Floorspace plays a significant role in informing the price of any given home. Larger homes, on the whole, tend to be more expensive than smaller ones. This is mostly because space is something we all value.
But what if your budget doesn’t extend to a larger home? And what if you have a large home, but you’d like it to feel even larger? You’ll need to get more from the space you have available to you. Thankfully, there are a number of effective strategies that will help you to do just that.
Optimising Vertical Space
In most homes, wall space above waist height can easily be underutilized. You might hang shelves in these areas, or hanging decorations. This will ultimately free up space at floor level, and help you to declutter. According to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), homes in the UK tend to be among the smallest in Europe – which makes efficient use of these small spaces essential.
Multi-Functional Furniture
You can also find empty, unused space within your furniture. The interior of your sofa, or the underside of your coffee table, might well be empty. You can make use of this space by looking for furniture with storage built in. Ottoman-style footrests and beds can work out nicely. You might also consider sofas that can be converted into beds. This might allow you much greater flexibility when it comes to accommodating guests – or freeing up space in a bedroom you’d like to occasionally use as a home office.
Clever Use of Light and Colour
Credit: Your Price Bifolds
The way that your home is lit can make a big difference to the subjective impression of space. When things feel dingy, they’ll tend to feel cramped. When everything is evenly lit, on the other hand, the space will feel larger. Make sure that light reaches every corner by installing a combination of ambient, task and accent lights. When you choose your colours, favour neutral palettes over bold, darker ones. This will maximise the impression of space.
Built-In Storage Solutions
There are certain awkward spaces in the home that will benefit from bespoke storage. These include the triangular recess beneath the stairs, the space beside a chimney breast, the space beneath a bay window, or the space beneath a sloped roof. Built-in wardrobes for alcoves are an excellent way to make the best possible use of the available space.
Creating Illusions with Design
In some cases, you can create the illusion of a larger space by using a few clever tricks. For example, vertical stripes can help to make a room appear taller, which can be effective in houses with lower ceilings. You might also keep your floors consistent and continuous throughout the home, which can help tie everything together as well as creating the impression of space.
Decluttering and Minimalism
Finally, we should say that no home will feel as breezy and expansive as we’d like if it’s filled with junk. Decluttering is something that you can do every so often to deal with this problem – but minimalism is more of a lifestyle change. Go through your home, room by room, and dispense with the items that you don’t really need. You’ll be amazed at the resulting sense of freedom – and roominess!
