The pandemic caused the US economy to contract by 3.5 percent. Despite this, home improvement spending increased by over three percent. The increase was due to modifications households made to their living spaces for work, school, and leisure in response to the situation.
Even though the situation has improved, homeowners are still looking to increase the living space in their homes. Fortunately, some creative and cost-effective options are available to help maximize your home’s living space. Here are some of them.
Declutter Your Home
One of the simplest and most effective ways to instantly increase the livable space in your home is by decluttering. Don’t be afraid to get rid of items you no longer need or use—you can donate them, sell them, or recycle them if they’re no longer usable. Doing this will free up physical space and create a sense of openness and calm throughout your living space.
When decluttering the home, it is crucial to take a step back and create a plan. Start by making a list of all the areas you would like to declutter, such as closets, bedrooms, pantries, and living spaces. This list can serve as an outline for your project and help you map out which items you need to keep and which should be donated or thrown away.
Renovate Unused Spaces
Renovating unused spaces can be an excellent way to increase your home’s living space. Doing so can provide added comfort and functionality while adding value to the property. With a few simple improvements, you can transform any room into a cozy, inviting space for family and friends to gather.
To begin, assess the space and determine what changes need to be made. Consider adding additional partitions or walls for increased privacy and functionality if the room is large. Furthermore, look into updating fixtures such as windows, doors, and flooring to create a more modern aesthetic. For an interior facelift, you can paint walls a different color or add new artwork or accessories.
One of the unused spaces you can work is the basement. You can also hire reliable basement remodeling contractors. The contractors can enhance the basement to turn it into a livable space in the house. They can add a bathroom, play area, bar, or entertainment room. You can also turn the basement into an extra bedroom.
Utilize Multi-Purpose Furniture
Plenty of furniture pieces on the market can serve multiple purposes to maximize the use of your existing floor plan. For instance, ottomans with storage compartments can double as side tables or extra seating.
Murphy beds provide an easy way to turn a single room into two separate spaces. Wall beds fold down from the wall and come with added storage. Daybeds offer extra seating during the day and sleeping accommodations at night. Folding tables allow for easy setup and breakdown when needed, and closet systems are great for storing items out of sight while still keeping everything within reach when needed.
Maximize Vertical Space
Most homes have plenty of unused vertical space, so take advantage of it! You can add shelves above doorways or windows for extra storage or hang rods from ceilings for drying clothes. The vertical space is also ideal for displaying artwork. You can also place potted plants on top of bookshelves. Utilizing high cabinets for kitchenware and other items that don’t need to be accessed every day is also a good idea. You can also install loft beds for kids’ rooms.
These solutions maximize available space and make it easier to stay organized. They also bring life and color to a room. Utilizing vertical space can be a great solution for small homes or apartments where floor space is limited. You can make the most of even the smallest spaces with the right ideas and clever storage solutions.
Add Outdoor Living Spaces
An often overlooked solution is creating outdoor living spaces to extend your livable area beyond what’s inside your house walls! Think about adding decks or patios where you can entertain guests outside during warm weather months.
Consider building a pergola with retractable shades so you can enjoy an outdoor dining area even when it rains. You should also build privacy fences around gardens if you want seclusion from neighbors. Build fire pits surrounded by cozy seating areas for cooler evenings—all these features will help add more functional living areas outdoors.
An outdoor living space is also good for your health. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors provides many mental health benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety. Additionally, outdoor spaces encourage physical exercise—walking around your backyard or playing with the kids.
Increasing the livable space in your home doesn’t have to be complicated. There are many creative solutions available that can help transform cramped quarters into comfortable havens without breaking the bank. Following the tips can help make your home feel bigger than ever before.
