USEFUL SEATING AREA Plan any new space carefully to accommodate an invaluable seating area, whether it’s for entertaining, eating or working.
Eager to get on the property ladder, Ashleigh and Gary Stacey, loved their twobedroom flat when they first saw it in the autumn of 2013. ‘It was in a nice quiet area, the shops were within walking distance and it was much better value than some other places we’d seen,’ says Ashleigh. ‘Space wise we liked the size of the bedrooms and the bathroom, but we could also see the potential elsewhere to create more space and really make it our home.’ The one drawback was the dark and dingy kitchen which had no natural light, as a plasterboard wall – with a small archway for a doorway – blocked it off from the main living area. ‘It was a tiny area that felt very cramped and dark,’ explains Ashleigh. ‘There was hardly any storage space and certainly no room for a table for us to sit at,’ explains Ashleigh. Due to a complicated buying chain, the couple had to wait months to get into their flat, but, as soon as they were in, decided to tackle the kitchen. ‘We ripped it out straight away,’ laughs Ashleigh. ‘We both knew that if there was one thing we would do to the flat it would be to change the kitchen so we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it.’
UPDATE YOUR UNITS Ashleigh replaced the dated old pine units with sleek latte-coloured cabinets to bring her kitchen right up-to-date. Not only are they easy to keep clean, but choosing lighter shades helps to reflect light around the room, making it look more spacious. The geometric-style handles also add to the contemporary scheme.