Whether you’ve got a growing family or would simply like a space for guests, an extra bedroom can often come in handy. Adding an extra bedroom to a home can also increase your property’s value by quite an amount. But just what is the best way to add another bedroom? It all depends on your budget, the available space you have and how much you urgently need a new bedroom. This guide details some of the different ways to add a new bedroom to your home.
Upsize to a bigger home?
The first solution is to not make any changes to your current home, but to move instead. If you don’t like the location or have other issues with your home that cannot be fixed, it could make sense to move to a new home that has an extra bedroom. That way, you’re not making do with a home that you don’t truly feel comfortable in.
Moving to a new home with another bedroom could also be a good option if you rent your current home or cannot make any improvements due to strict local planning restrictions or leasehold restrictions. In some cases, it may not even be feasible to add space, such as in an apartment. If you urgently need the extra space, moving may be your only option.
Of course, moving is a lot of hassle and it can be very expensive. Finding the right moving company such as SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. could reduce the cost and hassle. It also depends on where you move – you may get lucky and find a home close by with an extra bedroom that’s not too much more expensive than your current home.
Build a home addition?
Building an addition could be a great option if you have the space to extend upon. In some cases, it may also be cheaper than moving.
Additions typically cost $80 to $200 per square foot – a 10ft x 20ft bedroom is likely to cost a little over $25,000. This doesn’t include building permit and design costs. You could build an extra bedroom, or you could build an addition and then configure your home (for example, you could build an addition and turn it into a living room, and then turn your old living room into a bedroom).
In most cases, you’ll need a permit, which may be harder to obtain in heavily urban areas or areas where land is protected. Getting permission from your neighbors is also important – especially if an addition may infringe on their privacy or cast a shadow over their backyard.
Convert existing space?
A cost-efficient option is to convert space you already have in your home. Consider any unused spaces in your home that you may be able to turn into an extra bedroom. This could include an unused attic, unused basement, unused garage or even a seldomly used dining room.
To be legally classed as a bedroom, any space you convert needs to meet certain criteria such as having enough headspace, suitable flooring and stair access. Bear this in mind when planning your conversion – some spaces may require more work than others to make them habitable.
In desperate times, you may be able to convert your living room into a bedroom, or cordon off half of it. If your kids are growing up and moving out soon, this may not be too much of a sacrifice, but you should be wary of sacrificing your living room long-term.
This post is a collaborative effort and may contain relative, relatable affiliate links. All opinions are our own and for informational purposes only.