Maximising small spaces

Personal spaces are getting smaller and much less user-friendly. Homeowners consider their box room too small to be viable as a spare bedroom with many unsure how to optimise this 'dead space'.

How clever tricks can make the most of the smallest of spaces more valuable

So why are box rooms getting smaller? Land is at a premium across the UK meaning many properties are built on smaller plots of land than they used to be - the demand for at least two bedrooms in the average house means the box room is decreasing in size to compensate.

With this decrease in size, it's getting even harder to utilise the box room as a 'spare bedroom', simply because a single bed will no longer fit comfortably within the space, resulting in many box rooms being made redundant and becoming a place to hide junk, which in turn, detracts from the potential market value of a home.

Property & DIY shows and escalating property values are prompting leading home owners to consider the potential offered by the canny use of a box room. This, coupled with a growing trend towards people working from home more, box rooms is increasingly helping home owners realise the full potential value of their homes. As the children grow up and move out, more and more box rooms are turning from kids bedrooms into home offices and multi-media rooms.

More people are starting up small businesses and consultancies from their box rooms, and in inner cities, there is a growing trend to utilise box rooms for rental purposes, whether to students or business men who need a place to stay during the week.

How can you 'Big Up Your Box' and realise the full value of your property?

Homeowners are always looking for quick solutions that will add value to a home at minimum cost. Dulux has some simple tricks that will enable homeowners to stretch the space they have in a box room and give it a real purpose:

• Avoid dark coloured walls; it will only make a room feel smaller so go a paler, brighter shade. This doesn't mean you have to stick to Pure Brilliant White, Dulux Light & Space range comes in a range of pastel and white shades and contains unique LumiTec technology that reflects up to twice as much light around the room, making even the smallest of rooms look and feel more spacious.
• Lighting can dramatically affect the mood and appearance of a room. Use uplighters to make a room feel taller and avoid large lampshades and chandeliers that will take up precious space.
• Painting stripes on your walls can also be a great way to enhance the space you have. A single stripe painted around the top of the room draws the eye to the ceiling and creating a sense of height.
• Mirrors are essential in all small spaces as they will help bounce light around a room. Hang opposite the door or a window for maximum impact.
• Consider how you dress windows - light coloured blinds or curtains will allow more sunlight in, bringing added brightness into a small space.