How to upsize without moving house

If you’ve lived in your home for a while, you may find yourself in a bit of a style and space rut. However, you don’t have to go elsewhere to get more space from your home. Here’s how it’s done…

Outdoor space

First things first – maximise the square footage of your entire property by making the most of every last bit of outdoor space. Decide what the purpose of your extra space needs to be – do you need an office, or guest bed? More storage, a gym, or just a place to relax? This will help you dictate the best way to use your available garden area.

Constructing a small wooden summerhouse or home extension (depending on your budget) can give you an area to act as a yoga studio, an office, or a cosy lounge area to create the outdoor/indoor living vibe you want.

If it’s storage space you’re looking for, it might be worthwhile investing in a metal storage shed. These can be highly customisable, waterproof and durable and will create a larger storage option for your backyard that you could use as space for all garden tools, car maintenance, seasonal storage, and even as a home gym for bulkier equipment (check out this guide to see how you can make one for yourself). Anything you put in here will free up space elsewhere too!

Indoor storage

You’ll also need to make the most of all the nooks and crannies in your home. Where is the dead space and what could you put there? Often, spaces under the stairs are neglected. Or unused/unusual shaped recesses could have shelving built in to give them a sense of purpose. Would a built in wall-spanning wardrobe free up some floor space in your bedroom? Investing in effective, customizable storage options will give you a lot more freedom in your rooms and much less clutter.

Do you have an attic or basement you could convert? While this may be costly, it can vastly add to your space and certainly add value to your property.

Decorating

You can also create the illusion of space too. To do so:

• Choose cool, light colours to add brightness and an airy feel to your rooms. Warm, darker colours create a smaller and cosy feeling.
• Add mirrors to reflect the natural light you have.
• Use paler curtains, and hang them on a rod that is wider and higher than the actual window – this way when you pull them back, it’ll create a larger look.
• Don’t forget the fifth wall in the room – the floor. Use blonder wood panels or strip and paint them yourself in a pale colour. Lighter tiles will also do the trick. Lay wood panels diagonally from the doors, as this creates length across the room. If you aren’t up for re-flooring, then get a light colour rug, and a diagonal pattern will have a similar effect.

Furniture

Take a step back and imagine you’ve just moved in. Rearrange the furniture for a fresh take on the room – and the chance to free up more space within your existing rooms.

Look for furniture with hidden storage, or dual purposes, such as coffee tables, or a sofa-bed that has an empty seat compartment for bedding. Ottomans can be a good addition for a living room or bedroom, or find a divan bed, for extra storage which would otherwise be dead space.

Using these four areas, your home should feel larger and less cluttered – saving you the expense of moving and giving your space and decor a new lease of life.