Getting the home addition is one thing, but knowing what to do with it is another. It isn’t enough to get a generic bedroom that you can repurpose down the line. If additional space is the only thing you are after, finding a new place might be easier and cheaper.
But that’s not what you want, right?
A home addition presents a unique opportunity to build in customizations. Customizations you didn’t get a chance to do since you bought the house as a finished product. Think about what that can mean for you and your family.
You can add wow features that you’ve always wanted in your dream room. You can integrate accessible features for senior family members and those with disabilities. Ultimately, you have the power to do whatever you want from the ground up.
Designing Your Home Additions: Guide Questions
Home additions are very versatile. There are dozens of ways you can use the space. It all boils down to your imagination. When you figure out what you want out of the space, you’ll be a step closer to your dream home.
Before you think about material and paint colors – you need to concretize your plans. Here are some guide questions that can help you figure out the best use of the extra living space:
- Is there a need in the house that is not being fulfilled at the moment?
Example: No office space, poor storage, crowded rooms, etc.
- Is there a solution in place to fulfill that need?
Example: Using the dining table for office work.
- Are there family members who don’t have their own space?
Example: Siblings sharing rooms
- Do you want to create a private or communal space?
Example: Bedroom versus media room
- What are the additional features you want to integrate into your house?
Example: smart appliances, storage solutions, convertible furniture, etc.
- What kind of set up would benefit the home right now?
Example: If you have a new baby, a nursery might make sense.
- What kind of set up would benefit the home in the future?
Example: If you have a young family, an entertainment room might be more useful when the kids get older.
You don’t want to be saddled with a space that only offers shallow, short-term solutions. When you discuss these questions with your roommates/ family members, you can better plan for the future and settle on the right design.
Here are the top 5 room ideas for your home addition.
Spare Bedroom
A spare bedroom is one of the more popular choices for a home addition. For one thing, it can increase your property price by 15%. If you have a bedroom with an ensuite bath, you might be able to bump up the price. In terms of resale value – a bedroom is the way to go.
Even if you don’t want to resell the house in the future, a spare bedroom is still popular. If you have a growing family, you can expand and give your children much-needed space. If you don’t have a large family, a spare bedroom can be great for out of town guests.
When in doubt, an additional bedroom is your safest bet.
Nursery and Playroom
Young children need to have a space to explore and play. It’s an important part of their growth and development. When you have a nursery or playroom – you not only create a safe space for them – but for you as well.
Children are natural-born mess-making machines. They like the scatter all their toys, art tools, and anything they can get their hands on. You’ll run yourself ragged if you keep watching their every move. When you have separate play areas, you don’t have to worry about the mess in that area. Having a nursery or playroom allows you to create a clear division between the two.
If you have a baby or young children, a dedicated nursery or playroom can help maintain the order.
Office and Study Room
School and work are not bound by four walls anymore. There are more and more opportunities available online. Around 42% of U.S residents are working from home and all schools moved to online classes. During this period, people had to create mini-offices in their homes with very mixed results.
With your new home addition, you can make a proper place for study and work. A home office or study room with productivity in mind should do just the trick. Add bookshelves, desks, chairs, and all sorts of office supplies. Create a space with little to no distractions so you can do your school or work-related tasks in peace.
Read More: How to Set Up Your Own Office Space.
Home Gym
Not everyone is comfortable exercising outside. For some people, it is a matter of safety. You cannot predict the weather, and something like rain can ruin what you have planned. When you have a home gym, you control your environment.
For others, it is a matter of privacy. Not unless you live in an acreage – privacy can be hard to come by. You never know when a neighbor is watching or not. Again, a home gym offers you the privacy necessary for a hassle-free workout.
When you have a small gym in your home addition, you can commit to an active lifestyle with no excuses.
Read More: How to Create the Ultimate Basement Gym.
Media Room
You can host intimate gatherings with a media/entertainment room to unwind after a long week at work. Here you can keep all your high-intensity fun activities – from card games and board games to video game consoles and TVs. Have family and friends over for a movie marathon or a video game competition and bond with the people you love.
When you have a media room installed, you get to add another wow-factor to your home.
Your home addition is a major undertaking, but it has its rewards. Find out what that looks like for you and your family! Hire a professional contractor and get started on your home improvement project!
