It’s no secret that many people prefer to live in smaller homes. They tend to cost less to buy and are much easier to keep up, too. Also, when there is a problem with a smaller home, it usually take less money to correct. So there are definitely some advantages to owning a smaller home. Despite this fact, there still may come a time if you own a small home that you will look for some ways to create some extra living space. Here are a few suggestions on how to do that.
Popular Additions That Are Often Done On Smaller Size Homes
Here are some of the most common ways that people choose to add-on to their small homes:
Add a partial second story
Many small homes only have one story. That means that home has the potential to have at least a partial second story added onto it. These types of additions take careful planning and are a little bit costlier than some other types of small home additions. You will also probably not be able to stay in your home while this work is being done. Adding a second story on a small home gives you many design options.
Expand outward
This is another great option for adding extra living space to a small home. Take out a wall or two and expand it outward. Be sure that when you do this you stay the proper distance away from property lines. This is a great way to expand a bedroom or create a larger size living room. These types of renovations are much less invasive than a second story addition and the home can still be lived in while it’s being done.
Build a Bonus Room Over the Garage
Even smaller homes usually have a garage attached to them. Adding a very usable room to the top of any garage is a great way to give yourself some extra living space for your smaller home. Many times when this is done that room will then become something like a master bedroom and a wall can then be taken down inside the home to make a larger kitchen or living room.
Enclose your porch
That extra living space you want may be closer and more affordable than you think if you have an open porch area. By enclosing that porch you will then give yourself a bonus year round living space.
How to Get That Small Home Addition Started
Unless you really know what you are doing and have lots of free time on your hands, it’s probably best to get some bids from some local renovation contractors. Start out by getting at least three bids for the project. Try and find a company like Evergreen Renovations & Roofing out of Beaverton, Oregon that will come do an onsite inspection and give you a follow-up estimate for free. If you like the price a contractor gives you and they seem knowledgeable, then do a little research on their background before agreeing to hire them.
