Catalog
The physical things a home is built from — every fixture, appliance, furniture piece and built-in the engine can place, with its 2-D symbol, footprint, and the rule for how it’s positioned. Rooms are kits of these (below). These are the same symbols the plans draw.
Fixtures
≥ 15 in (18 in rec.) from centerline to any wall/fixture; 21 in (30 in rec.) clear in front (IRC R307.1 / NKBA).
- ≥ 15 in (18 in rec.) from the centerline to any wall/fixture; a 30–36 in stall (IRC R307.1 / NKBA)
- 21 in (30 in rec.) of clear floor in front (IRC R307.1 / NKBA)
- Tucked out of the sightline from the door/entry; a separate water-closet ≥ 30×60 in for privacy (Best practice (NKBA))
- Against a wet wall so supply + waste stack; paper holder 8–12 in ahead of the bowl (Plumbing / NKBA)
On a plumbing (wet) wall so supply + drain stack; two sinks ≥ 30 in apart (centerline).
- On a plumbed wet wall; under a window where the layout allows (light + view) (Plumbing / best practice)
- 24 in landing counter on one side + 18 in on the other (NKBA Guideline 11)
- Dishwasher within 36 in (beside it); the cleanup zone (NKBA Guideline 13)
- Two basins ≥ 30 in apart (centerline) (NKBA)
On the mirror wall, NOT under a window; 32 in standard / 36 in comfort height; double ≥ 60 in.
- On the MIRROR wall, not under a window (Convention (NKBA))
- 32 in standard / 36 in 'comfort' height; 21 in deep (NKBA / industry)
- Single 24–48 in; double ≥ 60 in (72 in comfortable), basins 30 in+ apart (NKBA)
- 15 in min (20 in rec.) from a single-sink centerline to a side wall (IRC R307.1 / NKBA)
Standard alcove 60×30 in along the longest wall; plumbing on the wall side; keep ≥ 1 in the home.
- Standard alcove 60 × 30 in; along the longest wall, plumbing on the wall side (Industry / best practice)
- Keep ≥ 1 tub in the home (resale / bathing kids) (Best practice)
- A freestanding/soaking tub wants 100+ sq ft + ~6 in deck clearance all around (Best practice (NKBA))
- 21 in (30 in rec.) clear floor at the tub's access side (IRC R307.1 / NKBA)
30×30 in min (36×36 in comfortable); in a corner, plumbing on the wall; hinged door swings OUT.
- 30 × 30 in interior min (900 sq in); 36 × 36 in comfortable (IRC / NKBA)
- Curb ≤ ½ in beveled; floor slopes ¼ in/ft to the drain (IRC / ADA)
- Optional bench 15 in deep at 17–19 in; niche 12×12 or 12×24 in at chest height (NKBA / industry)
- A hinged door swings OUT (emergency access); 24 in clear to open (IRC / NKBA)
A freestanding soaking tub in a roomy primary bath (alongside the walk-in shower); ~6 in deck clearance all around.
- A FREESTANDING soaking tub centers a roomy primary bath — alongside (not instead of) the walk-in shower (Best practice (NKBA — primary-bath layout))
- Wants 100+ sq ft of room + ~6 in deck/access clearance all around; the filler on the wall or floor-mounted (Best practice (NKBA))
A half-depth raised wash basin in the laundry/mudroom for pets + muddy boots/garden; plumbing on the wall side.
Workspace along a wall, between the appliances (not under the range, sink or fridge).
- 24 in deep with 15 in clearance above; worktop fills between the appliances (NKBA)
- Total countertop frontage ≥ ~13 ft (158 in) for a workable kitchen (NKBA Guideline 25)
- A 36 in+ uninterrupted prep run beside the sink (NKBA Guideline 12)
Freestanding counter; needs ≥ 42 in clear all around (NKBA).
- ≥ 3 × 5 ft to be useful; ≥ 42 in (48 in for two cooks) clear all around (NKBA / This Old House)
- Seating: 24 in width + 15 in knee overhang per stool (at 36 in height) (NKBA Guideline 9)
- Don't break the work triangle by more than 12 in (NKBA Guideline 3)
Counter that turns off the run into the room, open at one end.
- Open at one end; ≥ 42 in aisle along the working/open side (NKBA)
- Seating overhang 15 in at 36 in counter height (12 in at 42 in bar) (NKBA Guideline 9)
Centered on a feature wall as the room's focal point; the seating faces it.
