Running out of space in your home? Building an extension isn’t always an option – even if you have the land and permission to do it, it’s expensive. Fortunately, there are other options that you can look in to simply by rethinking the way you use your home’s existing space. Here are just five easy ways to create extra space in your home without extending.
Clear out the clutter
Many of us have unwanted possessions in our home taking up valuable space. This could include an exercise bike gathering dust in the corner or child’s cot that you no longer need now that the kids have grown up. Be brutal about what you need and don’t need – getting rid of these possessions could give you much more space to work with. Unless these possessions are broken, you may be able to donate or sell them. You could even put items into storage using sites like www.nowstorage.co.uk and decide what to do with them later (this is useful for inherited possessions, which you may need more time to sort through). Get someone to help you sort through your stuff if you feel you need the motivation.
Convert unused space
Many of us have unused space in our homes that could be put to better use. This could be something as simple as making better use of an alcove to something more elaborate such as converting the cupboard under the stairs. You may even be able to convert an entire unused room into extra living space such as an attic or a garage. Companies such as www.trussloft.co.uk specialise in loft conversions and could be worth using. A loft conversion could be costly due to adding features such as wiring and heating, but it will still be a lot cheaper than an extension.
Use more vertical space
Reassessing the layout of your home could allow you to free up space. Focus on prioritising floor space and use more vertical space for storage. For instance, a mounted TV on the wall could take up a lot less space than a TV on a stand. Similarly, shelving could take up less room than a side cabinet.
Think collapsible
Opting for collapsible furniture could allow you to store furniture away when not in use giving you extra floor space. If you have a dining room and don’t regularly use your dining table, consider all the space you could free up by opting for a collapsible dining table that can then be stored in a cupboard when not in use. Collapsible furniture can be particularly useful in apartments and bedsits, in which some people even opt for fold-out beds to save room. You can shop for collapsible furniture at sites like www.expandfurniture.com.
Think multi-purpose
You may also be able to free up space by opting for dual-purpose furniture. There are sofas on the market that have in-built storage. Similarly, a washer-dryer could save you having to buy a separate washing machine and tumble dryer.
