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Would you like to increase space in your home? Whether you live in a cosy apartment or a spacious house, the challenge remains the same: how to make the most of the space available.
If you don’t have the budget or scope for a full-on extension, there are still plenty of things you can do to make the space you have work as hard as possible for you and your family.
In this article, we’ll explore seven great ways to increase space in your home that are not only cost-effective, but also deliver on functionality and aesthetics.
1. Conservatory upgrade
Adding a conservatory to your home is a really popular way to create an additional room and blur the boundary between outdoors and indoors. Having said that, maintaining a comfortable temperature in it all year round can be a challenge.
If your home has a conservatory that you’re not really getting the best out of, there are upgrade projects that can transform the amount of use it gets.
One such project is conservatory roof insulation. This will solve the problem of ‘too cold in winter, too hot in summer’, and is way cheaper than replacing the whole conservatory. You should be able to save on energy bills too.
If your issue with your conservatory is about looks, consider making the switch to a tiled conservatory roof. This can really blend the structure in with the rest of your home, while also providing a smart, weather-resistant finish and improved energy efficiency.
2. Garage conversion
If your garage is currently a home for unwanted clutter, there’s lots of potential to turn it into a more useful space. Garages are well-suited to a conversion into a guest room, home office, or playroom.
A garage conversion doesn’t usually require costly renovations. Depending on the current structure, you may just need to add insulation and electrics, reduce the size of the door, and add windows. Do check that you don’t need planning permission before starting any work though.
As well as increasing space in your home, converting your garage can increase the value of your property by as much as 20%.
3. Loft conversion
Similar to converting your garage, a loft conversion can add a big chunk of extra space to your home and boost property value.
Depending on the shape and size of your loft, you can create an extra bedroom, study or living space and take the pressure off other areas of your home. This renovation is at the more costly end of the spectrum when it comes to maxing out on interior space, but if you’ve got the budget it can deliver really great results.
As with a garage conversion, make sure you understand the situation with regards to planning permission before firming up your loft design.
4. Multifunctional furniture
Is your furniture working hard enough when it comes to space saving?
Multifunctional furniture that serves more than one purpose is a great way to free up space throughout your home. Good options include:
- Benches and footstools with hidden storage under the seat.
- Open shelving units with seat pads on top.
- Hideaway desks with pull-out shelves.
- Sofas with in-built side tables, pull-out beds, or counters at the rear.
- Beds with built-in drawers, or ottoman beds with storage underneath.
- Pull-out trundle beds for kids sleepovers.
5. Reclaim dead space
Are there any areas in your home where you could make use of dead space? A simple DIY job or a low-cost joinery project could make all the difference to these unloved spots.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Convert under stairs or hallway space into bespoke storage.
- Add a small desk to an otherwise empty landing.
- Turn bedroom eaves into built-in cupboards.
- Add shelving around chimney breast alcoves.
6. Clever storage
We’ve already touched on storage in the point above, but there are lots of other ways to increase space in your home with storage solutions.
Clutter is the enemy of space-savvy homes, so getting it under control with storage is a low-cost option that’s well worth the effort.
Here are some examples of easy ways to make storage your secret weapon in a busy home:
- Use storage crates under beds for items you don’t need often, such as seasonal clothing and Christmas decorations.
- Use vertical space to keep floors clear. Wall hooks, shelving and wall-mounted cupboards are all great options.
- Introduce handled storage baskets and crates to make it quicker and easier to clear toys and small items away.
- Invest in some vacuum storage bags so you can fit more into the same amount of space.
- Choose furniture with built-in storage.
7. Patio upgrade
Don’t ignore your property’s outdoor areas when looking at ways to increase space in your home. Your garden and patio is a valuable asset when it comes to family time, entertaining, or simply relaxing. Turning it into a more useable space could be a very worthwhile investment.
A simple patio upgrade might involve adding in some lighting and a fire pit to make evening use easier, buying a parasol or a sail shade to make hot days more comfortable, or introducing container plants to make the area more inviting. With just a few tweaks, you can make a big difference to the amount of time you can comfortably spend enjoying your outdoor space.
As you can see, there are lots of easy ways to increase space in your home without breaking the bank. By making existing features work harder, getting organised with storage, and finding clever products that perform multiple functions, you can give your home a new lease of life and make it a more practical and comfortable place to live.
The post Cost effective ways to increase space in your home appeared first on Growing Family.
