Growing your house and home to fit your life is a hard thing to think about. It can be extremely costly, filled with difficult decisions and you have to find someone you trust to do the work! However there are ways to keep the home just right, make the money in your pocket last longer, and maybe even worth a little bit more.
It was recently determined that one of the highest returns on savings which can be earned, is from investing in your property. So by making your home better for you, it might make it better for your bank, meaning, that sometimes it can pay to give those old four walls a bit of TLC.
By creating a room and adding more space, not only can you get the extra room that you may need, but it can make your home more desirable, which in turn can make the value of your house climb. Obviously cramming lots of bedrooms and bathrooms into a small property isn’t going to increase the worth, there does have to be some method to the madness, but don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to get some more bang for your buck!
Upstairs Downstairs
Of the many ways to grow your home, the simplest and most common way is to go upwards or downwards. Practically all properties have attics or cellars which all have potential. Loft conversions and basements boast a great opportunity to add some much needed living space, they can be an exciting new universe for a kid to explore, they can be a fortress of solitude for a teenager, or they can be the master bedroom filled with King sized beds and luxury percale bedding fit for royalty. Making them warm and homely can be made possible by doing some simple things and don’t fret too much about the actual space gained because in this day and age of designer furniture or space saving storage, you can make any area look like a pretty impressive amount of space. Make sure that you invest in insulation and damp proof technology as some lofts can be draughty and cellars damp. This will save cash on heating and long term structural issues whilst adding more value to your home. Adding windows and skylights which are sources of natural light and mirrors to reflect this, you will make the room feel large and spacious. Remember decorate well, but also sometimes simpler is better. You can accessorise with folding storage boxes, great blackout blinds, various types of eyelet and pencil pleat curtains and marvelous displays of intriguing scatter cushions which go with the bedding you have chosen.
Playing the Puzzle
Another great way to grow the home is to look at unused storage space or just unused space in general. It is really easy now to store things all over and so garages which can be converted into spare rooms are great places to start. The advantages of this means of expansion are that the space is already there and the blank canvas is right in front of you. So dreaming about how to decorate is easier. Beware some spare spaces are quirky and need some creativity when deciding what to do, but rest easy because any space can become a shower room, a spare bathroom or even an office. It is also a possible project for those of us more gifted with a toolbox, which in turn can save money. However you need to make sure that these spaces meet regulatory requirements, that they are structurally safe and that they are up to standard. Some garages are not insulated and you may find that plugging those gadgets and gizmos is much harder with no sockets. So check that the space is wired, that it is not moldy or damp and that it is big enough for what you need.
Making Space
If you are struggling to find this space I know people like to add conservatories to their homes; these are a great and more cost effective means of getting more space and they can suit all budgets. It is completely up to you as to how this conservatory ends up looking and performing. Conservatories can be beautifully and easily dressed with blinds, cushions with unique covers and decorative throws and a rug to keep the floor space warm. You can also consider adding some greenery and aesthetically pleasing lighting. Remember to pick up great lighting deals and lamps from lots of places so have a look around and pick whichever works best. A great conservatory can make an oasis of summer in the deepest of winters.
Once the space is made, you can reassign rooms or go for a more daring approach and look to restructure the layout of the house. Providing you keep all structural walls, a simple re-modelling and re-working of space you can really add a good deal of value to your home and to your life style. Because that extra bathroom can make the morning rush less of a flush. The bathroom can also be furnished with vibrant coloured bath towels to make it extra zesty in the morning. You can also take into account flexible furniture and creatively crafted corner storage.
Doing the best with what you have got
Finally, it may not be possible or affordable to create more rooms. Don’t worry this is not the end of the world. You may have noticed me go on about the great new furniture out there, but I stand by my word and will say that there has never been a better time to find creative storage solutions and compact furniture. For example, if you are struggling to find space in one bedroom for 2 single beds and other furniture then look into bunk beds, foldout beds, raised beds! These offer the space for desks, chests of drawers, boxes and so much more! Look into fitted wardrobes which use every inch of space for some type of storage. If you are really struggling for space walk round your home take some measurements and play with the location of furniture, because you never know how many shoes can fit on there and how the sofa will look in that corner. You can rejuvenate your home in a very cost efficient way by adding new soft furnishings. Well placed scatter cushions, new curtains, and a coordinating rug, with a splash of paint, can give your home a brand new look.
