Four ways to get extra space out of your home

The struggle for space is real. Many homeowners are searching for ways to maximise space and dreaming up new ways to add an extra room.

It might be a study, an extra bedroom or rumpus for the kids. Whatever it is, there are ways and means to find that Holy Grail of extra space in your home.

Declutter (to the max)

It’s been said before, but there’s no pain in underlining it: decluttering is the easiest way to make room.

Some people swear by the three-bag system, one for throwing out, a second for donating and a third for putting away, while others are Marie Kondo disciples. Some like to make it a challenge by setting a timer for their cleanathon, or fun by popping on the music or setting up before-and-after photos.

Whatever your style, get it done and you’ll wish you’d decluttered sooner.

Creating multi-purpose spaces

Finding ways for spaces to become flexible has been a common fad during lockdowns. Hours upon hours spent indoors inspire people to become creative with rooms and even nooks within their homes.

Study nooks can be slotted under stairs or into wardrobes (if clothes are compacted into tight storage systems). Room dividers, such as freestanding screens, can be used to break up a larger space into two separate sections, allowing furniture to be rearranged.

Homes with ceiling heights over 2.7 metres can consider adding a mezzanine space, which opens up a whole new elevated space that could be used for everything from a small bedroom to storage.

Extensions

Extending may or may not be a cost-effective way to solve your spatial problems. Depending on the foundations you want to build upon and adjoin to, you may find it’s an expensive option once permits are taken into account.

An extension or remodel can also unearth existing problems that may throw a costly spanner in the works. It’s best to do your due diligence way in advance of getting your hopes up.

Starting over

Knock-down rebuilds are a great way to start afresh. As the name implies, it involves demolishing an existing home to rebuild from scratch on the same site.

It’s often the ideal solution for those who have a long list of features they would like to change about their home, says Adrian Popple, Metricon’s design director, product development.

“A lot of homes that have been around for a long time are quite small and don’t have a lot of flexibility,” he says. “There are great ideas that you get in a brand new home now. It might be a two-storey house that gives you that ability to include a lot more space, whether it be an extra bedroom or an extra bathroom, more storage or the inclusion of a guest bedroom.”

Some choose to live with family while the new home is under construction, while others rent locally. The result is a new home with new fixtures and fittings, Popple says.

“You’re obviously getting a new home, not half and half like you would with a renovation,” he says.

“You’re going to get better-quality materials, a better-insulated home generally from a heating and cooling perspective and you’re probably going to have more room, more bedrooms, an extra living area, up-to-date kitchens and bathrooms, and lots more storage.”

There’s a broad range of choices when it comes to making extra space, ranging from small to big impact; cheap to expensive. As you weigh everything up, be sure to consider how permanent your changes need to be and whether they are geared for the future.