*** This is a collaborative post ***
I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time in our house as we have done this year and now with lockdown 2.0 about to begin and Christmas on the horizon, I feel like I’ve got to finish off all those clearing up and out jobs I started in the first flush of spending so much time at home!
We’ve had months of being forced to spend more time at home than ever before, it’s not unlikely that your home has become a little cluttered. I say become mine definitely was, to begin with! With the winter fast approaching, now is the time to claim back control. When you do, the next few months will be far more tolerable. Besides, many of those benefits will be felt for years to come too.
So, what are the best ways to rediscover valuable space throughout the home? Here’s all you need to know.
Step 1: Remove the junk
Most households are guilty of keeping items they no longer need or use. Electronics, clothes, furniture, and ornaments are just some of the examples. Selling them is a great way to regain space around the home while also earning a little extra money. Or if you can’t be bothered with the hassle of selling, donating to the charity shop is a good option. Either way, this type of decluttering can instantly make the home feel bigger. In many cases, it helps families get their guest rooms or garages back.
Step 2: Lose the home office
Did you transform a guest room into an office? This was one of the most practical home upgrades of all back in the early 2000s and noughties. Nowadays, that space could be used to do so much more, especially if your family has grown in numbers. Adults can use laptops in other parts of the home. Meanwhile, kids gaming beds allow youngsters to retain their gaming setups and workstations. Better still, they won’t lose any floor space as it sits under the bed itself. Suddenly, you’ll have a new room.
Although, this may not be the most practical solution now that so many of us are working remotely!
Step 3: Save floor space
The idea of saving floor space through smarter furniture choices can extend to all parts of the property. Retractable tables are a good example of how space can be saved without losing function in the necessary moments. Meanwhile, a TV wall bracket or shelving can save you from bulky cabinets and units. You will still have the same furniture and decorative pieces around the home, but they will take up less space. From a sense of practicality, as well as tricking the eyes, this can work wonders.
Step 4: Utilise the garden
If you have a garden, it’s vital that you use it. Even in winter, it can add a whole new sense of purpose to the home. Whether it’s a place to relax, complete workouts, or grow vegetables is up to you. Either way, when the backyard is actively used, it gives you a far bigger physical space to live in. Even small gardens can make a big impact. In truth, the fact that the external spaces can make your neighbour’s a little green with envy is a bonus. Finding storage space at the front or side of the home is ideal too.
Step 5: Build
The final step is a bigger challenge, but its impacts can be huge. Converting the loft or basement will add a new room or rooms to the home. Meanwhile, it is a job that can add serious value to the property. If this option doesn’t appeal, extending the back of the property is an alternative solution. Either way, the ability to achieve more from your home will also take your love of the property to a new level. The key is to ensure that you put enough effort into the planning phase. Do this, and you will succeed.
Our flat may not offer up much opportunity for us to crack on with all these ideas but I’m spending a lot of time on steps 1 and 3 right now! Hopefully though, you found this useful and it gave you a few ideas about where to start and what to do to.
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