Minimal Space Maximum Lifestyle

Many people as they reach middle age, make the hugely exciting leap to invest in a second home by the Sea, or decide to purchase a holiday let as a Property business. Quite often the property will not be on the same scale as your main home, so it's worth exploring, what minimal space, maximal lifestyle means for you. 

Clever design is significant when space is a premium.  Small can be beautiful and many people for various reasons are now living in smaller homes. The great news is, that Manufacturers have cottoned on to the need to design functional furniture that fits into these types of spaces. 

Furniture choice is not the only consideration when living in smaller homes, the ability to plan out the use of your rooms is vital to ensure your satisfied with how your going to live in it & whether it suits your lifestyle?

There is various steps you can take to increase the illusion of a larger room.  Whether that's by the reflection of light or clever trickery by making rooms seem taller. Dual purpose spaces come from clever design if they are going to work well.  

If you live in a small home, then it's worth understanding how you live in that space and how you want to live in it. The best example is, if you're a keen cook, your going to want to maximise the space for preparing & eating meals, if you spend more time eating out & socialising with friends.  Then a smaller kitchen is sufficient.  If you think of it in these terms, then your likely to learn more about what your small home can give you and your needs.  Another example is your Bathroom, do you spend long periods of time away from the house and you have a quick shower before heading out for the day.  Well, why would you need a full Bath suite? Conversely, if you're in a high pressure job role, you may find that luxurious soak in the bath is just what you need at the end of the day. I hope this is beginning to make sense?

I've been living the Vanlife for the last few years and the bed we have in my mobile interior design showroom is the most comfortable bed, I've ever slept in.  Not a huge super King or Queen size. However the foam mattress is the most comfortable and I've enjoyed the best ever sleeps in recent months.  Bedrooms are another room that can be smaller in size and still have adequate storage solutions, if you plan it & organise your home. 

I'm a lover of fashion and I am a real enthusiast for handbags and shoes, it's a case of having a few wardrobe staples and alternating your wardrobe through the seasons.  You can then store items elsewhere, your not likely to need those designer sandals during Winter are you?

If you need an area to work or study, it would be fantastic if we had a garden office for us to work from, when not in the office or studying in University or at the Library.  This isn't always feasible.  Luckily technology & devices now give us flexibility to work in confined spaces.  Fold down desk furniture or dual purpose furniture like sidetable or dining room tables can help save room, the only caveat is to ensure you have a supportive seat if you're going to be spending a number of hours working from that station. 

Depending on the height of your rooms, you can also utilise this area more cleverly.  Mezzanines are an option or use the height of your room to store larger items.  For example a bike can be stored on brackets and double up as an art installation, you just need to keep it in prestine condition if it's on display as you want it to add to the aesthetic look of your home not detract from it.

Utilise every inch, alcoves are largely additional areas that could be better used.  If a room is open plan, then you could build a display cabinet on casters, this could be a practical way of creating different zones and if needs be, you could just place it next to the wall.

On average most homes have 13 treads on their staircases, image if they were converted into draws, it would be like having double chest of draws and it isn't encroaching into your bedroom space. 

This blog is even more important for properties within London because of the astronomical house prices in the Capital. 

If you need help with your small spaced home then get in touch now and we will help you to live well while designing your home in a efficient way. 

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