Home additions can come in all different shapes and sizes, and what suits one household’s needs, may not suit another anywhere near as well.
A home addition is as it sounds: you expand or renovate your existing home to increase the square footage and amount of living space. This can be done to improve functionality, simply to give more space to a growing family, or to make a property more sellable.
If you would like to add on to your home, but aren’t quite sure what type of addition would best suit your needs, here are 7 popular ideas to give you some inspiration:
- A second story addition
If you want to create some more liveable space in your home, but don’t want to (or are not able to) extend the blueprint of your property, adding a second story can provide a solution.
By building another floor on top of an existing floor in a home with a single story, families can gain a lot more space and improve the overall appearance of their home at the same time. It goes without saying that by making your home bigger in such a way, you can expect to sell it for more should you ever need or want to.
2. A kitchen addition
If your kitchen simply isn’t big enough for you and all of your cookery books, equipment, furniture and family, then adding on to an existing kitchen, or creating an entirely new one, can be a thoroughly worthwhile investment.
3. A sun or 3-season room addition
Designed to give families more space even during inclement weather, and give them the feeling of being outside while still very much inside, this cost-effective addition may be a good solution for homeowners with a smaller budget, and some yard space available.
4. A master suite addition
Typically created by combining a bedroom that is already there, with a neighboring space such as a closet or bathroom, a master suite can be created that provides more space, and added element of luxury.
5. A room addition
If your home is feeling a bit crowded now that the family is growing, or your children have gotten bigger and need more of their own space, adding a room on can be a budget-friendly addition. Naturally, the more rooms you add, the more the project will cost, but a simple room extension can be used as an extra bedroom, office, or family room. It can be attached to the main home, or built a little distance from it, according to your needs and what space you have available.
6. A garage addition
Practical and functional, adding a garage to a home that has vehicles or lots of belongings needing to be stored, can enhance a property and help it sell for more, too. With parking at a premium in some areas, and vehicle theft a constant worry for many, a garage can offer peace of mind for car owners. The space can also double up as a workshop or gym if needed, and you can choose to have windows fitted, along with insulation and a HVAC system.
7. A basement addition
Because the basement already exists, converting it into a usable space is arguably the most budget-friendly addition of them all, depending on how luxurious you want to make it, that is. It will be important, however, to think about how you control moisture in such a space, ventilation and lighting.
With each addition idea offering up something different to the homeowner, you’ll need to carefully consider your budget, your needs, and what space you have available, before deciding which one to go ahead with. By working with an experienced general contractor or construction company specializing in home additions, however, you can get some valuable guidance and limit the risk of the project failing.