diff --git a/holoviews/core/data/__init__.py b/holoviews/core/data/__init__.py
index 02e86d533a..77ccd5aa0f 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/data/__init__.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/data/__init__.py
@@ -252,7 +252,9 @@ def range(self, dim, data_range=True):
             lower, upper = self.interface.range(self, dim)
         else:
             lower, upper = (np.NaN, np.NaN)
-        return dimension_range(lower, upper, dim)
+        if data_range == 'exclusive':
+            return (lower, upper)
+        return dimension_range(lower, upper, dim.range, dim.soft_range)
 
 
     def add_dimension(self, dimension, dim_pos, dim_val, vdim=False, **kwargs):
diff --git a/holoviews/core/dimension.py b/holoviews/core/dimension.py
index 18290fe054..26128066f5 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/dimension.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/dimension.py
@@ -1067,7 +1067,9 @@ def range(self, dimension, data_range=True):
                 lower, upper = max_range(ranges)
         else:
             lower, upper = (np.NaN, np.NaN)
-        return dimension_range(lower, upper, dimension)
+        if data_range == 'exclusive':
+            return (lower, upper)
+        return dimension_range(lower, upper, dimension.range, dimension.soft_range)
 
 
     def __repr__(self):
diff --git a/holoviews/core/util.py b/holoviews/core/util.py
index 3494517891..5c09ec9fb6 100644
--- a/holoviews/core/util.py
+++ b/holoviews/core/util.py
@@ -703,6 +703,20 @@ def find_range(values, soft_range=[]):
             return (None, None)
 
 
+def is_finite(value):
+    """
+    Safe check whether a value is finite, only None and NaN values are
+    considered non-finite and allows checking all types not restricted
+    to numeric types.
+    """
+    if value is None:
+        return False
+    try:
+        return np.isfinite(value)
+    except:
+        return True
+
+
 def max_range(ranges):
     """
     Computes the maximal lower and upper bounds from a list bounds.
@@ -710,27 +724,34 @@ def max_range(ranges):
     try:
         with warnings.catch_warnings():
             warnings.filterwarnings('ignore', r'All-NaN (slice|axis) encountered')
-            values = [r for r in ranges for v in r if v is not None]
-            if pd and all(isinstance(v, pd.Timestamp) for r in values for v in r):
-                values = [(v1.to_datetime64(), v2.to_datetime64()) for v1, v2 in values]
-            arr = np.array(values)
-            if arr.dtype.kind in 'OSU':
-                arr = np.sort([v for v in arr.flat if not is_nan(v)])
+            values = [v for r in ranges for v in r if is_finite(v)]
+            if pd:
+                if all(isinstance(v, pd.Timestamp) for v in values):
+                    values = [v.to_datetime64() for v in values]
+            values = np.array(values)
+            if not len(values):
+                return (np.NaN, np.NaN)
+            elif values.dtype.kind in 'OSU':
+                arr = np.sort(values)
                 return arr[0], arr[-1]
-            if arr.dtype.kind in 'M':
-                return arr[:, 0].min(), arr[:, 1].max()
-            return (np.nanmin(arr[:, 0]), np.nanmax(arr[:, 1]))
+            elif lo_values.dtype.kind in 'M':
+                return values.min(), values.max()
+            return (np.nanmin(values), np.nanmax(values))
     except:
         return (np.NaN, np.NaN)
 
