Ideas to Add a Room

Tired of living in cramped spaces and looking for ideas to add a room? We all could use more comfortable living spaces, especially if there’s a growing family or new needs our quarters can’t accommodate. It may seem as though moving to a bigger and better home is the best way to go about your changing lifestyle. But have you ever considered the option to add a room to your existing house?

Planning

Before you pick up the phone and dial a contractor, you first need to identify the issues your new room should address. Do you want a home office for your business? Are you after extra storage space for inventory and merchandise? Besides the purpose of your new room, another important thing you have to consider is your budget. Sure, a large new room with all the bells and whistles is lovely, but can you really afford double walk-in closets and a veranda?

Types of Room Additions

Now that you’ve figured out what you want to add a room for, you have to consider the design options available to you. Below are six basic designs for room additions.

• If you want an outdoor structure addition where you can entertain guests during good weather, consider a sunroom or porch that connects to your house. These can be glassed in or screened in.
• For small-scale additions, try a bump-out. These are very small rooms created by moving the wall a few feet – but you’d be surprised at how much extra space this can free up!
• If your new needs require a standard-sized room, consider a single room addition.
• If you have extra lot space and need to add more than one room, wing additions are your best option.
• Why add a room when you can add a whole second storey? Those living in small lots will find that going up is the best alternative to their space problems.
• For those who need more than one storey, two-storey additions are available in towers that are attached directly to the house or built separately then attached.

Zoning Laws and Building Permits

Don’t get too excited and have the builders come over just yet – there’s one thing left for you to do. Check your county’s zoning laws to make sure your room addition complies with them, and secure any building permits at City Hall. It’d be a shame for you to start building your new two-storey tower, only to have construction cancelled because they violate your community’s height rules. The building permits are necessary to ensure that the construction of your new room is safe and complies with your city’s building codes.

A new room may be the answer to all your space problems, but it can only provide the solution you need if you plan it well. Take your time deciding how you want to add a room, and consult the advice of an architect throughout your planning process.