- On an EXTERIOR wall — the flue/chimney runs up the outside of the house (IRC R1001/R1003; building convention)
- Centered on the focal wall the seating faces; the TV shares that wall, offset beside it (Best practice (interior design))
- Keep the hearth front clear — no closet, chair or table in front of the firebox (combustible clearance) (IRC R1001)
- A feature of larger homes; small/starter homes today usually omit it (Market convention (NAHB))
Aligned above each other on both floors so the run stacks (IRC R311.7).
- ≥ 36 in wide; 7¾ in max riser / 10 in min tread; 6 ft 8 in headroom; landings top + bottom (IRC R311.7)
- Stacks floor-to-floor; a walkway past it, no door swinging over it (IRC R311.7 / best practice)
Appliances
On the counter run, NOT under a window; 12–15 in of landing counter beside it (NKBA).
- NOT under an operable window (drafts + curtains over a flame) (NKBA Guideline 18)
- 12–15 in of landing counter on each side (NKBA Guideline 17)
- Clear floor in front (≥ 30 in) — the oven door drops ~24 in to open + you stand to cook; no counter, island or table in its path (NKBA Guideline 5 / IRC)
- A hood/vent 24–30 in above; the 'cook' leg of the work triangle (NKBA / IRC M1901)
Vent hood OVER the cooktop, ducted outside; ≥ the cooktop width, 24–30 in above (IRC M1503 / NKBA).
- A vent hood OVER every cooktop, ducted to the outside (or recirculating) — required kitchen ventilation (IRC M1503 / NKBA)
- At least as wide as the cooktop, mounted 24–30 in above it (NKBA Guideline 18)
Built-in/OTR or in the cabinet run, near the prep + serving zone; not over a cooktop unless OTR-rated.
- Standard in the kitchen — built-in/OTR or in the cabinet run, near the prep + serving zone (Market convention (NKBA))
- A landing surface beside/below it; bottom ≤ 54 in AFF for accessibility (not over a cooktop unless OTR-rated) (NKBA Guideline 14)
End of the run near the kitchen entry; ≥ 15 in landing counter on the handle side (NKBA).
- At the END of a run / near the kitchen entry (reach it without crossing the cook) (Best practice)
- ≥ 15 in of landing counter on the handle side (NKBA Guideline 16)
- Clear floor in front so the doors open + you can stand to load (NKBA)
Within 36 in of the sink with 21 in standing room beside it (NKBA).
- Standard in every kitchen — seated beside the sink even on a tight counter run (Market convention (NKBA))
- Within 36 in of the sink (the cleanup zone), 21 in standing room beside it (NKBA Guideline 13)
- Counter runs OVER it (under-counter), so it doesn't break the worktop (NKBA)
On a plumbed wall beside the dryer; ≥ 36 in clear in front (42–48 in for front-loaders).
- On a plumbed wall with a drain pan / floor drain (IRC P2706 / best practice)
- ≥ 36 in clear in front (42–48 in for a front-loader's door); ~1 in side gaps for airflow (Best practice (appliance guides))
Beside the washer; vented outside (duct ≤ 35 ft, 4 in, fewer bends — IRC M1502.4).
- Beside the washer; vented to the OUTDOORS (≤ 35 ft smooth 4-in duct, fewer bends) (IRC M1502.4)
- Never vented into an attic/crawl; a folding counter nearby (IRC / best practice)
A 40–50 gal tank (or a wall-hung tankless) in the garage / laundry / utility closet; T&P drain + combustion air; ~6–12 in service clearance on the sides, not flush against the washer/dryer.
- Every home has one — a 40–50 gal tank (or wall-hung tankless) in the garage / laundry / utility closet (IRC; building convention)
- Tank: a drain pan + T&P relief discharge; gas units need combustion air; ~30 in service clearance (IRC P2801 / M1305)
- Keep ~6–12 in of clear floor on the SIDES (service access + combustion airflow) — not jammed flush against the washer/dryer or boxed into a corner; the back sits against the wall (Manufacturer install specs / service access)
The HVAC air handler/furnace in the garage / utility / closet; ≥ 30 in service clearance in front (IRC M1305).
- The HVAC air handler/furnace lives in the garage / utility / closet (or attic) — every conditioned home has one (IRC M1305; convention)
- ≥ 30 in of service clearance in front; combustion air + a condensate drain for a gas unit (IRC M1305 / M1411)
Furniture
Headboard centered on a solid wall, clear of the door swing; 24–36 in clear each side.
- Headboard on the wall FARTHEST from the door (the 'command position') — you see the door, the bed isn't an entry obstruction (Best practice (interior design))
- Headboard centered on a SOLID wall (not under a window); reachable from both sides (Best practice)
- 24–36 in of clear walkway on each usable side; ~36 in at the foot (Best practice (NKBA / interior design))
- Clear of the door swing; flanking nightstands (two in the primary) (Best practice)
Flanking the bed, top near the mattress height, ~2–6 in from the bed.
