Extensions

Extensions are just what they sound like: adding square footage to your home by building a new room or rooms onto the side or back of the existing house. The most popular form of extension is a bedroom and/or bathroom, but you could also add a dining room, a family room, or whatever you need to make your home work better for you.

You’ll have to keep your area’s codes in mind if you’re planning an extension. There are often regulations about how big it can be or where you can put it, based on property lines and other factors. But assuming those pieces fall into place, adding on a room by building an extension can be a dramatic upgrade to your home.

Micro additions–also called bump-outs–are another form of extension. These smaller additions are a great way to add more space while saving on cost. Generally, anywhere from two to fifteen square feet, a bump-out doesn’t usually require foundation work or extensive roof work. Because of this, they are easier to build and cost significantly less. And if a micro-addition seems too small to make a difference, remember that it will give you enough space to add a kitchen island, an extra bed in a bedroom, a mudroom or laundry room, or more living space in your main living areas. A well-planned micro-addition can significantly change the flow and feel of your house.

Second-Story Additions

Sometimes instead of building out, the best option for an addition is to build up! Second-story or third-story additions are often great if you’re adding on bedroom or home office space. If you have a smaller yard or neighbors who are close by, building up will increase your living space while keeping your home’s footprint the same.

Some popular options for building up include

• Adding a bedroom over the garage.

• Building a master suite.

• Adding more bedroom space for kids.

• Building a home office that is away from the hustle and bustle of the main floor.

Your contractor will need to confirm that your home’s structure and foundation will support the extra weight of another story, but assuming it will, building up is often an easier and less expensive process than building out, because you won’t need to do ground and foundation work.

Conversions

Sometimes the space you need is already there; you just have to figure out how to repurpose it. One of the most common additions people make during renovations is turning their garage into an apartment. Because a garage already has a foundation, roof, and walls, turning it into a bedroom is generally a straightforward operation. While many people turn their garage into a guest apartment, other options are an office, a home gym, a playroom, or a media room.

Another popular remodel is an attic conversion. Depending on the type of attic you have, you may be able to make that underused space earn its keep. A teen bedroom or teen hangout, or a quiet office might be the best options for that space, and a quick search online will show you beautiful and remarkable ideas for attic conversions. Talk to your designers about if it’s a good choice for your home.

Finally, turning a porch into a four-seasons room (usually by adding insulation and HVAC) is a relatively easy way of increasing your year-round usable space. If you don’t find yourself gravitating toward outdoor living, turning your outdoor space into an indoor space might be the right move for your family.

Outdoor Space

Speaking of outdoor space, if you love being in the fresh air, maybe what you need for your addition isn’t actually more rooms but more living space–in the great outdoors. You can add an outdoor kitchen, a living room, a porch or sunroom, a pergola, a covered deck–whatever your home needs. Sometimes the square footage you’re looking for can be found outside, making your home feel like a vacation getaway in the best possible sense. Click here for inspiration, and here for ideas on how to add livable outdoor spaces to your home.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Accessory dwelling units are stand-alone structures that generally have a bedroom, bathroom, small kitchen, and living space. Many people erect these small buildings in the backyard to provide a place for adult children or aging parents, or as a rental space. Not all communities allow putting an ADU on your property, but if you are able to do it, it might be what you need to feel like you can spread out a little. Your contractor can help you decide if it’s the right move for your family.