10 Reasons To Consider a Room Addition
Additions
Let’s explore room additions and creative ideas that can expand your space, increase your home’s value, and how leasing can pay off. Sometimes bigger is better.
1. Maximizing or Creating Needed Space
Building an additional structure can increase your square footage for various purposes. Ideas might include:
- Kitchen: Create a formal dining room, pantry, or mudroom.
- Bedroom: Install more closet space or a sitting area.
- Recording studio: Add soundproofing for musical instruments.
- Garage: Convert your garage into an apartment.
- Home gym: Work out from home by creating an at-home gym.
- Other ideas: Add an extra powder or utility room.
2. Increasing Home Value
Room additions can increase your home’s value by $30,000 to $50,000 for each bedroom. Talk to your insurer about adjusting the square footage for your expanded space.
3. Avoiding the Hassle & Financial Hurdles of Moving
Moving costs can total thousands of dollars for closing fees, inspections, and moving companies, and if you can’t close promptly, you might have to juggle two mortgages.
About 76% of Americans would rather upgrade their home. Renovations are cost-effective, there’s no real estate market stress, and your children won’t have to change schools or live in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
4. Improving Aesthetic & Curb Appeal
Well-designed room additions can visually match the rest of your home and increase your curb appeal. To maximize your ROI, Home Advisor suggests factoring in the after-renovation value (ARV):
- Kitchen remodels: Recoup 85% of project costs
- Primary bedrooms with ensuite bathroom: 63%
- Extra bathroom: 53%
- Sunroom: 49%
- In-law suites (accessory dwelling units): 38%
5. More Space for Hosting Family
Extra space lets you invite extended family members for the holidays or provide much-needed distance.
When designing guest-friendly spaces, add Murphy beds or futons for overnight guests, include under-bed storage for extra linens, or install a bathroom for added privacy and shorter lines.
6. Enhancing Natural Light & Ventilation
Because health and mood both benefit from natural light, insulated sunrooms add natural light, increase airflow, and can be enjoyed year-round.
An area for plants or an indoor garden is also holistic while comfortable chairs are ideal for older relatives and friends.
7. Creating Additional Functionality
Most homes can benefit from multipurpose rooms for hobbies, recreation, a home office, or a playroom. Creative ideas include:
- A remote office setup with a workstation
- Floor padding and obstacles for a children’s play area
- Mirrors, weights, and a bench for daily workouts
8. Accommodating a Growing Family
If your family is growing, when planning a family-friendly addition, add games, cubicles, and cozy reading areas for children.
Another idea is to create an area to meditate, relax, or watch movies, or provide a study area with shelves, a desk, and reading corners.
9. Housing Aging Parents
Aging in place is common and sometimes necessary to better accommodate older guests in your home, which helps keep them independent and safe. Design tips for accessibility and comfort include:
- A basement expansion with low-pile carpeting, bathroom guard rails, and an exterior ramp.
- A secondary living structure attached/detached with same-floor access to the kitchen and bathroom.
- A bump-out that cantilevers out by several feet with a flat- or shed-style roof.
10. Earning Passive Income
Airbnb renters can make hundreds or thousands of dollars monthly. To ensure fair housing, check landlord-tenant and discrimination laws, tax implications, HOA bylaws, and licensing requirements.
Review laws about noise abatement, rental rates, background checks, keys and home-sharing access, rental applications, and insurance policies.
Benefits of renting include:
- Earning income and lowering your cost of living
- Having company and added peace of mind
- Lowering your mortgage and recouping renovation costs
Related Reading:
Why Choose Blackdog Design/Build?
If you’re thinking about a room addition, consider your needs and then talk to our remodelers.
Founded in 1989, Blackdog Design/Build provides state-of-the-art design ideas. As industry-leading remodelers, see our design/build process and the Blackdog difference.
Take the first step. Start with a remodeling consultation in your Massachusetts or New Hampshire home by calling our Nashua or Salem office.