 
-def dimension_range(lower, upper, dimension):
+def dimension_range(lower, upper, hard_range, soft_range, padding=0):
     """
     Computes the range along a dimension by combining the data range
     with the Dimension soft_range and range.
     """
-    lower, upper = max_range([(lower, upper), dimension.soft_range])
-    dmin, dmax = dimension.range
+    if is_number(lower) and is_number(upper) and padding != 0:
+        pad = (upper - lower)*padding
+        lower -= pad
+        upper += pad
+    lower, upper = max_range([(lower, upper), soft_range])
+    dmin, dmax = hard_range
     lower = lower if dmin is None or not np.isfinite(dmin) else dmin
     upper = upper if dmax is None or not np.isfinite(dmax) else dmax
     return lower, upper
@@ -928,6 +949,7 @@ def dimension_sort(odict, kdims, vdims, key_index):
 # Copied from param should make param version public
 def is_number(obj):
     if isinstance(obj, numbers.Number): return True
+    elif isinstance(obj, (np.str_, np.unicode_)): return False
     # The extra check is for classes that behave like numbers, such as those
     # found in numpy, gmpy, etc.
     elif (hasattr(obj, '__int__') and hasattr(obj, '__add__')): return True
diff --git a/holoviews/element/chart.py b/holoviews/element/chart.py
index 08d1ae7c64..2fa2a9a193 100644
--- a/holoviews/element/chart.py
+++ b/holoviews/element/chart.py
@@ -100,7 +100,9 @@ def range(self, dim, data_range=True):
                 pos_error = neg_error
             lower = np.nanmin(mean-neg_error)
             upper = np.nanmax(mean+pos_error)
-            return util.dimension_range(lower, upper, dim)
+            if data_range == 'exclusive':
+                return (lower, upper)
+            return util.dimension_range(lower, upper, dim.range, dim.soft_range)
         return super(ErrorBars, self).range(dim, data_range)
 
 
diff --git a/holoviews/element/raster.py b/holoviews/element/raster.py
index 560237654e..ae9ddbab2c 100644
--- a/holoviews/element/raster.py
+++ b/holoviews/element/raster.py
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def range(self, dim, data_range=True):
         if data_range and idx == 2:
             dimension = self.get_dimension(dim)
             lower, upper = np.nanmin(self.data), np.nanmax(self.data)
-            return dimension_range(lower, upper, dimension)
+            return dimension_range(lower, upper, dimension.range, dimension.soft_range)
         return super(Raster, self).range(dim, data_range)
 
 
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/chart.py b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/chart.py
index 05e6380e05..87f496aa48 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/chart.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/chart.py
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ def _get_lengths(self, element, ranges):
         base_dist = get_min_distance(element)
         if mag_dim:
             magnitudes = element.dimension_values(mag_dim)
-            _, max_magnitude = ranges[mag_dim.name]
+            _, max_magnitude = ranges[mag_dim.name]['combined']
             if self.normalize_lengths and max_magnitude != 0:
                 magnitudes = magnitudes / max_magnitude
             if self.rescale_lengths:
@@ -502,11 +502,16 @@ class AreaPlot(SpreadPlot):
     def get_extents(self, element, ranges):
         vdims = element.vdims
         vdim = vdims[0].name
+        new_range = {}
         if len(vdims) > 1:
-            ranges[vdim] = max_range([ranges[vd.name] for vd in vdims])
+            for r in ranges[vdim]:
+                new_range[r] = max_range([ranges[vd.name][r] for vd in vdims])
         else:
-            vdim = vdims[0].name
-            ranges[vdim] = (np.nanmin([0, ranges[vdim][0]]), ranges[vdim][1])
+            vranges = ranges[vdim]
+            for r in vranges:
+                vrange = vranges[r]
+                new_range[r] = (np.nanmin([0, vrange[0]]), vrange[1])
+        ranges[vdim] = new_range
         return super(AreaPlot, self).get_extents(element, ranges)
 
 
@@ -670,7 +675,7 @@ def get_extents(self, element, ranges):
             element = Bars(overlay.table(), kdims=element.kdims+overlay.kdims,
                            vdims=element.vdims)
             for kd in overlay.kdims:
-                ranges[kd.name] = overlay.range(kd)
+                ranges[kd.name]['combined'] = overlay.range(kd)
 
         stacked = element.get_dimension(self.stack_index)
         extents = super(BarPlot, self).get_extents(element, ranges)
@@ -684,7 +689,7 @@ def get_extents(self, element, ranges):
             neg_range = ds.select(**{ydim.name: (None, 0)}).aggregate(xdim, function=np.sum).range(ydim)
             y0, y1 = max_range([pos_range, neg_range])
         else:
-            y0, y1 = ranges[ydim.name]
+            y0, y1 = ranges[ydim.name]['combined']
 
