When you first moved into your home, you likely wondered how you could ever fill up every room and closet. However, as you stay in one place for several years, you tend to accumulate more belongings, and you may start to feel like the walls are closing in inside your once-spacious home. If you’re looking for Denver real estate that will offer you more space than what you currently have, here are a few things to search for.
1. Declutter your existing home
One way to quickly feel like you have more space in your new home is to bring less with you from your current home. If you’ve been in your home for several years, you’ve probably accumulated many things that you don’t use often. If you threw these things away, or if you donated them, you might not even notice that they are gone.
2. Think about the home’s potential
There are two ways to find a home with more space. The obvious option is to find a home with more square footage or additional bedrooms. Most people don’t consider the second option, which is to look for a home where there’s potential to add extra space in the future.
For example, if you find a one-story home, think about whether you could add an additional story in the future. Or, if the backyard is massive, perhaps you could build an ADU on the property. Remember that all additions must meet local building codes and regulations, so you’ll want to check with the local city government to determine what the maximum size of the home can be. The local HOA may also have rules about what additions or new constructions you can have on your property.
3. Make sure the home has plenty of closets
This is sometimes a greater issue in older homes. Newer homes tend to have more closets, as builders have caught up with recent trends and demands. A good rule of thumb is that a home should have a closet in every bedroom, plus two additional hall closets. This is a minimum, and some homes will have even more hall closets or a bedroom with multiple closets.
4. Check for bathroom storage areas
If you have multiple people using the same bathroom, the countertop can quickly become crowded with personal toiletries and cosmetics. In addition, you’ll want a cabinet or closet near the bathroom to keep fresh linens and extra toilet paper. If your bathroom doesn’t have a space like this, it can quickly begin to feel cluttered or overcrowded.
5. Prioritize a pantry
You’ll use your kitchen as much as any other room in your home, and it’s one of the worst places to have limited space. Your kitchen should have a pantry so that you don’t have to place food inside cupboards or on countertops. Make sure your pantry is well-organized so that you can find your food easily and maximize the number of items you can store inside.
6. Think about the present and future needs
Maybe it’s just you — or you and your partner — right now, but you’ve thought about adding kids in the future. Or, perhaps your children are young right now and don’t require much space, but this won’t always be the case. If you’re planning to stay in your new home for a significant amount of time, you’ll want to make sure the home is equipped to meet your needs down the road.
7. Look for a bigger garage
Most homes start with a two-car garage. However, your garage isn’t just the space where you’ll park your cars. It’s also a space where you might want to have a workbench, or where you plan to store outdoor equipment like bikes and lawnmowers. Some people even choose to have a treadmill or a weightlifting bench in their garage. You don’t want to be forced to make the choice between parking both cars in the garage and having enough room to store all of your belongings. If you can find a home with a three-car garage — or even something larger — this is a great way to maximize space.
8. Maximize the outdoor spaces
Outdoor living spaces are quickly growing in popularity. They are one of the first things people ask about when shopping for Denver real estate. Many people love the idea of sitting on the porch in the morning with a cup of coffee or enjoying a cold drink on a warm afternoon. Taking full advantage of your outdoor spaces can be a great way to maximize the amount of space you have at home.
If your home has enough space to build a deck or patio, start there. Make sure the area has plenty of lighting so that you can enjoy time outside even after the sun has gone down. Stock the area with plenty of comfortable chairs. Perhaps you put a fire pit in the middle, or maybe you mount a TV on the wall. Before you know it, you have a designated outdoor living space to pair with your living room inside. This can be a valuable asset when hosting guests since your visitors will have an extra space where they can gather. In addition, think about where you might be able to use a storage box or shed in your backyard. This is a great place to keep pool toys, lawn equipment, or toys. You can even store your patio cushions here when you’re expecting rain or snow.
Finding luxury houses for sale in Highlands
Many people find that working with Jason Sirois makes the homebuying process much easier and more enjoyable. Jason is passionate about real estate, but he’s even more passionate about people. He takes the time to listen to each of his clients so that he can understand their needs and help them find a home that fits their lifestyle and preferences. He would love to partner with you as you search for Denver real estate.