- 10:00, 13 AUG 2023
With higher borrowing costs continuing to hit the housing market, it’s even more tempting to maximise the space we do have rather than move into a bigger property. But when it comes to getting the most out of our homes, it can be hard to know where to start and the task can easily become overwhelming.
Luckily in the new release Living Comfortably Now, Rebecca Winward has gone on a mission to show households how they can unlock the full potential from their homes. From open-plan living to making the most of lighting fixtures, here’s how to get more comfortable in your own home…
Consider privacy
If your open-plan living area has a double-height ceiling then a mezzanine level is a good way to gain extra space. Mezzanines can be used for bedrooms but usually only in properties made for two. In a family home, these platforms are better used as offices, reading areas or teen hangouts.
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Glow up
Lighting schemes don’t have to be about permanent, wired in fittings. Experiment with table and standard lamps, below, candles and night lights and even strings of decorative LEDs. You can add these easily and move them around to find the right look for your rooms.
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Natural living
By bringing the outside in, you can harness the power of the natural world to boost wellbeing. Potted plants can look beautiful as well as offering health benefits.
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Clever work spaces
Choose wipe-clean paint, low maintenance furniture and hard flooring, left, to keep a work area looking its best. It’s also a good idea to keep surfaces clear, so that you don’t have to embark on mission tidy-up every time you want to dust.
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Savvy open planning
Open-plan spaces look best if there’s a sense of coherence in the overall decorative scheme but discrete zones work as well. Using the same materials – timber, concrete, iron – and the same utility chic aesthetic gives this large kitchen-diner a harmonious feel, while the layout makes each area’s function clear.
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Zoning in
Not everyone likes their open-plan spaces to be completely open. Use key pieces of furniture to divide the space up into different “rooms”. Try glazed sliding doors, shelf units used as room dividers, folding screens and even a strategically placed sofa to create intimacy.
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Living Comfortably Now by Rebecca Winward, published by Ryland Peters & Small (£25)
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