How to Increase the Square Footage of Your Home Without Increasing the Size of Your House

How to Increase the Square Footage of Your Home Without Increasing the Size of Your House

We’ve all been there. That nagging feeling in your mind when you start to think your house is no longer big enough for you and your family. We fuss over the criticisms‍

There’s nowhere to put anything.
If only I had more space.
We’re living on-top of each other.‍

With kids learning from home, your kitchen now converted to a classroom, and your home office, now occupying the dining room, it’s no wonder you feel pressed for more space. Or, maybe you’re just feeling like it’s time to trade in your house for something roomier. After all, it is a seller’s market and your current home might just go for well-beyond asking price.

But selling the house and uprooting your life is a big move – quite literally – and perhaps not in your short-term plan. Plus, you really like your house.

Home additions like ADU’s, roof dormers and room bump-outs are excellent alternatives to selling your home, and will not only give you the additional space you seek, but will increase the value of your home. Conversely, you don’t need expensive home additions to gain more square footage in your house. Small to moderate upgrades like concrete coatings and cabinet carpentry can add versatility to a room and help maintain organization.

Webfoot brings you a few ideas on how you can increase the square footage of your home by getting the most out of your home’s existing footprint.

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Create a  multi-functional space in your garage

It’s time to start thinking of your garage as more than just a storage shed with covered parking. Your garage is another room in your house and the potential for its functionality is nearly limitless. While you may always need your garage to serve as a  glorified storage hub, that doesn’t mean it can’t be an operative space. Whether you’ve been dreaming of installing a home gym, looking for a place to continue those DIY projects, or just need to move that dining room office to a private space, your garage is waiting to serve you. The key to making your garage a multi-functional space is to first organize. By moving items off of the floor and utilizing upward wall space, bins and shelving, you can reclaim the floor space for other purposes. Check out these helpful tips on how to organize your garage.‍

Now that you’re organized, consider the application of a concrete coating to enhance your garage floor. Coatings are an inexpensive application that will give your garage the appeal of a finished room. Their slip-resistant surface make them ideal for home gyms, workshops and rec areas. And if it is a home office you desire, concrete coatings produce the same attractive aesthetics of a professional workspace.

Get a second-floor addition by finishing your basement

Finishing a basement is like getting a second-floor addition to a home, but instead of creating a new space, you are transforming an under-utilized area into a livable component of your home. There are many aspects of a basement renovation to consider depending on how you intend to use the space. Two things you don’t want to cut corners on, are moisture control and insulation. Both can have big implications to the overall outcome of your basement renovation. Take a look at these 10 things you should know before starting your basement renovation. If you need guidance on paint and flooring options, Webfoot can guide you on the best solutions to make your space the most optimal for you and your family.

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Free-up space in your house with a mudroom.

There are many places within a home that can be fashioned into a mudroom – An entryway, the laundry room, a closet or pantry. The mudroom is both functional and for storage. It is a place to kick off your muddy shoes and wet snow gear, store tools, laundry accessories, cleaning supplies and other miscellaneous items. Creating a mudroom in your home provides a space for items that might otherwise get dumped in the garage, tossed on a bedroom floor or thrown into a closet. The mudroom will free up space in other areas of your home and keep you organized. Storage bins, wall cubbies and utility cabinets work well for organization and individual storage. Basic carpentry work can provide  floating shelves or corner mantels. Hooks and racks can be installed for coats and jackets, or skis and snowshoes. Consider a slip-resistant floor surface, like a concrete coating, that is durable against harsh elements like dirt and water. Check out these tips on how to design a mudroom for different spaces in your home.

Gain the extra space you need with a patio enclosure.‍

A patio enclosure has endless potential for function, from bedroom to TV room, shop or office, sunroom or rec room, enclosing your patio can give you the flexibility you seek in a home addition. How you intend to use the new space will inform decisions around heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical, so it’s important to consider whether the enclosed patio will serve as a seasonal space or an all-seasons room. Review this short guide for pointers on how to assess your existing porch for a room conversion. Give us a call if you have questions about enclosing your patio space, Webfoot can help install windows and provide options for siding, flooring and other repairs.

Can’t decide how best to add square footage to your home? Let us help you. Our estimates are free and our team of experts have seriously great advice. Contact us.

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