Washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, range hoods, water heaters... Standard dimensions and installation requirements for every category — a must-bookmark before your renovation.
When I renovated my first home seven years ago, I didn't pay attention to appliance sizes. I ordered my cabinets, and a month later when they were delivered, I realized the opening for the dishwasher was too small — I had to have the countertop re-cut, which wasted 20 days and 1,800 RMB. After that painful lesson, I started measuring everything in advance. Now, for every renovation project, I confirm the dimensions of every appliance before finalizing the cabinet designs.
This article organizes the standard sizes, installation requirements, and water/electrical specifications of common home appliances by space — kitchen, laundry room, living room, and bathroom/balcony. Before renovating, make sure you read the sections for the appliances you plan to buy.
The kitchen has the most appliances and the most complex size requirements. The following data is based on measurements of mainstream models on the market.
| Dishwasher Type | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Typical Height | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Built-in | 60 cm | 60 cm | 85 cm | Must be预留 under counter; cabinet opening ≥ W610 × D600 × H850 (mm). Leave 10 cm gap behind for water and drain lines. |
| Compact Built-in | 45 cm | 55 cm | 82 cm | For small kitchens; cabinet opening ≥ W460 × D570 × H830 (mm). |
| Countertop | 45-50 cm | 43-48 cm | 43-47 cm | Countertop placement; needs a standard outlet nearby (10A). |
| Hood Type | Typical Width | Installation Height | Vent Duct Diameter | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side-vent (D-style) | 75 cm / 80 cm / 90 cm | 35-45 cm above cooking surface | 18 cm | Width should match or exceed stove width; preferred for high-rise buildings. |
| Top-vent (Eiffel tower) | 75 cm / 80 cm / 90 cm | 65-75 cm above cooking surface | 18 cm | Higher installation to avoid hitting your head; check ceiling height. |
| Ceiling-vent (Built-in) | 75 cm / 80 cm / 90 cm | 65-75 cm above cooking surface | 18 cm | Requires 30 cm+ depth cabinet above stove for retraction. |
Note: The hood width must ≥ the stove width. If the stove is 75 cm wide, choose at least a 75 cm hood (90 cm recommended). The distance between the hood and the shared flue should not exceed 2 m — every additional bend increases exhaust resistance.
| Stove Configuration | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Cut-out Dimensions (W×D) | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-burner | 75 cm | 45 cm | 700×400 mm | Most common; stove should not be directly under a window (wind affects flame). |
| Three-burner | 80 cm | 45 cm | 750×400 mm | Check clearance between the third burner and cabinets. |
Very important: the cut-out dimensions vary by brand. Confirm with the exact model's installation manual before cutting the countertop. Fotile and Robam stoves have notoriously non-standard cut-outs — a difference of 1-2 mm can mean the stove doesn't fit.
| Type | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Typical Height | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop Microwave | 48-52 cm | 35-40 cm | 28-32 cm | Place on countertop or shelf; leave 5 cm on top and sides for ventilation. |
| Built-in Microwave | 60 cm | 55 cm | 45 cm | Requires custom cabinet opening; confirm exact dimensions with the model. |
| Capacity | Typical Outer Diameter | Typical Height | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3L (2-3 people) | about 26 cm | about 24 cm | Leave 10 cm clearance above (for steam vent). |
| 4L (3-5 people) | about 28 cm | about 28 cm | Can be placed in a drawer cabinet (pre-wire outlet and buy a sliding shelf). |
| 5L (5+ people) | about 30 cm | about 30 cm | Make sure sufficient height clearance above opening. |
| Type | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Typical Height | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Combi Oven | 60 cm | 55-57 cm | 46-50 cm | Standard built-in opening H580×W600×D570 mm; leave ventilation gap in cabinet. |
| Countertop Combi Oven | 45-50 cm | 40-45 cm | 33-38 cm | Countertop placement; leave 10 cm ventilation clearance. |
The washing machine and dryer are the main appliances in the laundry area, but the most common mistake is not leaving enough space for both machines to be stacked or placed side by side.
