If your living space seems to be shrinking, you’re not alone. What started as a generously-sized family room is beginning to feel a little claustrophobic as new additions to your family––kids, pets, extended family––seemingly occupy every square foot of space. Bookshelves once lined with, books, now house your child’s toys and your favorite recliner has turned into your mother-in-law’s favorite recliner. If you are in need of extra living space, now is the time to consider a family room addition.
So why choose a family room addition? For starters, it’s considered the best bang for your buck. That’s mainly due to the fact that unlike adding a master bath or extending your kitchen, a family room extension doesn’t need to be plumbed (unless you decide to install a wet bar), nor does it require large stone surfaces or major appliances. So, per square foot, with a few exceptions of course, a family room addition creates the greatest return on your investment.
Another great reason to add on to your family room is because it gives you the chance to open up your main floor. By adding on next to the kitchen, for example, you’re creating a large open floor plan that serves as a multi-purpose gathering space. Open floor plans are highly sought after in today’s market, proving to be a strong investment for homeowners looking to reshape or add to their floor plans.
If you’re deciding how to expand your family room given the current layout of your home, remember the following:
- Your house should dictate the style choices you make to the family room.
- For example, if you have hardwoods throughout the main floor, put them in your new living space. Match the exterior siding, trim and windows as well.
- Decide where you want to put the entertainment center early on in the process.
- This gives your contractor and electrician an idea as to where the power supply needs to be installed, as well as other design features, such as built in shelves or a fireplace (if you decide to include in your add on).
- Think about sound.
- A family gathering place often generates a lot of noise between the entertainment center, custom audio and people’s voices, which will be magnified the higher the ceiling. Talk to your contractor about ways to insulate sound in the room to keep it from carrying through the house. As long as you’re buying new windows, consider those that are treated for sound.
With spring right around the corner, now is a great time to think about a custom family room addition. Your family (and pets) will enjoy the extra space and you can be sure that you’re making a sound investment on your home should you ever decide to put it on the market. Design Build Remodeling Group of Maryland has plenty of experience with custom home renovations and remodeling projects. If you’re interested in expanding your living space, or getting a great return on your investment, contact Design Build Remodeling Group today to speak to a contractor.
