When re-designing your house, apartment etc., using space effectively is one of the hardest areas to consider - and we all have storage needs and that ‘dreaded' clutter and where to put it - as well as the problem often stated that the room is just not quite big enough - or if only we could just push that wall out!

We like to think that at KSD it is one of the areas we are good at.

Old houses often have thick internal walls - used as a form of insulation - and sometimes it is possible to take part down and create more space, or an old fireplace or chimney breast which may be used as a cupboard, attractive alcove with an unusual shape (which will add character to the overall look of the house) or perhaps a wardrobe can be made out of the chimney breast thus not taking up space in the actual room itself.

Loft areas are particularly tricky because of all the angles following the roof line andthe need for roof support.  However, by using the eaves for cupboards all the way along the roof line, the supports for building the cupboards will also act as roof supports - this is a very useful space area and cannot be used for anything else as you cannot stand up here anyway.

Incorporating corridors (which the Victorians were particularly keen on) into a room will gain an inordinate amount of space and reduce the amount of walking involved along corridors going in between one room and another - thus making the house much easier to run and creating useable additional "space" - this often brings a house
much more together as well - rather than having all rooms a long way from each other.

Mirrors reflecting windows and the outside give a wonderful feeling of space and also can bring the garden into the house - that lovely feeling of being outside!

Chunky, heavier furniture should really be installed in much larger rooms as this will suit the proportions. Chairs with open backs give a feeling of space, as do slimmer sofas, slim-line televisions and glass-topped tables.

When it comes to the placing of furniture, try different angles so that you have unusal lines (this gives character and stops that "waiting-room" look) and ensure that you can pass between it all, also giving a feeling of space, movement and that welcome feeling when you enter the room.

Jane Dodson
KSD Design Company