No matter what size your house may be, sometimes it just feels as though you don’t have enough space. Maybe you have too much stuff lying around, or a recent addition to the family is making the place more crowded than ever.
A lack of space can have a negative impact on your mental wellbeing, leaving you feeling stressed and anxious when you’re at home. But your house is a place where you should feel happy and relaxed. If your cramped surroundings are getting you down, it’s time to make a change. There’s no need to move to a bigger house to create more living space. All you need to do is make a few quick and easy fixes to enlarge your living environment and generate more room to breathe. Read on to learn more.
Declutter
One of the easiest and most effective things you can do to generate more space is to declutter your home. Go through every room in your house with a fine toothcomb and get rid of anything that you don’t need or want. Sell, discard, or donate these items to charity. Be strict with yourself when getting rid of clutter, as it can be tempting to keep useless junk for sentimental reasons. Old CDs, unread books, and ill-fitting clothes are all examples of things that can go. Once they’re gone, your home will feel much bigger.
Change the layout
One of the reasons your home feels small could be down to the layout. By simply moving some furniture around, you could increase your usable square footage and have more room for storage and relaxation. Put large furniture like beds and sofas against the wall, using corners of rooms to your advantage. Experiment with different layouts until you find the one that works.
Let the light in
Natural light can make a room more spacious, so do what you can to let the sunlight in. Move furniture away from windows and keep the panes clean of dust and dirt to allow the rays to come through. Consider artificial lighting for the dimmest rooms, and you could even think about installing a skylight if you have the budget for it.
Create the illusion of space
Sometimes just the illusion of space is all you need to feel at peace. There are certain design techniques that make a room feel larger through clever tricks of the eye or dispersion of light. These methods include:
- Installing large mirrors in strategic areas to make an area look bigger than it really is.
- Painting walls light, neutral shades, as these reflect light and make a room seem brighter and more spacious.
- Opt for full-length curtains, which give a room the illusion of added height.
Build an extension
If your home really is too small, you might need to hire some builders to construct an extension. This can create extra rooms in your home that can be used as storage, bedroom, or living spaces. Although this method may cost a lot of money, the benefits to your mental health and home aesthetic will be worth it in the long run.
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