If you have a small home, perhaps you live in a studio flat, or you have a large family in a small house, it can feel cramped and claustrophobic. It can be hard to feel relaxed in your own home when it feels too small for your needs, but there are some ways you can make it feel bigger and more spacious.
Of course the obvious solution is to actually make it bigger. If you can afford it, and there is any way you do it then building an extension, converting a loft or cellar, or adding a conservatory or even a porch is a good idea. Any extra space will help, and used to maximum effect even a small extra space can be incredibly useful for storage.
Have a look at the space you already have and see if any of it can be used for a different purpose. Could a garage be turned into another bedroom or an office, could a larder be converted into an extra shower room?
Be ruthless, do you really need all those books? Will you ever read them again? Are there toys and games the kids have outgrown and simply don't play with anymore? Go through each room in the house and get rid of anything you don't use. The more things you have out on display the more cluttered and small a room will feel, so it's best to keep things hidden away in drawers and cupboards than have them out on shelves etc. Try not to fill your home with ornaments if you want it to feel more spacious. Having a good clear out can be very therapeutic. You'll be surprised at how much better the house will feel and you're not likely to miss anything you get rid of. You could even have a garage sale or take it all to a car boot sale and make some money from your old unused items.
Next consider the décor. Any fussy patterns will make a room feel smaller. If you have patterned carpets or lino then consider replacing this with laminate flooring or porcelain floor tiles. The same applies to the walls. Busy patterns will make a small room feel smaller. Dark colours too will make the room appear smaller than it actually is. So opt for plain light colours throughout.
Get as much light in as possible. If you can get rid of net curtains without being concerned for your privacy then do so. Or how about replacing a window with patio doors onto the garden? This will let in more light, and in summer you can have the doors open and it will instantly make the house feel bigger as your garden will feel more like part of the house, rather than just being the outside.
Don't forget the garden too. If you make it a pleasant place to be in on warmer days then it can feel as if you have an extra room in your house. If you have a large garden you could also get a summer house that could be used as an extra room or even an office if you work from home perhaps, or need some extra space to pursue a hobby.