         # Set y-baseline
         if y0 < 0:
@@ -827,7 +832,7 @@ def get_data(self, element, ranges, style):
                                       container_type=OrderedDict,
                                       datatype=['dataframe', 'dictionary'])
 
-        y0, y1 = ranges.get(ydim.name, (None, None))
+        y0, y1 = ranges.get(ydim.name, {'combined': (None, None)})['combined']
         if self.logy:
             bottom = (ydim.range[0] or (10**(np.log10(y1)-2)) if y1 else 0.01)
         else:
@@ -968,7 +973,7 @@ def get_extents(self, element, ranges):
         Extents are set to '' and None because x-axis is categorical and
         y-axis auto-ranges.
         """
-        yrange = ranges.get(element.vdims[0].name, (np.NaN, np.NaN))
+        yrange = ranges.get(element.vdims[0].name, {'combined': (np.NaN, np.NaN)})['combined']
         return ('', yrange[0], '', yrange[1])
 
     def _get_axis_labels(self, *args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/element.py b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/element.py
index 9a68ffc945..cd830eaea2 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/element.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/element.py
@@ -753,7 +753,6 @@ def initialize_plot(self, ranges=None, plot=None, plots=None, source=None):
         self.current_key = key
         style_element = element.last if self.batched else element
         ranges = util.match_spec(style_element, ranges)
-
         # Initialize plot, source and glyph
         if plot is None:
             plot = self._init_plot(key, style_element, ranges=ranges, plots=plots)
@@ -1093,7 +1092,10 @@ def _get_colormapper(self, dim, element, ranges, style, factors=None, colors=Non
 
         ncolors = None if factors is None else len(factors)
         if dim:
-            low, high = ranges.get(dim.name, element.range(dim.name))
+            if dim.name in ranges:
+                low, high = ranges[dim.name]['combined']
+            else:
+                low, high = element.range(dim.name)
         else:
             low, high = None, None
 
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/graphs.py b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/graphs.py
index f340666f61..7f84bfb431 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/graphs.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/bokeh/graphs.py
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ def _hover_opts(self, element):
 
     def get_extents(self, element, ranges):
         xdim, ydim = element.nodes.kdims[:2]
-        x0, x1 = ranges[xdim.name]
-        y0, y1 = ranges[ydim.name]
+        x0, x1 = ranges[xdim.name]['combined']
+        y0, y1 = ranges[ydim.name]['combined']
         return (x0, y0, x1, y1)
 
     def _get_axis_labels(self, *args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/chart.py b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/chart.py
index 0741e2069e..1799972602 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/chart.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/chart.py
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ def update_handles(self, key, axis, element, ranges, style):
         return axis_kwargs
 
 
+
 class AreaPlot(ChartPlot):
 
     show_legend = param.Boolean(default=False, doc="""
@@ -193,12 +194,20 @@ def init_artists(self, ax, plot_data, plot_kwargs):
     def get_extents(self, element, ranges):
         vdims = element.vdims
         vdim = vdims[0].name
-        ranges[vdim] = max_range([ranges[vd.name] for vd in vdims])
+        new_range = {}
+        if len(vdims) > 1:
+            for r in ranges[vdim]:
+                new_range[r] = max_range([ranges[vd.name][r] for vd in vdims])
+        else:
+            vranges = ranges[vdim]
+            for r in vranges:
+                vrange = vranges[r]
+                new_range[r] = (np.nanmin([0, vrange[0]]), vrange[1])
+        ranges[vdim] = new_range
         return super(AreaPlot, self).get_extents(element, ranges)
 
 
 
