Ways to get the most out of a couple extra feet of living space.
Whether you want to increase your home’s value or just need more living space, an addition can be a great way to modify your house. There are many ways to expand your home’s size, so make sure you pick the solution that works best for your needs and adds the most value. Here are some common home additions that might benefit you.
Add Another Bathroom
If your family struggles to share one bathroom or you have guests using the same bathroom as everyone else, consider adding an extra bathroom to your house. Adding a half-bath to the side of your home can be surprisingly affordable, or you could transform an existing half-bath into a full-size bathroom by expanding it into your yard.
Whatever route you take, you’ll appreciate the extra sink or shower.
Enclose the Patio or Porch
How often do you actually use your front porch or back patio? Probably not too often due to the weather. Make better use of these areas and increase your square footage by enclosing them to create four-season sunrooms.
“In order for your porch to be considered livable square footage,” explain the professionals at Milman Design Build, “it needs to have heating, cooling, and be accessible from the house. Today’s sunrooms are constructed from prefabricated kits with steel, aluminum, or fiberglass framework, along with glass panels for the walls.”
Expand a Room
You don’t need to renovate an entire wing of your house to gain extra square footage. A simple, affordable way to add space to any room with at least one outward-facing wall is to build a bump-out.
Milman Design Build suggests that bump-outs are a great solution. “Bump-outs, due to their small size, often don’t substantially alter the exterior of the house,” they explain. “With proper planning, bump-outs can blend in perfectly with the rest of the house.” A bump-out may only add a few square feet, but it can make a big difference in how usable a room is.
Finish a Room
If you want more living space but don’t want to spend the time or money on an addition, consider finishing any unfinished rooms like the basement, workshop, or laundry room. You could even convert your garage into a finished living or lounge space.
“Unfinished areas in a house aren’t included in calculating the square footage of a home, regardless of which level they’re on,” says Nick Gerhardt of Family Handyman. Just make sure to include an egress door or window for safety, and the room can count toward your home’s square footage.
With careful planning and expert advice, you can choose the best modification for your home’s floor plan and your family’s needs.
Finance Your Home Upgrades
Utilizing the equity in your home may be the solution to make these dreams a reality. A Five Star Bank Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit can help you borrow against the equity in your home.
Serving the communities of Western New York.
Find your local Five Star Bank offices.