Small spaces and overcrowding the home is a common problem in flats, but it can be an even bigger issue in larger houses. The bigger the house, the more space to fill it with things! Someone with minimalist tendancies, may not quite understand the problem most of us are faced with everyday. Scroll down to see a comparison between a minimalist fireplace design and a maximalist fireplace design.

1) Make a small room look bigger with lighting

These days, the ways to light your home seem limitless. Using lighting to make a small room seem bigger is one of the easiest ways to do that. It is a scientific fact that lighter things look bigger, and darker things look smaller. So, adding light to a dark area, will seem to increase the size. Most bulbs now have a warm setting or a cool setting: warm emits orange hues, and cool emits blue hues. In my house, the ceilings aren’t very high, so in order to make the room seem bigger, I ditched the lampshades!

Lampshades make it seem like the ceiling is lower – switch them out for LED ceiling lights. It makes the room look bigger, and creates more space. If you have windows, get those curtains out the way and open those blinds. Natural light is so much better for your room and your well being than artificial lights. If flinging the lampshades, and opening the curtains aren’t an option – then you will have to start being clever.

2) Using mirrors to add space to a small room

Mirrors have always been a classic example of how to make a room look bigger. Not only does a mirror reflect light around a room, but the simple idea of reflecting a room makes it seem bigger. The larger the mirror, the better, but small mirrors can also brighten up the room. Think of a ballet studio: there is one long wall of mirrors – effectively doubling the size of the studio! Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes now: plain mirrors, framed mirrors, window mirrors and more. There is a mirror out there for every room in your house.

3) Light colours make a space look bigger

It’s a well known fact in interior design that colours can make or break a space. Similar to the idea that more light in a room makes it seem bigger, a light colour on the walls works too. Don’t worry, you don’t need to start painting all your walls renter friendly magnolia. There are thousands of lighter shades of colours that can make a room seem bigger, without offending the eyes. Darker walls makes everything seem smaller, and usually more lustrous – not ideal for small rooms at all. If you’re a fan of Interior Designs Masters on BBC, you’ll notice lots of designers using colour to extend walls and create height. Take a look at our lighter wallpapers to help brighten your room.

4) Utilising multi purpose furniture in a cramped space

So, we’ve touched on how to make a small room look bigger, but what about actually removing clutter from the room? Multipurpose furniture is one of the ways forward, aptly named because each piece of furniture has multiple uses. If you want a floor lamp, but don’t want to waste the space between the bottom and top – get a shelf floor lamp. These are really easy, and great ideas to get rid of that shelf that you keep stubbing your toe on!

A firm favourite is the classic futon: a convertible chair bed. Whether you want to convert your living room for sleepovers, or don’t want the restrictions of having a bed in your only spare room, a futon allows you to have both! Accessorise with throws which are perfect for beds and chairs! Clever shelving is an easy way to declutter a side. Kitchen bakers racks are ideal for storing multiple kitchen appliances, whilst only taking up a small section of the counter top. If you do a quick internet search for multifunctional furniture, you will find many products to help create more space in your home.

5) Bringing in flexible furniture for a small room

Similarlily, you can save a great deal of space by choosing mobile furniture, and furniture which can be folded away. Tables are a great example of flexible furniture, many tables already have a lengthening feature. You can have a small 4 seater table when it’s you and the dog sitting at the table to eat, but when you have guests, this can be opened up to accommodate 6, 7, 8 or more people. Once in an AirBnB in, the studio apartment we were staying in had a bed which folded up into the wardrobe. This left the living space free during the day.

6) Be creative with the space you have

With the right inspiration and joiner, you could have yourself some pretty nifty storage solutions. One of my favourites examples is joiners who have turned each stair on a staircase into a drawer. They’re fabulous in theory, but in practice, most stairs aren’t suitable, it takes quite a long time and is expensive. If you have a space between a wall and the side of a fireplace, don’t just shove a bookcase in the area. Give it some love and creativity. Two great uses of that space can be seen below. Floating shelves high up give you storage, but also leave room on the floor for a lamp and a chair.

