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Isn't it about time you entered
the space age and provided some extra room for your growing family?
Whether you live in a tiny house or a large property it is always
good to create more space. And the extra room you need may be waiting
to be discovered. First, look at every part of your home not being
used as living space. Is it possible to bring some of those under
employed areas into regular use? The attic and basement could be
converted into an extra bedroom, play room or a study. An integral
garage can easily be incorporated into the house by knocking through
and fitting out in line with building regulations. Although these
are relatively expensive options they could still work out far cheaper
than building an extension.
Sometimes you can create space by
opening up rooms. Dining and living areas could be turned into one
large room. Or the kitchen and dining room could be combined to
become the warm heart of your home. Get rid of a dark, narrow hall
by knocking through the living room. A drawback could be that your
front door opens on to the living room - although this can be a
positive feature in a cottage-style home. Removing doors is another
way of creating space. The kitchen is a candidate here as you can
use up wall space for storage without accommodating door clearance.
Another option is to replace ordinary doors with ones that slide
or fold.
In a small living room you should
experiment with the layout of the furniture to achieve the most
effective use of space and the best look. Two-seater sofas can be
more flexible than three-seaters, which often fit in only one place
in the room. If you choose a sofa bed you could use the room as
an occasional extra bedroom. When shopping for furniture think about
the space it will occupy - a nest of tables is compact, as is a
gateleg table which folds away. Folding or stacking dining chairs
may be useful buys - you can even hang some furniture on the wall
to store it efficiently. Try to choose items which can have a dual
life - a chest can be used for storage and as a coffee table.
An unused alcove on either side
of a chimney breast can be turned into a small desk area, ideal
for a computer or hobby table - with plenty of space above for bookshelves.
In the bathroom, a shower takes up less space than a bath and swapping
the two will create more room.
Mirrors can play a vital part in
creating the impression of extra space. Install a big mirror and
the room will immediately seem a lot bigger. The mirror trick will
also work in dark and cramped halls and stairs and help produce
the appearance of more space and light. In bedrooms, replacing free-standing
furniture with built-in wardrobes will save a lot of floor space
and create much more storage. Make sure every inch inside wardrobes
is well used, with racks and shelves crammed full. And do not forget
the space under the bed - you could store loads under a bedstead.
Finally, take a look at the cupboard
under the stairs - one of the most unlikely areas for generating
space. Could you open it up to create a home office, or install
a toilet or shower in there? You could be surprised what you can
do with some imagination.
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