Giving yourself more space is one of the highest ambitions for homeowners. The most obvious solution is to get an extension, but this can end up being very expensive and disruptive to your home life. So, as an alternative, we will look at the different individual rooms of the house and what you can do in each one of them. Even if you only live in a small apartment, there are likely to be a few things that you can do to give yourself the extra space you are looking for.
Clear our entryway and make it welcoming
You want to set the tone of space from the moment that you step through the front door, so you want to remove any clutter from the area. Make sure that there are plenty of hooks to hang your different coats on. During the warmer months when you don’t need them anymore, you can find another storage space for them. A shoe rack helps you make the most of height and ensures that you aren’t tripping over as soon as you walk in. And a common trick that people use is to hang a large mirror to give the illusion of space even if it isn’t there.
Streamline your kitchen
The kitchen is usually a hub of activity and a place where you will need the space to rush around. Maximise vertical storage space as much as possible, as well as using drawer organisers for cutlery and cooking items. Another effective option is to hang up some hooks so you have the space to put up a few larger pots and pans. Have a purge of any expired products or other things that you don’t need which tend to accumulate in the kitchen. If you are planning a complete redesign of the room, you should always remember that the triangle of your refrigerator, oven and food preparation zones is important to keep as clear as possible.
Stop your public rooms from getting too cluttered
Your living or family rooms are the ones that tend to get the messiest, mainly because they are used by everyone for relaxing. Multifunctional furniture can help to give you an extra bit of storage space (e.g. ottomans that open up). Try installing some column radiators which help to open up some much-needed floor space. Coffee tables that have drawers or open shelving below are also a good idea.
Remove all but the essential from your bedroom
When you are choosing a room that you want to make the most minimalist, you should always go for your bedroom. After all, it is supposed to be an environment where you can relax and unwind at the end of a hard day. Proper organisation can make all the difference here, and the place to start is your closets. Again, shelving can help you to utilise height to its fullest effect. Any out of season clothing can be kept in underbed storage containers.
Bathroom essentials
You don’t tend to need an awful lot of space in the bathroom, and it is usually a room that has limited storage room anyway. Nevertheless, it is still nice to have clear surfaces. Often you will find that your cupboard is full up with products that have expired or ones that you simply don’t need so it is a good idea to have a purge. Adding some shelving under the sink or behind the door can give you that little bit of extra room that you need.
Organise your home office
With the rise in freelancing and people running their own businesses, more and more people have home offices these days. First of all, you will want to tackle the stacks of paper that tend to build up here. So much can be stored digitally these days that it is a good idea to utilise this option where possible. Take a trip down to your local office to buy the organisational items that you need. A clear office is one of the best ways to give you peace of mind and increase your productivity levels.
Don’t let your garage become a dumping ground
The garage tends to be an area where things get dumped that people don’t have any use for anymore. Before putting anything in here, be really honest with yourself about how likely you are to ever need or use it again. For the things that you do want to keep, install overhead ceiling racks and shelving so it is kept neat and tidy.