Saving space is important for everyone, but for those with small houses it can be a complete necessity. Those of you who have a converted property may suffer from some rather cramped spaces. By generally removing clutter, keeping the decorations bright, by using white or bright coloursm, and maximising floor space, you will show off your rooms in the best light and keep your tenants happy.
We know that there always tends to be a smaller room or bedroom in every property, and for those of you focused in HMO making the most of these rooms is very important. There are many ways to save space, listed are some of the easiest ways to try and maximise the space you have available. Every time you act on these suggestions, tenants and renters will thank you for helping make their lives easier.
Storage solutions in the bed.
The bed usually goes towards the edge of a small room, even in larger rooms the bed is often in the very corner of the room. In smaller rooms, sloping ceilings can dictate where the bed goes, and the positioning of a wardrobe can really limit your options for the layout of the room.
By having draws installed in a bed, you are able to eliminate the need for as much extra storage and make the other storage solutions more flexible. Adding draws to a bed is a very affordable option, but one that needs some thoughts – draws that can’t fully open are a useless investment, no one will be able to open them.
There are many issues to focus on with adding draws to a bed. If your property is a HMO, you will need quite a lot of storage options and tenants may ask for additional storage – there are often double features (in terms of kitchen equipment, clothing racks, etc). Also, remember that HMO tenants may put a lot of belongings within the drawes, so cheaper draws may be easily overloaded. The easiest way to overcome this is to warn them when they move in, so they know that the drawers were in good working order when moving in.
Divan storage
Divans are a popular item of furniture due to the lack of space they take up, often having no side rails or added extra design padding, meaning maximum floor space. Divan are also completely customisable in terms of the height, length, width, strength and fabric used. In terms of design, they can also be very neutral, to help with any tenant demands or designing you do as a landlord.
Ottoman style storage
This option may be slightly more costly than standard draws, however it can work very effectively in certain properties. This method of storage solution is where the mattress can simply lift up, effortlessly, giving complete access to all the space under the bed (space which is often just wasted).
This is the much more preferred option, if the budget allows, and can be a good upgrade for individually smaller rooms in larger roomed homes that struggle for space, rather than having to spend on every room. You can even choose from foot end and side opening. If you know the layout of the room, one choice may be much more practical than the other.
Lower bed height
You can lower the height of the bed from the standard divan size which is 12 inches, to as little as only six inches. This suggestion can be a great idea if you are ordering an especially deep mattress, because mattresses can actually end up being very high (and it can be tricky to climb onto the bed). They look very good too, as many of these are almost designer beds! This is especially good in attic rooms but will mean that you will lose any storage available beneath the mattress.
So these suggestions can help you make the most of the space you have available and maximise your potential for rooms. If you are looking for more suggestions on how to effectively make the most of a property, have a look at our other blog posts, or have a look at our Nick Fox books.
Nick Fox started his property investment career 10 years ago and his portfolio has grown to one of the largest in the UK. Nick now mainly focuses on HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) and works to help others achieve property success too. Visit here to find out how he can help you.
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