Six Renovation Tips For Tight Spaces
Houses aren’t cheap – so if your abode is on the smaller side, what are some renovation tips and tricks that you can deploy to make the most of your space?
A recent study showed that seven years ago, Aussies were building the biggest freestanding houses in the world. However, we are also seeing the highest property prices in living memory, so it makes sense that home buyers Down Under have started to embrace apartments, as well as smaller houses on smaller lot sizes. The cost of living in the ‘lucky country’ varies depending on which part of Australia it is that you call home, so it won’t come as a surprise to many that the size of our homes are shrinking.
However, it’s important to remember that it’s also about quality over quantity. If you want to live in the city, the lifestyle is usually linked to living in an apartment or unit. For others, it’s about downsizing out of the family home and into the next phase of their life. Either way, if you’re living in an abode that many would regard as ‘compact’, with a smaller living space, the good news is that there are plenty of tips and tricks one can deploy in order to make the space feel bigger.
Nailing A Renovation In A Smaller Space
Regardless of whether you are living in a, there’s a high chance that you can still learn something new about how to use space efficiently – but the key is planning ahead.
Light And White – Natural light is the friend of any homeowner, especially when paired with a white colour palette for your walls or ceiling. There is a bit of science behind this trick, as white is light-reflective. In comparison, the darker a colour is, the more light it absorbs. Warm neutrals are on trend along with satin finishes, this style will help reflect the light, creating the appearance of even more space.
Go Vertical – If you can’t go out, why not go up? Whether it’s plants, lights, or even wall mounted televisions, creating extra space on the ground will help to open up a room and stop you from tripping over cords and other clutter. This also goes for any built-ins, as they tend to take up less space than other freestanding storage or furniture.
Open The Floor – When in doubt, bust a hook out – and be sure you get creative about it. Aim to get as much off the floor as you can, as this is a serial offender when it comes to a room feeling cluttered. A great example of this is using a pedestal sink in a small bathroom, or an island with open shelving underneath in a small kitchen.
Rethink Layouts – If your home or abode has a few smaller rooms, during your renovation period consider removing any non-essential walls to create larger, multipurpose areas. A classic example is a rarely used dining room – if possible, rejoin an underutilised space to create a ‘mega room’, which in turn makes the home feel larger and more open plan.
Monitor Fixtures – When shopping for new items such as light fixtures and furniture during your renovation, try to keep them in the correct scale for the space. While a large hanging light might tickle your fancy, these larger additions can easily crowd a small room and feel like ‘overkill’ for the needs and limitations of the space in question.
Flow Through Flooring – If you’re able to, try to stick with the one flooring type throughout your home, as this will make a huge difference in the feeling of space. Laying floor boards is a great solution as these can be used in various rooms including the living spaces, kitchen areas and bedrooms, and help rooms to ‘transition’ into each other without feeling restrictive.
Sourcing The Right Flooring Materials For Your Renovation
While your options for flooring materials are almost limitless, selecting the right type of product for your home certainly isn’t an easy feat. With each space, comes a different preference or priority: are you chasing style, functionality, or simply want to stay within the budget?
In operation for over 24 years, at Tile Wizards we pride ourselves on getting you more – for less. We pioneered the warehouse format, and our stores are purposefully designed to make your selection easier, and ultimately offer our customers quality, price and the right advice.
Even if you are just after some honest and friendly advice – please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Tile Wizards today for a free quote. We’re able to work with you in order to bring your dream flooring solution to life.