7) Time for a declutter

This is the least favourite point of mine, because I just genuinely love stuff! I love the sparkly cocktail stick from my holiday in Marbella 10 years ago, it’s a memory, you know? Those cardboard boxes, I might need those for something in the future, I can’t throw those away. I’ve had that stool for years, yes it is falling apart, and yes I can’t sit on it because it will actually break, but I love it. Sometimes it is time to let go, and although it hurts in the beginning, the result of a clean, tidy and clutter-free house is really unbeatable.

The post 7 Ways to Make a Small Room Look Bigger appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

What are the different types of towels?

Towels come in a range of sizes, weights, materials and quality, and can sometimes boggle the mind as to which ones are right for you. Below is our towel buying guide which should answer some questions.

Sizes of Towels

The most common types of towels for your bathroom are:

• Face towel (sometimes known as wash cloths, flannels or face flannels) – typical size 30x30cm
• Hand towel – 50x80cm
• Bath towel – 70x 120cm
• Bath sheet – 90x140cm
• Super sheet – 100x180cm

What are towels used for?

Face cloths

These days, face towels are often found in hotels and spas. Used to dry your face when you have washed it to remove excess make up and dirt particles picked up during the day. Traditionally, face cloths, were known as wash cloths and are used when a quick sink wash is required (rather then a shower/bath). Wash cloths can also used to wipe the face and body down whilst having a shower or bath.

Hand Towels

A little larger than face cloths, hand towels are used for exactly that. To dry your hands. Commonly found in the bathroom, they are necessity in the washroom.  Hand towels are also good for use in the kitchen to wipe your hands after cutting, blending, washing etc.

Bath Towels

Bath towels are used for drying when you come out of the bath/shower. Their size is ample for an averaged size person, or child. Bath towels are light weight and great for wrapping round your head to dry your hair. However, if you prefer to wrap a towel round your body after your bath you may prefer a larger towel, known as a bath sheet.

Bath Sheets

Bath sheets are bigger than bath towels and give increased coverage over bath towels. Increased coverage also means increased absorbency and increased luxury. The larger size is also handy for those of us who are bigger than average size, giving the extra coverage necessary.

Take a look at the many different types of towels we have got. https://www.homespacedirect.com/bath-linen/bath-towels.html

Take a look at some towel bales that have the different types of towels. We love fashionable ones like these Royal Velvet Towel Bales in grey!

Which towel material is the best?

Combed cotton is the best material for towels.  Within that, Egyptian cotton and Supima cotton towels are the Rolls Royce of material. Both types of cotton have extra long fibres which bind to form dense loops, making the towels thicker and more absorbent. Then there is how many fibres or weight you get per square meter. The higher the weight, the more absorbent, softer and luxurious the towel. This measure is known as grams per square meter or GSM.

What does GSM mean?

Towels that have a GSM les then 300 are usually, thin, not very absorbent and feel rather rough and course and do not have any longevity.  Personally, I would never buy these entry level towels.  GSM 400-500 are mid-range towels, have good absorbency and are soft. The densely packed fibres also prevent pilling, making your towels last longer. This range is great for every day use and for your guest bathroom. Top of the range 600 GSM and above are the ones to go for if your budget allows. Super soft, nice and thick, and very absorbent and hold enough water, these are hotel quality towels that you will love.

Caring for your bath towels

Wash your towels at the highest temperature allowed on the care label. Bacteria love towels, especially if they have been thrown on the floor after use and not dried out properly.

Don’t use bleach or chlorine. Most modern-day towels have a finishing that shouldn’t be bleached. Bleach also weakens the cotton fibres over time. Similarly, adding softeners adds a coating to towels that again inhibits absorbency.  

Replacing your towels

After lengthy use, towels will start showing signs of wear and tear and will be ready to be replaced. As towels get old they lose their absorbency because, yes you guessed it, the threads are no longer as densely packed and some may become loose or lost over time. Because cotton is a natural fibre, it does break down over time.

Also, if your towel begins to smell after one or two uses, it has probably become home to bacteria and so it’s time to say good bye.

Of course visible signs like freying, holes, and thread bear are also a reason to say adios!