-
 class SpreadPlot(AreaPlot):
     """
     SpreadPlot plots the Spread Element type.
@@ -632,7 +641,7 @@ def get_data(self, element, ranges, style):
         mag_dim = element.get_dimension(self.size_index)
         if mag_dim:
             magnitudes = element.dimension_values(mag_dim)
-            _, max_magnitude = ranges[mag_dim.name]
+            _, max_magnitude = ranges[mag_dim.name]['combined']
             if self.normalize_lengths and max_magnitude != 0:
                 magnitudes = magnitudes / max_magnitude
         else:
@@ -765,7 +774,7 @@ def get_extents(self, element, ranges):
         if self.stack_index in range(element.ndims):
             return 0, 0, ngroups, np.NaN
         else:
-            vrange = ranges[vdim]
+            vrange = ranges[vdim]['combined']
             return 0, np.nanmin([vrange[0], 0]), ngroups, vrange[1]
 
 
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/element.py b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/element.py
index 9af586da4d..d009bd2227 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/mpl/element.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/mpl/element.py
@@ -656,7 +656,10 @@ def _norm_kwargs(self, element, ranges, opts, vdim, prefix=''):
             if not isinstance(cs, np.ndarray):
                 cs = np.array(cs)
             if len(cs) and cs.dtype.kind in 'if':
-                clim = ranges[vdim.name] if vdim.name in ranges else element.range(vdim)
+                if vdim.name in ranges:
+                    clim = ranges[vdim.name]['combined']
+                else:
+                    clim = element.range(vdim)
                 if self.logz:
                     # Lower clim must be >0 when logz=True
                     # Choose the maximum between the lowest non-zero value
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/plot.py b/holoviews/plotting/plot.py
index 7810855272..241a2b78af 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/plot.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/plot.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 from ..core import OrderedDict
 from ..core import util, traversal
 from ..core.element import Element
+from ..core.data import Dataset
 from ..core.overlay import Overlay, CompositeOverlay
 from ..core.layout import Empty, NdLayout, Layout
 from ..core.options import Store, Compositor, SkipRendering
@@ -409,12 +410,25 @@ def _compute_group_range(group, elements, ranges):
         group_ranges = OrderedDict()
         for el in elements:
             if isinstance(el, (Empty, Table)): continue
-            for dim in el.dimensions('ranges', label=True):
-                dim_range = el.range(dim)
-                if dim not in group_ranges:
-                    group_ranges[dim] = []
-                group_ranges[dim].append(dim_range)
-        ranges[group] = OrderedDict((k, util.max_range(v)) for k, v in group_ranges.items())
+            for dim in el.dimensions('ranges'):
+                data_range = el.range(dim, data_range='exclusive')
+                if dim.name not in group_ranges:
+                    group_ranges[dim.name] = {'data': [], 'hard': [], 'soft': []}
+                group_ranges[dim.name]['data'].append(data_range)
+                group_ranges[dim.name]['hard'].append(dim.range)
+                group_ranges[dim.name]['soft'].append(dim.soft_range)
+
+        dim_ranges = []
+        for dim, values in group_ranges.items():
+            hard_range = util.max_range(values['hard'])
+            soft_range = util.max_range(values['soft'])
+            data_range = util.max_range(values['data'])
+            combined = util.dimension_range(data_range[0], data_range[1],
+                                            hard_range, soft_range)
+            dranges = {'data': data_range, 'hard': hard_range,
+                       'soft': soft_range, 'combined': combined}
+            dim_ranges.append((dim, dranges))
+        ranges[group] = OrderedDict(dim_ranges)
 
 
     @classmethod
@@ -552,6 +566,9 @@ class GenericElementPlot(DimensionedPlot):
     apply_extents = param.Boolean(default=True, doc="""
         Whether to apply extent overrides on the Elements""")
 
