Big Up Your Living Space
Reconfiguring existing living space offers instant payback – it’s quick and easy to do, costs next to nothing and doesn’t require planning approval. From clever storage and multi-purpose furniture to one-step structural changes, the key is to maximise the size of the rooms in which you spend most of your time.
Pass on the partitions
Knocking down a partition wall is the simplest way to create a more versatile, multi-tasking living area. Open plan arrangements work best if you highlight key zones such as living, dining and work. You can do this with the help of accent lighting, and a mixed floor surface. Select a colour theme for the entire space and add a couple of signature tones for accent. Stick to just one or two large-scale items of furniture with a common thread that knits the zones together, be it the style, colour or fabric. Leave small pieces out of the equation – they’ll just make the area look cluttered.
Laura Henderson is a property journalist, author and investment experts. Editor of Abode2 magazine www.abode2.com, her latest book Tricks and Mortar: The Little Book of Property Wisdom is out now.
Pass on the partitions 
Knocking down a partition wall is the simplest way to create a more versatile, multi-tasking living area. Open plan arrangements work best if you highlight key zones such as living, dining and work. You can do this with the help of accent lighting, and a mixed floor surface. Select a colour theme for the entire space and add a couple of signature tones for accent. Stick to just one or two large-scale items of furniture with a common thread that knits the zones together, be it the style, colour or fabric. Leave small pieces out of the equation – they’ll just make the area look cluttered. Get savvy with storage
Built-in storage units that extend to the ceiling are perfect for squirreling away clutter, while modular units offer a versatile back-up for day-to-day use and can be added to suit your changing needs. Shelving is best for books – but if you opt for thicker ledges, you can double capacity. Alcoves and awkward areas under the eaves are ideal for little cupboards, while the wedge under the stairs can be kitted out with hooks and racks for miscellaneous knick-knacksMake room for manoeuvre...
For a free-flowing space, visually connect adjoining rooms by using similar materials for the floors and walls and arrange furniture so that it doesn’t block windows or doors. The further you can see through a space, the larger it will seem. Keep your colour palette pale – that way, light bounces off the floor and wall surfaces and reflects back into the room. For very tight spaces, think about having vertical radiators installed. They don’t need to be worked around and can also be customised to accommodate angles and curves. Dual-purpose furniture now comes in a variety of whacky forms from beds with TVs secreted in their footboards to pullout under stair study/home offices.Laura Henderson is a property journalist, author and investment experts. Editor of Abode2 magazine www.abode2.com, her latest book Tricks and Mortar: The Little Book of Property Wisdom is out now.