A TIP FOR CREATING EXTRA SPACE IN YOUR SELF-BUILT HOME

The size of your house is limited by the size of the plot on which it sits. You will actually have a footprint limit on your home if you use the footprint clause for replacement dwellings. Making the most of your space can be a good idea with this in mind.

The good news for self builders is that most self-builds are naturally bigger than developer houses, and using timber frame also adds to the available space because walls are thinner than those in masonry homes. If you still want to maximise the space in your home, there are loads of tips and tricks you can do to add a sense of space to your rooms.

Light colours

You can still incorporate dark colours if you prefer, but if you want to make your home seem larger, choose lighter colors. That goes for floors, walls, and furniture, but just one of those would instantly make a room feel larger if the all-over pastel look isn’t your preference. Light colours are a particularly good idea in smaller, darker rooms; a hallway, for example. If you've got a spacious lounge, by all means use darker colours there, but for a hallway or porch that might not have as much natural light, opting for light-coloured walls or floors can really lift the space.

Floating cabinets

Built-in furniture looks great, but it can make a room feel smaller. Floating and standalone furniture – particularly in bathrooms, which tend to be the smallest rooms in a house anyway – can really make a difference. Similarly, armchairs, sofas, and beds that are raised up on legs also create an illusion of more space. So if you want to use dark tiles in your bathroom, for example, but still want to make the space feel generous, floating furniture will counteract the effect of a dark floor.

Clever storage

Clutter takes up space and can make a good-sized room seem smaller. This is particularly applicable to kitchens, where you often find a lot of small appliances taking up counter space. Smart storage ideas, like rotating shelving hidden away in the corner cupboards or full-length pull-out shelves, can hide away your toaster etc and make your kitchen seem larger and tidier!

Consider open plan

It makes sense that the fewer walls you have, the bigger your living spaces will feel. An open-plan living, kitchen and dining room will make the most of your space. Open plans aren’t for everyone, though, and you don’t want the space to end up looking empty if you don’t have enough furniture to fill it.

Focus your lighting

Using one down-focused ceiling light draws light in the middle of the room and can make it feel smaller at the edges. Placing table or standing lamps around the room, particularly focusing on corners, will achieve the opposite effect and instead brighten up all the space. Alternatively, go for equidistant wall lights rather than one central ceiling light.