Add Space without Moving or Adding on

[missmanors]

Many of us need more space in our home, but cannot afford to move to get that extra space. Adding on an extra room is expensive, time consuming and not always necessary. We can use unused space that's already in our homes to get the results that we need.

Find a good carpenter or skilled handyman who can use wall space between studs to sink book cases into hallways and walls. Adding a window seat that doubles as a storage chest can enhance both the look and value of a bay window.

Unused space in corners and under stairs can be developed without creating a cluttered look, and cubbyholes can be added to kitchens and bathrooms which will provide storage for items used in those rooms. Keeping fresh towels in the bathroom also frees closet space for other uses.

Before buying replacements, cost-conscious experts recommend improving what homeowners already have. Resurfacing or relining an existing bathtub is much less expensive than buying and installing a new one.

Building cabinets, drop-down beds and creating lofts also will add space. But making major improvements in a downturn may not pay if a home is improved far beyond neighborhood standards. You will not want your house to be priced much higher than the neighborhood mean when the day you want to sell arrives.

The slumping economy has robbed many contractors of work. Because of the downturn, many contractors are offering good deals, right now. It also is the season for bargains, and many contractors get better prices from their materials suppliers during the winter.

[badmomma]

Those are wonderful ideas thank you for sharing. We have a stove that can be put into the countertop. We of course haven't set it in because we really need to redo the whole kitchen. These suggestions you gave us have given me a couple of ideas.

[flip_it_fast]

I love the idea of using the spaces between wall studs for books, videos, knick knacks or just about anything you want. There is a lot of wasted space there that I could certainly use in every room of my home.

[homealone]

These are really some great ideas you have posted here. Thank you. I am in the same boat as many people are. There just isnt enough of the right kind of space in my home. In my kitchen I have a grand total of only 2 small wall cabinets. This of course is not nearly enough room for all the items we all have in our kitchens. I guess I really need to look into a carpenter to make some shelving, and not only for my kitchen but for other rooms of my home as well.

[patricia]

Having a pantry in a kitchen is priceless. if you could take some room from the next room over and add a pantry to your kitchens and downsize the other room, it helps with all the storage needs of a kitchen, groceries..appliances..etc...anything you dont use everyday has a place to call home.

[missmanors]

You are right, patricia........putting in a pantry is a great way for using some extra space that may be available. With homealone's limited cabinet space in her kitchen, this could be the ideal solution for her.......if, of course, she can find the extra space in the next room to make that space available.