As an interior designer, I get asked a lot of questions about making the most of your living space. Here are the two most popular one and some suggestions on how to handle them.
Q1: Should I build an extension to get more space?
A1: The first question as an interior designer that I get asked a lot is whether someone should bite the bullet and build an extension on their property. While an extension is usually a great way of adding more space and value to your home, you should think carefully before jumping in.
First of all is it essential? Are you building an extension rather than clearing out old belonging that you don’t use or need anymore? If this is the case then maybe you should skip the extension and just get a skip! Organising your home effectively can help you get more space without the building work.
However, if you are you going to have another baby, will they need their room? Would sharing a room with a sibling be impossible for now? Is an elderly relative going to be staying with you? Will they need their space? If the answer is no to any of these questions, then you should seriously think twice before getting an extension!
What type of extension do you need?
The next question you should ask is what kind of extension would suit your needs best? Do you need an extra bedroom, bathroom or more family space downstairs? If you are looking to extend the ground floor, you may have more options to consider. You can choose a conservatory or a brand new orangery to give you more room on your lower level. With this option, you get more space and also get the benefit of maintaining a high level of light and that flow through from the home into the garden that is so popular nowadays.
Q2: If getting organised means more space, how do I do that with a house full of kids?
A2: So if you have decided that you are going to go the organisation route rather than the extension route, have you got a plan of action? Many people say that they struggle to keep organised because the kids are messy. Of course, this is in part true. It is harder to keep your home tidy when you have little ones running all over the pace. But there are things that you can do about it.
Designated playroom
The first is to have a designated playroom. That way the kids can make as much mess and get as many toys as they want out and you can just shut the door on it at the end of the day. That way it doesn’t spill out into the rest of the house.
Tidying routine
The next thing is to build tidying up into the kids routine. Use a jolly song to help motivate them and make it into a game. Make sure that there is plenty of places to put the toys away, like these wicker draws in the photos. You’d be surprised what a difference 10 minutes of riding can make. It also gets your kids in great habits for later in life.