How to Get More Space Without Moving House
Make your home work harder, feel bigger and look better with these clever suggestions
Moving is expensive, stressful and time-consuming – but so is extending your existing space. Before you go down either of these not-so-appealing routes, it’s worth exploring every option to make your current house work harder.
We can become blind to a property’s foibles, as well as our own inefficient arrangements, accepting limitations without asking if the situation could be improved. Try to look at your place with fresh eyes, imagining what you would do differently if you’d only just moved in. These ten suggestions will help you see more potential in the home you love.
We can become blind to a property’s foibles, as well as our own inefficient arrangements, accepting limitations without asking if the situation could be improved. Try to look at your place with fresh eyes, imagining what you would do differently if you’d only just moved in. These ten suggestions will help you see more potential in the home you love.
Soup up your storage
Are there neglected corners in your home where random objects tend to accumulate? Instead of closing your eyes to the ‘cupboard of doom’, analyse how the space is used. The under-stair area is one such dumping ground that can often be better utilised by fitting multiple doors to allow full access to the alcove.
Rejigging problem spots that leave you exasperated and putting in place a new system will save you time in the long run.
Are there neglected corners in your home where random objects tend to accumulate? Instead of closing your eyes to the ‘cupboard of doom’, analyse how the space is used. The under-stair area is one such dumping ground that can often be better utilised by fitting multiple doors to allow full access to the alcove.
Rejigging problem spots that leave you exasperated and putting in place a new system will save you time in the long run.
Steal small-space ideas
This super-sleek studio apartment retains a light and airy feel thanks to a savvy layout and clever space-saving designs. What would be a one-wall kitchen is given extra surface area with a small island, the worktop of which is equipped with an induction hob, with a smart ceiling-mounted extractor above. Borrow ideas used in compact living to inspire space efficiency in your own home.
This super-sleek studio apartment retains a light and airy feel thanks to a savvy layout and clever space-saving designs. What would be a one-wall kitchen is given extra surface area with a small island, the worktop of which is equipped with an induction hob, with a smart ceiling-mounted extractor above. Borrow ideas used in compact living to inspire space efficiency in your own home.
Ditch the double bed
Don’t dedicate a whole room to a double bed if house guests are infrequent. A day bed (such as this) offers somewhere to sit, a single bed for solo visitors, and a second mattress hidden underneath. Bolster pillows provide side support for leaning and lounging, as well as giving a more sofa-like look.
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Don’t dedicate a whole room to a double bed if house guests are infrequent. A day bed (such as this) offers somewhere to sit, a single bed for solo visitors, and a second mattress hidden underneath. Bolster pillows provide side support for leaning and lounging, as well as giving a more sofa-like look.
12 easy budget-friendly bedroom upgrades
Reconfigure your rooms
Does your house have areas of dead space that aren’t fulfilling their potential? This small landing has been turned into a cute office area thanks to a simple shelf-style desk. Reconfiguring your existing room layouts could solve some of your space-seeking dilemmas; for example, an underused dining room becomes a much-needed bedroom.
Does your house have areas of dead space that aren’t fulfilling their potential? This small landing has been turned into a cute office area thanks to a simple shelf-style desk. Reconfiguring your existing room layouts could solve some of your space-seeking dilemmas; for example, an underused dining room becomes a much-needed bedroom.
Amplify attic space
If converting the loft isn’t an option, make sure the attic is amply appropriated. With the floor boarded and shelves fitted at either end, you’ll be amazed at the extra capacity it provides for lesser-used items such as out-of-season clothes, luggage and decorating kit – or even, if space allows – a spare bed or two, as here.
Don’t put anything up there that will be affected by high or low temperatures, and ensure that there’s sufficient ventilation (via roof vents) to avoid mould forming.
If converting the loft isn’t an option, make sure the attic is amply appropriated. With the floor boarded and shelves fitted at either end, you’ll be amazed at the extra capacity it provides for lesser-used items such as out-of-season clothes, luggage and decorating kit – or even, if space allows – a spare bed or two, as here.
Don’t put anything up there that will be affected by high or low temperatures, and ensure that there’s sufficient ventilation (via roof vents) to avoid mould forming.
Get more from your garden
Storage solutions come in all shapes and sizes, and your garden could be the key to clawing back valuable interior space. A contemporary-style shed integrated into your garden design will provide unobtrusive space to stash tools, bikes, BBQ stuff and anything else you fancy, providing it’s water-tight and secure.
Storage solutions come in all shapes and sizes, and your garden could be the key to clawing back valuable interior space. A contemporary-style shed integrated into your garden design will provide unobtrusive space to stash tools, bikes, BBQ stuff and anything else you fancy, providing it’s water-tight and secure.
Choose a smart sofa
It might seem obvious, but those in need of an occasional option for overnight guests could settle on a sofa bed. Designs have improved a lot since student days, when they were neither comfy to sleep on or attractive to look at. Now it’s possible to source a smart settee that’s soft to sit on and a dream to dive into at night.
It might seem obvious, but those in need of an occasional option for overnight guests could settle on a sofa bed. Designs have improved a lot since student days, when they were neither comfy to sleep on or attractive to look at. Now it’s possible to source a smart settee that’s soft to sit on and a dream to dive into at night.
Discover design tweaks
Impractical layouts cause undue stress that can make you want to pack up and move. But small tweaks could remove the frustration and improve the flow of your property. Something as simple as a pocket door, which slides back into a recess, can provide a whole new lease of life in a cramped space. Or, even easier, try a barn-style sliding door which operates on a rail, as shown here.
Impractical layouts cause undue stress that can make you want to pack up and move. But small tweaks could remove the frustration and improve the flow of your property. Something as simple as a pocket door, which slides back into a recess, can provide a whole new lease of life in a cramped space. Or, even easier, try a barn-style sliding door which operates on a rail, as shown here.
Store less stuff
As well as considering new and more effective ways to stash your belongings, it’s also worth examining your home’s contents. Airing cupboards, for example, are a notorious hoarding habitat. Realistically, you only need two sets of linen for each bed. Keeping old, unused items is a waste of space – plus stored bed linen tends to discolour. Declutter with a critical eye and you could find yourself with some free space.
Have you streamlined your home to create more space? Share your tips in the Comments below.
As well as considering new and more effective ways to stash your belongings, it’s also worth examining your home’s contents. Airing cupboards, for example, are a notorious hoarding habitat. Realistically, you only need two sets of linen for each bed. Keeping old, unused items is a waste of space – plus stored bed linen tends to discolour. Declutter with a critical eye and you could find yourself with some free space.
Have you streamlined your home to create more space? Share your tips in the Comments below.
In an ideal world, we’d all have an immaculate spare room with ready-to-go guest bed, an at-home office for any admin, and numerous other spaces to luxuriate in. However, perhaps it’s possible to get a bit of what you want simply by making your existing rooms more multipurpose. This living room is no less appealing with the addition of a slimline desk and chair for sorting out bills and other boring but essential tasks.
Check out 10 of the best kitchen storage solutions in 2016