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How to make the most of small spaces in your home

Elegant solutions for small spaces

They say that size is not everything. However, when it comes to your home, none of us would say no to a little more. Here in the UK, we have the smallest living spaces in Europe by quite a considerable margin. However, there are many advantages to living in a more compact home.

“Small spaces are cheaper to run,” says Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Small Spaces. “And because the surface areas you work with are more limited, you can choose more luxurious materials and high-end details. Living in a small space also concentrates the mind, because with less space to play, you have to be very focused and selective, which is not a bad thing.”

“Start by thinking about the house as a whole and assess the areas where things are cramped,” suggests architect Mark Dyson. “Think about your priorities and how you need the space, then you can plan multifunctional zones.”

Living in a constrained space means your home has a lot more work to do, but smart design, careful planning, and a considered approach will allow it to run smoothly without compromising an inch of your own personal style.

Smart solutions for compact living spaces

Smart planning can often make up for a square footage shortage. Joining two rooms into one can provide a multifunctional area that instantly feels larger. You can then define areas with floors or furniture. And bringing in more light whenever possible will also open up a room.

smart solutions

o Good storage is key to keeping things uncluttered, and a floor-to-ceiling wall of cabinets will provide plenty of space while requiring a relatively small footprint.
o ‘Built-in benches can be designed to include a surprise love of hidden storage,’ says Guy Morgan Harris.
o Aproveche al máximo el espacio oculto quitando la pared divisoria entre los montantes para crear almacenamiento de exhibición, construyendo estantes en los aleros o incluso usando el espacio vacío debajo de las tablas del piso. “Install a ring latch and make layered boxes to store things,” says Guy. Ideal for wine or toys.
Or ‘In double height properties, a mezzanine or platform can be a good way to separate the areas of life and sleep, “says Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Small Spaces. (Consult the building regulations first).
o Mount your TV on the wall and hide your DVD and hi-fi.
o Use a chest instead of a coffee table for extra storage.

Smart solutions for compact kitchens

With so much emphasis on these huge kitchen/living room areas, it’s easy to feel awkward if your home is small. But, as Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Small Spaces, points out, “professional cooks prefer a more compact kitchen because it’s easier to work in.” When in doubt, get some professional design input and keep things simple; a smaller space will benefit from being as plain as possible. Choose built-ins, which are the best option to make a small space work efficiently.

smart solutions

Many units end up below the ceiling, which is a waste of valuable inches. Choose full-height storage and store less-used items in taller cabinets. Alternatively, install wine racks in any free space.

o If necessary, compress the kitchen along one wall. “2.8m is the minimum width that a compact butt kitchen can be placed on,” says architect Mark Dyson. “This will accommodate an under-counter fridge, oven, cooktop, sink with a concealed bucket, slimline dishwasher, and storage space, while also providing the minimum distance requirement between the sink and the cooktop.”
o Is there no utility room? “Put your washer and dryer in a deep closet,” says architect Paul McAneary. He hides the appliances behind a folding door.
o Keep cleaning supplies, cutting boards, and spices close at hand with custom-made backsplash storage. All you need is 15cm at the back of your work surface to create a super shirt for these everyday essentials.
o Mechanisms like drawer dividers and magic corners keep things tidy and use up awkward spaces. “Don’t forget low-level storage,” says Graeme MacLaren of Dinwiddie MacLaren Architects. ‘Plinth drawers are perfect for storing flat items like baking sheets or kitchen towels.’
Oh max, the feeling of light in a space-hungry kitchen with reflective surfaces, like high-gloss lacquer, a glass countertop, chrome, or even a mirrored backsplash.

Smart solutions for compact bathrooms

“Most restroom brochures show spaces the size of a ballroom,” says Robin Levien of Ideal Standard. “In reality, the average bathroom in the UK is the size of a king-size bed, so making the most of every inch is essential.” Compact ceramic ranges can be a real boon. “Basinies that are wider than they are deep can solve all sorts of problems,” continues Robin. “And a corner toilet cistern can allow you to have a mini bathroom in the corner of a bedroom, with a shower, sink and toilet all in the space of a normal corner bathroom. Or go for a compact tub, which can free up space for something else. Check out the Space and Concept ranges from Ideal Standard.

smart solutions

or ‘Lift units off the ground,’ says Guy Morgan Harris. “A room looks bigger if you can see all the way from the floor to the walls.”
o ‘Mirrors can be used to great effect, but too much can look kitsch,’ says Mark Dyson. ‘An L-shaped mirror [that goes round a corner] can quadruple the sensation of volume.’
o Boxed cisterns provide the opportunity to create additional storage, and why not reclaim the area below a built-in bath with custom drawers for towels or bath toys?
or ‘We installed a raised shower stall where the floor lifts up to reveal a bathroom,’ says architect Paul Mcaneary. “It also converts to a steam room, so it’s multifunctional and compact.”

Smart solutions for compact bedrooms

To create a peaceful retreat, a bedroom needs to be as uncluttered as possible. Most people have a considerable amount of clothing, so first-class storage is essential. Built-in storage systems eat up less floor space than freestanding furniture. “When planning your clothes hanging space, measure the length of the clothes rail and then add 20 percent,” advises Hülsta’s Peter Friend.

smart solutions

o Recover valuable space by giving up bedside tables. Instead, install a shelf on the wall behind the bed that can be used for bedtime reading material and an alarm clock.
o You can’t compromise on the size of your bed, but you can try to make it work better. Boxes under the bed or beds with built-in drawers or shelves use the redundant area below. Pull-down beds also ensure good use of space. Remember, too, that low beds are less visually dominant than high princess and pea beds.
O-fold beds used to be cumbersome and ugly, but now they are really well-designed models. They can be expensive, but if you have a studio and are going to be using it every day rather than in a guest room, then investing is essential. A pull-down bed combined with a pull-down desk can turn a small room into a truly multifunctional space.
o ‘A sleeping space should NOT be completely enclosed,’ says Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Small Spaces. Screening a space with a partition or sliding doors can provide privacy without blocking light. Or, in an open-plan area, a raised mezzanine or platform divides things’.

Smart solutions for hidden spaces

Hallways and stairs can take up a disproportionate amount of space, especially in older properties. Don’t let valuable square footage go to waste – RECLAIM EVERY CORNER with some clever adaptations.

smart solutions

o Knowledgeable closets can become a dumping ground for unwanted items, so clean up the clutter and transform the understairs bin into an extra wardrobe.
o Knocking down a wall that encloses a ladder can really open things up. If you’re installing a new staircase, consider incorporating large, deep drawers with push latches or even create drawers in the risers of the steps. What better place to store sneakers and shoes?
O ‘On the stairs, remove the balustrades and fill the void with book shelves. You can also use landings or even partial landings (where the stairs turn) to house a condensed workstation or mini library,” says architect Mark Dyson.
o A compact office can be hidden in a closet, so it’s instantly tidy at the end of the day.
o A window sill can be widened to create a cozy seat.
o Spiral stairs can save a lot of space, as can staggered stairs that allow stairs to rise at a steeper angle.

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