Design of towels

Towels now come in a array of designs and colours. There is no need to stick to the old staples of plain white, cream or beige, or the lovely thin stripe ones that your gran had. Match the design and colour of your towels to that of your bathroom.  Use bright and contrasting colours. Mix and match them to brighten up your mood when you walk in to the bathroom. I’ve seen bright orange, fuchsia pink and lime coloured towels looking fabulous.

Towels for en-suites

For those of you lucky enough to have an en-suite bathroom, co-ordinate the design and colours of your towels to those of your bedroom, so it looks like a natural extension.

The post What sizes are towels and what are towels made of? appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

Whether you are looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day, with a significant other or your friends, we have some fun ideas for you to try. Take a look at our COVID friendly Valentine’s Day dates below.

Date ideas for lockdown at home:

Why not spend the night in? Blow the dust off those cookery books and learn to cook a new meal together. It might be an idea to put away all phones and gadgets whilst you’re eating, so you can be in the moment completely. After a delicious meal cooked together, you can decide between board games (which in our experience can usually make or break a relationship). Alternatively, if you are wanting a tamer end to your night: a good rom-com film never goes amiss.

Are you looking for something to do during the day but the weather just isn’t playing fair? Indulge yourself in your own person spa day! Spa days don’t have to be expensive when you are at home. All you need is: candles, fresh towels, face cloths, face masks, a warm relaxing bubble bath and bath salts. Additionally, grab anything else that makes you feel happy and relaxed (we find chocolate is very good for both of those things) . You might even find a willing candidate to give you a massage or two.

Lockdown date ideas outside

Although it is rare in the middle of February in England, let’s hope the weather will be beautiful. If the sun is shining, why not explore nearby parks, fields, country parks, and hills? In Greater Manchester, we are very lucky to be surrounded by amazing countryside and views. To the east we have the Peak District and to the west we have Cheshire & Merseyside. There are some real hidden gems around us, tucked away in the small villages and hills. Likewise, you can explore and find a hidden gem near you. Remember to bring the essentials on your walk: water, snacks (lots of them), a blanket, a hot drink flask (with hot drink included). In fact, if you want to wait up to watch the sunset, remember to take a warm scarf and gloves with you!

If you are stuck at home alone, or without those you love and you need some Valentine’s day date ideas for lockdown. We’ve rattled our heads together to come up with a few ideas for you! Obviously, depending on your location and restrictions, you may be able to go for a socially distanced walk with someone. On the other hand, if you were looking for some zoom date night inspiration, look no further.

Zoom call date ideas:

How well do you know your significant other? Try a fun quiz to see who knows who better! From favourite colour to best memory together, I am sure you can think of some things you really want to know about them. If you are over 18 and want to make it more interesting, create tipple shot related punishments for wrong answers!

If that seems a bit too personal (and maybe dangerous if you have a particularly forgetful partner), why not search Youtube for pub quizzes or more general knowledge quizzes which you can play along to? Better yet, create fun forfeits. For example, the loser has to buy the next meal when we are finally allowed out to restaurants (just make sure you win that round…).

Some people are just happy to see, sit and chat with a loved one without the distraction of games, videos and music. Does this sound like you? If so, plan your evening around each other. Make your favourite meal and have a romantic zoom meal for two, and afterwards cosy up with your favourite blanket and chat the night away.

Don’t have zoom? You can download it here

Lastly, we all know that nothing is ideal at the moment, we are missing loved ones, and even missing those we hadn’t realised we would. Above all else, we just have to stick together and get through this. At HomeSpace Direct, we wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day and remember to #staysafe.

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Originally created as a deep-touch pressure stimulator for children with special needs, such as ADHD and Autism, the weighted blanket has slowly migrated into a must-have accessory for people of all ages. The soothing affect of the body wrap is a direct result of desensitisation, reducing fidgeting and can also aid with issues such as fibromyalgia and arthritis by aiding in a healthy night’s sleep.

Sleep is the most undervalued form of nutrition we desperately need for our mind, body and soul. The body can repair, heal and function at optimum levels when we restore our energy levels and recharge our brain.

