Most modern remodels prioritize space and storage. As homeowners, you want room for entertaining, relaxation, and day-to-day living. However, not all homes (or budgets) can accommodate making a space physically larger–that’s where creative solutions come in.
Whether you’re interested in doing a whole house remodel or a single-room renovation, there are a variety of decisions you can make to foster a more functional home. Below, the professionals at Lynch Design | Build outline a few creative ways you can maximize space in your next home remodel.
Working Storage is Key
Clutter is the enemy in small spaces. Having a designated space for all your belongings helps control the clutter and frees up more floor space in your home, in turn giving your space an airier appearance. Built-in shelves, cabinets, and drawers are functional and stylish storage solutions. Consider custom built-ins to fit specific spaces and make the most of every inch of your home.
Built-in storage can make use of dead space in your home, such as under the stairs or in awkward corners, so that no square footage remains unused. By discovering the full potential of these areas, you can create additional storage space without taking away from your living space.
In this kitchen remodel, for example, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry became the storage solution for these homeowners who needed the extra space. A combination of clean, white and glass cabinetry creates a clean aesthetic with the option to display kitchen items or tuck them out of sight.
Invest in Multipurpose Furniture
Multipurpose furniture can maximize space in several ways that match the style and design of your home. Cleverly designed, multi-use furniture can consolidate the function you would get from multiple furniture pieces, removing excess in your home. It can also offer additional storage space if you’re struggling to reduce visual clutter. Here are a few ideas for how to incorporate multi-functional furniture in your home:
- A sofa bed can double as a guest bed for visitors.
- A coffee table with built-in storage can provide a place to stash books, magazines, remotes, and other household items.
- A bed with built-in drawers underneath can eliminate the need for a bulky dresser.
- A sofa bed or a coffee table with storage compartments can reduce the need for separate pieces of furniture and free up more space in your home.
- A dining table that can be extended or collapsed can be used for large gatherings without taking up floor space 24/7.
- A Murphy bed with a desk attachment can double as a place to sleep and a place to work or study.
Don’t Forget to Look Up
Using vertical space effectively creates the illusion of a larger room and gives you a place to hang shelves, hooks, and other storage solutions. This is especially helpful in smaller spaces where floor space is a premium. The strategic placement of not only tall furniture, but shelves, curtains, and even artwork, can draw the eye upward and make use of dead space in your home.
Do you have limited cabinet space but a plethora of pots and pans to store? Consider a hanging rack that stores your pots and pans above eye level. Does your bathroom lack a linen closet, leaving you with no space to store towels and extra bedding? Refreshed under-sink cabinetry or built-in shelving framing your shower or mirror can provide ample room.
Whether it’s in your kitchen, bathroom or living room, you can make the most of your vertical space by following these tips and creating the illusion of a larger, more spacious interior.
Open Concept is Here to Stay
While divisive, the open-concept common area is a key part of making a home feel larger. Knocking down walls to create an open-concept living area, especially if similar paint colors are used throughout the home, can make a small space feel larger. This is what makes this design element a popular choice for homeowners updating smaller homes. Open areas of your home also allow for more natural light to flow through the home, which in turn brightens and enlarges the space.
If you’re ready to begin a home renovation, consider the benefit you would get out of an open-concept living room, kitchen and dining area.
Use Mirrors to Create The Illusion of a Larger Space
Mirrors reflect light and can make a room feel brighter and more open. Placing mirrors strategically on doors or walls can make your space feel larger. Mirrors can be hung on walls to reflect natural light and create the illusion of depth.
Consider hanging a large, ornate mirror on a wall, using a mirrored piece of furniture as a statement piece, or grouping mirrors together to create a stunning visual display.
Don’t Forget About Your Outdoor Space
Once you’ve exhausted all of the tips and tricks to make your home feel bigger, there is still one space remaining. If you have a small to medium-sized home, consider taking advantage of additional space outdoors by adding a deck, sunroom (or three-season room), screened-in porch, or balcony to extend your living space outdoors. A home addition can be a great place to entertain guests or simply relax with a good book.
Start Your Home Remodel Project with Lynch Design | Build Today
Maximize every square foot of your home with Lynch Design | Build.
We are passionate about working with Maryland homeowners to bring out their home’s potential. To talk to us about maximizing space in your next home remodel or to learn more about our full renovation and remodeling services, contact us today by calling 410-879-5510. Click here to learn more about our home addition services.