- Flank the bed (a matching pair for symmetry) (Best practice (interior design))
- Top near the mattress height; ~2–6 in from the bed (within reach) (Best practice)
Against a wall, clear of the bed/door swing; ~36 in clear in front for drawers.
- Against a wall, clear of the bed and the door swing (Best practice)
- ~36 in of clear floor in front for the drawers + standing room (Best practice (interior design))
- Off the closet wall (often flanking the window) (Best practice)
Backed to a wall facing the focal point; 14–18 in to the coffee table; facing seats 3.5–10 ft.
- Backed to a wall, facing the focal point (fireplace/TV); not blocking the walkway (Best practice (interior design))
- 14–18 in to the coffee table; facing seats 3.5–10 ft apart (Best practice)
- Rug at least under the front legs; ~½ the sofa length for the coffee table (Best practice)
Opposite the sofa; viewing distance ≈ 1.5–2.5× the screen diagonal, center ~30–42 in AFF.
- Standard in the main living/family room — placed in front of the couch unless a dedicated media/theater room is the TV space (Market convention)
- On the wall opposite the sofa; center ~30–42 in AFF (seated eye level) (Best practice)
- Viewing distance ≈ 1.5–2.5× the screen diagonal (Best practice (TV guides))
- Not opposite/under a window (glare on the screen) (Best practice)
Centered, ~24 in per seat, with ≥ 36 in clear around for chairs + passing.
- Centered, LONG axis along the room's long axis, near the kitchen (Best practice (interior design))
- ≥ 36 in (42–48 in ideal) clear around to seat + pass (Best practice)
- ~24 in of table width per place setting; a chandelier 30–36 in above (Best practice)
A small eat-in table in an open kitchen.
- A small eat-in table in an open kitchen; ≥ 36 in clearance to pass (Best practice)
Centered in front of the sofa, 14–18 in off the seat, ~½–⅔ the sofa length; ≥ 30 in to walk around.
- Centered in front of the sofa, 14–18 in from the seat (a coffee cup's easy reach) (Best practice (interior design))
- ~½–⅔ the sofa's length; leave ≥ 30 in to walk around it through the seating (Best practice)
A shallow table behind a floated sofa or at the entry — for lamps, keys, a TV below; doesn't block the walk.
- A shallow (~12 in) table behind a floated sofa or against an entry wall; doesn't break the walkway (Best practice)
A soft footrest/extra seat in the seating zone; ~16 in off the sofa, clear of the walkway.
- A soft footrest / extra seat in the seating zone, ~16 in off the sofa, clear of the path (Best practice)
A chaise off one end of the sofa, forming an L-sectional (left or right) in a larger living/family room; it deepens one end of the seating, open side toward the TV.
- A chaise off one end of the sofa makes an L-sectional — the return on the left or right, open side toward the focal point/TV (Best practice (interior design))
- For a roomy living/family room; leave ≥ 36 in walkways and ~½ the floor open (Best practice)
At an island/peninsula overhang; 24 in of width + 15 in knee clearance per seat (NKBA).
- At an island/peninsula overhang; 24 in of width + 15 in knee clearance per seat (NKBA Guideline 9)
- Faces the open side, away from the cooking core (Best practice)
Against a wall, often by a window; a task chair on the room side.
- Against a wall, ideally by a window — but the screen NOT facing the window (glare) (Best practice)
- A task chair on the room side; ~36 in clear behind to push back (Best practice)
Angled toward the sofa/focal point to round out the conversation area.
- Angled toward the sofa/focal point to complete the conversation area (Best practice (interior design))
- Facing/adjacent seats within ~8 ft for conversation (Best practice)
Shallow shelving flat against a wall.
- Shallow (~12 in), flat against a wall, clear of the door swing (Best practice)
A buffet against a dining wall for serving + storage.
- Against a dining wall for serving + storage (~36 in serving height) (Best practice)
- Leave room to pass behind seated diners (≥ 36 in from the table) (Best practice)
A seat at the entry/mudroom for putting on shoes.
- At the entry/mudroom for putting on shoes; 14–18 in deep at 17–19 in high (Best practice)
- ~24 in of legroom in front; hooks/cubbies above (Best practice)
A parking stall with ~2.5–3 ft clear each side (~2 ft between two cars); nose to the door.