Anxiety causes the brain and body to become restless, resulting in an inability to sit still for long periods of time. The extra weight restricts the consistency of body- jitters and excessive micro movements, which retrains the body and mind to adapt to relaxing for periods of time sufficient enough to replenish health and vitality.

Where best than to find comfort than in your own home? Make your Space feel like Home with the amazing range of soft home furnishings on our website!  We stock a huge range of funky floral #fabric #tablecloths, bold #bedding, comfy #cushions, and beautiful #bathroom necessities.

We are delighted to be back, providing our wonderful dedicated customers with their favourite fancy frills and detailing the world with distinguishable #decor.

Pillow Talk

For extra comfort and a more restful night’s sleep, check out our range of pillows! We stock Goose Feather and Down, Duck Feather and Down, Dunlopillo and Hollowfibre Pillows at unbeatable competitive prices! Reducing back, neck pain and body aches. It is vital to replace pillows every 2-3 years. Keep pillows fresh and free of dust mites and bed buds by regularly vacuuming them the accurate way. Excessive accumulation of dust mites can cause the pillow to appear heavy and disperses the filling unevenly. To thoroughly refresh pillows close to their original state, assure the hoover is pressed firmly into the centre of the cushion filling. Not only will this improve your sleep but your overall health! Selecting the right pillow for you will depend on your sleeping position and physical health status, taking into consideration any medical conditions that cause body pain will also be a determining factor as to which cushion is best for you! We will go into this in more depth in our next blog post. In the mean time, enjoy the latest discounted prices we have on our website! Link below!

www.homespacedirect.com

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“Sleep is the best meditation” – Dalai Lama

The 15th of March is world sleep day; an annual day aimed at raising awareness of sleep related issues including medicine, education, social aspects and driving as well as the importance of sleep. Some conditions we focus on for world sleep day and that cause a loss of sleep are:

Insomnia – Can cause difficulty falling asleep, waking up often during the night, generally unrefreshing sleep, waking up too early in the morning and having trouble getting back to sleep.

Sleep apnea – A sleep disorder that occurs when the persons breathing is interrupted; There are two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea which is caused by the blockage of the airway and Central sleep apnea, a less common variant of the disorder where the brain fails to tell the body to breathe. Symptoms of these can be snoring and gasping for air during sleep.

Restless legs syndrome – Causes the sufferer discomfort in the legs and a strong urge to move them and can often occur during the evenings making it particularly hard to sleep.

Narcolepsy– Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder of sleep regulation where the sufferer can experience excessive tiredness in the day and even uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep.

Kleine Levin syndrome – sufferers of this disorder can sleep for up to 20 hours a day, for several weeks

Night sweats– these are caused by underlying health conditions such as certain types of cancer, certain infections and can also be a symptom of menopause.

If you suspect you may have any of these sleep disorders the best course of action is to discuss it with your doctor, a sleep diary may help you to inform your doctor fully of your symptoms. If your doctor suspects you may have a sleep condition you may be referred to a sleep clinic where a specialist can carry out a sleep study.

How much sleep should I get?

Over the years specialists are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of good sleep on our mental and physical health and though we are far from understanding sleep entirely there is no doubt that there are some clear benefits of getting a healthy amount of sleep.  Before thinking about these benefits it’s important to ask; what is a healthy amount of sleep?

We have all heard the supposed 8 hour recommendation but people are much more complex than that and the amount of sleep one needs can vary drastically from person to person. According to studies the average person gets roughly 6.8 hours of sleep per night which for some people can be completely fine but for others can result in overall poorer health. Oversleeping can also prove to be the result of various conditions as well as being linked to the same conditions as not getting enough sleep.

How to improve your sleep

With all this in mind it can be hard to find the right balance though at Homespace Direct we have put together some key tips on how to secure a good night sleep.

Maintaining a consistent sleep pattern – Most specialists agree on the unquestionable benefits of maintaining a healthy sleeping routine. Your body’s internal clock plays a key role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle and tells your body when it’s time to wake up and when to start unwinding in the evening.  An inconsistent sleep schedule can result in drowsiness, memory issues, headaches and a decline in basic cognitive skills.

