If you are a fan of the minimalist movement or have heard Marie Kondo wax lyrical about the benefits of space, then you may already be benefitting from having less clutter in your home. If you are not familiar with the value of space within your home then you are in a very exciting position because, once you begin to add more to your property, you will begin to feel happier, more relaxed, and even see the value of your property increase.
Whether you’re not quite ready to begin ridding yourself of clothing and boxes, or you’re just wanting to experience a small part of decluttering, we’ve put together a guide that you may find useful, gathering simple and clever ways to begin creating space within your home.
Go Vertical
One of the most common inhibitors within home storage is the inability, or reluctance, to build vertically. With the addition of shelving and hangers, you can relieve your horizontal space of clutter without removing it entirely. This is an incredibly effective technique for rooms like the kitchen that can often have numerous items that occupy various spaces, such as utensils and pans, and can help to free up space that would otherwise have been occupied by awkward handles and shapes.
Create More Room
It may not occur to many homeowners, but there is often the potential to simply create more floorspace within a property. This can be done by building new rooms or converting old, unused ones. For example, summer houses and extensions can be added, replacing garden space with a more suitable expansion, one that can be enjoyed whatever the weather. Or, alternatively, attics and basements can be converted, alleviating storage pressure from elsewhere and creating greater space within the home.
Even sheds, which have historically been used only for storage, are more commonly being renovated and replaced with small outbuildings. These new spaces can become spare rooms and home offices, allowing a home to become bigger without the need to reduce furniture and items within.
Multipurpose Furniture
Consolidating the function of your furniture is an amazing way to both refresh your home and increase the amount of space you have. Primarily, this can come from furniture that doubles as storage, meaning that sofas and beds, for example, also become a place to store infrequently used items. Shelves and cupboards can then be emptied, freeing them of clutter and helping your home to feel more spacious.
Other, even more clever examples, can involve combining furniture items, reducing two pieces into one. This can be achieved, as an example, by building pullout desk spaces into cupboards or expanding countertops that double are both preparation and dining spaces.
Make Things Move
You may have heard of the modular furniture craze and there’s good reason for its popularity. Having furniture and shelving that can be easily adjusted allows for dynamic home storage. Adjustable shelves and concealable boxes allow for more space to be created when there is the potential or necessity, such as when guests are arriving.
