Owning a home is as much a luxury as a necessity. If you have one, you are surely lucky. Still, some homes can be smaller than your needs, which you realize over time. Since buying one takes your life savings, thinking of another can be out of the question. How do you make the existing one suitable for your growing needs? You can add or extend a few things here and there to optimize a specific area’s utility. Before working on these, it’s better to consult appraisers to ensure the renovation efforts pay off. Let’s look at the possibilities now.
Enclose the patio
You can do this in two ways. Build a foundation, roof, and wall to add more square footage to the house. The patio should be attached to the home for easy accessibility. But this is an expensive hard work. Or, you can opt for the DIY route with a screened-in patio. The structure can be simple to erect, but it will involve working with big lumber. You should follow the building codes.
Finish the basement
Your house’s unfinished areas can add extra square footage if you prepare them, regardless of location. Suppose you have an unfinished basement with exposed concrete flooring and stud walls. You can finish this space to make it livable. While some people wear their DIY hats, you can hire an architect to determine what to make of this place to suit your needs.
Bathroom bump-out
Small bathrooms need clever maneuvering to make them comfortable for daily use. For instance, you can fit your tiny bathroom with vessel sink basin to accommodate all the required features without compromising aesthetics and performance. However, a bump-out addition is possible if you wish to expand it a little. It is complex work, but your bathroom will earn extra space. Experts say you can extend this room by 6 or 7 sq. ft. That means your half bath can become a full bath. You can add a spa, a luxurious vanity with two sinks, and more. It also opens up the possibility of incorporating an oversized shower. And the best thing is you can work on this project yourself.
Please secure a building permit. It will take a little effort, but that will be worth your time and energy. It’s also a safe process as a specialist will analyze your plan to ensure the bump-out comes out correctly. When the work is in progress, another person will come for inspection.
Kitchen remodel
Small kitchens need more storage space. You may need a place for a pantry. If there is some clearance at the backside of the house, even a minor renovation would help. Or, you can look at the nearby corners to add more space. Think of the area under the stairwell, for instance. Also referred to as dead space, you can build this into a pantry to store food. Whether open shelves or something with custom doors, you can develop the design as you need.
Build a room above the garage
A small real estate requires additional rooms to accommodate everyone’s needs. If you have a garage, consider building a room over it. The structure should conform to the zoning and building codes. However, it will be an affordable project as you already have a ready foundation. You will need a vapor barrier, a new roof, etc.Some people construct shed dormers to use them as home offices. You can also opt for this idea while ensuring optimum headroom while meeting the building codes. Hire a designer or architect to consult about framing.
Finish the attic
Another great asset can be the attic. You can convert this into storage space with steep-pitched roofs and gable walls. You can create an extra bathroom, too, if you want. Showers can go into the highest length of the attic, while smaller fixtures can fit into gables and alcoves. Some homeowners use the attic for entertainment purposes. They install home theater to enjoy their time with friends and guests. Since attics and basements are usually darker due to limited light sources, you can envision this site similarly.
Build a second story
Lots of square footage and enhanced property value are the direct benefits of this project. Some believe it offers you 65% of the ROI. You can consider this option if there isn’t a scope to build a room. However, it’s also crucial to understand a few challenges beforehand. For instance, your home’s foundation should be strong enough to hold the extra structural weight. It will be more expensive than adding something to the existing flooring. Also, you would need permission for this type of extension because some cities follow height restrictions.
Considering everything falls in place, you can build a second story for about USD $150-200k on a 2,000 sq ft house. It’s a cost of a full second story. However, your price will come down to USD $90-120k if you build a partial structure. The estimated cost of adding a second story can be around USD $100-300 per sq ft.
How do you make the most of living in a small house with kids?
Sometimes, you need more money to remodel a house to add a few extra inches to its flooring. Please don’t feel sad about this. You can still enjoy all the comforts with a little planning. Keep your house clutter-free. Ask kids to store their toys in their proper place after their playing schedule is over. You can add multitasking furniture to keep the floor free. For instance, buy an ottoman with a storage room. Or, add sofa-cum-bed. In the main rooms, beds should also have enough space to store your blankets, pillows, and other items. Only fill your house with the necessary things.
Many opportunities are available if you wish to live your life happily. Choose the way that suits your lifestyle and budget. If you can afford, build up or build out your house to add a few more sq ft. Or, use only the most essential furniture pieces and others for smooth movement in and around the house.
