When exploring the option to renovate or extend your property, you may feel limited by a lack of existing space. Even in the most modest size homes there are always ways to maximise and better utilise the space. This could be with an extension or loft conversion to add rooms, or it could require a rethink of the internal layout. Sometimes it’s simply clever use of the fixtures and fittings to help a room reach its full potential. Our team have a wealth of experience when it comes to ‘small house design’ and lots of tips and tricks to make a small property seem bigger.

At Home Tales we work with a variety of properties including flats and maisonettes, which often require careful consideration when renovating – and meeting planning requirements. Often clients will want to explore extending these spaces (Flat Renovations: Where Do I Start?) but where that isn’t an option, we look at ways of optimising the existing size. In Earlsfield we refurbished the kitchen, dining area and bathroom of a 2-bed flat to improve the original cluttered configuration. A separate utility room within the kitchen was an underused misuse of space, so we removed the internal walls to create one large, open plan room that allowed for a beautiful modern kitchen, a sleek dining space AND room for all the appliances and utilities our client needed. 

The property also featured a bathroom that while functional, felt dark and cramped. Although there was not the option to expand the size of the room, our design team were able to reconfigure the fixtures to create a lighter, brighter space that creates the illusion of a bigger room.

Another great example of simple changes that can have a huge impact in smaller spaces can be found in this ground floor extension. By no means a small room, this kitchen does feature a clever portable kitchen island. This would be fantastic in compact kitchens, allowing you the flexibility of use that a static island does not. This particular island doubles as extra worktop and dining space, perfect when a permanent dining area or breakfast bar isn’t an option.

We’ve talked before about ‘The Middle Room Conundrum in a Victorian Terrace’. Traditionally designed to be long and narrow, these properties often feature a windowless in-between room, originally used as a dining or spare living area. These rooms although small, take up a large chunk of the ground floor but aren’t always the most practical in modern family homes. In this Wandsworth property our client opted to remove the dividing wall separating two lounge areas to create one large, bright reception room.

In the same property the homeowners found another classic feature of Victorian design, a ground floor bathroom separated into one room housing the bath and sink, and a second adjacent room for the toilet. Both rooms were impractically small for family living, so we removed the internal wall and as planning permission was required to make alterations to the exterior of the property, we obtained permission to replace the window with new sash windows that were double the original width of the opening.

We’ve faced controversy before when discussing chimney removal, but it can often be a great way to increase the usable space in a room. Chimneys and fireplaces rarely serve as practical or crucial components to a modern home, and we find many homeowners prefer the design freedom of a larger room. In this London family home, our client was looking to create a beautiful nursery that could grow alongside their child’s needs. By removing the chimney, the entire shape of the room was changed into one better prepared for bigger beds and furniture in the coming years. Not sure about chimney removal? We discuss the pros and cons over on our blog ‘The Chimney: To Stay or Go?’.

We extended and reconfigured the ground floor of this family home in Worthing. The extension wasn’t huge, but it enabled the addition of a utility and pantry. This benefits the rest of the ground floor as bulky items can be stored away, allowing the living space to be less cluttered and therefore appear more spacious. We also removed some internal walls which opened up the entire ground floor into one open-plan area; some of the walls were kept to help zone and functional areas.

We know space and the uncertainty around the potential to renovate can be a huge issue when purchasing a home. At Home Tales we offer our consultation service, free of charge, to everyone – regardless of if you’re a homeowner or prospective buyer. Our team are always happy to discuss the feasibility of renovating a property you’re considering as a future home. To find out more about how we can support you pre-purchase head to our blog ‘Buying A House That Needs an Extension’.

If you’re struggling to see the potential in a smaller space book a free, no obligation consultation with our expert design and planning team. You can call us on 02070432378 or email us at hello@hometales.co.uk. You can also book a free consultation directly via our online diary here.