House prices, especially in urban areas, are on the up and up. And what you can get for your money is increasingly modest. But with some careful planning and a skilful touch, it’s still possible to make even the smallest of spaces work for you.
Whether you’ve recently downsized or are living in a house share, there are many hacks you can implement to get the most out of your space. Or in the sentiment of lifestyle guru, Marie Kondo, you can maximise the joy from your home.
There’s even a shift towards people preferring smaller houses and apartments. They’re cheaper to maintain and keep warm in the winter and they make less of an environmental impact than larger homes. But whatever the size of your abode, we’ve put together some space saving tips for you to try.
Buying Less
We’re all, quite rightly, becoming more environmentally conscious and a big part of that is consuming less. Buying fewer ‘things’ is a good first step to reduce the clutter in our houses.
Thinking twice before buying that courgette spiralizer we convinced ourselves we needed – but in reality, was always destined for the back of the kitchen cupboard.
The Bedroom
Under Bed Storage
An often-overlooked space-saving storage solution is right under our noses, especially when we’re sleeping. It’s amazing how much you can fit underneath a bed if there is sufficient clearance below the mattress.
But simply chucking all your stuff under a traditional bed frame can not only look messy, but it can also be a hassle trying to find exactly what it is you’re looking for. An ottoman bed is the very clever answer.
Hydraulic struts enable you to lift open the base and will hold it in place, even with the mattress on top of it. The design of ottoman divans optimises the storage space available, which for larger size double mattresses can be huge.
You can store out of season clothes, spare bedding, blankets and shoes. Divan Beds Centre has an extensive range for you to browse and choose your favourite. You’ll ask yourself how you ever managed to live without it.
Fitted Wardrobes
Not a quick storage hack by any means but a great investment if you’ve found your forever home, fitted wardrobes really maximise the storage space available in a bedroom. A bespoke set of wardrobes installed by a professional will give you huge amounts of extra space and look great, too.
The Hallway
The hallway is the first place you and your guests see as you enter your home. First impressions count so keeping it tidy and functional will make a good first impression.
Try doubling up on coat hooks, one low and one higher set to ensure jackets, hats, brollies and outdoor gear are well organised. A good shoe rack will also encourage family members to put their footwear away neatly.
Kitchen
In the kitchen, pots and pans are the biggest culprits for devouring cupboard space. Most cookware has holes in the handles, perfect for hanging out of the way just above head level.
There’s a wealth of rail styles available to suit any home and they’re not too tricky to install. Take a tour of your kitchen with fresh eyes and see if there’s somewhere you can utilise a hanging system.
Spice Racks
Spice containers are an awkward size – they take up barely half the height of an ordinary cupboard shelf and you can’t stack them. If a traditional spice rack isn’t your thing, shelved pantry doors mean your herbs and seasonings can be well organised and just out of sight.
The Bathroom
A bathroom caddie is a great mobile storage solution for all your toiletries. And best of all, you can take it with you when you move.
The Illusion of Space
There are also ways to create the feeling of a bigger space in smaller homes without changing the layout. Think mirrors, a lighter colour palette and the strong vertical lines of shelves, for example, that draw the eye upwards away from the floor, where most furniture resides.
A tidy house is a tidy mind. Your home is your sanctuary so try these ingenious tricks to make sure your environment is a happy and stress-free one.
