Maybe you bought a home in the perfect location that was just a little smaller than you wanted, or perhaps the family has grown through the years. Whatever the case, if your Des Moines home is starting to feel snug, you may not need to begin hunting for a bigger house right away. If you love your house and want to stay, there are some really great strategies you can use to make the most of it and maximize the square footage. Here are some ideas to consider:

Think About the Area Outside the House

If there just doesn’t seem to be enough space in your house, don’t forget that your space extends past the walls to your entire property. While using an outdoor area year-round may not be an option, many Des Moines homeowners appreciate a crisp fall evening gathered around a backyard fire pit. Your patio (or even if you only have a sectioned off area in the yard) can be better utilized with the simple addition of some outdoor furniture and decor. Using the outdoor space more often will certainly help keep your indoor space from feeling as cramped.

Consider Storage Options

Sometimes homes can begin to feel smaller because of the things we put in them. Instead of immediately considering a move to a bigger house, find out first if you just need to downsize your belongings and do some decluttering. If you love the home you’re currently living in and you’re committed to staying and making it work, assess which things you may no longer need. After that, install some smart storage and organization systems that take advantage of those under-utilized spaces like top shelves in closets and underneath beds.

Think About Function

In a smaller space, your rooms will likely need to serve multiple functions. If you have kids, for instance, repurposing bedrooms for more than just sleeping can give them their own little oasis. It could be adding some furniture where they can do their homework or curl up with a book or TV show — however you imagine it, creating a hangout space in addition to a sleep space optimizes the room and frees up space elsewhere in the house.

Brighten Up the Space

Finally, if your space is feeling too small, light could be the key. Begin by letting in as much natural light as possible. From there, go for lighter color palettes, with a few bursts of color. Bright, clean design choices can help make a room feel more spacious and airier. Keep simplicity in mind as you decorate. Less is almost always more when it comes to a smaller space.

Before you start hunting for a new, bigger home, explore some of these ideas to see if with just some simple modifications, you can make your current home — especially if it’s a home you love — can still work for you.

If you’d like to talk more about optimizing a smaller home, or if you really have outgrown your current house and you need a recommendation for an experienced, local Realtor or you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage, please get in touch. We’re always happy to help.