Your answer completely lies in programming with Cascading Style sheets. CSS - you can define either pixels, percentages, or font width how far in your want your "divisions," in addition to padding and margins.
Just web search basic topics in CSS, and look for some started pages on layout. With Netscape silently leaving the browser scene it will be easier to program CSS (only because MS is retarded and really F$CK$# up CSS definitions for division padding and margins - you need mostly only to worry now about Explorer.)
CSS is replacing tables, but tables are still used by applications for layout because they are easier for programs to use, but more modern web design programs are integrating CSS. I created a website completely in CSS, without one table out. The only table programming - were for tables. Also - CSS can define table cell properties.
For instance, with CSS - if you want to change the font, font color, font size - just go to one page - change the values, and all fonts on your entire website that rely on that "definition" will change. If you want all your H1 headers to be a bigger - just change your definitions for that header.