Ten ways to maximise space in small areas of your home
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Loading... - Grace Clark
- 19 Apr 2022
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Smaller homes and apartments need to be more ordered than larger family homes. If your home isn’t feeling as functional as it should, there are plenty of ways to utilise every last centimetre of space. From reflective surfaces to using dead space, these space-saving hacks will change things for the better.
1. Back to basics
Look at your space as if there is no furniture there – how best could you utilise it, ensuring it serves you well? Are there any awkward features you can remove? What little flow you do have, ensure it is smooth and easy. “When dealing with a small home, you need to look at it as a blank canvas and reflect on whether your existing furniture is right for the space,” says Laura Heynike, director of Pocketspace Interiors. “Some items might be too large, too short or too small. Getting your balance right is a key priority, and your small space requires you to curate it with care.”
2. Smart storage
Innovative storage is vital for making a home feel uncluttered and open. Katie Scott, director of Sticks and Stones Design, says it allows for less clutter, plus the rooms will feel bigger: “Storage units and cabinetry that reach to the ceiling will use dead space sometimes left with standard-height cabinetry.” If you have an attic space, utilise it, adding a ladder for easy access for items you use rarely. Laura suggests adding a built-in wall storage system to your lounge wall. “If the TV is wall-mounted, it will free up space,” she says. “Use spare wall space to store concealed items in drawers, balanced with exposed shelving for decor. Keep an eye out for space above door frames or behind beds that you can utilise too.”
3. Listen to your heart
Accommodating practical space solutions doesn’t mean you need to forgo your favourite tastes and aesthetics. Your home still needs to bring joy and reflect who you are. “If you are in a small space, then it might as well be a space you love, right?” says Laura. “You might have to rework how you express yourself in your furniture and decor selection. Ease off on the darker tones and incorporate your favourite style using pattern, texture and multi-functional pieces of furniture. You can bring in subtle embellishments through artwork and frames, instead of using large pieces to tell the story.” Stamp your individuality with cupboards painted in your favourite hue or made from rattan or pale timber, with brass or vintage handles.
4. The only way is up
Keep your furniture and fittings elevated, freeing up the floor from clutter, Meg Freeman, designer at JKW Interior Architecture & Design, says: “Get things up off the floor. It gives you more room to move. Use open shelving, wall-mount your TV and lights and never underestimate the power of a hook. A bag hung on the wall, rather than dumped on the floor will always make a space feel tidier and more spacious.” When it comes to your hot water cylinder, question whether you really need it. Katie suggests that if you’re upgrading it, replace it with one that attaches to the home’s exterior wall: “This will give you extra room or storage inside, as cylinders tend to use up a lot of space.” Read More...
