Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of the American Dream, fitting hand in glove with one of our other traditional values, the nuclear family. Yet very few of us have the means or the money to acquire our dream home. In most cases, families must make compromises when it comes to the size or style of their home, its location, whether or not there are spacious yards, and of course, the amount that must be paid every month toward the mortgage.
That said, there’s no reason you can’t turn a compromise into a creative solution. If the home that you are considering buying — or the one you’ve lived in for 20 years — is perfect in almost every regard except for its size, consider a room addition.
Today we’re talking about the best types of living spaces to construct on an otherwise ideal property. Read on for some ideas, inspiration, and practical advice!
Enjoy The Sights And Sounds Of Nature From Your Sunroom
Hands down, one of the most popular additions to a residence is a sunroom, aka a Florida room, three-season room, four-season room, solarium, or screen room. There are some differences between these living areas, but the term “sunroom” is used to describe any room that boasts loads of natural light as well as access to outdoors.
Depending on the style of your home and the climate where you live, you might opt for a screened-in porch, a solarium with glass walls, a space that is fully heated and air-conditioned for year-round use, or even one that can be used as a greenhouse!
Best of all, a sunroom can net you a 50% ROI. It’s a great selling point, as well as being one of the most affordable additions.
A Practical Bedroom Suite For Any Purpose
Adding a bedroom and en suite bath is another great way to go when it comes to creating a little more elbow room in your existing house. You might consider just a bedroom for a tween or teenage child who’s previously been sharing a room with a sibling but now wants a bit more privacy.
As the Baby Boomers begin to retire and think about their housing options for the future, the concept of “aging in place” is gaining steam. Perhaps you have a parent or other senior relative who needs a space of their own, but one that’s close to you and the rest of your family. Before you take on this home improvement, do some research into accessibility — you may want to plan and construct a space that can accommodate a wheelchair, has a walk-in bathtub, and so on.
On the other hand of the spectrum, an increasing number of Millennials and Gen Z individuals are moving back home with their families to save on housing costs. Adding a living suite for them — complete with bathroom, bedroom, sitting area, and maybe even a galley kitchen — is a much better option for everyone involved that having your grown child living in the basement.
“Go the extra mile and make sure there’s a separate entrance,” suggests Lee B. Mash of Everhart Construction, a company that specializes in room addition in Houston. “That way, when your kids do leave the nest, you’ll be able to rent out the suite for added income.”
A Studio That’s One Of A Kind
You’ve no doubt heard of “man caves” and their female-friendly counterparts, “she sheds.” Although the terms are a little silly, there’s no denying the value of a separate space where Mom or Dad can let their hair down and enjoy themselves.
The more sophisticated-sounding “studio” can also accommodate a family member’s hobby or passion. Whether it’s creating art, crafting, gardening, playing a musical instrument, dancing, practicing yoga, or lifting weights, a dedicated space — call it whatever you want — is a wonderful way to add on to your house. The studio can be attached to the existing structure or a freestanding building; it can be as simple as a plain room or as elaborate as a suite. Accurately furnished, this kind of room can do double duty as guest quarters.
What Kind Of Room Will You Build?
Naturally, there are many other types of spaces that can increase not just the value of your home, but its residents’ quality of life. It only takes a little imagination on your part, and the skills and expertise of a contractor, to turn your house into your dream home!
Have you been considering a room addition? What type of room are you most interested in? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
