10 Tips For Maximising Space in Small Homes

Living in a small home can be challenging but there are ways of maximising your house space through clever use of colour, storage and simple decluttering. Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of your options.

1. Keep it simple

Replace your curtains with blinds. Curtains look bulky and they can take up valuable space around the window area. Blinds are efficient, space saving and will give a room a clean and contemporary look.

2. Declutter your space

Those who inhabit small living spaces know that they can’t afford to be untidy. Get rid of any possessions that you don’t use, as these will cramp your living area.

3. Use plants to enhance your living space

Whether you have a pocket hanky size garden, or no garden at all, you can always create an illusion of extra space by placing potted plants on your window sills. Alternatively, you can train some roses or other climbing plants to frame your windows. Visit the Ashridge Nurseries website for inspiration.

4. Choose dual purpose furniture

Sofa beds and storage trunks that can double up as a table, are just two examples of furniture that can be put to very good use in a small home. As well as sleeping on the sofa, you can always store your sheets and towels in the built in space underneath. The trunk can act as a repository for computer games and other gadgets.

5. Create an optical illusion with paint

The design magazine House to Home suggests that the easiest way to maximise the space in your living room is to paint it in ‘soft pastel shades.’ This will ensure that the room looks inviting at all times. Don’t paint all the walls of a small room with dark colours unless you really do want to make the room seem even more cramped than it is.

6. Let in the light

A mirror hung on a wall near the window will maximise the amount of light that comes into your room, therefore making the space seem larger.

7. Enhance your recesses

Many older houses have a recess on either side of an old fireplace. Even though you may have opted for light colours for the rest of the room, try painting these alcoves in a darker shade to give your room more depth.

8. Be clever with storage

Very few houses are perfectly rectangular and many have odd spaces under the stairs or under the eaves of the roof. Design your storage to make use of these redundant alcoves. The website Homify has some great ideas about how to fit shelves into awkward areas.

9. Banish your bath

Baths can take up a lot of room. If you are trying to expand the space in your bathroom, install a shower – ensure you choose clear shower panels to maximise the room’s natural light.

10. Don’t crowd your rooms with furniture

Obviously, some pieces of furniture are essential. Too much furniture can make a room look overcrowded and full. Instead of investing in wardrobes and chests of drawers, use built in shelving and cupboards instead. Consider getting rid of your coffee table, it’s only an invitation for clutter. Try to only invest in furniture that will serve a purpose and enhance your minute living space.

-> Images courtesy of Pixabay

0