Home extensions are a beneficial and cost-effective alternative to buying a new home. Whether you’re not quite ready to move or want your current house to be your forever home, a well-thought-out addition can improve your entire living situation. From building up to bumping out, you can extend your home through numerous ways. Here are five home extension ideas for your next project.
1. An Above-Garage Room
Adding a room above your one-story garage is more affordable than building a ground-floor extension. Be sure to check your local building codes and zoning regulations. Hire an engineer to make sure the existing foundations can take the load. Once you have the go-ahead, you can add a bedroom, a home office or a multi-functional living area. If possible, schedule the addition in tandem with repainting or re-siding to ensure the exterior appears seamless.
2. A Porch Enclosure
Adding a porch enclosure to the front of your home can extend your living space and provide additional square footage without a complete overhaul. Create either a functional space for summer with mesh screening or a year-round retreat with sliding doors, walls and some windows. Either way, a porch enclosure allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature while being protected from the elements.
3. Converting an Internal Garage
If you rarely use your garage, convert it to extra living space. You will save money on the extension by not having to lay a new foundation or build new walls, and if your garage has power and plumbing, it will further reduce the garage conversion cost. This type of project has been estimated to increase the value of a home by up to 10%.
4. A Rear Extension
Adding a ground-floor extension at the rear can completely transform your home. You can enjoy more natural light inside your home and improve the layout of the ground floor by extending the kitchen or gathering space—or adding a new room. A ground-floor extension typically involves the least disruption to the existing space, but it likely will require a zoning variance from the city. You’ll also lose some of your backyard space, so rear extensions are best suited for larger properties.
5. Building Up
Building up may be a cost-effective option since it uses your home’s existing foundation, which can be one of the most expensive components of a major home renovation. This is an ideal way to add space for growing families in a bungalow or split-level home, allowing another bedroom or bathroom. However, keep in mind that some older homes don’t have a strong enough foundation to support additional stories, so structural supports or reinforcements may be required.
If you need more space but don’t want to move, adding a home extension is your best bet. It increases your livable space and can make your home feel more balanced and comfortable.