Top 10 Ways to Add Space to Your Home
Now more than ever, we all need extra room in our house. Whether you are now working from home full time, homeschooling the children, your grown children are now living back home, or your parents have moved in, there’s many reasons why your house feels like it’s shrinking. While you may not have the yard space or budget to for a full addition, here are some other ways to add space and functionality to your home.
1. Add a Second Story
This is one of the most costly ways to add space but for good reason. You can potentially double your living space by building upwards. You can add bedrooms, bathrooms, office, move the playroom (and all those toys) upstairs, and create a luxurious master suite.
2. Build a Room Over the Garage
Creating a bonus room, guest suite, or even an entire apartment over the garage can also yield a significant amount of square footage without having to pour a new foundation.
3. Build a Dormer
Rooftop windows can increase the head height space in the uppermost levels of a home. They can also improve ventilation, resulting in lower air conditioning costs and generally make that level more livable.
4. Finish the Basement
Just like adding a second story, finishing the basement has the potential of nearly doubling your living space. Traditionally, finished basements are used for a family or game room but adding windows can give enough light for extra bedrooms or even an in-law suite.
5. Finish the Attic
Besides the obvious benefit of more living space, finishing the attic requires complete insulation which results in better living conditions in the entire house.
6. Enclose a Porch
Enclosing a patio can add instant space to your home whether choosing a three season type or a room with full HVAC. Learn more about the benefits of a three season room here.
7. Convert the Garage
While you do sacrifice the ability to park your car inside, you may be able to convert an attached or detached garage into an office, gym. playroom. extra bedroom or even an entire guest suite. Just be aware that losing a garage’s original function may affect resale down the road.
8. Add On to Your Kitchen
A kitchen remodel is high on most homeowners’ wish list but many times the square footage does not allow the changes desired. Considering a bump-out addition to add just enough room to add a family-sized island or larger appliances.
9. Expand the Bathroom
When rearranging the bathroom layout still does not give you enough room, a bump-out can also be used to expand a small bathroom into a luxurious space with room for a walkout shower or soaking tub.
10. Enhance the Laundry Room
You may not need to expand the space of a laundry room to get more room. Consider stacking your full size washer and dryer and adding shelves, racks or a floor to ceiling storage system.
Ready For More Space?
The first step is to contact a trusted contractor. Based on your needs and budget, he will be able to outline your next steps toward getting that space you need. If you are in Hebron, Amston, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Colchester or a surrounding town in CT, feel free to reach out to Murphy’s Building & Remodeling.