Magic Pudding Interiors: 5 more tips for creating space in your house without extending
The best part of our work is helping homeowners envision new possibilities for their existing spaces. And working in the Inner West comes with its own challenges of heritage conservation that might constrain options when renovating. Even when faced with constraints, we believe in helping our clients find creative ways to manufacture the sensation of expansive space from seemingly nothing.
The greatest validation? When a client shares that their friends often ask, "How much did you extend the building?" And surprisingly, their response is: "we didn’t."
By reconfiguring the back portion of the home - renovating the kitchen, laundry and bathroom - we made the house feel significantly larger. They told us that any guests who knew the space before can’t believe how much bigger it feels, especially considering it fits within the same envelope.
How did we do it - read this blog here. Also check out our darling magazine article at Page 51. ;)
Thanks to all the positive responses and comments. It was one of our most successful posts ever so we’ve decided to double down and put together 5 more secret: achieving fantastic results within a fixed envelope
Here are 5 more of Ballast Point’s key principles for maximising space without extending the building footprint:
Create a Masterplan: It might be tempting to make small adjustments when you can't expand the footprint. However, the less space you have, the more planning is essential. It’s about maximising the quality of each space.
Overcome the Sunk Cost Fallacy: A recently renovated bathroom in the wrong spot might seem like something you need to work around. But if relocating it could greatly enhance the home's value not only for future buyers but for the way you and your family lives, far outweighing the initial cost. The thing about a sunk cost is that we are wired to hold onto things. But objectively whether your bathroom is brand new or 30 years old the difference is the value of the fittings and finishes - say $5K - and yet we are so much more
Optimise Storage: Swap cabinets for drawers, and prioritise full-height storage to make the most of vertical spaces. Consider built-in storage or fixed shelving to make the most of wall space.
Embrace Deletion: Begin by decluttering. Sometimes, merely reorganizing can dramatically transform a space.
Elevate with natural Light and Lighting: lighting fixtures can significantly elevate a room and alter the feeling of the space.
At Ballast Point, we can share our knowledge and experience to help you transform your space within the existing footprint, minimising the need for time-consuming and complicated council approvals and helping you stay in the house you love and find creative ways to improve it. Contact us for a consultation.
