Are you looking to add a room to your house or apartment? You can do this in various ways. Some people prefer to start by knocking down walls and adding new rooms. Others prefer to construct entirely new rooms from scratch. Whatever method you choose, there are certain things you should know before you begin.
There are many reasons someone might want to add a room or area to their home. Maybe they already have a large bedroom that’s a bit too big. Perhaps they want to create enough space for a family member who needs extra sleeping quarters. Or maybe they love their living area and want to add on a little something different to make it even better. Regardless of your reason, this article will show you some tips for adding on a room to a house.
Include a Modular Home Addition
Modular homes are becoming increasingly popular because they provide a viable option for adding a room to an existing structure. The basic idea is to create a house you can put together quickly and efficiently. This way, you can save money and time by avoiding the unnecessary expenses of making a custom home. With modular homes, there is no need to spend days or weeks designing. Instead, you can choose the type of flooring, window coverings, kitchen, bathroom, and furniture you wish to use.
This makes it much easier if you want to change something later when you get to redecorate. Also, these homes are energy efficient. The roof, walls, cabinets, doors, windows, and insulation are all designed to provide greatest protection against heat loss or gain. Besides, they are safe because they feature fireproof materials that reduce the chances of your house burning down.
Expand the Bathroom
When expanding the bathroom, decide whether you want a single or multi-room bathroom design. A single bathroom offers privacy but makes the area less versatile. On the other hand, a multi-room bathroom provides versatility but does not allow for individual privacy. When considering space requirements, consider the number of people using the bathroom instead of focusing on square footage. Add a bathtub, shower stall, toilet, mirror, and extra storage.
Remember, you also need space between stalls for privacy. Consider installing a pedestal sink or large towel bar for small bathrooms. There are many options available for materials, including tile, wood, and marble. Toilet seats and vanities should match the style of the rest of the bathroom.
Additionally, consider using a dark color for a more relaxing environment. Bright colors stimulate excitement in mind. Opt for white or gray if you prefer a neutral color scheme. Also, marble or hardwood floor installation gives your bathroom an upscale look. Ensure to select a flooring that will last a long time.
Add a Mudroom
Mudrooms are great additions to your house. Consider incorporating storage solutions for shoes and coats in the mudrooms. Include hooks for hanging coats and bags and coat racks to prevent clutter from building around the house. Leave enough room for entryways into the other rooms. Create enough clearance to allow visitors to enter without hurting themselves.
Still, don’t forget to include benches or seating areas where guests can rest while they wait for someone to pick them up. Choose durable materials that won’t need frequent cleaning for mudroom flooring options. Consider installing tile and paint floors instead of carpeting because they’re easier to clean and maintain. Wood and laminate flooring are good choices because they offer sturdy surfaces that won’t wear out quickly.
Consider a Bump-Out Addition
If the space under your house is small, you might add a bump-out instead of building an addition. Designing the bump-out should consider the location where you want to place it. For example, a bump-out near the kitchen will create a barrier between the two rooms. Instead, place it near a bedroom window to maximize light exposure and natural ventilation. In this case, the size of the bump-out matters. Too big bump-outs can make your house look too bulky and unattractive. You want to balance aesthetics with functionality. Opt for a smaller bump-out and install shelves along the walls to display items when possible.
Remodel Your Kitchen
When looking for tips for adding on a room to a house, remodelling the kitchen is an excellent idea. You can start by styling your countertops, but they need constant care and maintenance. Consider hiring professional remodelers to install a granite counter top if you want to redesign your kitchen and bring more charm into your house. Granite lasts longer and looks better than any other material you could consider.
Granite comes in many colors, and patterns that fit well with your overall design scheme. For kitchen flooring, consider hardwood floor installation. It’s durable, affordable, and easy to clean. Cabinets are the perfect choice for a small space kitchen. They are inexpensive and take up less room than their bulky counterparts. Ensure to hire a qualified cabinet company for installation to have a professional finish. Choose the best kitchen wall cabinet design that fits your style and taste.
Deck Addition
Deck additions are perfect for families looking to expand. Decks comprise wood materials and connect to the central part of the home. They let homeowners enjoy the outdoors while still maintaining privacy inside. You should look at various types of decks available today. You may choose from different options depending on your budget.
