gives enough surface area for most tasks.
Institutional
+50 mm door swing clearance
Door swing arcs
A door’s swing arc equals its width plus 50 mm for hinge throw. A standard 800 mm door sweeps an arc of 850 mm radius. Any furniture within that arc will block the door or get damaged. Measure the arc and keep it clear.
Classroom layout
A standard classroom desk for one student is roughly 600×450 mm. Allow 100 mm between desks side-to-side and 600 mm rows front-to-back for bag storage and movement. A 7×6 m classroom fits about 30 desks at this spacing—check against the actual room before ordering.
Clinic and common area furniture
Clinic waiting areas need 0.5 m² per person for comfortable seating. Benches and chairs should be arranged so that wheelchair circulation paths of 1.5 m width are maintained between furniture rows. SSC (SS 536) covers minimum access requirements.
Need help measuring?
Send us your floor plan and we’ll tell you what fits\u2014before you order.