| Capacity | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Typical Height | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kg Front-load | 60 cm | 55-60 cm | 85 cm | Standard size; leave 2 cm gap on sides for vibration. |
| 10 kg Front-load | 60 cm | 60-65 cm | 85 cm | Most popular size; check if the balcony door is wide enough for delivery. |
| 12 kg Front-load | 60 cm | 65-70 cm | 85 cm | Larger depth; confirm laundry cabinet depth before buying. |
| Top-load Washing Machine | 55-60 cm | 55-60 cm | 90-95 cm | Top-loading; measure height of the space carefully. |
Pro tip: if you plan to stack a washer and dryer, the total height of both machines + a stacking kit is typically about 175-180 cm. Make sure your space can accommodate this height, and pre-install a 10A outlet for each machine.
| Capacity | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Typical Height | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kg Heat Pump Dryer | 60 cm | 60-65 cm | 85 cm | Same size as front-load washer; can be stacked or placed side by side. |
Note: dryers require an exhaust vent (some can be self-condensing, but an exhaust pipe is better for efficiency). The exhaust vent should exit outside, so check if the installation location can reach an exterior wall or window.
| Item | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Typical Height | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Bowl Sink | 60-80 cm | 50-55 cm | — | Minimum cabinet width for a single bowl is 60 cm; 80 cm recommended. |
| Double Bowl Sink | 80-100 cm | 50-55 cm | — | Minimum cabinet width for a double bowl is 80 cm; 90 cm recommended. |
| Screen Size | Typical TV Width | Typical TV Height (with stand) | Recommended Viewing Distance | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 inch | 123 cm | 78 cm | 2-2.5 m | Suitable for small living rooms; can be wall-mounted or placed on TV stand. |
| 65 inch | 145 cm | 85 cm | 2.5-3 m | Most popular size; check elevator dimensions for delivery. |
| 75 inch | 168 cm | 95 cm | 3-3.5 m | Make sure elevator height is ≥ 180 cm; remove packaging in hallway. |
| 85 inch | 190 cm | 105 cm | 3.5-4 m | Must confirm the elevator can fit the diagonal length. |
Important: wall-mounted TVs need a hidden pre-embedded 50 PVC pipe in the wall to thread cables through, keeping them neatly concealed. Without this, the cables will hang down the wall and ruin the look.
| Type | Indoor Unit Dimensions (W×H×D) | Outdoor Unit Dimensions (W×H×D) | Refrigerant Pipe | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 HP Wall-mounted | ~90×30×20 cm | ~80×60×30 cm | 1/4 inch + 3/8 inch | Leave 15 cm clearance above indoor unit; outdoor unit needs ventilation on all sides. |
| 3 HP Floor-standing | ~50×175×40 cm | ~95×80×35 cm | 3/8 inch + 5/8 inch | Floor-standing unit needs 30 cm clearance on each side; check if the circuit can handle the load. |
| Central AC (Ducted) | — | ~100×80×35 cm | — | Requires a suspended ceiling; plan the duct layout during renovation. |
| Capacity | Typical Width | Typical Height | Typical Depth | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-12 L (1 bathroom 1 kitchen) | 35-38 cm | 55-65 cm | 15-20 cm | Minimum for one-bathroom-one-kitchen households. |
| 13-16 L (2 bathrooms 1 kitchen) | 38-42 cm | 60-70 cm | 15-20 cm | Most popular capacity range. |
| 20-24 L (Large residence/multiple bathrooms) | 45-50 cm | 65-75 cm | 20-25 cm | Requires a larger gas pipe diameter; confirm in advance. |
Note: Gas water heaters must not be installed in enclosed spaces (bathrooms, bedrooms). They are usually installed on the balcony or in a ventilated outdoor location. The distance from the gas meter should not exceed 2 m — beyond that requires an extra pipe connection fee.