Again, you should only select a deck design that matches your lifestyle to save money and time. A wooden or metal deck design will suit your needs if you plan to spend much time outdoors. However, concrete or brick decks are ideal if you are more into spending quality time indoors. However, before starting a deck project, you must determine the size needed. It’s important to remember that decks may require permits depending on local laws.
Build a Dormer
Another tip for adding a room to a house is building a dormer. A dormer design is an addition to the roof of a home. All it requires is for you to select between different dormer designs. Then decide whether to add it to the side of a house or the top. But when choosing the best dormer type, any additional size should depend on where it will rest on the roof.
Dormers add height to the room, helps to improve ventilation on top of the roof, and increase natural lighting inside rooms. They can also help to create a unique architectural design for homes. Make sure the roofing material matches your preference. Also, when building a dormer, use a professional roofing service. If you prefer a modern aesthetic, then you might opt for wood.
Wood is a good choice since its design complements any architectural style. It can also last for decades if properly cared for. Metal could be a better option if you prefer a more traditional approach. It does not need maintenance and can withstand years of exposure to extreme weather. However, if you are planning to tile your roof, let a roofer pick a dormer style that blends well with your house.
Add a Second Story
Consider adding a second story to your home if you live in a small house. A second-floor addition increases the size of your home and gives you more options for rooms. You should design the new space based on what you want to use it for. Consider hiring experienced contractors in building additions to complete the job.
These professionals know exactly where to install the supports, materials, and tools required to finish the job. Add playroom areas, bedrooms, offices, and bathrooms if you plan to have children. Of course, this depends on your personal preferences. Try to keep a simple budget. This means avoiding unnecessary upgrades such as granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Instead, focus to paint walls, and install dining furniture and carpet.
Turn an Attached Garage Into an Extra Room
If you want to add a room to your house but don’t have enough space, you can start utilizing the attached garage area of your house. Depending on what kind of home you live in, this is something that you would want to consider first. This is a better option because replacing walls and creating new rooms may be expensive since they need professionals like drywall services.
Turning an attached garage into a room can enhance the livability of any home. You can add a smaller bedroom to it or extend the dining room to better use the kitchen area. The idea here is to expand the house’s living areas while ensuring that everything else remains intact. It’s important to note that this requires some creativity, but it works.
Also, there is no limit on how many items you can store inside your attached garage-turned room. You can build shelves, cabinets, closets, lockers, or anything else you want to keep the stuff inside. Since the garage is attached to your house, you won’t have to worry about moving heavy furniture around.
Basement Addition
Basements are great additions to any home. They offer extra storage, more bedrooms, or even a hobby room. Basements also allow homeowners to customize their homes without spending thousands of dollars on construction costs. If you’re considering adding a basement, you first need to determine whether you want to create a finished basement or a partially finished basement. Your choice will depend on your budget and preference.
Add a Home Office
The value of having a well-organized home office is growing as the number of people who work from home continues to rise. You could turn an extra bedroom or a portion of your basement into an office space. But building an additional office might be an option if you have neither of these spaces available. A home office is essential if you want to concentrate on your job in an environment with few interruptions.
With increasing overhead costs, running a home-based office makes more sense than renting or buying a commercial property. The cost of adding a home office to your property may increase based on the size of the area and the price of any fixtures that you want to install. If the office you design has the potential to double as a bedroom, you can consider marketing it if you ever decide to sell your home. This will make your item more desirable to potential buyers.
Change the Front Porch Into a Sunroom
There are several rooms in a house that you may not think of as potential additions because they are rarely used. A front porch is a good candidate for simple modifications that add value to a home without breaking the bank. A sunroom might be the perfect solution when you’re looking at adding a room to your house and you want to maximize its benefits. A sunroom is essentially a small room that gets sunlight from outside. It extends your front porch. This means you’ll get all the same benefits of having a porch, like enjoying the warm weather while keeping your interior cool simultaneously.
Hiring a professional and qualified architect is essential for designing an add-on that will exceed your expectations. Complex zoning requirements may hinder your plans for a house addition or remodeling. But, an experienced architect can readily manage them. We can assist you in figuring everything out. Contact us now for a free individual consultation.