Office Space Planning: The Dimensions Every Workplace Needs to Get Right
Good office space planning rarely comes down to furniture alone. It starts with space. The right clearance between desks, a meeting room that actually seats the number of people it is supposed to, a reception area that feels considered. It starts with knowing the numbers.
The difference between a layout that works on a floor plan and one that works in practice is how carefully those numbers were applied. Dimensions that look generous on paper can feel tight once furniture, people, and movement are factored in. The numbers below are the ones that matter most, drawn from commercial practice across Australian workplaces.
Key Takeaways
- Meeting table clearance is the most commonly missed dimension: Allow 900mm from table edge to wall for chair movement, and 1,200mm if people need to pass behind seated colleagues.
- 1,000mm aisle width is the code minimum, not the target: 1,200mm is where open plan circulation starts to feel right. 1,500mm is comfortable in high-traffic zones.
- Small meeting rooms have true minimums: A four-person room requires at least 3,000 x 3,000mm. Add 600mm in one direction if a screen or whiteboard is included.
- Office space planning works best from dimensions outward: Establish headcount and clearances first, then select furniture to fit - not the other way around.
What Are the Right Dimensions for Meeting Tables in Office Space Planning?
Meeting tables are the most commonly miscalculated piece in any office. The rule of thumb is 600mm of table length per person. Allow 900mm from the table edge to any wall for chair movement, and 1,200mm if people need to pass behind seated colleagues.
These clearances matter more than most businesses realise at the planning stage. A room that seats eight on paper but only allows 700mm of clearance behind chairs will frustrate the people using it every day. Getting the table-to-wall relationship right is as important as choosing the right table size.
| Table length | Seats |
|---|---|
| 1,800mm | 4 people |
| 2,400mm | 6 people |
| 3,000mm | 8 people |
| 3,600mm | 10 people |
How Much Space Do You Need Between Desks in an Open Plan Office?
Open plan spacing has three settings. The National Construction Code sets 1,000mm as the minimum for general circulation in commercial buildings, but 1,200mm is where it starts to feel right. For fire egress routes, confirm requirements before locking in a layout.
The difference between 1,000mm and 1,200mm is not large on a floor plan. In a busy office, it is the difference between people turning sideways to pass each other and moving through the space naturally. In open plan environments with high foot traffic - near kitchen areas, printer stations, or main thoroughfares - 1,500mm is worth the floor space it costs.
| Aisle width | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1,500mm | Comfortable |
| 1,200mm | Workable |
| 1,000mm | Code minimum |
How Much Clearance Does a Task Chair Need?
A standard task chair pulls back around 500mm when someone stands. Allow 800mm of clear space behind a seated person, and 1,000mm if colleagues need to pass behind them during the day.
Chair clearance is one of the most frequently underplanned dimensions in commercial fitouts. Workstation layouts often look clean and efficient until chairs are pulled out and people start moving around. Building the clearance into the plan at the start avoids the need to reposition desks after installation.
What Is the Minimum Size for a Small Meeting Room?
Small meeting rooms are where accurate office space planning pays off most. A room that is 200mm too narrow in either direction affects whether the table fits, whether the door clears the chairs, and whether people can move around the space at all.
| Configuration | Minimum footprint |
|---|---|
| 2 person | 2,400 x 2,400mm |
| 4 person | 3,000 x 3,000mm |
| 6 person | 3,600 x 3,300mm |
These are true minimums. If the room includes a screen or whiteboard, add 600mm in one direction so people can see it clearly from their seats. In hybrid offices, where small meeting rooms are increasingly used for video calls with remote participants, that screen clearance is not optional.
A door that swings into the room also requires planning. If the door arc encroaches on seating or circulation space, consider a sliding or outward-opening alternative before the room is built out.
How Should Reception and Waiting Areas Be Spaced?
Spacing between lounge pieces is what separates intentional from awkward. Side-by-side seating works best with 450 to 500mm between pieces. For facing lounge furniture, 900 to 1,200mm is the right range. Allow 1,500mm of clear floor in front of the reception desk so a visitor can stand, turn, and move comfortably.
The reception area is the first physical experience a visitor has of the business. Overcrowded or poorly spaced waiting areas signal a lack of consideration. The dimensions are straightforward - the challenge is holding to them when floor space feels tight elsewhere in the plan.
How to Apply These Dimensions in Your Office Space Planning
These dimensions are most useful at the earliest stage of office space planning, before furniture is selected and before layouts are locked in. Once a floor plan is committed to, retrofitting clearances is expensive and disruptive.
The practical approach is to work from the dimensions outward. Start with the number of people each room or zone needs to accommodate, apply the clearances, and then select furniture to fit. Doing it the other way around - choosing furniture first and then working out whether it fits - is where most fitout problems begin.
For organisations planning a new office, relocating, or refurbishing an existing space, having a clear set of reference dimensions at the start of the process shortens planning time and reduces the likelihood of costly changes later. OFC's project services include space planning support, furniture selection, and coordinated installation nationwide.
All dimensions reflect general commercial practice in Australia. Confirm fire egress requirements with your building manager or a licensed building certifier before finalising any layout.
Office Furniture Company (OFC) is an Australian-owned commercial furniture supplier providing office space planning support and furniture solutions to businesses, government departments, and organisations across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. OFC supplies commercial-grade meeting room furniture, workstations, reception furniture, and task seating with professional delivery, installation, and project support available nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much clearance do you need behind office chairs in an open plan layout?
Allow 800mm of clear space behind a seated person for normal use, and 1,000mm if colleagues need to pass behind them regularly during the day. A standard task chair pulls back around 500mm when someone stands, so this clearance needs to be planned into the workstation layout from the start.
2. What is the minimum room size for a small meeting room in an Australian office?
A two-person meeting room requires a minimum footprint of 2,400 x 2,400mm. A four-person room needs at least 3,000 x 3,000mm, and a six-person room 3,600 x 3,300mm. If the room includes a screen or whiteboard, add 600mm in one direction so all participants can see it clearly from their seats.
3. How should reception and waiting area furniture be spaced?
Side-by-side lounge seating works best with 450 to 500mm between pieces. For facing lounge furniture, allow 900 to 1,200mm between pieces. Leave 1,500mm of clear floor space in front of the reception desk so visitors can stand, turn, and move comfortably
Office Furniture Company (OFC) helps Australian businesses plan and furnish offices that work in practice, with the right dimensions, the right furniture, and layouts that account for how people actually move and use the space. For help with office space planning or to request a project quote, call call 1300 99 77 47 or contact our team.