| Capacity | Typical Height | Typical Diameter | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 L (1 person) | 60-70 cm | 40-45 cm | Use 10 mm diameter expansion bolts and a dedicated 16A outlet. |
| 50 L (1-2 people) | 65-75 cm | 40-45 cm | Sequential showering; the second person needs to wait 15 minutes. |
| 60 L (2-3 people) | 70-80 cm | 40-45 cm | Minimum size for most families. |
| 80 L (3-4 people) | 80-90 cm | 45-50 cm | More space required. |
| 100 L+ (4+ people) | 90-100 cm | 45-50 cm | Only suitable for bathrooms with a承重 ceiling (the filled weight is 150-200 kg). |
| Type | Typical Width | Typical Depth | Typical Height | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under-sink RO Water Purifier | 15-25 cm | 25-40 cm | 35-50 cm | Installed under the sink; check the space under your sink is adequate. |
| Countertop RO Water Purifier | 15-20 cm | 30-40 cm | 35-45 cm | Place on kitchen counter or in refrigerator side cabinet with a pre-installed outlet. |
During renovation, the following sockets, water inlets, and drains should be pre-positioned based on appliance needs:
| Appliance | Required Sockets | Water Supply | Drainage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 1 × 10A (dedicated) | Not needed | Not needed | Position the outlet on the upper side of the refrigerator cabinet (sides or top). |
| Range Hood | 1 × 10A (at the top) | Not needed | Not needed | Outlet hidden in the cabinet or吊顶 above the hood. |
| Gas Stove | 1 × 10A (for igniter) | Not needed | Not needed | Some stoves need a battery; pre-wire an outlet just in case. |
| Dishwasher | 1 × 10A (dedicated) | 1 cold water inlet (6-point pipe) | 1 drain outlet (Φ20-25 mm) | Outlet should not be directly behind the machine (hard to access). |
| Washing Machine | 1 × 10A (dedicated, waterproof) | 1 cold water inlet (4-point pipe) | 1 drain outlet (Φ32 mm) | Floor drain is required; washing machine drain pipe ≥ 50 cm high. |
| Dryer | 1 × 10A (dedicated) | Not needed | 1 drain outlet (or condensation drain pipe) | Heat pump dryers auto-condense and drain via a pipe; pre-wire a floor drain. |
| Gas Water Heater | 1 × 10A (waterproof) | 1 cold water inlet | Not needed | An exhaust pipe to the outside is required. |
| Electric Water Heater | 1 × 16A (dedicated, waterproof) | 1 cold water inlet | 1 safety valve drain pipe | 16A outlet (different from standard 10A) and 1.5 mm²+ copper wire. |
| Steam Oven / Combi Oven | 1 × 16A (high-power models) | 1 cold water inlet (optional) | 1 drain outlet (optional) | High-power models (2,500W+) require a 16A outlet; lower-power models need 10A. |
| Microwave | 1 × 10A | Not needed | Not needed | Leave 10 cm clearance for ventilation. |
| Rice Cooker | 1 × 10A (near sink) | Not needed | Not needed | Outlet near where the rice cooker will sit. |
| Water Purifier | 1 × 10A (under-sink, waterproof) | 1 cold water inlet (3-point or 2-point tee) | 1 drain outlet (Φ10-15 mm) | Pre-position a socket and a drain pipe under the sink. |
| TV | 1 × 10A + 1 network port | Not needed | Not needed | Hide the outlet inside a 50 PVC pipe in the wall. |
| Smart Toilet | 1 × 10A (waterproof, near toilet) | 1 cold water inlet | Not needed | Leave a 10A outlet 30 cm from the ground on the toilet's right or left side. |
| Floor Drain | Not needed | Not needed | Dry area floor drain needed | The laundry room must have a floor drain. |
When measuring appliance and installation space dimensions, follow these principles:
Buying home appliances requires both bravery and caution. Be bold in setting your budget and selecting performance, but be meticulous with sizing and installation details. After all, an appliance is only as good as its installation — a great machine that can't be properly installed is just an expensive paperweight. Hopefully, this size guide will help you avoid my mistakes and breeze through your renovation.
Here are more details on appliance sizes and installation: