Innholdsfortegnelse for The Small Homes Handbook i The Small Homes Handbook

Small house but lofty ambitions? Don’t worry – there are so many ways to make smaller living spaces full of character and charm. In this brand-new title from the makers of Ideal Home magazine, we’ll share expert advice on making the most of the space you’ve got, including clever storage solutions to hide clutter, and designers’ tricks to make spaces feel brighter and bigger. From compact kitchens to bijoux bedrooms, we’ll help you make the most of every room to keep your home cosy and completely you! The content in this book is aimed at providing inspiration for furniture, decorating, and storage solutions that can work in your home. Specific products are referenced within the book as a guide only - while the trends, prices and availability of products was…

1. SHELF Rather than choosing bulky furniture to house a TV or decorative accessories, streamline your space with a low-level shelf instead. Build a simple wooden box that runs the width of your wall, ensuring it’s deep enough to safely support what it needs to. Paint or panel the front to match the wall behind, then top with a plank of painted wood, leftover worktop or even a slab of slate. YouTube has lots of ‘how to’ guides to follow 2. PANELLING Panelling your walls is a great way to add interest and texture to a blank space, plus it’s hard-wearing too. If your living space is also a games room or play area, panelling is a good option for coping with everyday wear and tear, but it still looks…

Only a few years ago, working from home was something most of us did very rarely, if at all. But how things have changed! Now, and possibly forever, our routines will involve some element of home working – meaning keeping your office-related essentials neatly stored at the end of the working day is vital in ensuring you keep your home and study space separate. Almost any space in our home can work as a place to do business. But regardless of whether you have a separate study, are conference calling from a desk in the bedroom or are working on the kitchen table, good storage will make things a lot easier. ‘Hide everything in a ‘cloffice’ The latest WFH trend, a ‘cloffice’ is a combination of ‘closet’ and ‘office’ –…

1 “Green is a powerful colour” ‘I love being around nature, so added large windows and used green on walls and ceiling to bring the outdoors in. Outside, vertical planting and clusters of pots have turned my garden into a haven.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Wall and ceiling painted in Louisburg Green, Benjamin Moore. PlantBox living-wall system (opposite page), Growing Revolution “I love sitting in my SUNNY KITCHEN with my COFFEE, reading the SUNDAY papers” 2 “Kitchens can be practical and pretty” ‘My interior designer, Cathy Dean of Studio Dean, helped me to create a bright, sleek, modern layout that is so functional, and beautiful to boot.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES WOOOD Damon dining table, Naken Interiors. Ukari leather dining chairs in Rich Green, Nkuku. Ellipse lampshade, Nordic Nest 3 “Unexpected…

Our kitchen cabinets store pretty much anything and everything, from most reached-for utensils and cookware, crockery and glasses, food ingredients, cleaning kit and kitchen electricals. As a result, the contents of cabinets can quickly become messy and disorganised, and though the doors do a good job of keeping everything out of sight, often chaos lies behind. Instead of sticking with standard interior storage, fine-tuning the fittings and tailoring the inside so that it meets specific needs or solves storage issues can make a big difference in terms of usability, so cupboards will be easier to organise and the contents more easily accessible. Access tight corners Corner cabinets can be notoriouslydifficult to access, with blind spots that make it tricky to see or reach what’s inside. Carousel fittings are a handy…

Everyday chores likevacuuming and washing up often feel like they take over our lives, especially in small homes where a little clutter can look like a lot of mess. So how can you keep on top of bigger household jobs? The answer is a seasonal checklist, says Ann Russell, author of How to Clean Everything. SPRING Lighter days and gentle breezes are the perfect conditions for giving your home a spring clean. ✔ Dust hard-to-reach areas, such as the tops of doors, cobwebbed corners and behind furniture ✔ Clean windows and polish mirrors ✔ Clean curtains with a vacuum attachment or wash them, following instructions on the label ✔ Prepare your lawnmower and any necessary garden tools ✔ Give the patio a good scrub; repair and repaint fences ✔ Get…

Living room The front door opens into this elegant space, which combines neutral colours and natural materials for an opulent cottage feel. BUY THE KEY PIECES Chairs, Oka. Blind and curtain fabric, Hugo Linen in Millet, Neptune This chocolate-box-pretty cottage was only meant to be a detour on their way to a new life in Devon, but the lure of village living close to home in Oxfordshire proved irresistible for Janice Talkington and her partner Paul Bates. The couple had put their farm up for sale in 2021 with plans to move to the West Country, but it sold more quickly than expected. ‘The day we moved out in June, Paul booked me in to view a traditional two-up two-down cottage with an extension on the back that was on…

Kitchen The paint colours work perfectly here with the natural light, giving a hint of green. BUY THE KEY PIECES Ottoman bench, Scumble Goosie. Painted in Treron; walls in Slipper Satin; woodwork in Wall White, all Farrow & Ball Kitchen A bespoke peg shelf above the splashback adds character and practical storage. BUY THE KEY PIECES Kitchen unit, Scumble Goosie. Zellige tiles, Mosaic Factory. Lighting and taps, deVol. Bluestone floor, Starel Stones Despite living in Paris, Anya Seymour and husband Justin were keen to keep their roots grounded in British soil, making regular trips back across the Channel to visit friends and family, including their four children. Looking for a base, they were drawn to Suffolk’s stunning coastline and heathland. ‘As a child, Justin learned to sail dinghies while holidaying…

Terrace ‘The small outside space at first-floor level is a great sun trap as the house faces south,’ says Tim. ‘It’s especially lovely as a morning coffee spot! We created planting beds using stone recycled from the build and added an L-shaped floating iroko bench.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Fermob bistro table; chair, all in Nutmeg, Made In Design When Tim Freeman moved back to his home town of Bristol in 2019 and bought a small commercial property, his intention was to build a compact bachelor pad while working on other projects. A mutual friend put him in touch with architect Lizzie O’Neill (ejstudio.co.uk) to help with the design and obtain planning approval, and a few months after planning the project they got together as a couple. Work had begun…

Garden ‘When we moved in, the garden had crazy paving, a breeze block wall and pea shingle everywhere, so we cladded the wall, paved the patio and added a lawn to soften everything. The pergola makes it very ambient in the evenings with the pendants and festoon lights.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Ravenna Lounge seating set with table, Cox & Cox Kitchen ‘The extractorfan was a bargain I found on Facebook Marketplace – it was brand new. It helps to create a zone in the open-plan space and has in-built lights, which means we don’t need pendants over the island.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Omnejd ceiling-mounted extractor hood, Ikea. Cannock rattan bar stools, Dunelm Ryan and Craig moved here several years ago from a Victorian two-bedroom property in Woking. ‘We’d…

Kitchen French doors were installed with a window above to let in more daylight. BUY THE KEY PIECES Curtain fabric, Velluto Emerald, Designers Guild. Pendant light is made from a vintage brioche tin from Baileys Home Store Kitchen The new extension looks as if it has always been there, with sash windows replicating the originals. BUY THE KEY PIECES Kitchen cabinets, British Standard by Plain English in Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball. Metro tiles, Fired Earth The village of Sutton in West Sussex is where you’ll find Daisy Cottage, once part of an estate owned by the Barlavington family which dates back at least 200 years. ‘I often used to ride my bike through the village and had always loved this cottage,’ says Paul. ‘Luci and I were living…

Our living rooms are where we go to kick back and relax, but they can also be one of the busiest rooms in the house and home to an awful lot of ‘stuff’. Whether its books and games, media kit and music, or newspapers and magazines, keeping the clutter in check can be a challenge. With living room space often at a premium, investing in sleek built-in furniture, alcove storage and neat hideaway pieces can be a clever way of squeezing in maximum storage without overcrowding the space and most can be adapted to suit any size living room or layout. Finish by creating a curated look on open shelving for a stylish scheme. Take over one wall Go for multifunctional TV and media storage that will house all the…

The secret todecorating a small space is to embrace its natural character, rather than fighting its flaws. If your room is naturally dark, welcome the hygge aesthetics with cosy textiles and warming hues. If the space is bright but soulless, bring personality with pretty prints that celebrate its lighter feel. ‘Decorating small spaces can be enormous fun,’ says Joanna Hauptman, co-founder of bespoke furniture brand Hyde House. ‘As the area is smaller in scale, the money saved on quantity can be invested in quality. By curating a collection of one’s most treasured picture frames, luxury scented candles and objects to dress surfaces, combined with smaller scaled furniture pieces, a tiny haven can be achieved.’ Read on to see what the experts recommend for these common questions. Q.1 CAN I USE…

1. OFFICE HOURS While you may not have the space to carve out an office in an existing room, the area under the stairs can prove fruitful. ‘This family wanted a place that was office-like, which could double as a designated homework spot, but they didn’t have space in the floorplan for an auxiliary room. To solve the problem we created this understairs nook which incorporated both a desk area and organisational space,’ says Marie Flanigan, interior designer and founder of Marie Flanigan Interiors. If creating a workspace under the stairs, be sure to prioritise lighting and opt for bright colours that will ensure the area doesn’t feel dingy. 2. ON A CURVE Adding a loo and basin is the traditional choice for an understairs space, and can provide an…

1. EARN YOUR STRIPES Stripes are a valuable tool in decorating. They draw the eye upwards and can create the illusion of height, which can be incredibly useful when it comes to decorating small spaces. ‘Vertical stripes emphasise height better than any other pattern. Reaching up to the ceiling, they cultivate a sense of airy loftiness that can enlarge smaller spaces. Thick stripes in particular, especially those contrasted with a plane of white, offer up blocks of colour which also impart a sense of depth in a room,’ says Rebecca Craig, lead designer at Sanderson. To soften the bold, graphic look, try adding cushions and beautifully draped curtains in floral fabrics, or contrasting rugs. 2. FLYING FREE One of the best tips when designing a small room is to opt…

Do you have cupboards filled with junk, wardrobes bursting with clothes and drawers crammed with all sorts of things you never use? You keep meaning to have a clearout, but something always holds you back. You’ve watched Sort Your Life Out and read Marie Kondo, so you know all about only hanging on to things that ‘spark joy’. If only you could ditch all the gadgets and glassware cluttering your kitchen, the unworn clothes, unloved gifts and teenage love letters taking up space in your home. ‘There’s owning your stuff and there’s when your stuff owns you,’ explains Tracy McCubbin, author of Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book on Decluttering You’ll Ever Need. ‘When you have too much clutter, constantly thinking about how you’re going to manage it takes up…

Just because your bathroom is a little tight on space, youshould n’t have to forgo the feeling of luxury you’d get from a more spacious interior. ‘With some clever planning and smart design decisions, a small bathroom can feel spacious and offer everything your household needs,’ says Jonathan Phillips, category lead for plumbing and heating at MKM. We’ve asked several bathroom experts for their failsafe tips on how to eke out the most space in a small bathroom. Here’s what they shared… 1. TURN A SMALL SPACE INTO A WET ROOM ‘Wet rooms are a great way to create an illusion of more space in small bathroom layouts, and wet room panels are less bulky than shower enclosures so will offer a smart, streamlined finish,’ says Lucy. If you would…

If you’ve let things build up and the thought of sorting through it all seems overwhelming, there are a few ways to declutter a house quickly and easily. Starting with the ultimate decluttering checklist, begin by thinking about what items are important for you to keep and anything that you’ve been wanting to get rid of for a while. ‘Start by creating a compelling vision of what you want to achieve: something inspiring that you can move towards when the tidying gets tough or boring,’ explains Helen Sanderson, professional declutterer and author of The Secret Life of Clutter. ‘Write down all the practical, social and emotional benefits you will get when you have completed the work. This will help motivate you and give you more energy to work with.’ If you’re…

1. HANG A CLOTHES RAIL There’s no need to splash out on fitted storage for the little one – simply slot in a rail and turn your alcove into a mini wardrobe. Tuck in lidded boxes for shoes, blankets and toys, and add a picture ledge above the rail to add extra storage, or to display your child’s favourite books and artwork. If you want a hide-all solution, use a floor-length curtain across the alcove. 2. CREATE A READING NOOK Lay a narrow bookcase on its side to use as an alcove bench with storage, and top with a piece of fabric-covered foam – perfect for a quiet break-out zone in a busy family space. You could swap out the wicker containers for relaxed belly baskets, labelled for each family…

You can increase the size of a small room without any need for construction. Reducing the door width gains internal space and isn’t often noticeable from the outside. Otherwise, let these expansive designer tricks be your small-space guide. GET CREATIVE WITH STORAGE For slightly smaller rooms, it’s essential to utilise storage space and find ways to conceal storage so that it feels like a genuine part of the scheme. In a living room, use an ottoman or trunk to stow blankets and magazines. If you can add joinery around the TV or fireplace this can be both a standout feature as well as an excellent use of vertical space. SCALE UP FOR GREATER IMPACT One of the misconceptions when decorating a compact space is that you need to keep everything small…

1. CLEVER USE OF PAINT There are many ways to make a compact kitchen appear bigger, simply by using colour. Painting halfway up a wall, for example, will create a horizontal stripe that makes a wall look longer, while painting shelves or cupboards in the same colour as the walls helps them blend in, giving a sense of continuity to the space. Wall in Aquamarine Pale and Aquamarine Mid intelligent matt emulsion, Little Greene 2. TWO-TONE CABINETS In a small kitchen, it’s easy to play it safe with neutral cabinetry, but by using a two-tone design you can shift the focus from how compact the space is and create interest instead. Keep really dark colours to the base cabinets, where possible, so the upper half of your scheme feels light…

Having a dedicated utility room with bags of space to store bulkyequipment and cleaning supplies might be the dream, but for many of us with small homes and a lack of extra space, this is not an option. Stashing everything in an understairs cupboard or cramming it all in under the kitchen sink is what tends to happen, which can ultimately make cupboards messy, access awkward and things harder to find. Storing cleaning supplies where you need and use them can be a good workaround when space is tight, with kitchen essentials kept in the kitchen and bathroom supplies in the bathroom. They’ll take up less space when not stored en masse and it will save you lugging all the stuff around. Then it’s simply a matter of keeping cupboards…

Tired of toys taking over your home? Whether in a child’s bedroom, family living area or playroom, smart toy storage ideas can help to keep play items organised and make tidying up easier. Remember that simple storage items, such as boxes, storage baskets, hooks, hangers and wall organisers, will all help to create an efficient space that still has plenty of personality – suitable for any room where kids are free to play. Good storage, multifunctional furniture that serves a child’s changing needs as they grow, and imaginative decor are all key. A balance between form and function will result in a hard-working layout that stands the test of time. Add personality Functional storage doesn’t have to be boring in a child’s room. Update a pine Ikea storage unit with…

When it comes to bedroom furniture, the combination of bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside table seems to be the standard set-up for many of us. And while these pieces offer an adequate amount of storage, more often than not turns out to be just not quite enough. Finding ways to incorporate extra storage into a bedroom can be a challenge, especially if it’s a small or average-sized space. But working in storage around, under and above existing furniture can be a savvy way of squeezing in more without making the room feel cramped or overcrowded – and it needn’t break the bank. Bridge a gap Utilise wasted wall space behind a bed with a bank of overhead units spanning the gap between two wardrobes. Bridge units can be…

Putting in a downstairs loo is one of the most practical renovations you can do, plus it can add around 5% to the value of your home. If you have young children, entertain regularly or have elderly visitors, this little room is a godsend. Installing one isn’t as expensive as you might think – but it’s not easy to DIY, as it requires plumbing experience. DECIDE WHERE TO PUT IT Once you’ve decided to add a downstairs loo, the first thing you need to consider is where the best place for it will be. For instance, you may be able to convert a cupboard under the stairs, in which case you’ll need to measure, measure, and measure again. Alternatively, installing a toilet at the end of a hallway, in a utility…

Keeping small bathrooms ordered and tidy can be a challenge. Lack of space often leaves little extra room for storage, meaning that surfaces get cluttered with toiletries, and rails and hooks overloaded with damp towels and bulky bathrobes. Space-saving furniture and multi-tasking storage pieces are a must when bathroom space is tight or there’s a danger of the space feeling even more crowded and chaotic. Look out for slimline shelves and units that can squeeze into small gaps or slot in beside baths and shower cubicles. Utilise wasted wall space with clever racks and rails over doors or neat shelving units that are designed to sit under wash basins or above the loo. Store and display The area running along and above a bath can be put to use quite…

Extending your home can be a costlyaffair both monetarily and in terms of space. The average 30 square metre home extension will cost around £66,000 and can eat up a significant portion of your garden. A loft extension can add space at a fraction of the cost and with significantly less disturbance. SUITABILITY The first step in planning a loft conversion is to assess whether your space is viable. ‘Most properties will be suitable for a loft conversion as long as the loft measures 2.3m at the highest point. Other features that will help you decide whether your loft space is suitable are the pitch of the roof, the type of structure, and obstacles, such as water tanks or chimney stacks,’ explains John Allen, managing director at Econoloft. COSTING UP…