Space Hacks: 7 Creative Ways To Unlock More Space In Your Home
Running out of space in your home? Before you resort to upsizing, consider whether there are ways of freeing up additional space within your existing home. Below are a few creative ways to potentially unlock some extra space.
Use the space under the stairs
In a lot of homes, the space under the stairs is unused, but large enough to turn into an additional bathroom or extra storage space. Consider whether converting this space could solve some of your issues. This is likely to be much cheaper than building an extension.
Embrace fold-away furniture
Some furniture is designed to fold away. This includes fold-away desks, fold-away dining tables and even fold-away beds such as the Murphy bed. When folded away, such furniture could allow you to use these spaces for other purposes. For example, a fold-away dining table might allow you to also use your dining room as a home gym.
Consider fitted furniture
Fitted furniture can be designed and built to fit the unusual shape of each room. In an oddly shaped bedroom, it could be a great solution for adding more storage space for clothes if you find that most freestanding wardrobes won’t fit. Kitchen cabinets are another commonplace example of fitted furniture.
Move possessions into self-storage
Got items that you don’t use very often taking up a lot of space in your home? Looking into local self storage facilities like Lock Stock could be a solution. You could move seasonal bulky items like suitcases, Xmas decorations, surfboards or ski equipment into a storage unit when you’re not using it. This could potentially allow you to free up spaces like your loft or shed for other purposes (such as an additional bedroom).
Explore multi-purpose furniture and appliances
Some types of furniture and appliances are dual-purpose. Such furniture/appliances could potentially help you to save space. For example, a washer-dryer might prevent you having to buy a separate washing machine and dryer, while a storage bed could prevent the need for a bed and separate storage unit.
Extend underground
Extending underground is an overlooked form of extension that can sometimes be more feasible than people realise. If you already have a void under your home, this may be possible to turn into a basement. It may also be possible to build a sunken extension or bunker to get around planning permission height restrictions. There are companies that can help with excavation.
Raise the roof
Building upwards is also an option. On top of over-structure extensions, it may be possible to raise the roof of a low loft and turn it into an extra living space. Loft conversions are popular for adding extra bedrooms, however there could be other purposes for such a space such as an art studio or library.
There are lots of different ways to add extra space to a home that can allow you to enjoy living in the same property. Consider exploring these options if you love your current home, but need to add some extra room.
Top photo by Billy Jo Catbagan on Unsplash