+    padding = param.Number(default=0, doc="""
+        Amount of padding to apply to data ranges.""")
+
     # A dictionary mapping of the plot methods used to draw the
     # glyphs corresponding to the ElementPlot, can support two
     # keyword arguments a 'single' implementation to draw an individual
@@ -669,27 +686,53 @@ def get_extents(self, view, ranges):
         Gets the extents for the axes from the current View. The globally
         computed ranges can optionally override the extents.
         """
-        ndims = len(view.dimensions())
+        dims = view.dimensions()
+        ndims = len(dims)
         num = 6 if self.projection == '3d' else 4
         if self.apply_ranges:
+            xdim = dims[0]
             if ranges:
-                dims = view.dimensions()
-                x0, x1 = ranges[dims[0].name]
+                x0, x1 = ranges[xdim.name]['data']
+                xsrange = ranges[xdim.name]['soft']
+                xhrange = ranges[xdim.name]['hard']
                 if ndims > 1:
-                    y0, y1 = ranges[dims[1].name]
+                    ydim = dims[1].name
+                    y0, y1 = ranges[ydim]['data']
+                    ysrange = ranges[ydim]['soft']
+                    yhrange = ranges[ydim]['hard']
+                else:
+                    y0, y1 = ysrange = yhrange = (np.NaN, np.NaN)
+
+                if self.projection == '3d' and ndims > 2:
+                    zdim = dims[2].name
+                    z0, z1 = ranges[zdim]['data']
+                    zsrange = ranges[zdim]['soft']
+                    zhrange = ranges[zdim]['hard']
                 else:
-                    y0, y1 = (np.NaN, np.NaN)
-                if self.projection == '3d':
-                    if len(dims) > 2:
-                        z0, z1 = ranges[dims[2].name]
-                    else:
-                        z0, z1 = np.NaN, np.NaN
+                    z0, z1 = zsrange = zhrange = (np.NaN, np.NaN)
             else:
-                x0, x1 = view.range(0)
-                y0, y1 = view.range(1) if ndims > 1 else (np.NaN, np.NaN)
-                if self.projection == '3d':
+                x0, x1 = view.range(0, data_range='exclusive')
+                xsrange = xdim.soft_range
+                xhrange = xdim.range
+                if ndims > 1:
+                    ydim = dims[1]
+                    y0, y1 = view.range(1, data_range='exclusive')
+                    ysrange = ydim.soft_range
+                    yhrange = ydim.range
+                else:
+                    y0, y1 = ysrange = yhrange = (np.NaN, np.NaN)
+                if self.projection == '3d' and ndims > 2:
+                    zdim = dims[2]
                     z0, z1 = view.range(2)
+                    zsrange = zdim.soft_range
+                    zhrange = zdim.range
+                else:
+                    z0, z1 = zsrange = zhrange = (np.NaN, np.NaN)
+            x0, x1 = util.dimension_range(x0, x1, xhrange, xsrange, self.padding)
+            if ndims > 1:
+                y0, y1 = util.dimension_range(y0, y1, yhrange, ysrange, self.padding)
             if self.projection == '3d':
+                z0, z1 = util.dimension_range(z0, z1, zhrange, zsrange, self.padding)
                 range_extents = (x0, y0, z0, x1, y1, z1)
             else:
                 range_extents = (x0, y0, x1, y1)
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/plotly/element.py b/holoviews/plotting/plotly/element.py
index 39e544c8c8..38b4908a95 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/plotly/element.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/plotly/element.py
@@ -226,7 +226,10 @@ def get_color_opts(self, dim, element, ranges, style):
                 opts['reversescale'] = True
         opts['colorscale'] = cmap
         if dim:
-            cmin, cmax = ranges.get(dim.name, element.range(dim.name))
+            if dim.name in ranges:
+                cmin, cmax = ranges[dim.name]['combined']
+            else:
+                cmin, cmax = element.range(dim.name)
             opts['cmin'] = cmin
             opts['cmax'] = cmax
             opts['cauto'] = False
diff --git a/holoviews/plotting/util.py b/holoviews/plotting/util.py
index a8cd828a34..9a60ea9b53 100644
--- a/holoviews/plotting/util.py
+++ b/holoviews/plotting/util.py
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ def get_sideplot_ranges(plot, element, main, ranges):
         ranges = match_spec(range_item.last, ranges)
 
     if dim.name in ranges:
-        main_range = ranges[dim.name]
+        main_range = ranges[dim.name]['combined']
     else:
         framewise = plot.lookup_options(range_item.last, 'norm').options.get('framewise')
         if framewise and range_item.get(key, False):