General News
17 September, 2024
6 home upgrades to make the most of your space
This is branded content.
This is branded content.
When your space is limited, every square metre matters, and as houses across Australia seem to get (or at least feel) smaller and smaller, great minds are coming up with ideas that maximise the space you have with practical designs.
1- Custom built-in storage
Custom built-in storage is one such solution that can transform your home by making the most of vertical space. Building up, instead of across, uses those high-up spaces that would otherwise go untouched. Even spaces you can't reach are great for storage, with a few ingenious adaptations like a DIY rolling ladder to reach your dusty book collection.
By integrating storage units into walls, under stairs, or even in unused corners, you also free up floor space and reduce clutter. Aside from the benefits of having more places to stuff the kid's toys, vertical storage opens up spaces that can feel compact with traditional chests, drawers, and cupboards all over the place.
If you choose custom built-in storage, it can easily be designed to blend in with your home's decor or add a touch of personality to your spaces. If you are a couch queen, a built-in entertainment unit can house your TV, gaming consoles, and other electronics while providing additional shelving for personal and decorative items.
Prefer to be in the kitchen? A custom pantry can maximise the space by keeping your cooking essentials both organised and easily accessible.
2- Extra insulation
This might seem like a strange choice, but bear with me for a second because even in the best homes, there is often a room or two that don't get used because they are either too hot in summer or freezing cold in winter.
Whether it's a draughty attic, a sunroom with large windows, or a garage that lets in all the cold air, these spaces can become wasted. When a room is uncomfortable due to temperature extremes, it's easy to overlook its potential. Instead, it becomes a place to store things, or an empty room, rather than a functional part of the home.
With the right adjustments, these underutilised areas can be transformed into cosy, functional spaces. For example, little changes like insulation for garage doors allow you to turn a space that might be quite cold in winter into a room that you can use all year long.
3- Breakfast nook
A lot of those little corner spaces, wide hallways, and entry areas around the kitchen and lounge go unused or are engulfed by large chests or skinny couches. Instead, imagine a sunny breakfast corner that gets used by the family every day. They are easy to plan out and do not require complex installation, and they can bring a cosy, inviting vibe to your home.
A breakfast nook has plenty of uses; it can be a place to enjoy your morning coffee or even a spot for the kids to do their homework. By adding built-in seating with storage underneath, you can maximise both comfort and utility.
Choosing the right lighting and decor will make this corner somewhere you enjoy spending time, and it will draw people in, making it a cherished part of everyone's routine. Even in a small home, a well-designed breakfast nook can make your space feel more spacious and connected.
4- Outdoor cover
Let's face it: open outdoor areas are nice... to look at. So often, patios and decks are too hot or too wet to properly enjoy, so why not consider adding some cover?
If you live somewhere down south where the wet and wild fronts often roll in, consider some water protection - trying to survive summer in Queensland? Consider a shade sail so you can enjoy the outdoors safely. Aside from protecting you from the elements, covers are a great way to protect your precious outdoor furniture.
5- Transform your attic
Attics are a mysterious place - is yours full of old family possessions or a supposedly haunted space no one dares to venture into? I have certainly seen some attics that send shivers down the spine. Regardless, with a little planning and clever design, your attic can become a functional and inviting space.
Whether you need a home office, an extra bedroom, or a quiet reading corner, start by improving insulation and ventilation to make the area comfortable year-round. Adding skylights can bring in natural light, making the space feel larger and more welcoming. Incorporating built-in storage helps keep the area organised, freeing up floor space. With thoughtful choices, your attic can go from a neglected space to a valuable part of your home.
6- Landscaping
When you stare out into the garden on a sleepy Sunday afternoon, what do you imagine? A gardening patch? Yoga area? Basketball court? One of those giant chess sets? Whatever you want is possible... within limits, of course, and it doesn't have to break the budget. There are hundreds of budget-friendly small garden ideas that put even the most limited space to great use.
The ideas you dream up for using unused space in your home are a great place to start when it comes to making the most of your space; with a little planning and research, you can build a simple plan to get cracking.
Don't be put off by the work, simply plan a project that fits into your schedule and get started. Use our ideas or your own and create a home you love - full of spaces you've optimised.