With homes becoming more and more expensive to buy and run more and more people are having to cope with smaller living areas – and whilst small can still be trendy, many people today are considering downsizing out of financial necessity.

We often associate small with less, as in, a lesser standard of life – however thing about trends in computing; or even televisions.  Once upon a time, you would have housed a huge box in the corner about almost as heavy as a washing machine, whereas today, you can get home cinema installation that is so slimline it will fit in even the smallest and of apartments.

The number one challenge, when living in a small space is the lack of storage space which leads to clutter.  This article addresses this challenge with a number of ideas and strategies.

1. Get More Storage

With places like Ikea offering solutions for storage in small spaces, consider creating storage in wasted spaces such as on top of units, around the bathroom sink and on top of kitchen cupboards is the answer.

2. Make Better Use Of The Available Space 

There are a number of little ways you can change how your house feels and one of these is to maximise the space you already have in your home.  As a standard example, if you were to fit your Loft with loft boards you could then use this area for additional storage.

3. Convert Your Attic

Leading on from fitting loft boards, if you are in need of an additional room, a full loft conversion could be the answer.  A loft conversion can make great use of that additional area under the roof that a lot of people leave as wasted space or a place of storage.  Whilst converting your attic is a significant investment it will usually increase the value of your home particularly if it provides an extra bedroom.

4. Create An Outside Living Space

If you don’t have enough space inside to entertain guests it’s time to consider moving outside; with the use of outdoor seating, heater lamps, and the use of a porch or gazebo for shelter you can make use of your outside space in most climates…. Pinterest is a great resource for image based inspiration on how to make a cosy outdoor living space.

5. Remodel

When you can’t quite make do with the small space you have, it could be time to look at starting from the drawing board, or more likely, to consider building an extension.  Many people today are buying a small plot of land, adjacent to their home, in order to build an additional home, akin to a granny flat… or undertake a total overhaul and remodel where the existing building is demolished and a new building is created.

Often times, even though it seems counterintuitive, by rebuilding you can make better practical use of the space you have, resulting in much better storage and functional space.

Well there you go, I hope this post has given you a few ideas about how to maximise your space. If you would like to share it, please use the graphic below:

Eve x

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