Hello World! Welcome Friends! There are many reasons to consider an addition; maybe you need space for a home office or an In-Law Suite. Before you consider an addition, you should first take the time to find out how much it will cost and how much it will add to the value of your home.
Once you decide if it makes financial sense, adding on to a house is easy. Read on to learn what you need to know before your home addition.
What to Know About Adding on to Houses?
The first thing to consider is style. If you have an older house make sure your addition mirrors the look of your existing structure. Consider using the same or complementary building materials to ensure you don’t have an addition that looks out of place.
Next, consider what type and amount of space you need. There are many ways to find or add additional space to your existing home.
Consider Enclosing a Patio or Deck
If you are looking for an easy space addition, you can enclose an existing patio. Your home already has a door to access the space and you can simply add walls and a roof.
The same can be done on an existing deck. Before you decide to enclose a deck, make sure that the deck foundation was built to hold the additional weight of walls and a roof.
Build a New Deck
If you live in a temperate climate, you can increase your living and entertaining space by building a deck on your home. Outdoor living space can include an outdoor kitchen and TV.
You may also want to consider covering part of your deck to create a permanently shaded area.
Finishing a Room or Basement
If you have unfinished areas in your house, finishing off the space can be an inexpensive way to increase your home’s square footage.
Basements are perfect spaces to finish, you can create a large living space or section off a portion to create a new room. Laundry rooms can be enclosed to create a separate workspace and keep washers and dryers out of sight.
Finish a Garage to Create an In-Laws Suite
If you are considering moving ailing parents into your home, consider using an existing garage to create an In-Law Suite. It will allow you to keep your parents close but not take away from your existing living space.
Build Over the Garage
The biggest challenge with this project is finding space to put the items that are currently being housed in the garage. If you decide you can’t live without the garage space, consider building an In-Law suite or office, over, the garage. You can now increase your space without losing storage.
Add on Using a House Bump Out
A bump-out addition is a great way to expand a small bathroom without messing with other nearby rooms. It’s complicated, but the spaced gained is well worth the effort.
If your house is constructed as such, an addition by subtraction from your garage might help add square footage. If you’re comfortable with paring down your garage in order to add a bathroom or a bigger mudroom, then a garage bump out might work.
Go Up by Adding a Second Story
Adding a second story can be expensive but can also create a much larger living area. Be sure to check your local codes to ensure that you can build on your existing structure.
If you live near a beach or other vista, you may be prevented from building a second story that would block someone else’s view.
Add Space through a Small Kitchen Addition
We spend a significant amount of time in our kitchens. If you have a small kitchen consider creating an add on off the back of your existing kitchen.
You can use this space to expand your kitchen counter and storage space or create a cozy breakfast nook. If you have a large pantry next to your kitchen, consider using some of that space to expand an existing kitchen.
Finish Off an Existing Attic and Add a Dormer
Dormers can improve the silhouette of your home by giving it a little flair. A dormer can also allow you to create space in an existing unused attic.
Attics are great spaces to finish off to create more living space in your home. Keep in mind that you will need at least 7 feet between the floor and the roof. So, grab a tape measure and see if you can use the space in your attic.
There are a lot of unique ways to create living space in an attic, so you are only limited by your imagination.
Create Unique Livable Areas
Do you have a large walk-in closet? Consider creating a small office or nursery in the space. Repurposing these spaces can create a more usable space without changing the footprint of your home.
If you have a large staircase consider using the space under the stairs to create a storage closet for coats or sports equipment.
Take time to walk through your home with these ideas and see what unique spaces you can find. Creating addition living space in your home can increase your home’s value. More importantly, creating space in your home can make living in it feel better.
If you decide you can’t find the additional space you need, we buy any house. Then you can choose a new house that meets all of your needs.
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Toodles,
I’m realized that designing an addition for an old house can be more challenges than expected! We live in an old house (the style is called an American Foursquare – a cube shaped house with a hip roof) and we are going to need more space. So I’ve been diving into Pinterest and the web for ideas and inspiration. Its hard to find additional that keeps the old house charm intact!
Home additions are great for those looking to add some extra space to their home, as well as adding value to your property. But home additions are also expensive when compared to home renovations and basement or attic conversions.