Having plenty of space to move around is something most of us enjoy. But with the rising house prices in Canada, it can be tricky to find a home in the right area that also affords plenty of free space for yourself, your children and everything else you need room for.
Whether you already have a home you are looking to optimize the space for, or whether you are considering buying a particular home that feels a bit small, this article will help you understand what your options are in terms of maximizing your space. Good luck!
Do not rush your decision
If you have just bought your home but have not yet moved in, you might not realize exactly what it is that makes the space feel cramped for instance. While not always possible, it can be a good idea to live in the home for a week or longer before making massive changes.
This is in order for you to get a good feeling of the flow of the space, and to get a better understanding of what would help and what is necessary. Nothing is worse than spending money and time on a renovation project that turns out to be unnecessary and thus a waste.
Opening up the space
One of the most common ways of maximizing space in a home, is by removing sections of walls that block the light and obstruct easy passages. Just remember not to touch load bearing walls without professional help, as this can lead to disaster in a short time.
Most of us are familiar with an open and combined dining room and kitchen area, but there are plenty of other areas where knocking down a part of the wall can free up room for all sorts of activities.
Consider dual purpose areas
These days there are plenty of brilliant solutions for the space conscious family. With many Canadians working from home, more and more people have turned their guest bedroom into a home office.
But what about when the inlaws are visiting? In this case something simple like a wall mounted bed that you can pull down, would allow you to keep working during the weekdays, and on the weekend convert the room to a livable guestroom.
Maximize the amount natural light
Luxury is defined by space and light. If you are having issues with the space in your home, maximizing the amount of natural light flowing into your rooms can help make the space feel larger and more open.
Consider adding windows or skylights, or removing heavy curtains to let in more light. Alternatively, a gable fronted dormer can not only add more light into the room, but even provide more square footage as well.
Build an extension to your home
Finally, the last option on our list is to add an entirely new section to your existing square footage. Whether this is connected directly to the rest of your home, or functions as a separate space for the teenager to enjoy is up to you.
You might even be able to convert the upstairs attic into a livable area. Just remember to check with local planning officers, and obtain all the necessary permits in order to fully register the area, and avoid potential fines and issues when selling the home down the road.