Meditation – known as a great way to combat insomnia but practiced by many around the world before going to bed to relieve stress as it goes without saying that we sleep much better when we are free from stress.

Exercise – Exercise during the day is a great way to relieve tension and ensure you will sleep better at night, just don’t do too much vigorous exercise directly before bed as it can keep you awake.

No Screens – Bright screens on mobile phones, computers and laptops keep us awake and unable to sleep as well.

Alcohol – Many of us believe alcohol helps us get to sleep as it may do initially but it also prevents us going into deep sleep (REM) and can disrupt your sleep later in the night.

Caffeine – A reduction in caffeine seems an obvious way to help your sleep but many people don’t realise how detrimental drinking tea, coffee, cola’s or eating chocolate during the evening can prove to your sleep; try a warm milky or herbal drink in the evenings and you should notice a big difference

A comfortable sleeping environment – Comfort is extremely important when trying to sleep and bed, mattress, bedding and pillows should always be of importance.

Benefits of getting better sleep.

There are many benefits to following these guidelines for better sleep,here are a few reasons why good sleep helps you feel your best:

Reduced stress – Being tired can cause your brain to produce elevated levels of stress hormones

Improved Memory – Sleep is the perfect time for your brain to organise and store memories and so not getting enough sleep can cause memory loss or forgetfulness

Lowering blood pressure – Lack of sleep can cause high blood pressure resulting in increased risk of cardiovascular conditions or stroke.

Immune system – Healthy sleep allows your body to create extra protein molecules which fight infection.

Weight and appetite – Studies show that poor sleep has a direct impact on an increased appetite and so sleeping well can make it much easier to maintain a healthy weight.

How can we at Homespace Direct help you sleep?

As previously mentioned a comfortable sleeping environment can have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep and this is where we come in. It is vital not to ignore the importance of bedding on your sleep, for example sleeping in a cooler room is said to allow you to fall asleep faster and to sleep deeper so lighter materials should be considered depending on the season/ temperature of your room (Some experts even suggest that sleeping naked can help so maybe even take how you personally sleep into account when choosing lighter or hotter duvets).

In a recent study good sleepers reported prioritising clean sheets as a factor in their sleep and how often you replace your bedding also has an impact on sleep hygiene.

Materials on duvet covers vary in weight and can alter how hot or cool you are as you sleep. Thread count is a basic measure of the fineness of its stitching. It comes in threads per square inch and sleep experts recommend staying in 400-500 thread count range.

Cotton is also considered a superior material and synthetic materials will generally be hotter. At Homespace we offer 100% cotton duvet covers in a plethora of different styles.

Sometimes the only adjustment you need for better sleep is a new pillow. We offer many different Dunlopillo pillows suited to different needs with varying firmness and levels of support. Sometimes the pillow you need can be tailored to your needs.

Whether you favour floral designs, modern, traditional or designer products you can find high quality bedding that will suit your needs in a variety of designs and price ranges this world sleep day here at Homespace Direct.

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There is no definitive answer as to which mattress is right for you.  The mattress that you choose will depend on your weight and size (and the weight and size of your partner) and sleeping styles, but one thing is certain, your mattress must be supportive.

There are many different types of mattresses, varying in the way they are made, the materials that are used, and the quality they offer. We briefly look at some of the most popular ones currently available.

Types of mattresses

1. Open sprung mattresses. These mattresses have one continuous shaped spring which extends throughout the mattress.  The spring moves as one, so if you are sleeping with a partner, you both will feel each other’s move. Because there is only one spring, this type of mattress will “wear” quicker than others, and will need replacing more frequently. However, in the early years, the fact that it is one, stronger spring, the shape will be retained better.   Open sprung mattresses are generally at the budget end of cost.

2. Pocket sprung mattresses. Pocket sprung mattresses contain many individual springs, encased in individual fabric pouches. This allows the spring to move independently, and so react to the weight and pressure they are individually under. This ensures that the right amount of support is given to not only different areas of your body, but the springs will move independently of your partners. Naturally, the more springs in a mattress, the better.

