HOME EDITION
rom dramatic expansions of a home’s footprint, to carving out a standalone room in your garden, extensions are high on the priority list for many homeowners. Plan it correctly and you can not only solve the practical problem of a lack of space, but also improve your lifestyle. Loft conversions, for instance, may mean extra bedrooms and bathrooms – ideal if you are feeling cramped in your current configuration – while an open-plan downstairs extension can help create a family-friendly home. The new trend for garden rooms, meanwhile, could result in a separate office or dedicated hobby room. Leigh Hall, founder of Cambridge interior design service Strive for Design, gives her advice: “Extending your home is all about maximising the space you have. In the loft, for example, we would suggest fitting a dormer window to give you more head height. If you can, always invest in built-in cabinetry to make the most of all the areas under the eaves.” She adds: “We always advise customers to hire someone who will ‘space plan’ with you. It is a service we offer. We use CGI and 2D images so you can envisage the space and, importantly, plan how you would fit your furniture in.” Interiors expert Hovia identifies multi-functionality as a rising trend for homeowners in 2023. “We’ve moved on from the notion that a house must simply be a place to eat, sleep and chill. A multi- functional home can mean the addition of spaces that cater for your passions, such as movie and game rooms, gyms and saunas,” says the company. A relatively easy way to create such a space is by installing a dedicated garden We have moved on from the notion that a house is simply a place to eat, sleep and chill
64 FEBRUARY 2023 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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