Blockheads’ four tips for living large in a small space
While many of us dream of having ample room in our homes, the reality for many of us is that our spaces are more compact than we may like.
But, this doesn’t mean we can’t have our homes renovated or decorated as we’d like them - it all comes down to being savvy with the space we have.
For Brad and Lara Cranfield, who claimed victory in the 2012 season of The Block, making conscious design choices helped them in renovating their dream house in Byron Bay and transforming it from a shack to a spacious home.
“Our house was in its original 1960’s condition when we purchased it. There were small rooms everywhere – an entry foyer, a lounge room and a pokey kitchen and dining room – so we knew that we had to open it up to increase the light, space and make it family-friendly,” Lara says.
If you’re looking to achieve something similar in your home, Lara and Brad have shared their four top tips for making the most of your space, even when it’s compact.
Be selective of flooring details
For Lara and Brad, selecting a light colour and the direction of their flooring was a key to helping open up their space.
The Carpet Court ambassadors chose light brown flooring that complemented their ‘beachy’ aesthetic, while also being within their budget and opening up their rooms.
“By selecting lighter flooring, we were able to visually open each room, particularly smaller areas such as the bedrooms and home office, making each look and feel larger,” Lara explains.
“Installing the flooring so that it ran along the length of each room was critical in visually elongating the rooms, making them appear larger.”
Open up with your windows
Even if you’re working with limited space, taking advantage of windows can help make your home feel larger than it really is.
“Windows play an important role in opening up a space – from letting in natural light to drawing the eye upwards or towards the outdoors – so how they are dressed needs to be carefully considered,” Lara says.
To take advantage of their high ceilings, Lara and Brad installed floor-to-ceiling window shades and opted for a thin track system to create a simple, sleek look.
Another option is to add in a skylight or install larger windows, with the couple suggesting those that are floor-to-ceiling to maximise natural light entering your spaces.
“Ensuring your home has enough access to natural light is essential in helping it feel spacious, bright, and open,” Lara adds.
Take to the walls
Along with more light and light flooring, busting out the paint on your walls and ceilings can work in tandem to open up your home.
“Using light coloured paint on the walls and ceiling will also help maximise the space and work alongside the natural light to brighten your home,” Lara says.
If you opt for a darker paint, less natural light will be reflected within the home and artificial light will be muted.
Rearranging your walls altogether - if it’s in your budget - is another dramatic way to change the space inside your home.
After eliminating some of the walls in their home, Lara and Brad turned their series of small rooms into an open plan living area - with dramatic results.
“To maximise space, we knocked down all adjoining walls to create a large, open plan living area. As some of the walls were load bearing, we had to add ceiling beams,” Lara explains.
“Eliminating these walls has changed the way that we live – I can now see where the family is and what they’re up to, which is great when you have young children.”
Balance furniture and clutter
After picking your flooring, changing your physical spaces and updating the paint, all that’s left is to decorate, which can also be done strategically.
Lara suggests scaling the size of your furniture to your spaces and removing unnecessary items to minimise clutter, and even considering built-in furniture.
“Make sure that you select the right scale furniture for a space – and that doesn’t always mean including small items for small rooms! Large furnishings can still be put into a small room. And remember, less is more, so if a room is cluttered make sure you declutter and take any unnecessary items out,” she says.
“You also want your room to be functional – you may create a beautiful room on paper, however in reality it doesn’t always work. Built-in furniture, like a banquette with storage or a coffee table that works as a box, allows you to enjoy the room and your home free of unnecessary clutter.”
Images: Instagram / Depthfield Photography - Michael Lean