Make the most of unused space

Need more room? Here’s how to unlock the storage potential in your home, and expand your living space without increasing its footprint

Unlock your home’s space-saving potential in under-used areas

We all have places in our homes that have mutated into nothing more than dumping grounds, and that are crying out to be transformed into usable spaces. The loft, cellar, garage and understairs cupboard are all likely culprits, up for getting a new lease of life, and it’s also worth thinking about how you can take advantage of a neglected alcove, corner or landing to create a designated spot for working or relaxing. Begin by clearing the clutter, then examine your house from a fresh perspective and you’ll be amazed at how much additional space it can yield.

LIBERATE THE LOFT

Converting the attic will give you space for an office or extra bedroom at least. To make the project viable, you’ll need a minimum 2.2 metres of head height, and the job will be easier – and cheaper – if the roof has rafters rather than trusses, and you opt for skylights instead of adding a mansard or dormer. Work involves installing a permanent staircase, insulation, heating and electrics, and you’ll require building regulations consent and a party wall agreement if your home is terraced or semidetached. Fit cupboards into the eaves to make up for the lost storage space.

RENOVATE THE CELLAR

A cellar can be put to good use as a sitting room, utility, playroom or home gym. Building a new basement from scratch is phenomenally expensive but turning an existing cellar into living space costs roughly the same as converting a loft, though allow extra funds if you’re planning to lower the floor to increase the ceiling height. You’re unlikely to need planning permission but to comply with building regulations, the basement will need to be insulated and waterproofed, usually by tanking it with a special coating. Underground rooms have a tendency to be dark, but fitting a sun tunnel to channel daylight in from outside is far less pricey than installing a light well.

SPRUCE UP THE SHED

The beauty of a shed or garden building is that it’s self-contained, so offers personal space away from the rest of the household. If yours is looking rather unloved, with a little time and effort it can be turned into a den, study or hobby room. First check that it’s watertight, tackle any repairs and clean it inside and out. Thermal insulation is vital if you’re planning to use the shed all year round – try rolls of sheep’s wool – and get an electrician to run wiring from the house. You’re then ready to decorate interior and exterior walls, before adding finishing touches. We’ll have more on how to make the most of your shed next month.

REPURPOSE THE GARAGE

Research by Admiral Home Insurance has found that 45 per cent of garage owners never or rarely use it to park their car, mostly because it’s filled with junk. Clearing out and transforming an attached or integral garage into a new room is more budgetfriendly and less disruptive than building an extension, and perfect for an office, snug, playroom or gym. Conversion costs start at around £5,000, and include replacing the exterior door with a wall, upgrading the roof, insulating, rewiring and installing heating and possibly a window and plumbing. It’s likely to fall within permitted development so won’t need planning permission, though you’ll have to get building regulations consent for change of use.

CONVERT THE CUPBOARD UNDER THE STAIRS

Customised storage – which can incorporate cupboards, shelving, cubby holes and drawers – is one way of utilising the wedge of space under the stairs, but installing a cloakroom adds more functionality and value to your home. Fit the WC at the sloping end, a compact basin and a wall-mounted towel radiator or underfloor heating, and a sliding or pocket door if it opens into a narrow hall. Alternatively, creating a play den for the kids costs next to nothing – paint the interior in fun colours, and stash beanbags and toys inside. Or you could open up the cavity and slot in a desk and shelves, though it might not be the quietest spot to work in.

RESURRECT DEAD AREAS

It can be tricky to identify where space is going to waste, but there may well be somewhere hidden in plain sight that isn’t fulfilling its potential. Look along your walls – how about fitting a work or hobby area into the alcove next to the chimney, or on an unused landing? And why not utilise a bay or recessed window by creating a built-in bench seat with storage? Consider knocking through into a redundant airing cupboard to give yourself an en suite, and take advantage of a high ceiling to insert a mezzanine level.

The only way was up for the owners of this first floor flat, who commissioned architecture firm Resi to design a living room, bathroom and terrace in their loft

This smart snug/home office – designed by Resi – complete with its front-facing bay window, was once a gloomy, unused garage

Under the stairs is a magical spot for a mini playroom. Remove the door, hang a curtain and fill with toys. Wall in Banana Split, Pebble Shore and Dusted Fondant emulsion, £16 for 2.5L, Dulux

An under-stairs cloakroom is handy for busy homes. Wall-hung fittings, such as Ideal Standard’s Concept Space range, take up minimal room

A low ceiling and awkward angles are all part of the charm of this child’s bedroom, squeezed into a bijou loft space and painted white to boost natural light, by MorenoMasey

Interior designer Karen Knox of Making Spaces put her landing to good use by fitting an L-shaped desk along the window

Reclaiming previously under-utilised space in a shed or garage can give you enough room for a dedicated area for yoga, pilates or other exercise. Om monogrammed yoga mat, £45, and block, from £20, Initially London

Revamp the shed for a quick, cheap way to gain versatile extra space. Finish it off in Cuprinol Garden Shades in Honey Mango and Black Ash, from £14 for 1L, to bring a splash of colour to the garden

A recessed or bay window offers the best seat in the house – pop some comfy cushions on top, and curl up with a good book. Window seat pad in Plain Kale, £195, Vanessa Arbuthnott

At its Boroughmuir redevelopment in Edinburgh, Cala Homes has made spectacular use of the former school building’s double-height ceilings with mezzanine-level bedrooms in the apartments

This basement conversion in a mews house comprises an open-plan kitchen and living area with bi-fold doors opening out to a small garden that’s actually a light well, covered with reinforced glass above, by Simply Basement

Tuck a flexible workstation inside an alcove. Desk, chair and shelving, all IKEA