Are you nerve-racked every day waking up in your tiny home where your family members constantly bump into each other and fight for space? Do you feel trapped and constricted every time you step into your small, dark and boxy house? You definitely don’t deserve to live like this, so give yourself some extra elbow room (or at least an illusion of it) with these small house hacks.
Make your ceilings high
If you’re still in the building phase of your home, consider lifting up your roof. Making your ceilings high is one of the best ways to create an illusion of extra square footage in your small house. All the extra volume you’ll get from lifting up your ceilings will make your house look bigger from the inside. But, high ceilings have another benefit as well: they provide excellent ventilation and a lot of space to play with your walls and utilize vertical space. A towering floor-to-ceiling bookshelf will leave an amazing impression and provide you with plenty of storage space!
Invest in multipurpose rooms
If you’re short on space, you’ll have to go double-duty on certain rooms in order to fit all your activities inside your house. These multipurpose rooms are essential in modern design and most builders don’t forget to include them in every small house. If you design them well, they can serve as home offices, study rooms, guests rooms or even bedrooms—it’s completely up to you how you want to use your space. One if for sure, a multipurpose room will save space in your home and enlarge other quarters providing them with extra elbow room. Many people with small homes fill those multipurpose rooms with a lot of practical storage so they can free up some space in other rooms.
Open up the space with windows and mirrors
A small house can significantly benefit from a few more windows and mirrors. These have the ability to make any space look bigger as more natural light comes inside making the rooms feel less congested. Plus, you’ll get a nice view of the outdoor world will open up the space and provide you with some color and interest. On the other hand, mirrors work similarly to reflectors dispersing the light in all directions. If you combine many windows and a few strategically placed mirrors, you can maximize the space in your small home. More natural light has other benefits as well: you can expect a lower electricity bill, beautiful vantage points and more positive energy and beneficial health effects.
Build a second storey
If you’re serious about extending your space, adding a second storey is probably the most cost-effective decision you can make. If you have the initial capital, you’re going to get the best bang for your buck with a full storey addition—you’ll double the square footage and significantly increase the resale value of your house if you ever decide to sell. However, practical second storey additions require a lot of work, so you might want to consult experts. They will familiarize you with all the structural requirements, stair requirements, chimneys and mechanical portion of the building process so you end up with a safe, comfortable, practical and aesthetically pleasing space.
Add a box dormer
If your home is converted into a loft but you’re dissatisfied with the amount of height and space you ended up with, opt for a box dormer. This is an easy solution that will instantly transform the feel of your space! It’s a perfect solution if you need some headroom for stairs (at least 1.9 meters) or space for a loft bathroom.
Create a conservatory
If you’re looking to expand your home but don’t want to mess with any planning permissions and building regulations, opt for a conservatory to boost the square footage of your living room. These additions usually don’t require any permits (unless you go very big and complicated with the design) yet they give you plenty of space in return.
Convert your garage
If you have an integrated garage that you don’t really use, you can convert it into some extra living space. Sure, you might lose your parking space, but if you can live with street parking or get away with a small carport, you won’t even miss your garage. Converting your garage might also be a great move if you want to make a profit when you decide to sell because more living space means more money.
You don’t have to start packing your suitcases and moving houses just yet! These little design and building tricks will allow you to provide your home with some extra square footage and you might fall in love with your tiny house all over again.
About the author:
Chloe is a graduated journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.