Is your house feeling a bit cramped? Here are our six effective ways to add more space to your home…

Space is a common concern for many homeowners, especially as the UK is a nation of hoarders! Building an extension is an option, albeit a costly and labour-intensive one. The good news is that if you want extra space, you don’t need to bring in any builders, instead you can make a few small adjustments inside your property. Here are six effective ways to add more space to your home:

Convert your loft

Addicted to Property recommend turning your loft into storage space if actual living space is not an issue. Granted loft conversions can be on the pricey side, but it can be an excellent solution. They are a great place to put items that are cluttering up your home. But be warned, they can fill up quickly with un-used items. On the other hand a loft conversion can also add as much as 12% in value to your home as well as being top in the ways to add more space to your home.

Maximise space

More often than not, you don’t really have to add space per se. You just have to maximise it. Some ways to maximise space suggested by Ideal Home include installing a utility or cabinet under the stairs, installing shelves around a door, making the most out of an alcove (e.g., put a bench there, or add an extra cabinet), and using storage as room dividers. You can also use the space under the kitchen and bathroom sinks for additional storage. Maximise your walls, too, by installing floor-to-ceiling shelving and cupboards, where you can store your books, pictures, and all sorts of smaller items. Use these tips and you will be freeing up a lot of unexpected space all around the house.

Use multipurpose furniture

In line with maximising space, one great option is to invest in multipurpose furniture. Want a bench in an alcove? Purchase one that has storage under the seat. While you’re at it, you might want to trade in your sofa for a sleeper Ottoman. You could even invest in a wall-mounted pull out desk with storage, or a bed with a built-in cabinet. Multi-storage furniture is all the rage at the moment so it shouldn’t be hard to find good deals. These small investments could lead to big changes.

Upgrade your boiler

If you want to find extra space it might be worth checking out your boiler. That’s because your current older gas boiler could be bulky and taking up a whole storage cupboard. With that in mind, you could upgrade to a combi boiler as it is significantly more compact than traditional designs. There is a range of combi boilers featured on Screwfix that show how most models average around 700mm–800mm in height. This makes them ideal for storing in small spaces or being fixed to the wall. You can then repurpose the extra storage area the space left behind by your old boiler.

Create liveable areas

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to have areas dedicated solely to storage. But with the tips already outlined above, you can repurpose them into liveable areas, such as a home office, or a living room extension. You can, for instance, transform a storage room into an additional bedroom, or even a playroom for the kids. You could even turn an alcove into a small home office or mini-library. If your space under the stairs is big enough, it can be an extension of your living room. By taking on board these tips, you will get to find more space for yourself and your family.

Take advantage of mirrors

Last but not least in our list of ways to add more space to your home you can create an illusion of spaciousness using mirrors. In a Country Living article on using mirrors around the house, Emma-Louise Pritchard explains that mirrors, when positioned correctly “can create light, texture, space and character.” In terms of creating optical space, consider placing a large mirror on the wall, preferably opposite a window. The large mirror will not only create an illusion of space, but it will also reflect natural light into your home. Sure, you didn’t actually make your home bigger, but it will look that way.

For more ways to add more space to your home take a look at our feature on ‘Five Key Ways to Easily and Instantly Transform Your Home’.