ideas for creating an outdoor living space

3 Ways To Expand Your Home

9 April 2021 by Kyle Brown

If your current home is not as big as you'd like, don't worry. You don't have to go find a new house for space. There are many ways to expand your home. If you would like to learn more, check out these three common ways people add rooms to their homes.

1. Add an Addition

Adding an addition is an invasive procedure, and depending on the location, it may not be possible to stay inside the home or use parts of the home. However, the money spent on a good addition may be recouped at the time of sale.

Home additions are also a more flexible option because you can design the addition how you want. Plus, the addition can be as small as a new master bedroom or as big as an entire second floor. One of the biggest drawbacks is that you have to expand your HVAC system, which can become expensive. However, there are alternatives to expanding the ducts of your forced-air heating and cooling system. You could try a mini-split system, which is cheaper to install and run.  

2. Bump Out A Room

In some cases, a room simply isn't big enough. For example, your dining room may be too small for a full-size dinner table, but a bump-out can extend the house by 2 to 15 feet. This adds a lot of square footage without costing you much money. Other suggested uses include adding a window seat, installing a bathtub, expanding the kitchen to add an island, etc.

Also, because the addition is part of an existing room, you don't need to worry about expanding electricity or the HVAC system. You can also keep costs low by making the bump-out small. A small or cantilevered bump of about 2 feet in depth doesn't require extra support posts, but bigger bumps will need additional support.

3. Convert the Garage, Basement, or Attic

Finally, you could take an unused room in your house and turn it into a living space. This is common in the attic, basement, and garage. If you convert your garage, however, you may actually lose value when you sell the home because the house no longer has a garage.

If you convert your basement, it should add value to the home, especially if the basement was completely unfished. The biggest problem with converting the basement is flooding. Basements are subgrade, making them more prone to flooding.

Another good idea is to convert the attic, which won't provide the same risk of flooding. However, attic rooms can get particularly hot and stuffy during the summer. For this reason, it is recommended to expand the HVAC or add a mini-split system.

If you feel like your home is too small but you don't want to move, expanding your home may be the right choice. By adding extra rooms or converting already existing rooms, you can boost the value of your home and make it bigger. If you would like to learn more, contact a contractor in your area today.

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