Let’s face it; most homeowners and families wish they could afford a bigger home. Sadly, the current economy and housing market means that staying where you are is probably the best option financially. If you are going to do this, though, it’s vital that you maximise the potential of your property in 2024. Making it feel larger should be the top item on your agenda.
While it may seem a daunting task, achieving the desired results is probably more straightforward than you think. However, it is only possible when you are equipped with a clear strategy. Here are some of the most effective projects to take on in 2024.
Convert An Underutilised Space
It seems a little crazy to moan about a lack of space when you don’t make the most of what’s currently available. While a home extension sounds great on the face of it, you should note that it’s an expensive project. Moreover, extending outwards into the garden will reduce your outside spaces. Thankfully, converting an underutilised room is cost-efficient and convenient.
A growing number of homeowners are discovering the benefits of professional garage conversions. They can turn this into a new living space that gives the home a far more luxurious vibe. Alternatively, this project can create a bedroom for a teenager or a home office. In today’s world of working from home and hybrid working, it makes a lot of sense.
Basements are not a very common choice for UK homeowners, but it may be an option if you have an older property. Meanwhile, any room like a guest bedroom that only gets used for a few nights each year is a great candidate for an upgrade too.
Declutter
If your home is cluttered with too many items, it will feel claustrophobic regardless of the size. Therefore, if you want to make the home feel bigger, decluttering is an essential step. January is the perfect time to implement this. Not least because you can sell some unwanted products to bounce back from the financial stresses of the festive season.
As well as removing unnecessary items from the home, you may look for slimline furniture choices that leave you with more floor space. Meanwhile, switching to streaming services and paperless billing helps you to remove the need for filing systems. Or physical home entertainment items like CDs. Seasonal fashion can be stored out of sight too.
Of course, you can support yourself further by embracing better storage solutions. This could mean getting drawer organisers, cascading clothes hangers, or solutions that hang over the door. If nothing else, the home will become easier to clean, which also aids perceptions.
Inject Personality With The Walls
While decluttering can certainly make rooms feel larger, you don’t want to run the risk of letting them become void of character. The walls can be your secret weapon as they are a great outlet to showcase personality while also saving floor space. For example, wall-mounted TVs and shelves can replace bulky units.
Painting the walls is one of the best ways to alter the look and atmosphere of a room too. Opting for lighter colour schemes can actively make a space feel larger. Meanwhile, these inspirational nursery wallpaper ideas show how even a smaller room can sparkle. Without the need for too many teddies and decor items. It’s an easy and affordable project too.
Decorating the walls to set the tone is the perfect starting point. For the best results, though, you will also want to dress the windows appropriately. Allowing more natural light to enter the home will naturally make it feel larger. It also brings a sense of positivity.
Utilise Outside Spaces
Your possibilities offered by your property don’t start and end with what’s inside the four walls. On the contrary, a well-designed and functional garden space can bring a whole new dimension to the home. Moreover, the projects won’t disrupt your daily life in the same way that a kitchen or bathroom upgrade would. So, it’s the perfect choice for early 2024.
There are many ways to do more with your outside spaces. Landscape transformation is a very popular choice as it adds beauty to the garden and can promote low maintenance. The outside spaces are the perfect setting to add some luxuries like BBQ pits, hot tubs, swimming pools, or sporting equipment for the kids. The options are endless.
The garden isn’t only a great place for spending time alone or as a family. It can also be used to entertain guests. When you add garden lighting and heating solutions, the enjoyment is extended long into the evening. Your property will feel far bigger as a result.
Create Consistency
A home’s layout, configuration, and decor choices can have a huge influence on the overall feelings. One of the most effective ways to make it feel larger is to establish consistency. Bedrooms, especially kids’ rooms, may require personal touches. Still, other spaces can benefit from the same colour choices. Likewise, the furniture choices should be the same style.
The sense of consistency throughout the lounge, hallway, and dining room spaces transforms the home. If looking for a slightly bigger project, removing an internal wall to create open plan living spaces can work exceptionally well. The physical dimensions only grow by the depth of the wall, but the perceptions are greatly improved.
Once again, the garden or balcony can aid the cause further. Sliding doors that connect internal and external spaces essentially increase the usable area. In turn, it will feel like you’ve extended the living space or gained an additional one altogether.
The Final Word
A happy home is undoubtedly the perfect platform for building a happier lifestyle, and bigger is better. It gives you more opportunities to enjoy the space and can also help you keep a clear mindset and maintain higher safety levels.
As the projects above highlight, you do not need to spend a fortune or spend years updating the home to see huge results. Start the projects ASAP, and the benefits will be enjoyed throughout 2024 and beyond.