3. Memory foam mattress. Also known as visco-elastic, memory foam mattresses use material that moulds to the contours of your body. The moulding depends on your weight and is aso sensitive to body heat, providing the right amount of support for your body. These mattresses are also great for those who suffer from allergies. One point to note, some people find that memory foam mattresses to tend to be very warm and that can be uncomfortable at times)  Memory foam was first developed by NASA for their space programme, but now a days is used more and more for every day uses from mattresses and pillows to cushioning in-soles.  (Memory foam mattress toppers are also available for you to put on top of your existing mattress to provide a layer of memory foam support. Whilst not as good as a full mattress itself, they can provide a short term solution of budgets are tight).

4. Gel infused mattress . These mattresses are very similar to memory foam (they are memory foam infused with gel particles), but proponents say that they provide support that is superior to memory foam.  The gel particles also take longer to heat up, and so the mattresses are more comfortable then their memory foam counterparts.

5. Latex mattress. Latex mattresses are also similar to memory foam, and are great for people who suffer from allergies. Like latex pillows offered by Dunlopillo, latex mattresses provide good support, moulding to the contours of your body and a good quality one will feel like new for many years.

Mattress firmness

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to firmness. It really depends on what you find the most comfortable, but below is a rough guide

1. Soft – great for light weight adults or children, and for those who prefer to sleep on their side.
2. Medium – ideal for average weight people and those who like to sleep on their backs or fronts, as the extra firmness gives more support.
3. Firm – better for those who are over average weight as the firmness gives extra support. The extra firmness is also good for those who have back or joint issues .

Industry experts suggest that you should change your mattress between 7-10 years. However, this does depend on the type and quality that you buy  in the first place.  There are also suggestions to replace the base of the bed at the same time as the mattress or to at least ensure the quality of the base reflects the quality of the mattress. A top grade mattress with a lousy base to support it won’t work so well.

Care for your mattress

Once you have bought your perfect mattress, it is essential that you care for it to ensure it’s longevity.

1. Flip – flip your mattress at least once a month.  This ensure that you do not sleep in exactly the same spot all of the time, thereby causing the spings/latex/memory foam/gel to experience more wear in the same spot. Fliping ensures the wear is distributed evenly.

2. Mattress protectors – there are many types of mattress protectors on the market – including quilted, waterproof, polycotton and terry towelling, all designed to help protect your mattress from wear, and also dust mites, bacteria, and dead skin. The mattress protectors can be whipped off and washed regularly, ensuring your mattress stays as fresh as possible.

3. Mattress toppers – you can also buy mattress toppers (you can get them with various types of fillings ranging from feather and hollowfibre to memory foam) to act as an extra layer of comfort between you and your mattress. You should not need topper if you have got a brand new mattress, but as the years of your mattress progress, you may like a little extra support.

4. Bedding – once you have got your perfect mattress and base, you need to decorate it with perfect bedding. Again, the type of bedding (look, finish) that you go for is a personal choice it is worth bearing in mind that different materials will provide different levels of comfort. For duvet covers, cotton materials , especially 100% cotton with a high thread count, will provide a lot of comfort, cooling in the summer (cotton has absorbing qualities and is naturally aerated) and warmth in the winter. A high thread count will also provide silk like softness.  Also, in my opinion, nothing beats a feather duvet – whether it be goose or duck feather. This provides all the warmth that you need, whilst being very light to sleep under (the light feathers work by trapping heat). However, feather duvets are not for everyone, especially animal lovers or allergy suffers!

Finally, size matters!  A standard UK double bed only allows enough space for two people as they would get in a cot or small bed. If you can afford it and have the space, go for a bigger size, either a king or get the luxury of a super king bed.

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1.    Keep it tidy

It should go without saying that an untidy home will quickly begin to feel like a crowded one. After all, pieces of clutter, however small, will build up over time to form a sizeable obstacle to your search for open space. Tidiness, aside from being an inherently good thing, is an excellent way of maintaining a feeling of openness and expansiveness in your living room.

Perhaps the best way to keep your home tidy is make a conscious effort to change your behaviour. If you’re not naturally inclined toward tidiness, this can be a difficult task, but it’s a worthwhile one if it leads to an open, uncluttered living room!

