How Much Storage Does an Indian Home Need?
By the VARAIPADAM team · Updated 19 October 2026
Quick answer: Plan about 45–60 cu ft of built-in storage per person: a 6 ft wardrobe in the master bedroom and 4 ft in others, 10 ft or more of kitchen counter with cabinets above, a shoe rack by the door, and lofts above door height for the rest.
Storage by room
| Where | Aim for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Master bedroom | 6 ft of wardrobe | 2 ft deep, on a wall without a window |
| Other bedrooms | 4 ft of wardrobe | Leave 2 ft clear in front to open the shutters |
| Kitchen | 10 ft or more of counter | Base cabinets below, wall cabinets above |
| Entrance | A 3 ft shoe rack | A niche in the wall keeps the passage clear |
| Store room | Shelves on two walls | For grains, festival items and suitcases |
Storage the plan can add
- Lofts: a 2 ft deep loft above door height (7 ft) over wardrobes, the kitchen counter, passages and the utility adds a lot of storage at little cost.
- Under the stair: on a G+1 home, the tall part under the second flight makes a store of 30–60 cu ft.
- Pooja room: a shelf or drawer for lamps, oil and books keeps the room uncluttered.
Check it on your own plan
Every plan VARAIPADAM draws has an Analysis panel that scores zoning, circulation, storage and function out of 100 and explains each finding in plain words. The Zones, Flow and Storage layers draw them on the plan, and the PDF drawing set includes a plan analysis sheet for your engineer. The numbers are rules of thumb for Indian homes, not building bylaws.
Questions people ask
How long should a wardrobe be?
About 6 ft in the master bedroom and 4 ft in other bedrooms, 2 ft deep, with about 2 ft clear in front.
What is a loft in an Indian house?
A shelf slab about 2 ft deep built above door height, usually over wardrobes, the kitchen counter or a passage, used for suitcases and things needed rarely.
How long should a kitchen counter be?
10 ft or more for Indian cooking, usually as an L along two walls, with the sink near a window and the hob away from the door.
