« Habtat For Humanity - Be part of a house build | Main | Response to your comments/emails »
June 11, 2006
Need more space in your home? Read this!
If you find that your home is getting to small for you and your family, taking advantage of wasted space may eliminate you having to move to a larger home or adding on an expensive addition.
This valuable real estate (wasted space) can be turned into great storage or living space that you may of overlooked or be unaware of.
Let me share with you just a few of the wasted spaces in people’s homes I’ve discovered while shooting (filming) the new show "Wasted Spaces" a new show that will air January 2007.
* Under stairs: It’s very common that these areas have been enclosed with drywall. There is a lot of unused space here. Stairs are generally supported top and bottom so side access can be possible as the studs are not load bearing. Always have a professional check prior to removal!
* Attics: If you have a pitched roof you have an attic. Some have more accessible space than others and can be a great area for storing items that are not necesarily used often. Do not store perishable items like bottles of wine etc. Photographs and video tape can be ruined due to the contrasting temperatures.. If you are reading this and you have this type of stuff up there take it out!
Attic ladders are a great option for accessing this storage area. If you have a large attic you may capitalize that space into a home office, extra bedroom/s etc. If you decide to do this, do the necessary research prior to starting as you will need the expertise of a structural engineer and various trades. Don't forget to check with your local city to find out if you need a permit?
This is really a goldmine if you can do this as you will increase the property value of the home. If it costs you $$ to do it and adds $$$$ to your home, it certainly makes sense!
* Basements. These rooms don't have to be just used for storage if they are ventilated and insulated correctly.
* Adding a loft to a high ceiling in a garage or bedroom.
We built one in a garage as the ceilings were 12 feet and turned it into a home office. This freed up the garage for other storage and the car found its original home again.
* Built in cupboards to knee walls. Generally in lofts and converted attics. This frees up the floor space.
* Wall niche
Interior stud walls have space between studs either 4 or 6 inches. These areas can be used to display art or be utilized as an open display cabinet or storage shelf/shelves. They are not very deep but can be useful for small belongings such as keys, cell phones and chargers etc. Always check to see if there are any wires or pipes prior to cutting! Never takeout a framing member (stud or post) without checking with a professional.
Note:
It’s a great idea to completely empty out a space so you can go through your belongs and get rid of what you don't need. Have a garage sale or donate to a charity. Because you should be occupying your space not your belongings. I think that our belongings can sometimes own us when it should be the other way around.
There are many more areas of the home that can be used to benefit your lifestyle.
Making a few changes in your home can make a huge difference to the way you live.
I hope this helps you out when looking for wasted space in your home!
Posted by karlchampley at June 11, 2006 10:27 PM
Comments
We all need more space when we have children. My wife has used every inch of our house and then some
Posted by: Ellis at June 20, 2006 1:26 PM
Thanks for the excellent advice. Can't wait to implement!
Pleasure!
Posted by: Gina at July 9, 2006 8:37 PM
Another way to open up space in the home is though installation of pocket doors. The swinging door uses 8-10 square feet of space. If you don't want to break into the wall, you can install the wall mount pocket door.
Thanks Mary Lou,
Yep its true,
Pocket doors are great & not to difficult to install. Infact I just installed one today!
Thanx
Posted by: Mary Lou Denny at July 10, 2006 1:05 PM
I need advise on how to cover glazed brick walls
in basement. I just purchased a home but
the basement needs updating the walls in the
basement look like walls in a gym or a swimming
pool dressing room, what can i do the modernize
with a fresh new look, would like to keep expense
down since I just had waterproofing done, and I
stucco or faux the walls
thanks
Posted by: Janice at July 10, 2006 10:10 PM
My husband and I are planning to remodel our 25 year old home by adding 5' to the back of the house. We live in a 2 story house and want the renovation to go to the 2nd floor so that the bathrooms can be enlarged to include a whirlpool and a double sink in the master bathroom and a larger walk-in closet in the master bedroom. We have a budget of $45,000 and want to know how to keep from getting bilked by a contractor.
Posted by: Jennie at August 1, 2006 12:45 PM
I just opened a large area under my stairway ( in the closet) There are the two side supports and there are 2(2x4's) about 12 in apart in the middle. can I remove the 2 middle ones, without the stairway falling LOL Thank You Now all i have is a 2 x 3 hole
Linda
Posted by: Linda Powers at August 27, 2006 1:58 PM
1st time home buyer looking to purchase a fixer upper. (other homes in my area are out of my budget) I need help! I know what I want and need for our family in my head. So I found a home thats in our budget but needs lots of love and tlc. My ideas for expanding the rooms may not be possible due to this is the weight barring wall at least I think it is? if this is not possilbe maybe an addition where do I start. Lost.
Posted by: Lorraine Caral at October 22, 2006 2:12 PM
Our kithen is straight out o the 50's cast iron and metal cabinets..we tried to paint the cabinets but rust seem to come through and they also don't clean up very well....Any ideals on what to do...we can't afford to remove them.....??????Help
Posted by: Tammy at October 24, 2006 11:31 AM
Our bathroom is from the 50's and the walls are a mess the previous owner also put in a shower but didn't do it correctly so the walls behind it probably are wet rotted is there and way to fix this problem without total reconstruction????
Posted by: Tammy at October 24, 2006 11:34 AM
