If you’ve ever looked at a floorplan of an apartment or home, it’s easy to tell that in most cases the entire space is just a basic shape that has been cordoned off into separate rooms and living areas. It’s apparent that the appeal and design of any home is primarily influenced by the arrangement of its walls, fixtures, furniture, and appliances. Thus, the best way to completely redesign and renovate any home would be to consider an adjustment of those components. With that said, let’s take a look at four out-of-the-box techniques you can use to maximize the comfort and convenience of your home’s square footage:
1. Consider Vaulted Ceilings and a Loft
Many homes are wasting vertical space on boring rafters, attics, and an excessive amount of insulation. Why not convert that space into a room with vaulted ceilings and maybe even install a loft and spiral staircase? Some people use this method to convert a one-story home into a two-story dwelling. After clearing out ceiling space for a loft, it would also be easy to install skylights for enhanced natural lighting.
2. Tear Down a Wall, or Two
Oftentimes, simply tearing down the wall dividing one room and the next can create a much larger space. This is commonly done between living rooms and dining rooms to create a den, or between two bedrooms to create a larger master bedroom. This kind of project is typically an affordable renovation when accounting for the costs of demolition, materials, and labor. However, brick homes or those with concrete construction may need the assistance of a concrete cutting service like www.allstatesconcretecutting.com.
3. Convert the Attic into a Bedroom
While there may be some building codes to contend with, in many cases you can safely convert at least part of your attic space into a bedroom. Of course, a few factors you might want to consider include electrical, plumbing, and HVAC components. Fortunately, converting an attic space into a bedroom is usually a job that fits within the capabilities of a do-it-yourselfer, so a decent handyman should be able to handle the bulk of the labor independently.
4. Install Built-in Seating and Tables
Let’s face it, tables and chairs take up square footage, even when they’re not in use. Why not install a fold-out table, switch to a bar and stool setting, or add built-in foldable benches to the wall? You could also have a platform table slide out of the wall or fold downwards. Keep looking for additional ways to clear space by eliminating unnecessary pieces of furniture.
Add an Outside Area or Basement
As a bonus tip, why not add a sub-level to the home by installing a basement, or add more space outside with the addition of a deck, porch, or patio? Anything you can do to increase the amount of livable square footage is a good thing when it comes to getting the most out of the space your home has to offer.
