Living & Interior

Practical dimensions, material choices and maintenance — with concrete numbers instead of vague advice.

What size serving bowl for how many guests? Two small beat one large What size serving bowl for how many guests? Two small beat one large25 to 30 cm serves four. From six guests, two smaller bowls work better than one large one - they travel the table in both directions.Read more → What seat height should a stool be? 45 cm at a table, 65-75 at a bar What seat height should a stool be? 45 cm at a table, 65-75 at a barAim for 45 cm at a dining table and 65 to 75 cm at a bar or high worktop - roughly 30 cm below the surface. Not every stool is for sitting.Read more → How do you hang a photo wall? Same 5-8 cm gap, start from the middle How do you hang a photo wall? Same 5-8 cm gap, start from the middleLay the composition on the floor first, keep an identical 5 to 8 cm gap everywhere, and hang from the middle outwards. Frame sizes are photo sizes.Read more → What height and light colour should a table lamp be? 100-110 cm, 2700 K What height and light colour should a table lamp be? 100-110 cm, 2700 KPut the bottom of the shade at eye level when seated, 100 to 110 cm off the floor, and choose warm white around 2700 kelvin.Read more → Which plate sizes make a complete setting? 26-28, 20-22 and one deep Which plate sizes make a complete setting? 26-28, 20-22 and one deepA dinner plate of 26-28 cm, a side plate of 20-22 cm and a deep bowl together make a full setting. Plus what belongs in the microwave.Read more → Which glasses do you actually need? Three types, two per person Which glasses do you actually need? Three types, two per personA water glass, a wine glass and a longdrink cover most occasions. Two per person if you have guests. Plus why hand-blown glass varies.Read more → How do you measure a basket for your cupboard? Subtract, don't guess How do you measure a basket for your cupboard? Subtract, don't guessWoven baskets flare towards the top, so measure the cupboard's internal width and subtract 2 to 3 cm before ordering. Here is the full method.Read more → What bowl size do you need? From 12 cm sauce to 25 cm serving What bowl size do you need? From 12 cm sauce to 25 cm serving12 cm for sauces, 16-18 cm for soup and breakfast, from 25 cm to serve. Plus which bowls survive the microwave and which never should.Read more → Which vase suits which bouquet? The one-and-a-half rule Which vase suits which bouquet? The one-and-a-half ruleA bouquet looks right at about one and a half times the vase height. Narrow necks gather loose stems, wide necks suit full bouquets.Read more → Which coffee table suits a corner sofa? Go round, not rectangular Which coffee table suits a corner sofa? Go round, not rectangularA corner sofa asks for a round or oval coffee table, sized to the longest side only. Here is how to measure it and why corners fail.Read more → How do you care for solid wood furniture? Dry, wipe, and use a coaster How do you care for solid wood furniture? Dry, wipe, and use a coasterSolid wood needs three things: wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry immediately, use coasters, and keep it out of direct heat.Read more → Can you use a planter without a drainage hole? Yes, with an inner pot Can you use a planter without a drainage hole? Yes, with an inner potA planter without a drainage hole works fine as a cover pot: keep the plant in its nursery pot and never let water stand at the bottom.Read more → Which candle fits your holder? The 2.2 cm standard explained Which candle fits your holder? The 2.2 cm standard explainedMost candlesticks take a dinner candle with a 2.2 cm base. What to do when it almost fits, and how to get set wax out again.Read more → At what height do you hang a mirror? Centre at 150 to 160 cm At what height do you hang a mirror? Centre at 150 to 160 cmHang a mirror with its centre 150 to 160 cm off the floor, and 20 to 30 cm above a console. Plus how to fix a heavy one safely.Read more → What size rug fits under a dining table? Add 60 cm per side What size rug fits under a dining table? Add 60 cm per sideAdd 60 cm to your table on every side so chairs stay on the rug when pushed back. The full sizing table for dining and seating areas.Read more → What size inner cushion fits your cover? Go 2 to 5 cm larger What size inner cushion fits your cover? Go 2 to 5 cm largerAn inner cushion should be 2 to 5 cm larger than the cover. That single rule is why some cushions stay plump and others sag at the corners.Read more → How high should a pendant hang above a dining table? How high should a pendant hang above a dining table?Hang a pendant 75 to 85 cm above the tabletop, with a diameter of about a third of the table width. Here is how to get both right.Read more → What size coffee table fits your sofa? The two-thirds rule What size coffee table fits your sofa? The two-thirds ruleA coffee table should be about two thirds of your sofa width, 40 to 45 cm high, with 40 cm between the two. Here is why.Read more → Which pan material suits your hob? The magnet test Which pan material suits your hob? The magnet testBy Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 7 August 2026Buying pans that do not match your hob is the fastest way to waste money in the kitchen. One t...Read more → Styling vases: the rule of three (and the 2:3 height ratio) Styling vases: the rule of three (and the 2:3 height ratio)By Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 7 August 2026Why does a group of vases look effortless in a shop and messy at home? Two numbers do the work...Read more → What size throw do you need? Sofa, chair and bed in one table What size throw do you need? Sofa, chair and bed in one tableBy Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 7 August 2026A throw that is too small looks lost; too big and it drags on the floor. The right size depend...Read more → Which vanity width fits your bathroom? The 20 cm walkway rule Which vanity width fits your bathroom? The 20 cm walkway ruleBy Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 7 August 2026Most vanity returns have the same cause: the cabinet fits the wall, but not the room. Use this...Read more → Choosing a floor lamp: height, spot and fitting Choosing a floor lamp: height, spot and fittingBy Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 7 August 2026 The three decisions Height: reading light next to a sofa works best at 120-150 cm (shade at...Read more → Lumens per room: the simple calculation Lumens per room: the simple calculationBy Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 7 August 2026 The rule Multiply the room's floor area by the lumens per square metre for its function. That...Read more →