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Room to grow-how can you enlarge your home?
Room to grow
If you need more space but don’t want to move, try enlarging your existing home…
Adding space to your existing home is a cost effective way to get more square footage because it is far less expensive to add on square footage to your existing home then it is to buy added square footage with a new home purchase.
If you are interested in adding space and value to your home, you need to decide which direction to expand – either out, up or down.
Traditionally, adding a conservatory or ground floor extension was the most common way of enlarging a property. Loft conversions are also popular, and more people are turning to garden rooms and basement conversions as ways of adding that all-important footage.
Expanding out
The cheapest way to expand your home is to add on to the house at ground level. This method is the most cost effective because you don't have to worry about compromising the foundation and structure of your home, it is easy to get equipment positioned to do the work and the construction is relatively straightforward.
Many people are opting for an extra room to be built in their gardens for use as workshops, studios or home offices. Cedarwood Offices has a wide range of options for home offices and creating extra rooms outdoors. Wood is the most popular material for garden rooms, as it blends well with the natural surroundings, but far more contemporary, glass structures are also an option.
If you go for a garden room or ground floor extension or conservatory, you will need to check where your power lines, gas and other utilities are buried.
If you have a patio that you don’t often use, why not make it into a summer kitchen area, with barbecue, seating and eating area, thus creating the feel of another room, at least for the summer months!
Expanding Up
Loft conversions are an increasingly popular way of adding space to your home, especially in built up areas such as central London where space to extend outwards is at a premium.
If you already have a solid attic with a proper joist system in place, then you can transform the loft space into an extra room with little effort and money.
Most older homes are not going to have the proper joist systems in place, and will need a total renovation to make it habitable. Before you consider expanding your home upward, whether it is to add a room in an existing attic or adding a complete second storey, you will need to get an expert to examine your home's structure.
They will need to evaluate the strength of your foundation, the strength of the exterior walls and the overall construction of your home. If your home is not structurally sound, or if it is not strong enough to support a second storey, then your expansion project can quickly become a very expensive endeavor. Depending on your address, planning permission may well be needed, so check with your local council before you start.
Expanding Down
The main reason that basement conversions are growing in popularity is because, unlike loft conversions, basements are normally closer to other communal areas and can be more versatile living spaces that suit modern lifestyles, not just extra bedrooms, bathrooms or studies.
Basement conversions were championed by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning in 2005 as a way of addressing the UK's increasing inner-city dwelling density.
Apart from the extra space for you or your family, you could also rent out your newly converted basement to a lodger who would share the communal kitchen and bathroom. You could even convert the basement into a self-contained studio apartment, which would require planning permission.
The London Basement Company (TLBC) is one firm who specialize in the excavation and conversion of basements. Whilst some people may be put off a basement conversion as dark, dingy rooms spring to mind, TLBC say that, with careful design of lightwells and use of the most up to date waterproofing materials, a basement can feel as comfortable and inviting as any other room in the house. TLBC recommend a ceiling height of 2.4 metres, and they estimate that a completed basement can add between 20 and 30 per cent onto the value of a home.
If you do not have an existing basement under your home, you can still create one, but it may be a costly procedure. Many Victorian houses, and older types of properties have timber-suspended floors, so are ideal for basement conversions, as the work can often be carried out from outside, which means you can easily continue to live in your property while the renovations are taking place. As some older properties may have shallow foundations, in order to create a safe living space below, you may need to underpin the house first.
Create a feeling of space
If you live in a flat or property where there is no option for adding square footage, you can use certain decorating and furnishing tips to create the feeling and look of more space. If you have a small kitchen, don’t use up what limited space there is with bulky furnishings and appliances.
Instead, opt for slimmer appliances and kitchen cabinets, which will offer you the functions you need as well as giving you the space you want.
Choose items that can have double functions, such as a table, which can be used as either a space at which to prepare food, eat and also as a work desk. You could opt for a table that folds flat against the wall, so it doesn’t take up valuable space when not in use. Drop-leaf tables with leaves that can be added or taken away are also a good option.
Choose light paint colours for the walls, as dark colours will make the space look far smaller. Colours such as white, pale yellow, cream or light blue work well. You can also use the same colours on the cabinets and countertops, to create a feeling of continuity and space.
If you are short on storage space, consider installing ceiling racks, on which to hang pots, pans and cooking utensils, which would otherwise use up valuable worktop or cupboard storage space.
CONTACTS
Cedarwood Offices: www.cedarwood-offices.co.uk
The London Basement Company: www.tlbc.co.uk
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