Many of us could benefit from adding another bedroom to our home. Of course, there are challenges to consider when making this renovation. This post explains everything you need to know about adding another bedroom to your home.
Reasons to add an extra bedroom
There are many reasons to add an extra bedroom to your home:
- If you have a growing family, it could give you the extra bedroom space you need without having to move home.
- It could provide you with a space for guests to stay.
- An extra bedroom is likely to add to the value of your home significantly.
- You could even rent this space out to a lodger.
Where should you put a second bedroom?
There are many places in your home where you can put a second bedroom. These include:
The loft
Loft bedrooms are very common. To turn your loft into a bedroom, you’ll need to make sure the roof is in good condition first – it could be worth looking for a recommended roofing company to carry out any necessary repairs. You’ll also need to install stairs going up to the bedroom if you want it to be legally classed as a bedroom (this will also be necessary if you rent it out to a lodger). A few other modifications like new flooring and lighting installation may be necessary. You may even be able to consider a few luxury features like adding a skylight or adding an en suite bathroom (if the space is big enough).
The basement
Basements can make a great space for an extra bedroom. To be legally classed as a bedroom, your basement will need to meet building regulations, which could include having suitable ventilation and easy access that can be used in an emergency. As with a loft bedroom, you’ll need to make modifications for comfort too such as adding lighting and suitable flooring (so that it doesn’t feel like a dungeon!).
The garage
An unused garage could also be ideal for a bedroom. As with a basement or loft bedroom, you’ll need to make sure that it’s got good lighting and suitable flooring. You may also want to consider blocking out the garage door so that it doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping in a garage (this could be turned into a large window). A garage that’s separated from your home could make a great guest bedroom or a space for a lodger, offering privacy from the rest of the house.
Somewhere else?
There are many other places you may be able to squeeze in an extra bedroom. A spare downstairs room such as an unused laundry room could be turned into a bedroom. You could even cut a large bedroom in half and turn it into two separate rooms. Or you could add an addition and place a bedroom here.
How much does adding a second bedroom cost?
Adding a second bedroom can vary in cost depending on where you put it. Adding an addition is likely to be more expensive than converting space, often costing around $50,000. Something like a loft conversion may only cost $20,000, but could also cost as much as $70,000 if you need to add a staircase or raise the roof. The cost could be important to consider if your goal is to add value – rooms that are already converted for habitation like an unused dining room or home office will be the least costly to turn into bedrooms.