- ~2.5–3 ft of clearance on each side to open doors + walk; ~2 ft between two cars (Best practice)
- Nosed toward the overhead door; ~20–24 ft of stall depth (Best practice)
Sub-spaces (built-ins)
Reach-in ~24 in deep; rod ~66–72 in AFF (or double at 84/42 in); shelf ~12 in.
- Reach-in 24 in deep (clothes clear the back wall) (Industry (closet guides))
- Single rod ~66–72 in AFF, or double rods at ~84 / 42 in; shelf ~12 in deep (Industry)
- FLUSH wall-to-wall built-in — recessed behind a continuous wall plane (a false wall), never a box protruding into the room with open wall beside it (Best practice (residential architecture))
- Bifold/sliding doors span the built-in so the whole closet is reachable (Industry)
Primary walk-in; ~36 in walkway between facing sides (~5×5 ft min, ~6.5×10 ft comfortable).
- ~5 × 5 ft min (room to turn); a comfortable ~6½ × 10 ft (Industry (closet guides))
- ~36 in walkway between facing hanging sides (Industry)
- The primary suite's closet (a reach-in elsewhere) (NAHB convention)
- Recessed FLUSH wall-to-wall behind a false wall — a built-in that reads as part of the wall, not a box jutting into the bedroom (Best practice (residential architecture))
Off the kitchen; shelves 12–16 in deep; a walk-in aisle ≥ 36 in (44 in better).
- Standard in every kitchen — at minimum a cabinet/reach-in the size of a coat closet; never omitted (Market convention (NKBA))
- Sized to the kitchen — a roomy kitchen earns a walk-in; a small kitchen a reach-in/cabinet pantry (Best practice)
- Off the kitchen (by the prep/cabinet run); shelves 12–16 in deep (Best practice)
- Doors open onto ≥ 30 in of CLEAR floor — you stand in front to see in + reach; never opening into the range/fridge/island (NKBA (clear-floor clearance))
- A walk-in aisle ≥ 36 in (44 in better); reach-in 18–24 in deep (Industry)
≥ 36 in wide × ~24 in deep at the front/secondary entry for coats + shoes.
- ≥ 36 in wide × ~24 in deep at the front/secondary entry (Industry / best practice)
- AT THE FRONT, by the entry door — not stranded at the back of the room where you'd cross it in a wet coat (Best practice (interior design))
- The single most-cited missing-storage item — keep one by the door (Best practice (RoomSketcher))
By the bathrooms; shelves 16–18 in deep for towels + linens.
- By the bathrooms; shelves 16–18 in deep for towels + linens (Industry / best practice)
- NOT crammed against the toilet — keep ≥ 15 in from the toilet centerline; in a tight bath, omit it rather than crowd the fixtures (IRC R307.1 / NKBA)
Doors & windows
A 3 ft entry door into a foyer/social space — never straight into a kitchen, bath, or bedroom; ~120° swing kept clear (IRC R311.2).
A standard 32 in swing door on the wall shared with the room's access partner; biased to a corner so the leaf opens flat against the wall.
A wide glazed patio SLIDER from the main living space to the yard; two overlapping panels — no swing, just a threshold pass.
A pair of glazed doors to a yard/patio or between two open rooms; both leaves swing, kept clear of furniture.
A door that slides INTO the wall — the tight-bath / small-room convention where a swing leaf would block a fixture.
A trimmed doorway with NO door — between two PUBLIC rooms (kitchen↔dining↔living) so the social zone reads as one connected space.
A wide overhead sectional door on the garage's street wall (8–9 ft per car); rolls up, no swing.
On an exterior wall for daylight/egress; a bedroom needs an R310 emergency-escape window; kept off headboards and counter runs.
Room kits — what each room type instantiates
Bathroom
- Toilet
- Vanity sink
- Tub / shower
Kitchen
- Counter
- Sink
- Range
- Range hood
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Pantry
Bedroom
- Bed
- Nightstand
- Closet
Living / family
- Sofa
- Coffee table
- Accent chair
- Fireplace
Dining
- Dining table
- Sideboard
Laundry
- Washer
- Dryer
- Sink
Powder room
- Toilet
- Vanity sink
Office
- Desk
- Bookcase
Mudroom
- Closet
- Bench
Media room
- Sofa
Sunroom
- Sofa
Bonus room
- Sofa
sitting
- Sofa
- Accent chair
- Coffee table
reading
- Accent chair
- Bookcase
butler
- Counter
- Sink
mechanical
- Water heater
- Furnace / air handler
Garage
- Water heater
- Furnace / air handler
Stairs
- Stairs
foyer
- Coat closet
- Bench
Dark = always included · light = added when the room has space.
The catalog is editable data (footprints, symbols, placement notes) — outputs stay preliminary and advisory.