2.    Keep it clean

Of course, keeping things tidy is just one half of an inseparable duo of housekeeping activities – you’ll need to keep things clean, too. There are myriad ways in which dirt, grime and other unsightly substances can be introduced into your home. No matter how stringently you vet the shoes of those who enter it, it’s inevitable that you’ll have to get that vacuum cleaner out at some point and address the situation.

The best way to do this is regularly, in order to prevent the situation from growing out of hand. If you’re proactive, you can easily keep on top of the situation. Fortunately, this is one instance in which living in a smaller space can actually be a boon, since there’s a great deal less to clean than there is in a larger one.

3.    Organise your home

Once you’ve gotten everything stowed away, you’ll have time to review exactly whether they’re stowed in the right places. It might be that tidying was unnecessarily troublesome, and that you can immediately think of a way in which the task might have been easier through slight adjustments in your storage arrangements. If such an idea should occur to you, then go ahead and rearrange things now. It’ll be worth spending the extra time once you’ve created the space that will make future tidying sessions that much easier.

4.    Pay attention to colours

There are many factors which one should consider when selecting a colour scheme for the home. Not least among these is the fact that some colours will contribute to a greater sense of claustrophobia, while others will help to give a living space more room to breathe.

In general, lighter colours will result in a greater sense of open space, while darker ones will have the opposite effect. Of course, with something like colour, the illusion of space (or a lack thereof) will not be the only thing that informs the decision. One should also consider the lighting in a room – along with your own personal taste and the colour of the furniture that’s already in the room. If you’ve got your heart set on an oppressive shade of burgundy, then you should be prepared for a feeling of reduced space.

5.    Pay attention to lighting

As we’ve noted, the way a room is lit can have an enormous impact on the overall impression of space one gets while sitting inside it. For this reason, it’s essential to consider the impact of the lighting arrangements in a room. Making use of brighter lamps – possibly those which employ LEDs rather than the older style halogen bulbs – will allow light to flow into every darkened cranny in your living space. On the other hand, a small light source – perhaps even a natural one, like a candle – will allow the room to remain darkened, and dampen the sensation of space.

The best way to achieve good results is through experimentation, since every room will react differently under different lighting conditions. Try out a few different solutions before settling on the one that works for you.

6.    Make use of Vertical Space

When you’re coming up with space to store all of your things, you’ll likely be considering all of the floor space you have at your disposal. The more possessions you have, the more space you’ll take up.

We can help to free up extra space by thinking in more than two dimensions. By exploiting the verticality of our living space, it’s possible to find homes for those items which might otherwise have been stored elsewhere. If the tops of your bookshelves, wardrobes and kitchen cabinets are empty, then fill them with those items which you can’t fit anywhere else. Similarly, if the spaces beneath your beds, tables and TV stands are empty, then fill those, too.

You can also help to free up valuable space by making use of your walls, as well as your floor. By installing extra, tall pegboards, racks, shelves and cabinets, you can create huge amounts of extra storage while consuming barely any of your floor space. That’s a great way of getting something for nothing – and its one which few homeowners exploit to the fullest.

7.    Don’t skimp on larger items of furniture

If you’re looking to economise on space, it might seem wise to try to limit the size of your furniture. After all, smaller items take up less room, and so theoretically might offer more floor space. This assumption might seem a fair one, but in practice it proves misleading. Often, by buying smaller items, one tends to subconsciously fill the space by buying more of them. A miniature coffee table, for example, might seem in need to complementing with another table in a different part of the room. Succumb to this temptation and before long you’ll have a room which is utterly packed with tiny little items.

For this reason, perversely, it’s often the larger items that end up being best for smaller spaces. They lend the room a focal point, and help to avoid the necessity of using smaller items to compensate for the aesthetic shortfall. So, don’t automatically overlook those larger items just for the sake of it – they may well make the difference between an ordered, spacious living space and a cluttered, stifling one.

8.    Use a mirror or two

A long-standing truism in the world of interior design is that the impression of space can be created in any interior through the use of mirrors. If your mirror is a larger one, then all the more so. Certain rooms, like bathrooms and dressing spaces, call for the use of a mirror – and so it makes sense to plump for one that’s slightly bigger than your requirements dictate.

