Doable Ways to Maximize Your Space

Whether you’re living in a house, apartment, or condominium unit, space is definitely a precious thing. With all that we do and keep in our homes, it’s inevitable that you would want to maximize the space that you have, and even extend it.

Thankfully, there are a few smart tricks to achieve a more spacious residence without having to renovate it, or even transfer to a new place. Understanding your space, from layout to fixtures, is key.

With even more space, your place will become a lot more functional, too. You can have more storage (as long as you do it smartly), have a wider space to entertain guests, and live a breathable, clutter-free life.

Here are a few helpful tips to make your space look and feel a lot bigger:

Let Go

The goal is to make your place neat and organized. This means, firstly, to get rid of any and all clutter. Remember that small spaces for small things do add up—the more things you hoard, no matter how inconsequential they may seem, the more space will be eaten up. Decluttering is truly the first step—you’d be surprised how much space you save once you’ve decided to just stick with the essentials.

Another must is to organize your belongings neatly. Neat storage is actually a space-saving tip, as things organized in a disorderly manner tend to look more clumped and cluttered, and eat up otherwise usable space as well.

Compartmentalize

Think of your space in sections. If you are game to re-organize your whole space, then it would be helpful to do it according to each section’s function or purpose. Make a whole new floor plan according to what you need your space to do—for example, it can include: a place to hang out by yourself, a place to entertain guests, a place to cook and dine. Visualize which parts of your space would work well for each compartment. This way, your place would be more compact and efficient. You would also be sure every piece of furniture and decor actually serves a purpose, and it would be easier to determine the things you don’t need.

Maximum Storage

There are many ways to utilize storage to free up space in your home. You can invest in floor to ceiling storage pieces which not only gives you a lot storage-wise but also creates the illusion of length. Keep in mind that open storage draws the eye, and should, therefore, be used especially for higher storage places, such as kitchen cupboards. Nesting pieces can also be considered, as these are pieces of furniture that are capable of fitting more things without looking too bulky. If you have a staircase, the space under it can be utilized for even more storage.

Essential Furniture

The key to making your space look bigger, at least when it comes to the pieces involved, is balance. You should avoid both oversized furniture as well as furniture that is too small for your place, as it only messes up the proportions of your space. Make sure the furniture you select is just the right size—opt instead for low sitting furniture which increases the vertical space. Also, you can use artwork to create the illusion that your home is wider and bigger—make sure to place your art pieces above eye level to achieve this.

Light Illusions

One failsafe method of making your place seem a lot bigger than it is, is by using light. If your place doesn’t have a lot of light pouring into it, you can cheat this. Opt for light tones for your walls—you can even go white for a clean, crisp look from which your furniture pieces can be set against nicely. Semi-opaque materials are good to use around your home as well, since they make it seem like light is shining through them and thus seemingly increase the space. You can use light curtains, for example. Semi-opaque space dividers and window treatments will also help you achieve this effect, so you can incorporate them in your rooms and open areas. Positioning them in places where light actually hits is especially helpful.

Of course, if what you desire is acquiring a residence wherein space is not an issue, condominium developments such as The Paddington Place specialize in offering breathable and spacious suites ranging from studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. Inspired by modern architecture and the grand Paddington Station in London, The Paddington Place is a premium, four-tower project promising top-tier facilities and world-class amenities, including its very own shopping center. Situated in the heart of Mandaluyong, The Paddington Place offers an easy and elegant lifestyle right in the middle of the city—in close proximity to business districts, schools, hospitals, and recreational centers. For a place that truly allows you to breathe, look no further than The Paddington Place. Visit the website www.empire-east.com or follow @empireeast on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/MF