The pandemic highlighted the importance of space in the house after the authorities released shelter-in-place directives to prevent the spread of the disease. With this, you may want to increase the space of your home to give you room to breathe in case another health crisis comes.
Aside from getting extra space, you can also increase the value of your property. Increasing the value allows you to get more from your investment if you offer the property in the market in the future. Here are some ways you can increase the living space in your house.
Build a New Room
One good way to increase the living space in your house is to build a new room. Building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) gives you additional space in your home. You can use it as a source of income by renting it out, or you can set up your home office in the ADU so you’ll free up space in the main house.
You can also add a bathroom to the ADU and create its own entrance. With this, you can ensure that whoever rents the space will have the privacy they need. It also allows them to access their living space easily.
Construct a Deck
Adding a deck in the backyard increases the usable space of the house. You can use the deck as a place where you can entertain family and close friends. Adding a grill or an outdoor bar makes the deck a good place to hang out during weekends. You can also install outdoor furniture, decorate it with plants, and install outdoor lighting. To add privacy to your deck, you can install patio sun shades over it. It also protects you from ultraviolet light in case you want to spend the day on your deck.
Add a Second Floor
If the foundations of your home are strong enough, you can increase the usable space by adding a second floor to it. While this option can be costly, it offers a lot of benefits for you as a homeowner. This is particularly true if your family is growing.
Additionally, adding a second floor does not require additional property space since you are building upwards. The value of the property will also increase with the addition of a second floor to the house. But before you start working on the second floor, you should make sure the foundations can support the weight and get the proper government permits.
Additionally, you should work with a professional if you want to a second floor to the house.
Make the Kitchen Bigger
The kitchen and the bathroom are two of the most important places in the home. When you increase the size of the kitchen, it allows you to do wonders for your meals. It also increases the resale value of the home. This is particularly true if you install the latest appliances and equipment in the kitchen.
You can add a walk-in pantry or a breakfast nook in the kitchen. Removing the wall that separates the kitchen from the living room also allows you to show off your culinary skills to friends. Additionally, making the kitchen bigger increases the usable space in your home.
Construct a Standalone ADU
If you have a sizeable yard, you can use a part of the space to construct a standalone ADU. You can use the separate ADU as a guest house for visiting family or friends. If you have a pool, the ADU can serve as your pool house where people can change into their swimsuits or change to dry clothes without entering the main house.
A separate ADU may include a bathroom, small kitchen, and lounge area if you plan to rent it out. While it can cost you money to build the standalone ADU, it also increases the home’s resale value aside from increasing your living area. You can even use it as your home office if you work remotely.
Complete the Basement or Attic
If your home has an unfinished basement or attic, it may be time for you to complete it. Completing the basement or attic increases the usable space in the house since you can use it to set up a den or an additional room. You can even convert it into a home office.
You can set up a home theater in the basement or attic and use it as a family room. Adding a window to the attic can take the feeling of claustrophobia while you are using the room.
Increasing the usable space in the house allows you to optimize the area of your property. It also increases the home’s resale value in case you want to sell it in the future.
