At least 48″ of floor space in front of all appliances and work spaces is ideal. This not only provides room for moving around easily while carrying items (such as dishes in the kitchen, or loads of laundry), but it’s necessary for people who use mobility equipment. Sometimes the space in front of an appliance will extend into a hallway or another room. That’s okay, as long as the floor space is unobstructed.
Think about positioning appliances at least a foot from corners as well. It’s easy to get “stuck” in a corner when trying to reach something if space to move around is limited, especially for anyone who uses a wheelchair, walker, crutches, or a cane.