By covering a wall in a mirror, you can create the impression that you’ve got twice as much space as you actually have. If you’ve got two on adjacent walls, then this effect is magnified.

It’s worth noting, however, that doing this too much can result in an almost ridiculous effect – and so be sure to be sparing when it comes to reflective surfaces: a few larger ones will give you pleasing results, a roomful of them will make your home look like a fairground attraction.

9.    Use double-duty furniture

If you’re living under quite severe space restrictions, it’s hugely advantageous to make use of furniture which can be easily stowed away when it isn’t needed; or, better yet, furniture which is able to do more than one job.

This might come in the form of a beanbag, which can be brought out whenever there are extra guests to accommodate. After you’re done, you can simply stow the beanbag away somewhere out-of-sight. The same is true of camp-beds, z-beds and futons – if you’ve got guests staying the night, you can unfold any of these to form a convenient place to sleep at short notice. As we’ve already noted, the underside of tables, beds and desks can also double as effective storage space, which removes the necessity of unsightly drawers and cabinets in your living space.

By simply ensuring that each item in your home is capable of performing more than one role, you can reduce the overall amount of stuff your home require – and thereby free up huge amounts of space!

10.  Spend time outdoors

Though it should probably go without saying, it’s worth reflecting on one simple solution to your space-economising woes: leave the house. If you’re cooped up indoors all day – perhaps because you work from home, or because you’re a full-time at-home parent, it stands to reason that you’ll begin to feel as though the walls are closing in. That being the case, it’s important to get outside and take in the open air every once in a while.

A home is just the space you live in, and so it follows that by doing a little more of that living outdoors, you’re sure to fend off that cabin fever!

The post The Ten laws of small space living appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

So, if you want to enjoy Halloween without it costing the earth we have a few cost savers that will not impact on the enjoyment of the day:

• Bake up your own treats and offer the kids coming to the door Halloween biscuits or buns. You can save £1s on chocolate and give them a far more homely version of trick and treat by giving them freshly baked goodies instead.
• Buy a pumpkin(s) for the kid(s) to hollow and get creative with scary face carving. When they are done put tea lights in them and have them as the centre piece of the Halloween decorations in the window or on the doorstep. You can then make paper chains with them, scary drawings and play some spooky music in the hallway so visitors get a well thought out but low in cost Halloween experience.
• Make a ghost costume for the kids so they can haunt the neighbours – they can decorate them to make them personal and add their own flare to the eyes and mouth. All you need is:
• A white sheet
• A light coloured cap
• A pair of scissors
• A pen or pencil
• Four safety pins
• A black marker pen
• A bag for goodies of course! 

  Step 1: Either cut the rim of the cap off or decide to wear it backwards depending on much you like that cap.

  Step 2: Drape the sheet over the head of the person who will be wearing the costume. Take your marker pen and then mark the base of the sheet where it meets the floor. This just lets you cut off any excess and makes sure you are not cleaning the floor as you go – try and cover your feet/shoes so it looks like you are floating about.

  Step 3: Then mark the sheet in the centre of the person’s head, not their face, but the centre of their head on top. Then get them to poke forward so you know where to mark the eyes for eyeholes. You don’t want them stumbling into things!

  Step 4: Take the sheet off and pin the cap so that the mark showing the centre of the head is in the centre of the cap. This will make sure the sheet drapes evenly on all sides.

  Step 5: Take the scissors and cut out the eyeholes. If you just have a single mark as a guide then drawer and circle around that mark in an eye shape and cut that out.

  Step 6: Trim off the excess sheet where you marked the sheet at its edges. Put the costume on and double check that everything looks good by wearing the cap.

  All that is left is to grab your goody bag and head out trick or treating or to that Halloween party. You can add detail to the face with a mouth and eyelashes, or you can stay super ghostly and just be as white as possible.

   

   

   

   

The post How to make your Halloween Ghost Costume appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

Yes, George.  I think I will go for George – it’s regal and full of tradition.  I’m  off to William Hill before the betting closes.  Wish me luck!

The post The Royal Baby appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.