Maximising Your Space and Light With a Modern Home

Whether you're feeling cramped from living in close quarters, expecting a new member of the family, or a parent is moving in, a new building can make the most of what you have and make your place seem much more luxurious. This is true regardless of the size or shape of your lot.

When considering a project, the best place to start is always with the fundamentals, which include the ideal orientation of the house and rooms, passive design elements (openings, shadings, and thermal mass), and water. Find more detail here: Design Elements 101. More specifically, ideas such as increasing the height of your ceilings, opening up your home to the outdoors, and using smart joinery can all make a huge difference.

The most noticeable change you can typically make to your home is to increase the living space and add more windows. Many older homes are dim because of small windows and bad placement. Having more natural light in your house may make it seem more open and airy, which can make you feel more at ease and reduce your desire for more square footage. Your house may also benefit from being both warmer in winter and cooler through the summer months. To maximise the benefits of passive solar energy, invite sunlight into the house only during the best times of day. A well-shaded, north-facing window brings in light during the winter and keeps out the heat during the summer. In spite of constraints on windows, I’ll always try to maximise natural light.

My renovations to the Kensington House included installing a large glass wall that opened up the space between the indoor and outdoor living areas, connecting the kitchen, living room, and dining area. Given the limited space available on their block, the homeowners wished for an indoor-outdoor flow expanding the feel of the kitchen and living room. This solution was pricey, but it more than paid for itself by providing the small home with an abundance of natural light and expansive views of the garden.