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Before and after: how to make the most of compact living

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When it comes to renovating and decorating, space is a major factor to consider, especially if you have a compact floorplan without the luxury to extend its footprint. Ex- Blockheads Brad and Lara Cranfield, recently renovated their dream Byron Bay family home, taking it from shack to shrine with an enhanced and maximised small space.

Before: kitchen
After: kitchen

They’ve shared their top five design elements to consider when designing your home to maximise space.

Flooring

โ€œLiving close to the beach, the interior of our home was always going to be beachy โ€“ we wanted it to be light, bright, and make the room feel spacious so that it could stand up to family living โ€“ thatโ€™s where flooring came in,โ€ says Lara.

โ€œWe selected a beautiful light oak timber floor. Not only was this a practical decision, but it also met our budget and desired aesthetic. By selecting lighter flooring, we were able to visually open each room, particularly smaller areas such as the bedrooms and home office, making each look and feel larger.

โ€œInstalling the flooring so that it ran along the length of each room was critical in visually elongating the rooms, making them appear larger.โ€

Before
After

Window furnishings

โ€œWindows play an important role in opening up a space โ€“ from letting in natural light to drawing the eye upwards or towards the outdoors โ€“ so how they are dressed needs to be carefully considered,โ€ says Lara.

โ€œFor our large sliding doors on each end of the house, we opted for Veri Shades, installing them from floor to ceiling to help emphasise our high ceilings. Unlike many shade track systems that can be bulky and distract the eye, Veri Shades feature simple and sleek tracks helping them look elegant and sophisticated.โ€

Before

After

Lighting and colour palette

โ€œIf budget allows, adding a skylight or larger windows that sit from floor to ceiling will help make any space feel and look larger. Ensuring your home has enough access to natural light is essential in helping it feel spacious, bright, and open,โ€ says Lara.

โ€œUsing light coloured paint on the walls and ceiling will also help maximise the space and work alongside the natural light to brighten your home. If you opt for a darker paint, less natural light will be reflected within the home and artificial light will be muted.โ€

Open living plan

โ€œTo maximise space, we knocked down all adjoining walls to create a large, open plan living area. As some of the walls were load bearing, we had to add ceiling beams. Eliminating these walls has changed the way that we live โ€“ I can now see where the family is and what theyโ€™re up to, which is great when you have young children,โ€ says Lara.

Before
After

Scale and storage

โ€œMake sure that you select the right scale furniture for a space โ€“ and that doesnโ€™t always mean including small items for small rooms! Large furnishings can still be put into a small room. And remember, less is more, so if a room is cluttered make sure you declutter and take any unnecessary items out.

โ€œYou also want your room to be functional โ€“ you may create a beautiful room on paper, however in reality it doesnโ€™t always work. Built in furniture, like a banquette with storage or a coffee table that works as a box, allows you to enjoy the room and your home free of unnecessary clutter.โ€

Brad and Lara are Carpet Court Style collaborators.

Shop the look

Carpet Court Oak Essentials flooring in Bronte

Carpet Court Veri Shades

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December 1, 2022

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Win a long weekend away for up to six people at th Win a long weekend away for up to six people at the divine @waukivoryestate near Gloucester NSW. Includes late 5pm checkout on the final day ๐ŸŽ‰

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New @kmartaus home has dropped! Hit up the link i New @kmartaus home has dropped!

Hit up the link in bio for more and links to buy. Enjoy!

#kmarthack #kmarthome #kmartaus #kmartstyling #kmartaustralia #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bargainhomewares #bargainbuys
Take a scroll through the stunning new art on line Take a scroll through the stunning new art on linen collab from @grottilotti and @linen_house We love it! โค๏ธ

And even if you're not in the market for new linen, the bird cushions would look fab on a sofa. The pink one might be finding its way to my house...

More info on the homepage now via link in bio.

#grottilotti #artistcollaboration #australianartist #australianart #australianartists #bedlinen #linenhouse #boldbedroom #colourfulbedroom #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #bedroomrefresh #bedroomgoals๐Ÿ˜ #linenaddict  #cockatoos #australianbirdsofinstagram
I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scal I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scallop design and colour pop of these lampshades from new brand @soffle_lights 

Read founder Sophie Cartwright's top tips for transforming your rental home on the blog now. Via link in bio.

Which colour is your fave?!

#lampshademaker #lampshadedesign #lampshademaking #floorlamps #lampshades #scalloped #sofflelights #lightingdecor #rentaldecor #rentalhome #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

#neutralhome #neutralhomedecor #bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #builtinbunkbeds #skylights #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #holidayhousesofinstagram #nswsouthcoast #wollongong #wollongonghomes

@projection_build @lumiere_collective @shersonarchitecture 
๐Ÿ“ท@the.palm.co
Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

#kidsroomstyling #kidswallpaper #playmats #feedingchair #nursingchair #nurseryroomdecor #washablerugs #washablerug #bouclechair #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
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Hugo Alley

About Hugo Alley

Hugo Alley is interning at Interiors Addict as part of his Bachelor of Media at the University of New South Wales

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