Adding Additional Living Space

Adding additional living space to your home can, at first, be overwhelming. Sitting down and beginning a plan can be the first step in an exciting adventure of transforming yours into one of your dreams. 

This article will help you focus on your objective for the renovations you’d like to add.

  • Addition Types For Different Purposes:
  • Enclosed A Back Porch For More Space
  • Add A Completely New Room Addition
  • Bum-out Addition By Kicking Out A Wall
  • Converting Existing Porch to Sunroom
  • Building Over Garage For More Space

These are just a few ideas for the many needs of discriminate homeowners.

The obvious question in home renovation planning is: How Much Does An Addition Cost?

The cost of adding living space to a house depends on several factors. The first thing you should consider is the location of your home. The real estate comparables – or “comps” – are comparable properties in a specific area you want to buy, sell or renovate. You can use comps to determine the value of a home by comparing it to similar properties sold in the same neighborhood or somewhere else near the house being valued, which will determine how much or room additional cost to spend for your area. It will also depend on the size of the room, the location of the room on the property, and the featured amenities. Zillow is an excellent place to compare recent sales in your area to determine if your renovation intentions are overpricing your home for the area.

Master Bedroom

Building a master bedroom suite, on the other hand, will likely be more expensive. A master bedroom suite comes with its bathroom, which requires a restructuring of the home from the inside of its walls. A master bedroom also typically has features that take up much space, such as a walk-in closet.

Enclose a Porch

Like a patio, enclosing a porch can add square footage to your home. It can feel like part of the house since it now has become accessible through the house.

Sunroom

A sunroom is added to either side or the back of the home as a supplemental entertainment area. Sunrooms are not considered permanent living structures because they are not used year-round, so they don’t have the same local building codes as conventional add-ons. This significantly reduces room addition costs, making a sunroom an attractive room addition for homeowners who want to save money.

Bump-Out Addition

Bumping out a wall within an existing room is one of the most common ways to add living space to your home. A bump-out, a micro-addition, is usually cheaper than a brand-new room because it doesn’t require additional support or changes to the home’s foundation.

A bump-out addition, like a breakfast nook, adds a little extra space without costing as much as a complete addition.

Garage Addition

A detached garage can increase your home’s value and add convenience to your daily life.

You might consider building a garage if you don’t already have one located on your property. You can either add an attached or detached garage, and the costs will vary depending on the foundation, electrical system installation, drywall, and average square footage.

A Mother-In-Law Suite

As parents and children age, it makes sense that you might want to live closer to family so you don’t miss important milestones in each other’s lives. A mother-in-law suite can help you create more space that makes sense for your family. 

A mother-in-law suite is a small living area within a family house. It is a self-contained living space attached to a home or detached on the same property as a primary residence. They typically include a bedroom, full bathroom, kitchen, and a private entrance. A mother-in-law suite provides a separate living space, allowing others independence.

Why Are Mother-In-Law Suites Popular?

A mother-in-law suite is a popular way to offer a comfortable place for relatives and guests to stay in your home while increasing property value. Mother-in-law suites catch the eye of so many homeowners. They are famous for several reasons, such as a desire for multigenerational housing, caring for aging parents, building an accessible living space for a family member(s) with mobility issues, and providing a source of rental income to help with mortgage payments or other expenses. They offer flexibility in how they can be used by serving as guest suites for visitors, home offices, or studios for artists.

  • Private entrance: Discreet and inviting. It is usually located at the side or back of the main house, providing a separate entry point for the occupants of the mother-in-law suite.
  • Bedroom: Cozy and comfortable. The room is typically located within a separate living space, detached or attached to the main house, providing a sense of independence.
  • Full bathroom: Private and self-contained. It is designed to provide comfort and convenience for guests or family staying in the suite.
  • Kitchen or kitchenette: A place to prepare small meals. It is a smaller space that provides basic cooking facilities.

Addition As A Bonus Room

A bonus room is a home without a kitchen, bathroom, family room, hallway, or closet. These extra rooms are just that – a bonus.

Bonus rooms are popular because of the flexibility that they offer to homeowners. Whatever your needs or preferences – and even if they change over time – a bonus room can be adapted to best suit your needs. If you want to renovate your home, finishing a space to create a bonus room could be great for your family – and improve the value of your home. Bonus rooms are typically renovated spaces that are transformed to serve a function of the home. These rooms usually do not qualify as extra guest bedrooms due to some requirements for a room to legally be considered a bedroom. While they don’t count as a bedroom, there are many advantages to having a bonus room in your home.

Home Value

A bonus room can positively impact a home’s appraised value. This bonus space can appeal to a wide variety of potential home buyers due to the flexible nature of a bonus room. House hunters can imagine the room working in many ways for their family, which makes this an attractive addition to most homes.

Every bonus room is different, and depending on the size, design, and features of the space, it might serve one function better than another. The best way to utilize the extra space depends on the homeowner’s needs. Here are some ideas for how some homeowners have used the bonus rooms in their homes.

Home Office

Homeowners who work from home can benefit from this extra space in the form of a home office. Some bonus rooms have a door which can be closed for privacy and dedicated work time. But it can also be a home office space to take care of your finances and family life if you only have a small area.

Kids Playroom

Parents with younger children might appreciate a designated playroom in their home. While it can be impossible to keep toys out of every room in the house, it is great to have a space with a door that can be closed to contain most of the clutter. These spaces can easily be transitioned into game rooms or movie rooms as kids age and their hobbies change.

Extra Guest Bedroom

While a bonus room might not technically be designated as a legal bedroom, it can often function as one if space is needed. You could consider adding a transitional bed, such as a pullout couch or daybed, if you want the room to work as a guest room only sometimes.

Exercise Room

There are many benefits of having a home gym. Bonus rooms acting as exercise rooms usually require a little more space but can be an excellent addition to a home. Think about the type of equipment that you have and the location of the room – you might not want to lug a super heavy treadmill into a converted attic, for example. But, having a dedicated workout space could be a great motivator to encourage you to keep up your fitness routine.

Hobby Room

Have a hobby? Whether you like crafting, model trains, reading, wine, or painting, a bonus room could perfectly suit your interests and needs. Plus, if you change hobbies, you can easily change the space to fit your newest needs.

Storage Space

Bonus rooms, besides being used for activities, can serve as large storage spaces to help reduce clutter around the rest of the home. If you have many seasonal items to store, consider adding floor-to-ceiling shelves to store bins or boxes. Vertical storage options will help to make the best of a small storage space.

Whatever the final reason why an addition may be a good choice for your existing home. Be a new larger main bathroom or bedroom, mother-in-law suite, family room, sunroom, or one of the many options a bonus room provides. Building an addition to your home can be exciting and rewarding. Plus, the added benefit of increasing the value of your home.

We at Florida Roofing and Renovations Inc. have been building homes and additions for over thirty years here in Brevard County, Florida. As a family-owned company, we take pride and care when we are chosen to enhance a homeowner’s home. When you have been in business as long as we have, including the many memberships and A-plus ratings, you know you are getting quality.

Call us today for a free evaluation and proposal for your remodel needs. Call 321-914-3360 or email us here.