Top Home Additions and Their Advantages

If you need a little extra space in your house, consider expanding. You can choose from a variety of home addition ideas as your family grows and changes, and some can even give your property higher resale value. In this guide, we’ll discuss some room addition ideas to inspire you to improve your current living space.

Are Home Additions Worth It?

Yes, adding onto a house add values to the property and makes you more comfortable in your living space. Here are some benefits of home additions:

• Saved money: Instead of moving to another house with a bonus room or extra bedrooms, you could add to the home you already have.
• More dedicated space: You might have space in your home you’re not using. Add a couple of square feet to your old garage or porch to make a bonus room.
• Higher resale value: Adding onto a house increases its property value. When you’re ready to sell your home in the future, your home will be worth more with the extra space.

What Types of Home Additions Are Worth It?

There are a wide variety of home additions you can use to expand your house. However, not all are worth the time, money or effort. To decide which additions are worth it for your home and family, you need to understand the benefits of each type.

1. Are Second Floor Additions Worth It?

Add a second story to your small one-story house for additional square footage. You can configure your home to put all the bedrooms upstairs to have more space downstairs. You could also create an apartment with a separate entrance.

Here are the benefits of second-floor additions:

• Keep your yard space: Build a second story onto your home if you have room to move up but not out. Some remodeling projects take space from the yard, but when you add another level, you can keep your yard while adding more material to the house.
• Stay in your home: As your family grows and you run out of space, you may want to put your house on the market and move elsewhere. Adding a second floor can give you the space you need to accommodate your family and guests.
• Enjoy the beautiful views around you: From the second story, you can see more of the sights around you. If you live in a beautiful neighborhood, you can build up above the trees and take advantage of the scenery.
• Have more privacy: Putting all your bedrooms on the second floor gives you more privacy from visiting guests. You don’t have to mess with the flow of your current living space.

2. Are Accessory Dwelling Units Worth It?

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a separate part of the house that can serve as an additional space for living. This part is either attached or detached from the home. You can use this space to accommodate extended family members or as a rental.

An ADU can improve your home by adding:

• Resale value: You could use this space as a legal rental property with the proper permits. Create a space for tenants to rent out to help offset the cost of your home. Future homebuyers will also enjoy the option to collect income from the property.
• Flexibility: As your family grows, you could have more space by creating an ADU. You can make an ADU out of any part of the house. An attached ADU usually involves converting a garage into space more people will use. A shed can become an ADU with electricity and running water.
• Sustainability: Instead of building a brand-new house, you can take from the resources you already have in your home. This process saves you time and money, and it’s safer for the environment.

3. Are Chef’s Kitchen Additions Worth It?

You could expand any room on the main floor. The kitchen is a room that everyone can enjoy. If you like to cook and have big dinner parties with your guests, you should invest in a kitchen addition.

Aside from having more space, a chef’s kitchen could also get you:

• High return on investment: To get the most out of your kitchen, you need to do more than update the cabinets or appliances. A major kitchen remodeling project returns more than half the value paid for it.
• More functionality in your kitchen: If you add more space to your kitchen, you could use it for more activities. Instead of having a separate kitchen and dining area, you can add a table for your family to eat right in the kitchen.
• Comfort: Even if you add a couple of square feet to your kitchen, you’ll have plenty more space. Your guests could sit and talk with you as you cook. Instead of working in a cramped environment, you’ll prepare and serve food with ease.

4. Is Building a Dormer Worth It?

A dormer is a roofed structure that extends an area of a second story of the home. Most people associate a dormer with Cape Cod homes, but they also work with other house styles as well. Builders have cut into the roof to create this extension of space.

Dormer additions provide your home with the following benefits:

• Natural light: With the addition of new windows, dormers can add more light to your home. Since windows are higher up, you’ll have a better view and more ventilation.
• More space: You could make a small home a little bigger with a dormer. If you have to expand your master bedroom or create a bonus space, you could construct a dormer on your home. Adding a dormer saves you the cost of having to move as your family grows.
• Better curb appeal and resale value: With the additional square footage, you can use an attic or crawl space as another room. Potential homebuyers will appreciate the extra space. Dormers could break up the appearance of a bland roof and give your home a unique look.

5. Are California Rooms Worth It?

A California room is an indoor-outdoor living space with a ceiling and large glass windows. Many California rooms also have a section that can fully open to the outside to maximize airflow. If you live in a coastal area that has warm weather all year round, you can take advantage of the opportunity to have this flexible space in your home. You can connect a California room to the main house with a sliding glass door.

Add a California room to your living space to take advantage of these benefits:

• Natural sunlight: You can enjoy the natural beauty of your backyard while protecting yourself from mosquitoes. Provide heating to enjoy your space in colder temperatures. California rooms come with large windows and an open living space to allow natural lighting into your home.
• Flexible space: You could use this space for both indoor and outdoor use. Homeowners choose to put barbecue sets and outdoor furniture inside their California rooms. Since it has structured walls, you can use a California room all year long. Outdoor parties are more comfortable with close access to the kitchen and structured walls. California rooms could also serve as a place for dining or relaxing.

6. Are Sunrooms Worth It?

If you have an old porch or a deck you want to enclose, you could create a sunroom. Sunrooms welcome in natural light all year round, providing you with comfort and flexible living space. Here are the benefits of a sunroom addition:

• More energy-efficiency: With the large windows in a sunroom, you invite natural light into your home. Instead of cranking up your HVAC in the winter, use some sunlight to warm up your living space.
• A beautiful view: If you live near the beach or your home is on top of a mountain, take advantage of the natural scenery around you. Use the large windows in your sunroom to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking views in your neighborhood each morning.
• Health benefits: Numerous studies have shown that increased natural lighting in a household is correlated with many health benefits, including increased focus & productivity, increased happiness, and reduced stress & anxiety,

Create a New Home Addition With Ideal Construction & Remodeling

At Ideal Construction & Remodeling, we are a full-service design-build firm that services the Northern Virginia area, including metro DC and Montgomery County, Maryland. We’ll walk you through the whole process, from the floor plan layout to making your dreams come to life. Contact us online or call us today at 703-241-1411 for a free in-home consultation.