Our houses are falling. In fact, studies show that the British build new homes are about 30 percent lower than they were 50 years ago. If you live in a modern, family home, you’ll already know what we are talking about.
Older houses can feel a little too, especially period features with low ceilings and bedroom barely big enough for a double bed. Even if your home was once as it was plenty big enough, the arrival of a child or two can turn even generous dwelling on something rather pokey.
If you and your family are struggling to find space for everything in your house, here are some top ideas for discovering more space, even in the smallest of apartments.
1. Use a floor for storage: Look for a high level shelves, floor to ceiling book cases and wall hung cabinets to maximize storage using wasting wall space above the eye line.
2. Built where possible, use the built-in cupboards to make the most of awkward shaped rooms can help create a space where there was none before. If you have exposed the stairs, use this space to create a useful toy or shoe storage for the family.
3. Divide and conquer: If you have a large bedroom, you could partition the existing rooms to create an additional bedroom, study or snug.
4. Use multipurpose furniture: footstools with built in storage, nested tables and Divan beds are all very useful in my home. Store towels, linens, DVD or game in this sneaky space to free up storage for other things.
5. Use the attic: Attics are great more space for things you do not very often. Seasonal supplies like Christmas or Halloween decorations are perfect for air, and if you want to keep the boxes for electrical items, loft is a perfect place for this, too.
6. Make wet room: If you enjoy a shower over bath, consider getting rid of the bath completely and turn your bathroom into a wet room. This will allow you to make the most of the floor space available in this room, and will give you the flexibility to install cupboards, shelves and rails for storing towels, toiletries and cosmetics.
7. Go out: outside space most is wasted, only damp old shed for tools and bikes. Consider building an isolated cottage that could double as a workshop or office for you and your family.
8. Make room dual purpose: When space is limited, make each room serve more than one purpose. Could your dining room also have a library? Perhaps it could also double as an office when no one is eating. Could the end of your kitchen keep the dining table?
9. Choose smaller furniture: a double bed can be convenient, but if it means you can not lock the bedroom door, maybe Standard Double would be better. Living room furniture also can be dropped to make room. Choose a sofa with narrow or no arms, and consider horn group place a special place to engineer some space.
10. declutter: Last and most important, tip is to get rid of things you do not. Clutter has an amazing ability to make even the most generously proportioned storage spaces seem small, so clear out the junk and give you more space to breathe. Decluttering your home is not as difficult as you may think, but if you are not brave enough to copy clutter then rent a self storage unit for several months; store all the excess stuff in there and see what it is like to live without chaos – you may just be changed.