Homes are great if they have lots of space. If they don’t, they can be the house from hell. Why? It’s because there isn’t enough room for everyone to live comfortably. So, routine tasks like cooking food become devilishly difficult. And, if you have a family, there is always going to be someone at home adding to the congestion. Quite simply, it is one of the worst things about owning a house and makes people think twice about staying.
However, there is good news if your home is on the small side. The news is that it is possible to make more and even add room as long as you know the tricks of the trade. Luckily for you, they are underneath, so all you have to do is continue reading. Without further ado, here are the hacks that every homeowner with a small house must know.
Find A New Property
Before we get into the renovation part of the post, it is worth noting that moving home is a solution. In fact, it is a pretty good one if your family is growing and there isn’t enough space. After all, no matter how hard you try, it isn’t easy to create the amount of room that will make life comfortable. To do that, you need a fresh start in a property that is well endowed. It doesn’t even have to be picture perfect because there is always room to expand in the future. But, as long as it has potential, this tactic could be the answer to your prayers. Speaking of expansion, try and find a house that also has land for sale. Adding to a home is a great idea, but it isn’t always possible thanks to the neighbors. When you have land, it is much simpler to build without restricting licenses and permits.
Open Up
For timing reasons, lots of new home are compartmentalized. That means every room is boxed off and has its own door. So, when you walk into the kitchen, you have to walk out of one room to do so. This seems like sound logic, yet it isn’t the case when you want more space. Simply put, it isn’t a fluid method and blocks off the areas you can use for additional space purposes. Therefore, and because moving is stressful, you can knock down the walls that get in the way and open up the house. Instantly, there is a lot more room for everyone to play with. This is particularly effective if there is a room next to the front door because that is the gateway to the house. When people enter and leave, they come through the front door. So, the more space there is to maneuver, the easier it is for people to come and go.
Put Mirrors Around The House
Using mirrors is an age old trick which homeowners have used for years. The way it works is that the glass reflects light and gives the illusion of more space. Now, you should note that this is only a person’s perception and it doesn’t add any physical breathing space. However, sometimes your perception of a house turns into the reality in the end. So, everything will feel bigger just because it seems that way. It sounds like it won’t work, but it has done for decades. Plus, your guests will never realize because they won’t know. Well, they won’t unless they do the same thing at home. And, if they do, they will want to keep shtum so that no one finds out they do the same!
Let In More Light
The clever people among you will understand that you need lots of light for the mirror trick to work. Of course, filling a room with lamps and ambient light fittings is a simple solution thanks to Ikea. However, artificial light does not work as well as natural light, which is why it won’t have the desired effect. The key, then, is to maximize the summer days and let in as much as possible. To do this, you can start by drawing the curtains or opening the blinds and keeping them that way until nightfall. Also, remove any blockages that may get in the way. For example, a bookshelf will block the sunlight so it needs moving elsewhere. The same goes for anything tall and bulky enough to be an issue outside the house. After all, trees and hedges can grow very large if you leave them to their devices.
Get Creative With Storage Solutions
It is obvious that you need more storage units. However, it is as simple as fitting them if you have no additional space. So, what can you do? Well, you can think outside of the box. Take a bathroom mirror as an example. Not only does the mirror reflect light (see paragraph 3), but it also doubles as a cabinet which houses toiletries. Then, there is no reason to deal with clutter that takes up unnecessary space. But, it isn’t only the bathroom where you can get creative. In the kitchen, you can use the oven as a secondary storage space. Anything like pots and pans fit perfectly into an oven so there is more room in the cupboards. Or, you can put a chest that acts as a makeshift coffee table in the living room. The opportunities are endless when you don’t follow the rules.
Add More Shelves
One solution that you don’t need to think over is a shelf. Quite simply, it is already basic and elegant at the same time as you can install one anywhere in the house. It doesn’t matter if you think there is no room because you are wrong. The reason is that you can place them in the areas which don’t maximize space. Most homes, for example, have lots of free space high up. Instead of leaving it untouched, you can put a shelf there and use it as storage. It may only be okay for small items, but the more the merrier. Wall hooks are another neat hack. Again, they are only small so they don’t need much space to breathe. But, they can store a lot of things even though they aren’t the biggest.
Make The Most Of Outside
When you are dealing with the interior of your home, it is easy to think linearly. That is to say that you want to keep everything inside because it is home ware. The problem with this way of thinking is that it doesn’t make sense. Just because you use it inside doesn’t mean it has to stay that way forever, especially when there is space outside. Think about the garden for a moment. Is there a big lawn and a shed or two? If the answer is yes, then there is bound to be a slot to put your belongings. Laying them on the lawn may not be the answer in the summer, but the shed is as good a place as any. All you have to do is make sure your valuables are secure from the elements as sheds aren’t renowned for being waterproof. Another excellent tip is to park your car on the drive on the street. That way, the garage is free to house the things that you don’t want cluttering up the house.
As you can see, a small house isn’t the end of the world. As long as you follow these tips, it is possible to make more or add space to any property.
